My Fitness

I started doing the Couch to 5K, or C25K, Program in January 2010. In 2009, I walked 1,000 miles, but the goal for 2010 is to be able to run... this way I could do the miles faster! And, burn more calories.

Workouts are HERE. (scroll down to schedule). I round most of my workouts up to 30 minutes on the back end by walking it out. My calorie burns are listed below and are based on my HRM. The distance and time are based on the treadmill as ALL of these runs are done on a treadmill. When I walk, I walk at 4.0 mph; when I run, I run at 6.3 mph. I also started doing mini one-minute sprints at 7.5 mph.

As of August 17, 2010, I'm running longer than 30 minutes and am past the C25K program - getting my first run of 35 minutes straight at 6.3 mph! Now, i'm working to get my running up to being comfortable running for 60 minutes - this would get me to 6 miles+ straight, a 10K. Once this is very comfortable, I want to begin running faster!

As of March 2011, it seems running is definitely not going to happen. My foot won't cooperate and it makes me VERY sad. Enter new attempts at classes like body pump and spinning. I'll keep up with my workouts here.

FAQ

Q: Why do you only run on a treadmill? Honestly, i'm VERY allergic to grass. VERY. It's a major allergy for me and renders me pretty miserable here in the Southeast from about April to October AKA prime running time. It's hard to be outside during this time unless i'm in water or surrounded by pavement or sand. Therefore, all running has been done indoors and likely will be unless I give it a whirl this fall once my nemesis dies. hehe

Q: Are you going to run a race? Maybe. It's not that I don't want to, it's just I don't know when i'll train outside. I would be some kind of odd winter-only runner. I'm not opposed to it. Figure I can try to give running outside a whirl this fall (from what I hear it's physically harder while treadmill running is mentally harder). If it goes well, I can see if there are jingle bell runs or something in the winter!

Q: Why do you run at 6.3 mph? Honestly, my friend Mary T runs. I wanted to start. I asked her what to set the treadmill at. (we're about the same height/roughly the same build). She said, "6.3 mph." I said okay. The end! LOL Now I keep it there most of the time. Once I get to my 10K (which I hope I do) I plan to start working on the time to get to where I can run comfortably at 7.5... an 8-minute mile would be the bomb.

Workouts

January 2010 - 11 Runs

Monday, Jan. 4 - alternate 1 minute run with 1.5 minute walk for 20 minutes - Week 1
Tuesday, Jan. 5 - alternate 1 minute run with 1.5 minute walk for 20 minutes - Week 1
Monday, Jan. 11 - alternate 1 minute run with 1.5 minute walk for 20 minutes - Week 1
Thursday, Jan. 14 - alternate 1 minute run with 1.5 minute walk for 20 minutes - Week 1
Saturday, Jan. 16 - alternate 1 minute run with 1.5 minute walk for 20 minutes - Week 1

Monday, Jan. 18 - alternate 1.5 minute run with 2 minute walk for 20 minutes - Week 2
Wednesday, Jan. 20 - alternate 1.5 minute run with 2 minute walk for 20 minutes - Week 2
Friday, Jan. 22 - alternate 1.5 minute run with 2 minute walk for 20 minutes - Week 2

Sunday, Jan. 24 - alternate 1.5 minute run with 1.5 minute walk; 3 minute run and 3 minute walk; repeat - Week 3
Tuesday, Jan. 26 - alternate 1.5 minute run with 1.5 minute walk; 3 minute run and 3 minute walk; repeat - Week 3
Friday, Jan. 29 - alternate 1.5 minute run with 1.5 minute walk; 3 minute run and 3 minute walk; repeat - Week 3

February 2010 - 9 runs

Monday, Feb. 1 - alternate 2 3-minute runs and 2 5-minute runs with 1.5 minute walks in between - Week 4

Thursday, Feb. 4 - alternate 2 3-minute runs and 2 5-minute runs with 1.5 minute walks in between - Week 4

Saturday, Feb. 5 - alternate 2 3-minute runs and 2 5-minute runs with 1.5 minute walks in between - Week 4

