I survived 2008

It's hard to believe that 2008 is over. Last year has had it's challenges but it has been a great year. There are a few things that stick out when I thing about the last year:

1. I met the love of my life, Chad, and his kids. We are beyond happy and having a lot of fun building our future together.


2. I've lost over 50 pounds since January 2008...I'm very proud of that.


3. I completed not one but two half marathons. I never thought I'd complete one much less two.

As I look towards 2009, I am very excited. There are so many things to look forward to. I hope 2009 is your best year ever!!!

Weight Loss Update

Just a quick update. Over the last couple of months, I've hit a plateau. I go up and down in about a 2 pound range. I know the holidays will be challenging but as busy as I am, I'm hoping I burn enough calories as I'm on-the-go! I want to keep on plan and maybe lose a little over the holidays. My goal is to stay on plan and still leave room for a few extra treats! Total weight loss to date is over 52 pounds since January 21st. I'm VERY happy about that!!!

Who needs sleep???

Working, shopping, singing at Disney, family, moving...who has time to sleep?

Yes, the holidays are in full swing. Last year at this time I was training for my first half marathon on top of the normal daily routine, singing at Disney and other holiday fun. This year, I have a wonderful man in my life who has three great kids AND I'm in the process of moving. OH, and I have a part-time job that gets me up at 4 or 5AM 2-3 days a week. Am I insane? Don't answer that! LOL

I was supposed to be doing the Disney Marathon in January, but I have decided not to do it...I haven't done the training. So, I will be a cheerleader for my friends. At least it's one thing off the to-do list for now.

Here's the latest update. I started a new job on December 1st...the other one I got didn't work out. It was good thing...I'm going to be much happier here. I'm still selling insurance and working to build my own client list.

Chad and I decided it was time to give up my apartment...I'm never there anyway. So, I'm in the process of moving into my new home. We've been moving things slowly but will have to pick up the pace a little after Christmas. I love walking into the house and seeing my stuff there...it makes it feel more like home to me. It's really exciting!

As usual, I'm singing at Disney. I've been there at least twice a week since Thanksgiving and will be there Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week. Anyone have a helicopter I could borrow?

Last night after singing at Disney, I went out on a mission to get most of my Christmas shopping done. I had a list and got everything I planned except one thing (only because I couldn't find it). I have only three things left and I'll pick them up this weekend. That is a huge load off my shoulders. Now, onto the wrapping!

Life is hectic right now but I thrive on that! I am lucky to have a great family, great friends and this year I have the love of my life (and his kids) to share the holidays with. I'm going to enjoy every moment. So, like I said, who needs sleep?

Life is OUTSTANDING!

It's that time of year again... (UPDATED 12/16/08)

It's that time of year again...my chorus is singing at Disney!

Here is a list of dates and times. I'll update it periodically if there are any changes:

Wednesday, December 17
Ft. Wilderness Campground
Show times: 5:15 & 6:15

Thursday, December 18
Dock Stage (NEW STAGE)
Show times: 6:45 & 7:45

Monday, December 22
TWO Locations

Contemporary (I won't be at this one)
Show times: 6:00 & 7:00

All Star Sports (I'll be here...and I'm directing!!!)
Show times: 7:00 & 8:00

Tuesday, December 23
Ft. Wilderness Campground
Show times: 5:15 & 6:15

Wednesday, December 24
Grand Floridian
Show times: 7:00 & 8:00

All dates and times are subject to change...I'll update when there are changes. However, I think this is final!

Hope to see you there!!!

Hugs!

It's that time of year again... (UPDATED 12/03/08)

It's that time of year again...my chorus is singing at Disney! Here is a list of dates and times. I'll update it periodically if there are any changes:

Friday, November 28
Grand Floridian
Show times: 7:00 & 8:00

Sunday, November 30
Wilderness Lodge
Show times: 7:00 & 7:40

Tuesday, December 9
Dock Stage
Show times: 6:45 & 7:45

Friday, Decemer 12
Ft. Wilderness Campground
Show times: 5:15 & 6:15

Wednesday, December 17
Ft. Wilderness Campground
Show times: 5:15 & 6:15

Thursday, December 18
Dock Stage
Show times: 6:45 & 7:45

Monday, December 22
TWO Locations

Contemporary
Show times: 6:00 & 7:00

All Star Sports (I'll be here...and I'm directing!!!)
Show times: 7:00 & 8:00

Tuesday, December 23 (I won't be there!!!)
Ft. Wilderness Campground
Show times: 5:15 & 6:15

Wednesday, December 24
Grand Floridian
Show times: 7:00 & 8:00

All dates and times are subject to change...I'll update when there are changes.

