It's The FREAKIN Weekend!!

Yes, I remember, today was supposed to be my epic Operation Red Bikini Post, but the stars just did not quite align for that today.  Firstly, I overslept by about 3 hours this morning!!  Who knew that staying up til 3 am watching Pretty Little Liars would make getting up at 7 quite difficult??  So I am already way behind my already packed errand schedule... boo!  Secondly, my humiliating photos required one item that I can't seem to find anywhere, so I am sending out the search party... probably DEEP to the bottom of a dusty drawer where all my skinny clothes have gone to die.  Hopefully I will get that post to you all by Monday, I'm pretty excited about this whole thing.  I feel that by putting an acutal goal with a deadline out there, I REFUSE to fail!  Failing privately is one thing, but publicly??? UN-EFFING-ACCEPTABLE to this girl here!  Hopefully, I didn't choose something that has no way of happening.

Anyways, I feel like I am always reading about fun things that will be going on this weekend and I never have anything to add, but this weekend I actually have some activities lined up!!

Tonight is Winga-Date Night!!  We have not been out on a date since Halloween when we went to a Mexican restaurant... which is a stretch to even call a date, but the place did not have a drive thru so we were big ballin.  It's not that he refuses to take me out or anything, we just both work odd schedules.  I work at night and he is a retail manager so his hours vary day to day... it works for us, but it's nice to finally get some time together, and get away from all the stress in our lives right now.  He hasn't told me what we are doing so I'm pretty excited.  This chic LOVES surprises.... well at least good ones.

Tomorrow night is going to be interesting to say the least.  I have to preface this event a little bit for you to grasp the whole situation, so bear with me.. I'll try to make it quick and painless.

So our neighbor, Angie,  works with Ryan.  It's an auto parts store that ironically is staffed by mostly older women.  Apparently older women enjoy girls nights as much as us frisky young things, because they decide that they need a girls night out with all the girls in the store.  Sweet Angie, thinking that she'd get out of it, says that she's not really the bar scene girl anymore, but dinner and drinks sounds great.  This gets interpreted as "Let's have a sleepover at Angie's where we make home made pizza, get wasted face, and watch Magic Mike until we pass out"  And once again, the sweet girl that she is, Angie agrees.  Where do I fit in, you ask? Well as the assistant manager's fiance ( I was unaware of my high social status) and Angie's best friend and neighbor (and my karma apparently)  I was immediately added to the guest list. Being the great friend that I am, I agree to attend.  It doesn't sound bad?  It might not be, but the hype it is getting from Angie and Ryan makes me nervous.  I don't know these women all that well.  I know that 1 lady looks about late 50s and has a pink streak in her hair. Another lady loves prescription pills so much that I'm a little worried that her contribution to the food spread will be bacon wrapped Valium and Vicoten.  

 I know that on average, everyone there will be 20 years older than me, and talking horny time.  Not that I have a problem with sex talk... I just always hoped my adult social life would be more Sex and the City and less Golden Girls.   Anyways, at least there will be jello shots, drunk gummy bears, and pizza. And who knows, maybe it will be the party of my life.... plus, this may the only event I ever attend where I have the best boobs in the house!!

I have decided that it's going to be fabulous no matter what, because at the very least, we can make fun of them all night.  I will try to sneak pics for Instagram and possibly some Keeks.

Happy Friday!!  What are y'all doing this weekend?

F-you Sirius XM

So, I really didn't have much of anything to post today... I'm just not feeling all that witty and my excitement consists of laundry, list making, and phone-calls, which brings me to this little rant

EFF YOU SIRUIS XM RADIO!!!!

Why do I hate something so fantastical, you ask?  Because they aren't giving me my way and they are in the wrong, I think at least..

Christmas of 2011 I got my dad a XM radio adapter and a subscription to Sirius because he had a long commute to work and had been looking into getting one himself.  I went ahead and set up the subscription so that he wouldn't do the dad thing and just end up putting his own credit card info in, behind my back plus then all he had to do was plug in the adapter and he was ready to rock!

Turns out, the easy use adapter that the sales guy pushed on me was not so easy and actually required an installation that was going to cost $100 and require leaving the car there all day...  so my dad just returned the adapter and said to just cancel the membership or transfer it to my car.  I called Sirius to do this, and was told that it was IMPOSSIBLE for me to do either since I had signed up for a year with that device .. that was NEVER activated and we don't even own it!  So, being the passive girl that I used to be, I accepted what I was told by the company and cursed them every time I saw it AUTOMATICALLY draft from my accoubt..... it was only $15 a month....that equaled $180 that's like 1 month of student loan payments, or 2 weeks worth of groceries, or a dent in paying off our furntiture!  WTH is wrong with me?!?!?  Now that I am a year sassier, more confident, and cheaper, I realized that was $200 I just gave a way.. no bueno!