Monday, Feb. 8 - 3 5-minute runs alternated with 2 3-minute walks - Week 5 #1

Wednesday, Feb. 10 - 3 5-minute runs alternated with 2 3-minute walks - Week 5 #1

Wednesday, Feb. 17 - 3 5-minute runs alternated with 2 3-minute walks - Week 5 #1

Friday, Feb. 19 - 3 5-minute runs alternated with 2 3-minute walks - Week 5 #1

Tuesday, Feb. 23 - 2 8-minute runs with one 5-minute walk in between - Week 5 #2

Thursday, Feb. 25 - 2 8-minute runs with one 5-minute walk in between - Week 5 #2

March 2010 - 6 runs

Monday, March 1 - 20 minute run with no walks - week 5 #2

Monday, March 15 -

2 5-minute runs and 1 8-minute run alternated with 2 3-minute walks - week 6 #1

Friday, March 19 -

2 10-minute runs with one 3-minute walk in between - week 6 #2

Sunday, March 21 -

25 minute run with no walks - week 6 #3

Wednesday, March 24 - 25 minutes (25/straight) - week 7

Tuesday, March 30 - 25 minutes (25/straight) - week 7

April 2010 - 6 runs

Thursday, April 8 - 18 minutes (18/straight) - week 7

Tuesday, April 13 - 20 minutes (20/straight) - week 7

Friday, April 16 - 28 minutes (6.3 straight) - Week 8

Thursday, April 22 - 22 minutes (6.3/straight) - build

Tuesday, April 27 - 25 minutes (6.3/straight) - build

Thursday, April 29 - 22 minutes (6.3/straight) - build

May 2010 - 3 runs

Tuesday, May 18 - 10 minutes; break; 11 minutes (21/break) - build

Friday, May 21 - 11 minutes; break; 8 minutes (19/break) - build

Sunday, May 30 - 11 minutes; break; 10 minutes (21/break) - build

June 2010 - 7 runs

Thursday, June 3 - 10 minutes; break; 10 minutes (20/break) - build

Friday, June 11 - 15 minutes 6.3/1 minute 7.5 (16/straight) - build

Thursday, June 17 - 16 minutes 6.3/1 minute 7.5 (17/straight) - build

Saturday, June 19 - 17 minutes 6.3/1 minute 7.5 (18/straight) - build

Monday, June 22 - 19 minutes 6.3/1 minute 7.5 (20/straight) - build

Friday, June 25 - 20 minutes 6.3/1 minute 7.5 (21/straight) - build

Tuesday, June 29 - 21 minutes 6.3/1 minute 7.5 (22/straight) - build

July 2010 - 8 runs

Thursday, July 1 - 22 minutes 6.3/1 minute 7.5 (23/straight) - build

Wednesday, July 7 - 25 minutes 6.3 (25/straight) - Week 7

Friday, July 9 - 25 minutes 6.3 (25/straight) - Week 7

Tuesday, July 13 - 28 minutes 6.3 (28/straight) - Week 8

Friday, July 16 - 28 minutes 6.3 (28/straight) - Week 8

Tuesday, July 20 - 30 minutes 6.3 (30/straight) - Week 9

Friday, July 23 - 30 minutes 6.3 (30/straight) - Week 9

Wednesday, July 28 - 30 minutes 6.3 (30/straight) - Week 9

August 2010 - 8 runs

Wednesday, August 4 - 30 minutes 6.3 (30/straight) - Week 9

One step back to prep for longer runs

Sunday, August 8 - 25 minutes 6.3 (25/straight) - Week 7

Wednesday, August 11 - 24 minutes 6.3/1 at 7.5 (25/straight) - Week 7

Friday, August 13 - 24 minutes 6.3/1 minute 7.5 (25 straight) - Week 7

Tuesday, August 17 - 35 minutes 6.3 (35/straight) longest run ever

Tuesday, August 24 - 35 minutes 6.3 (35/straight) - build

Thursday, August 26 - 35 minutes 6.3 (35/straight) - build

Begin New 10K Running Plan on Monday, August 30

August 2010 (cont.)