Hope to see you there!!!

Hugs!

FINALLY, a job!!!

After 2 months of stress, I finally got a job!!! I am working for an insurance company in Lake Mary. I started today!!! The people are really nice and fun to work with...it's going to be great!!! Can you tell I'm excited?!?!?

Time to catch up!

Wow, I can't believe it's been almost two months since my last blog. Life has been very busy lately. It's time to catch up...

I'll start with the bad news. Two months ago today, I was laid off from my job. It was the first time this has ever happened to me. I still haven't found anything. I am supposed to hear back on one tonight and one in the morning. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I'm still doing Weight Watchers and having success. The last month has been a bit of a roller coaster (less running and bad food choices) but as of Monday I'm where I was at my lowest point and am back on track. Total weight loss to date 52.2 pounds!

My chorus is busy getting ready for our holiday season. We will be singing around Disney World Resort on thirteen different nights between the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. I'll post the dates soon. We will also be doing Singing Christmas Cards. This is where we will call and sing a Christmas song to a family member on Saturday, December 13th. The cost is $5/call or 5 for $20. Orders can be placed at: http://soundofsunshine.com/

The biggest and best change as of late is my love life. I mentioned Chad in an earlier post but didn't say much about him. His kids and I get along great. We are both very happy and look forward to the future!

All-in-all life is good! I just need a job!!!

Cheers,
Deb

A week of highs and lows...and another milestone

This has been an interesting week for me. On Friday as I was getting ready to leave work, I was informed that I have been caught up in the corporate cut-back and I was out of a job. The good part is, I worked for a staffing company and they are trying to place me elsewhere. Fortunately, I still have some income from being self-employed.

The great part of the last week is that I recently met a wonderful man and we are growing closer every day. His name is Chad and he makes me happy!

Monday is my weigh-in day at Weight Watchers. I am now down a total of 50.4 pounds since January 21st.

This weekend, my brother and his family are coming up from Miami to celebrate my niece's first birthday. I can't wait to see them...my nieces, of course! :)

Life Check List

Work:
Stressful, my hours have been cut (more on that later)

Family:
Good though concerned about my grandma. She's 88 and having some issues.

Friends:
Most are good. However, Steve was in the hospital this week because of chest pains. All checked out fine. Now we move onto another doctor. Beth found out she has a broken arm from her fall in Virginia Beach. She will not need surgery but this will keep her from Ironman Florida on November 1st.

Weight Loss:
Great...down 46.6 pounds since January 21.

Athletic:
Finished my second half marathon on August 31st with a time almost 15 minutes faster than my first one. Now I'm signed up for a full marathon! I'm not sure what I was thinking when I was talked into it.

Dating/Relationship (pick one):
It's Great!!!

OVERALL:
FEELING GOOD!!!

What was I thinking?!?!?

Today was Missey's birthday (Happy Birthday!!!) so we were having a small-ish get together over at her house. One of the guests was Missey's ironman coach, Hector. I learned a hard lesson. Never say that you have no desire to do a marathon in front of him and all of your friends. He kept pressing to know why...I never gave him a reason he would accept. He kept pressing along with everyone else. Before I knew it, he had conviced me and one other lady to join the insanity...I mean, fun. By the end of the night, I was registered.

My friend, Rick, is doing both the Half Marathon and the full Marathon dressed in Star Wars armor to raise money for charity. He's walking the race...I will be part of his support crew. At least I'll be distracted by this. LOL

Here's the craziest part...The Disney Marathon is the VERY strict about time cut-offs. What makes me think I can do this? Well, you never know until you try!

So, now in addition to sharing my weight loss journey, I'll be sharing my journey to 26.2 miles. Wish me luck...I'm going to need all that I can get!!!

Labor Day Bonus

Our plane landed in Orlando around 11:00. After talking to my parents, I found out they were meeting my brother, sister-in-law and my nieces at the Mall of Millenia for lunch. My brother and his family had been at a church camp for the weekend so they were driving through town...of course, they HAD to stop. So, I headed my car toward the mall and met up with my family.

Have I ever mentioned that I have the CUTEST nieces in the world? No, really, I'm telling the truth! Kayla will be 3 in November and Megan will be 1 in a week. We had fun playing in the kids area and letting them burn off some energy before the long drive back to Miami. I had to share some pics:

See, I was telling the truth! They ARE the cutest!

(OK, maybe I'm a little biased.)