So, today, I call to make sure the membership does not get renewed automatically and inquire about how to get a refund or maybe to get that year free to my own car.  Now, I'm being told there is no record of me even calling in the first place!!!  REALLY?!?!  Because I just wanted to give them the money when I knew there would never be service? Now I am getting the run around about this and that, and while being transferred to a supervisor I was disconnected rather than placed on hold after 33 minutes on the phone.. Now I'm on again with another delightful  non clear english speaking representative telling me that I should have continued to call each month if I was that concerned... REALLY? It's my fault?!?!? I have now been told by a supervisor that they are going to "investigate" my issue and will search for the record of my call A YEAR AGO to try and prove that I actually called.... Yea, I'm never seeing that money again.  Lesson learned.... nice girls don't win.  From now on, I will be a customer service BITCH!  

That was an hour I will never get back that could have been spent finding out who is A running.

Side note:  I am not a tech person, but wouldn't you think a SATELLITE radio company would be able to tell if one of there radios were receiving service or not since they all have radio ID numbers?  What purpose does that number even serve then?  FYI- THEY DON'T KNOW!

I loved XM, when I had it, but GAHHHHH. Maybe I am in the wrong, if I am set me straight, because I am seeing RED  right now!!!

But, in their defense they are refunding me $11 for the rest of this month.... in 5-10 business days.  Yes, that was dripping with the biggest amount of sarcasm I can muster.

So that is my Random Thursday post.... tomorrow will be dedicated to my Operation Red Bikini journey, pics included... bring your barf bags!

 This is for you Sirius... I knew I'd be glad I took this pic someday

This just made me smile... We made Jesus a birthday cake for Christmas Eve and apparently Flava Flav is a wiseman.

Wednesday Weigh In

WASSSSSUUUUPPPPP BISHES!!  It's Wednesday, which means 2 things. First, I only have 1 more night of work left this week and then I get 4 glorious days off, and MORE importantly..... it's my first weigh in since seeing that depressing 6lb gain last week. 

I decided to be an attention seeker cool kid and do my first real link up!  I will be joining the amazing Erin and Alex for their Weigh In Wednesday!  Each week I will be linking up to share my weekly progress and a little summary of what I've been doing to meet my goals each week.  I can't wait to see how everyone else is doing... I know we are going to be kicking ass and taking names this year!!

So without further delay....

Because of my awesome work schedule, I had to weigh in on Tuesday since I'll be sleeping while you all are blogging :)  Last Wednesday, I tipped the Sea World worthy scales at a whopping 225.6 {ouch} putting me up 6 lbs.  Today, I am happy to say I am down exactly 3 lbs coming in at 222.6 and I am THRILLED!  It feels so good to see the scale moving again, and makes the withdrawals from Jumbo Jenn status worth it.

Whad did I do?  Well, I cleaned up my eating the best I could with what scraps of groceries we had to get us til the next pay day and big clean grocery trip.  I logged everything into My Fitness Pal {you can find me @ jenla426... HOLLA}and started pounding the water like keg stands... like 100 oz per day.  I couldn't quite get myself hyped up to workout between trying to de-nasty my house... which was a workout in itself, but yesterday I re-commited myself to that bitch we all hate to love, Jillian.  I am a two time 30 Day Shred drop out.. something about level 2 just makes me hate life, I guess.  Not this time... I WILL complete all 30 days... even if it means doing 2 a days when work gets a little 2 crazy {I work out before going to bed after working 12 hour night shifts so it's not always easy to get pumped when I could get that half hour to sleep}.  I started with level 1 again and it KICKED MY ASS!  I was hoping to just get by with 3-5 days on level 1 since I'm a pro at it and have all the dialouge memorized, but I guess we will just see... my thighs are sore!!

I'll update y'all over the next few days with what kind of meal  planning and prep I am doing over the next couple of days... once I go to the grocery store.  I plan on getting in a few runs this week also, I can't wait!  I miss it more that I ever imagined I would.... even though I'm sure it's going to be a train wreck. You can also see what I'm up to on Instagram @jenlynn426.. I post pictures of what I'm eating, exercise, and just a bunch of randomnes... but it's so FUN!!!

I hope you all have a fantastic Wednesday :) I'm off to spend my 20 minutes with Jillian even though work was a killer.... I actually used the sentence "fine, pull out your catheter and bleed to death through your dick, I don't care anymore"   Yea....... don't worry he was too busy screaming obscenities at me to hear me anyways.

2012 Reflections and Welcome 2013

Happy New Year!!! 