Monday, August 30 - 3 miles at 6.3 (28/straight) - Week 1

September 2010 - 10 runs

Thursday, September 2 - 2.5 miles at 6.3 (24/straight) - Week 1

Saturday, September 4 - 3 miles at 6.3 (28/straight) - Week 1

Wednesday, September 8 - 3 miles at 6.3 (28/straight) - Week 2

Saturday, September 11 - 2.5 miles at 6.3 (24/straight) - Week 1

Wednesday, September 15 - 3 miles at 6.3 (28/straight) - Week 2

Friday, September 17 - 3.5 miles at 6.3 (14/straight; ST; 19/straight) - Week 2

Tuesday, September 21 - 3 miles at 6.3 (28/straight) - Week 3

Thursday, September 23 - 3.5 miles at 6.3 (33/straight) - Week 3

Saturday, September 25 - 3.5 miles at 6.3 (33/straight) - Week 3

Tuesday, September 28- 3.5 miles at 6.3 (33/straight) - Week 4

October 2010

Friday, October 1- 3.5 miles at 6.3 (33/straight) - Week 4

Tuesday, October 5 - 3.5 miles at 6.3 (33/straight) - Week 4

Thursday, October 7 - 3 miles at 6.3 (28/straight) - Week 4

Got off track, felt sickly, traveled too much... only did short 1- and 2-mile runs. Trying to pick it back up:

Friday, October 29 - 3 miles at 6.3 (28 straight) - Week 3

November 2010

Thursday, November 4 - 2.5 miles at 6.3 (24 straight)

Thursday, November 11 - 2 miles at 6.3 (19 straight)

Monday, November 15 - 2 miles at 6.3 (19 straight)

Wednesday, November 24 - 1 mile at 6.3 (9 straight)

December 2010

Saturday, December 4 - 2 miles at 6.3 (19/straight)

Monday, December 6 - 2 miles at 6.3 (19/straight)

Not working out... now i've been asked to not run by my podiatrist until my sesamoids heal.... I WILL pick this back up. Sad! I had hoped to finish the year with a 10K behind me. Now it's looking like it's not going to happen. At. All.

Books

I've always been a reader. As a little girl I was so addicted to multiple series, the usual suspects: Baby Sitter’s Club, Baby Sitter’s Little Sister, Sweet Valley Kids/Twins/etc., Pee Wee Scouts, Boxcar Children, Fear Street, Goosebumps, some series about ice skaters or gymnasts or both?, Nancy Drew… the list goes on. And on. In college and especially grad school, reading was devoted to studying only. If I read for leisure it was over the summer or on vacations!

Once I graduated I wanted to start reading again. And then I got engaged and it was reading for wedding planning only. Then we got married and I started reading again… then I began gaining weight and decided to focus on weight loss, nutrition and little else. Then I realized, I can read while walking! I can listen to books while doing strength training! I was so excited, and started reading again “on the regular” in December 2008. Now I’m even in a book club! I’m really enjoying getting back into this hobby. I’ll use this spot on my blog to post books I read, reviews, etc.

December 2008: Jennifer Weiner’s Certain Girls Review

December 2008: Jane Green’s Second Chances (audio) Short Review

December 2008: Suzanne Collin’s Hunger Games Short Review

2009

Book 1: January 2009: Meg Cabot’s Avalon High Review (audio)

Book 2: January 2009: Meg Cabot’s Queen of Babble Review

Book 3: January 2009: Danielle Steel’s Second Chance Review

Book 4: February 2009: Kate White’s A Body to Die For Review

Book 5: March 2009: Meg Cabot’s How to Be Popular Review

Book 6: March 2009: Jay Asher’s 13 Reasons Why Review

Book 7: March 2009: Kate White’s Lethally Blond Review

Book 8: June 2009: Kate White’s Over Her Dead Body Review

Book 9: June 2009: Karin Slaughter’s Triptych Review

Book 10: July 2009: Speak Softly She Can Hear Review

Book 11: July 2009: Karin Slaughter’s A Faint Cold Fear Review

Book 12: July 2009: Karin Slaughter’s Indelible Review

Book 13: July 2009: Karin Slaughter’s Blindsighted Review

Book 14: August 2009: Audrey Niffengger’s Time Traveler’s Wife Review

Book 15: August 2009: Karin Slaughter’s Beyond Reach Review

Book 16: September 2009: Caprice Crane’s Stupid and Contagious Review

Book 17: September 2009: Nicholas Sparks’ At First Sight Review (audio)