Virginia Beach Update

Virginia Beach has come and gone! It's hard to believe that it's over. The weekend started when Missey and I left on Friday morning. We arrived in Virginia Beach and immediately checked into our hotel and headed to the Expo. We were anxious to get our packets before the craziness began. After the Expo, we kept close to the hotel as it had started raining and then ran some errands...party store, grocery store and such. At the end of the night, we joined Aimee and Kelly (who had just arrived) in the bar for some food and drink. A good time was had by all!!!

Saturday morning started with a short run, breakfast and decorating the birthday gir's room. (We're evil!) Missey went to pick up Sandi, Joy and Beth the Birthday Girl from the airport while Aimee and I finished decorating. I think Beth was ready to kill us upon her arrival at the hotel:

After a quick change, it was off to the Expo again. They needed to pick up their race packets and do a little shopping. However, this time Beth was the attention getter...we made her wear her birthday crown all weekend!

After the Expo we headed back to the hotel and had a scrumptious dinner at Aldo's. I wish we had one here in Orlando!

Sunday was race day so we started early...breakfast, dressing and making sure we had everything we needed! Then, we were off!!! We met everyone in the lobby:

The one bad part of the weekend was that Beth fell between mile 1 and 2...she messed up her shoulder but she finished the race makeshift sling and all. She is an amazing woman! I was pleased with my race...I finished 10-15 minutes faster than I did on my first one. I don't have an "official" time from Disney because they turn off the timing mat at 3:30...I was in between 3:40 and 3:45. Oh well!

After the race we went to Abbey Road for drinks and burgers, spent some time at the pool and then got ready to go out to dinner to Captain George's Seafood. It's an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet. I can only do this on a day I have a major workout! LOL

Here's the dinner crew:

All in all it was a FABULOUS time! I am looking forward to my next race and my next adventure with all of my friends!

Feeling like a Duck

We're now on day five of this rain. Fay may have spared us the major structural damage caused by wind, but she has more than made up for it when it comes to amounts of rain. I don't think there is an area in Central Florida that has received less than 6 inces of rain...some areas have received over 20 inches of rain since Monday. It has made for an interesting week. I have worked all week, which is fine with me because I'd be going stir-crazy at home.

After work I've gone home and tackled some projects at home. I'm not done yet, but progress has been made. I'm closing up my home office and getting my living room/dining room back...I can't wait!

I have a 8-9 mile run planned for tomorrow. Hopefully most of this will be gone so I can get it done! If not, I'll tackle it on Sunday. My next half marathon is next weekend so I really can't afford to miss the workout!

Personal life is good...well, better than good. :)

Back to work...

Deb

Personal Milestone

Mondays are always nerve-wracking for me. It's weigh-in day at Weight Watchers. Many have asked why I weigh in on Monday instead of later in the week. Yes, it might allow me to cheat more on the weekend becuase I have 2-3 days to work it off. For me, it keeps me honest on the weekend. Of course, sometimes I cheat...don't we all?


Well, this week I hit a big one...I crossed the 40 pound mark. I joined WW on January 21st...only six months to the day. Here are a couple of pics:


January 12, 2008:

June 21, 2008 (Actual weightloss in this picture is 36.4...I'll get a new one soon):

For all of you who support me week after week, thank you! I couldn't do it without you!

Cheers!

Travel and Friends

I love to travel. Whether it's a week or a weekend, it doesn't matter. My friends and I do our fair share of traveling. Last month we went to Key West. A good friend of mine did the 12.5 mile swim around Key West (yes, he's nuts) so we all went down there. Unfortunately, since I just started a new job I wasn't able to go down as early as I would have liked. BUT, I still got to go. I got in late Friday night and pretty much crashed. Saturday morning we started early and spent the entire day running around all over Key West. We walked to breakfast...good thing because I needed to work off the best breakfast I'd ever had. After a quick stop back at the hotel we went to the do the Conch Tour. After about an hour of that we rented scooters and we were OFF...

Here are a couple more pics from our trip:

This was one of the best trips I've ever taken! I loved Key West and can't wait to go back!

Our next big trip is to Virginia Beach to run the Rock N Roll Half Marathon. More on that later.

About me...

I have a lot of friends who blog. I'm always reading about them, their activities and the things they're feeling.

A little about me. I'm 37 years old. I'm a singer and choreographer in an A-Cappella show chorus here in the Orlando area. I started running last year and completed my first half marathon on January 12th. A week later I joined Weight Watchers and have since lost over 35 pounds. In March I started the path to a career change. I went from selling insurance to Human Resources...I like my new career much better. :)

I will journal the ups and downs of weight loss, the challenges and successes of training and anything else that comes to mind at the time. We'll see if I keep up with this one any better than the last one.