Book 18: September 2009: Nicholas Sparks’ The Notebook Review (audio)

Book 19: September 2009: Joshilyn Jackson’s The Girl Who Stopped Swimming Review

Book 20: October 2009: Suzanne Collins’ Catching Fire Review

Book 21: October 2009: Nicholas Sparks’ The Wedding Review (audio)

Book 22: October 2009: James Patterson’s Sail Review (audio)

Book 23: October 2009: Karin Slaughter’s Faithless Review

Book 24: November 2009: Sue Miller’s While I Was Gone Review

Book 25: November 2009: Meg Cabot’s Big Boned Review

Book 26: November 2009: Janice Kaplan’s Looks to Die For Review (audio)

Book 27: December 2009: Jill Smolinski's The Next Thing on My List Review

Book 28: December 2009: Janice Kaplan's A Job To Kill For Review

2010

Book #1: January 2010: Candice Bushnell's Lipstick Jungle Review

Book #2: January 2010: Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic and Baby Review

Book #3: February 2010: Mary Jane Clark's Dancing in the Dark Review (audio)

Book #4: February 2010: Sophie Kinsella's Remember Me? Review

Book #5: March 2010: James Patterson's Honeymoon Review (audio)

Book #6: March 2010: Kate Morgenroth's They Did it With Love Review

Book #7: March 2010: Walter Mosely's The Wave Review (audio)

Book #8: April 2010: Stephenie Meyer's The Host Review

Book #9: April 2010: Mary Alice Monroe's The Book Club Review

Book #10: April 2010: Mary Higgins Clark The Two Little Girls in Blue Review (audio)

Book #11: May 2010: Nicholas Sparks' The Last Song Review Review

Book #12: May 2010: Sophie Kinsella's Twenties Girl Review

Book #13: May 2010: Leslie Meier's Mother's Day Murder Review

Book #14: May 2010: Nicholas Sparks' Dear John Review

Book #15: May 2010: Joanne Fluke's The Fudge Cupcake Murder Review

Book #16: May 2010: Nora Robert's Naked in Death (audio) Review

Book #17: May 2010: Leslie Meier's Turkey Day Murder Review

Book #18: May 2010: Dean Koontz's Intensity Review

Book #19: June 2010: Emily Giffin's The Heart of the Matter Review

Book #20: June 2010: Jodi Picoult's My Sister's Keeper (audio) Review

Book #21: June 2010: Leslie Meier's Star Spangled Murder Review

Book #22: July 2010: Mary Higgin's Clark I've Heard That Song Before (audio) Review

Book #23: July 2010: Stephenie Meyer's Eclipse (re-read) Review

Book #24: July 2010: James Patterson's Double Cross (audio) Review

Book #25: July 2010: Carrie Ryan's The Forest of Hands and Teeth Review

Book #26: August 2010: James Patterson's You've Been Warned (audio) Review

Book #27: August 2010: Carrie Ryan's The Dead-Tossed Waves Review

Book #28: August 2010: Nancy Werlin's Impossible Review

Book #29: September 2010: Kathryn Stockett's The Help Review

Book #30: September 2010: Elizabeth Brundage's The Doctor's Wife Review

Book #31: September 2010: James Patterson's The 5th Horseman (audio) Review

Book #32: September 2010: Jane Green's The Beach House Review

Book #33: September 2010: James Patterson's Beach House (audio) Review

Book #34: October 2010: James Patterson's 4th of July (audio) Review

Book #35: October 2010: Karin Slaughter's Fractured Review

Book #36: October 2010: Karin Slaughter's Undone Review

Book #37: October 2010: Gillian Flynn's Sharp Objects Review

Book #38: November 2010: Stieg Larsson's The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (audio) Review

Book #39: November 2010: Sue Grafton's M is for Malice (audio) Review

Book #40: November 2010: Jame's Patterson's The 8th Confession (audio) Review

Book #41: December 2010: Susanna Sonnenberg's Her Last Death Review

Book #42: December 2010: Suzanne Collin's Mockingjay Review

Book #43: December 2010: Joanne Fluke's Key Lime Pie Murder Review

Book #44: December 2010: Michelle Huneven's Blame Review

2011

Book #1: January 2011: Joanne Fluke's Cream Puff Murder Review

Book #2 January 2011: James Patterson's Beach Road (audio) Review

Book #3 January 2011: Emma Donohue's Room Review

Book #4 February 2011: Nora Roberts' The Search (audio) Review

Book #5 February 2011: Gillian Flynn's Dark Places Review

Book #6 February 2011: Jennifer McMahon's Promise Not to Tell Review

Book #7 March 2011: J.K. Rowling's Harry Pottery and the Sorcerer's Stone Review

Book #8 March 2011: Nora Roberts' The Tribute (audio) Review

Book #9 March 2011: Mary Higgins Clark's Daddy's Little Girl Review

Book #10 March 2011: Jennifer Weiner's The Guy Not Taken (audio) Review

Book #11 March 2011: Emily Listfield's Best Intentions coming soon!

Book #12 March 2011: James Patterson's The Postcard Killers (audio) coming soon!

Book #12 March 2011: P.C. and Kristin Cast's Marked coming soon!

Workouts

In addition to my cardio (walking and running), I love creating my own strength training routines! Basically, I(try to!) do strength training like this:

Monday: Chest/Triceps/Shoulders
Tuesday: abs
Wednesday: Back/Biceps
Thursday: abs
Friday: Legs

Does this always work out? Nope! But it's my goal. In doing strength training workouts I try to:

• Work on doing 3 exercises for each upper body area (3 sets of each).
• Work on doing 5-6 exercises for lower body (2-3 sets of each).
• Work on doing 5-6 exercises for abs (2-3 sets of each).

OR lately i've been more into circuits - doing an 'upper body circuit' of ALL 5 upper body areas (2 exercises per area/2 sets each/2 times per week).

To create the workouts, I try to:

• Find workouts all over - your blogs, magazines, websites, etc.
• Make sure to ALTERNATE. Instead of doing biceps and resting in between, I do back during rests so i'm always moving. It keeps my heart rate up and I get done faster! Bonus!
• Drop alternating workouts in word document tebles/templates I created.
• Snag it - to create a jpg (for blogging) and PRINT, take to gym and do it!

K- here are the workouts I've posted so far! As I do more/make more, i'll make sure to post them here for quick reference! Click on image to make it larger/print-friendly!

Upper Body

Back and Biceps Workouts

Back/Biceps Workout #1


Back/Biceps Workout #2


Back/Biceps Workout #3


Back/Biceps Workout #4

Chest/Triceps/Shoulders Workouts

Chest/Triceps/Shoulders Workout #1


Chest/Triceps/Shoulders Workout #2

Chest/Triceps/Shoulders Workout #3

Chest/Triceps/Shoulders Workout #4

Chest/Triceps/Shoulders Workout #5

ALL Upper Body Circuit

Chest/Triceps/Shoulders/Back/Biceps Upper Body Circuit #1

Lower Body

Leg Workouts

Leg Workout #1

Leg Workout #2

Leg Workout #3

Leg Workout #4

Leg Workout #5

Leg Workout #6

Leg Workout #7

Ab Workouts

Ab Workout #1

Ab Workout #2

Ab Workout #3

Ab Workout #4

** I know most of you know this but I feel I should reiterate: I am NOT a personal trainer, doctor, etc. I don't have a degree in Exercise Science or anything. I just made these based on what I've learned over the years from magazines, past trainers, your blogs, etc.!

Recipes

They are all here now!

healthifiedkitchen.blogspot.com

Eat It Up

Here is where I used to post daily food diaries! However, I found that I didn't really go to them much and wasn't feeling the need for a page.... so i'm working on something new for this space. Stay tuned!!

(hope to have new content here by April 15, 2010).

My Story... So Far!

The two links below basically show you my 21-pound weight loss journey from 136 pounds to 115 pounds. You can see it in pictures, and you can see what I did to get there - my tips, tricks, etc. Sadly, my tips and tricks kind of go back to the whole exercise and eat less. But we all know it's not that simple, right? :) And sadly... i'm still working on maintaining that loss- it's hard! But that's okay!

Progress Pictures

What I've Done to Fit Back In

Also, here's some stats I get asked about::

Height: 5’3” (or 5'2"...ish...)
Start weight: 136 Sept. 1, 2008 when I started the blog. See my First Post!
Current weight: see ticker at right
1st Goal: 130 met Sept. 8, 2008
2nd Goal: 125 met Oct. 5, 2008
3rd Goal: 120 met Nov. 14, 2008
Real Goal: 115 met Jan. 23, 2009
Maintenance Goal: 113
Happy Weight: 113 - 115
Highest Weight: 139 Feb. 2008
Lowest Weight: 109.5 April 2009
Measurements: Pant Size: 2; 26/27
Body Fat Percentage: 23.5% (July 2009)

Now here's my story... so far!

September 2001

Met and began dating my now-husband Austin as a sophomore at Auburn University. I was 19; he was 21. He lived across the hall from me and we met on the stairs.

May 2004

Graduated from Auburn with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and a minor in Marketing. Austin graduated the same day, with a Bachelor of Science in Finance. Began my master's program the following summer and started working as a GTA teaching Public Speaking at Auburn.

January 2006

Moved to an apartment in Alpharetta, Ga. Began an internship in Marketing/Communications in Atlanta (corporate side). We still made it back to Auburn a lot!

May 2006

Graduated from Auburn with a Master of Arts in Communication and was hired on full-time at said corporation in the Marketing Department as an Internal Communications Coordinator with a focus on internal communications (i.e. project management/consulting, writing, editing, blogging, podcasting, reporting, working with publications, intranets, etc.).

June 2006

Moved to a loft in Buckhead! Had a blast with Austin in Atlanta - so glad to be in the same city again!

December 2006

Austin proposed on a mountaintop in Park City, Utah!

March 2007

Time for Engagement Pictures!

September 2007

Me and Austin met and quickly became obsessed with our fur baby Reuben (a shih poo). Was promoted to Internal Communications Specialist at work!

January 2008

Following an engagement party in my hometown and two wonderful showers in Birmingham and in Atlanta, I had a fabulous bachelorette party in Atlanta hosted by my sister!

February 2008

Me and Austin got married in Birmingham, Alabama. Below are a few favorites; Here’s a bunch of pics.

March 2008

I started working out. I weighed 136/138 and felt like I was only getting bigger. I joined a gym and got serious about working out again… but not so much with nutrition.

September 2008

I started the blog and joined Spark People after a Labor Day trip/bathing suit pictures made me realize my working out efforts weren't working! We also visited Auburn, and later that month, my right foot problems landed me in a boot. I also went to Chicago and traveled solo for the first time! By the end of September, I had met my first goal of reaching 130!

October 2008

I traveled to Auburn for football and fun with friends a lot, I began cooking a lot more (pita pizzas; muffins, etc.!) and I started making inspiration boards for a house we didn’t have yet! Lastly, I reached my goal of 125!

November 2008

I went to Vegas for the first time! I also reached my goal of 120. OMG, I was so pumped to go from 136 in September to 120 - my clothes felt better and I felt great!

December 2008

I did my first bloggie book review. I celebrated my first 100 days of blogging! Our apartment pissed us off for the. Last. Time. Time to move, buy a house, get OUT! I also posted progress pics for the first time.

January 2009

I started listening and loving audio books, posted “What I’ve Done to Fit Back In” and we kicked up the house hunting for REAL seeing 16+ houses every weekend! I also reached my goal of 115! I was so pumped!

February 2009

I’ve been married for a year! I posted more progress pictures at my new weight – 115. I also reached my "low/safe goal" of 113. We also got even more serious about house hunting, and even found our home!

March 2009

We bought a house!! We moved in on the 30th. Other than that, I read a lot, attended two bachelorette party weekends (Megan's and Monica's) and a birthday party night out in Atlanta, made lots of new recipes and home inspiration boards and went to Enterprise, Alabama, for an engagement party.

April 2009

We moved! And we had hardwoods put down and started work on the house. Did some major Ikea shopping, and got a lot of the house set up and ready to go! My weight also hit an all-time low – 109.5. It wasn't my best look…

May 2009

Had a wonderful time as one of Megan’s bridesmaids! Had granite countertops installed. Found a new groomer for Reuben, went on a lake weekend and had a blast as one of Monica’s bridesmaids! I gained some weight back to going from 110 to 115.

June 2009

Went to Virginia to celebrate Ed’s 90^th birthday, became obsessed with fruit, went to a Dooby Brothers/Bad Company concert with my mom, had a girl night/sleepover with my sis, had a Father’s Day BBQ and had two game nights with Lincoln & Shana!

July 2009

Did lots of shopping, celebrated with 4th with a beer-pong outdoor party, started strength training again (with a buddy this time, Stacy!), celebrated Lincoln’s 30^th birthday, had games nights, made tons of recipes, and turned 27. O. M. G. Loved my prezzies - including a new gym bag!

August 2009

Kept up the ST & cooking, laid out by the pool a lot, partied like a rockstar for Austin’s 29^th, bought some more home stuff, had our dining room painted and hosted a baby shower making my first ‘event menu.’

September 2009

Celebrated one year of blogging! Other than that biggie, I continued my love of audio books, did more shopping/cooking/reading/ST, welcomed back my TV shows for the fall lineup, celebrated more birthdays, hit up Athens and threw another baby shower!

October 2009

Celebrated more birthdays – loves it, began Auburn tailgating – woo!, attended Austin’s shopping spree with his awesome mom, tried out short hair for the first time since High School, bought some boots and clothes, had more great times in Auburn!, got sick, went to So You Think you Can Dance, went to T’s Halloween Party, and met homecookedem (my first blogger meet up!) – me and Austin borrowed her Juno/Bleeker Halloween Look!!

November 2009

Had my first blogger meet up! Also, got a new camera, hosted a book club meeting, had a wonderful weekend in Athens, bought 4 new rugs for the hizzie, made my first pie, bought a fridge and celebrated Thanksgiving with mi familia!

December 2009

Decorated for Christmas, won an award at work, became obsessed with avocados, got the new fridge in!, met with up friends in Highlands, hit up the outlets with Shana, bought a video camera and posted my first video, went to a wedding in Bham and posted my second video, celebrated my mom’s birthday, had a family fun christmas, celebrated Stacy/Shane’s engagement and New Year’s in Athens, and went to Virginia to celebrate Austin’s grandfather Ed’s life at his funeral.

January 2010

Began the Couch to 5K Program, posted my New Year’s Eve video (LOVE making those little videos!), went out with friends, had snow days, hit up the boutique sale, Teresa/Forrest came to visit and me/Stacy went to Vegas – still can’t get over the Bealtles Love Show!

February 2010

Celebrated my second anniversary with Austin, got a sweet plaque commemorating my 1,000 miles in 2009, went to see Mamma Mia!, had some MAJOR snow for Atlanta, caught up with friends, watched lots of Olympics, had a book club sleepover, finished the dining room project, and went to Enterprise, Alabama, to meet my cousin Robin's new baby girl.... and then again to be with my stepdad during his double bypass… he’s recovering so well!

March 2010

Celebrated at Stacy & Shane’s engagement party, celebrated Mary T’s birthday, got the remainder of our appliances, had new trees installed, had a St. Patty’s Beer Fest, did my first 25-minutes-without-stopping C25K run., got my poker on, went to a concert with Katie/Chris, went to Birmingham for a family weekend, had the rest of our stainless appliances installed! Was promoted to Communications Associate Manager at work.

April 2010

Had fun on the farm at Easter, won a giveaway – vitamuffins! , had date night with Andy/Monica/Andrew/Laura Anne, got to catch up with Katie and her baybay, met all of Stacy’s friends and bridemaid’s at Front Page News and got to see Little Lindsey, Tyson, Jennifer and lots of my hometown crew while seeing a great friend, Tony, get married.

May 2010

Celebrated Baby Emma’s baptism, went to Paradise AKA Punta Cana Iberostar Grand Bavaro Hotel for almost a week, visited NY for a few nights – fell in love with the West Village, got Reuben new clothes, bought some new pillows and got a grill from Austin’s parents, visited with my mom and sis, hung out with Chris/Katie, had book club at Crystals and read TONS of books – lovely month!

June 2010

Posted 'True Life: How I became a Pre-cooker', saw an advanced screening of Twilight with my mom!, visited Auburn for a couples retreat with two of our favorite couples, celebrated at my 10-year high school reunion weekend with some of my besties from Alabama, went to Collective Soul with Austin, co-hosted a stock the bar shower for Stacy & Shane and begin celebrating for my birthday by getting amazing gifts from friends and family!

July 2010

Celebrated the 4^th of July at Ruje and Mark’s lakehouse with a great group of friends, celebrated my birthday at Uncle Julios’s, celebrated again at Front Page News, helped out with my sister’s housewarming party, went to Charleston for Stacy’s Bachelorette party to celebrate her wedding, finished a renovation project I’ve been dying to do, and did LOTS of shopping – new shoes, dresses, jeans – woo!

August 2010

Threw Austin a party for his 30th birthday, attended Stacy's couples shower, work shower and was a bridesmaid in her beautiful wedding, visited Charleston for Fox's wedding, had a blogger meet-up with Erica (Itzy’s Kitchen) and had date night with Austin at a Green Day concert.

from zachporterphotography.com

Photo from zachporterphotography.com

Photo from zachporterphotography.com

Photo from zachporterphotography.com

September 2010

Bought a new car, celebrated Labor Day at the lake with Mark and Ruje, celerated Mary and Jimmy’s baby Emma’s first birthday in Birmingham, had a night out with the Wilson’s at the Kings of Leon concert, visited Teresa and Forrest’s in auburn for the AU vs. Clemson game, and had fun at Kirn Fest with Stacy and Shane at Mandy and Mike’s.

October 2010

Celebrated Mary and Teresa’s birthdays in Birmingham, went to Andrew’s/The Ivy for the AU La Monroe game, went to Virginia to be a part of Emily and Tim’s wedding weekend, went to Auburn for the LSU game, went to 5 Seasons with Katie and cush for pumpkin ale, went to Stacy’s for Halloween, had a blogger meet-up at Eclipse de luna, went to the 311 Halloween show at the Fox and got a new puppy – Remy, the perfect little maltipoo!

November 2010

Celebrated Cush and Andrew’s birthdays, visited Enterprise for Megan’s baby shower and Aaron’s wedding, visited Teresa and Forrest in Auburn for the UGA game, got Remy a new Auburn dress, celebrated Shane’s birthday at Twain’s and at the Black Crowes Concert, celebrated Thanksgiving at Lake Lanier with the Martins and celebrated Auburn’s Iron Bowl win at our house, 5 Seasons and Cush’s!

December 2010

Celebrated my mom’s birthday, went skiing at Beaver Creek/Vail with Austin’s family, attended the Velotas Tacky Christmas Sweater Party, had a pupper photo shoot, went to Chicago for work but worked in some shopping, had Teresa/Forrest in town for the SEC game – Auburn won – woo!

January 2011

Created a new 'party central' buffet in the dining room, elebrated New Year’s with Stacy, Shane and their crew in Atlanta, hosted a couple’s baby shower for my sister at our place, celebrated the Turman’s at their wedding in Greenville, attended a baby shower for my sister, worked an event at work finding a love for Straight No Chaser, went to Arizona to see Auburn with the National Championship Game, and shared my 2011 To-Do List.