As I bring in 2013 at work caring for those who can't care for themselves, and honestly may never leave this ICU, I realize that I kind of just brushed off 2012 with my A-Z post because I was feeling too lazy to actually put effort into writing.  2012 was a wonderful year for me and definitely deserves some goodbye love. 

In February, we went on a cruise with my parents.  It was their first real vacation since their honeymoon 26 years ago!  It was a great time!  We went to Jamaica, the Caymans, and Mexico.  We swam with stingrays and went to the Sea Turtle farm, were waited on hand and foot for a week, and ate our fat ass hearts out!  I loved getting that experience with my parents.  My mom and I are planning another one, just to two of us.... frankly, my dad and Ryan held us back from being the hit of the ship.

Us in Cozumel

In March, I started a new job that has put me on a path to my ultimate career goals.  I have learned so much here, and am constantly learning new things.  While the ER will always have a piece of my nursing heart, I am so glad that I made the decision to come here.  We also, bought our first house which we absolutely LOVE and are so blessed to have, and have made lots of amazing new friends.

In May, Ryan finally proposed in the most perfect way possible and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with my best friend!  May also brought the beginning of this weight loss journey.  I lost 50lbs in 2012 which is amazing!  I honestly have about 70 more to lose before I reach what I think is my final goal, but I feel better about myself that I have in years and for the first time I KNOW that I CAN and WILL do it, and I'm going to look AMAZING as shit in my wedding dress! Read about our story HERE.

the elephant did not want to cooperate with my photo.... asshole

A better pic of my beautiful ring

My progress pic,  left is right after the proposal and right is about 50lbs down.. october maybe?

In October, I ran my first 5K and LOVED it.  I hope to do more this year... or at least some virtual ones, we are going on a major saving spree!!  I never imagined I would ever run a race because "I am NOT a runner".... guess what folks, I AM!!

38 minutes!! and WAY too fast... I threw up afer... always the cool kid

In November, we celebrated my dad's 1 year post transplant status and he and my aunt are both doing AMAZING.  You can read that story HERE.

My dad and his sister last Christmas, just a little over a month post transplant

I just really like this picture of my favorite baby.  He loves me the most, so that's probably why he's my fave... plus, that FACE!!

Of course the year had it's lows, but who wants to relive the bad stuff?!?  I was a very blessed girl this year.  In addition to all that I listed above, I can't forget you guys!  I started this blog over the summer, mostly because it seemed all the cool kids in ML Fit Camp were doing it and my girl crush on Mama Laughlin was hot and heavy so I wanted to be cool like her.  I never expected any readers, and I LOVE my new blog friends.... probably as much as, if not more than, my real life friends.  Y'all have kept me going and motivated more than anything and I thank you so much for that.  I hope to bring you more rediculous self love in 2013 :)

I have never really been one for resolutions.. I hate breaking promises, especially ones I made to myself and hate setting myself up for disappointment even more.  So this year, I have decided to set some goals for myself, so heres they is

1.  Stay motivated on my weight loss/fitness journey.  I've been on and off the wagon for a couple of months now, but thanks to stepping on the scale after Christmas and seeing a 6lb gain and getting the reality check of what all this truly means to me, I am back in full force SERIOUSLY this time.  Looking back at some of my recent posts, I sound like a broken record of remotivating myself, not this time!  It's about more than looking good naked for my honeymoon (who am I kiddng, that's like 98% of the reason)  it's about being healthy so that I can kick life's ass for many years to come!

2.  Get more organized!  I am great at organization when it comes to planning an event.  You want a vaction planned?  Hit me up!  You need to throw a party together in 1 week?  I'm your bish!  I love the pressure, I guess.  But if you look at my house, you would never guess I'm the girl that lives in it...... this chick is a HOT MESSY MESS!  I have always hated housework until it gets unbearable and then I go on a psychotic OCD cleaning spree and don't sleep for days until the house is clean.... and it lasts for about 2 days.  I'm too old for that.  I want to be proud of my house and not be embarrassed for random walk ins... instead of my neighbor asking Ryan why my pajama pants are in the living room floor and his response being "idk that's not where I took them off of her".  I spent the last 2 days cleaning the main living areas of the house and am currently working on a cleaning schedule to maintain said cleanliness.  We also plan to take one room a week and make it our "project"  organizing it and getting it just how we want it. 

3.  Save some money!!  Since becoming an independent woman and all, I have realized that money does not, in fact, grow on trees. I quickly decided that TJMaxx, Old Navy, and Target were more than good enough for me and that Great Value brand is perfectly acceptable.... most of the time. Also, weddings are EXPENSIVE!  So this year, we are cutting back where ever we can and I'm even going to give couponing a try... for household items at least, I don't think having 140 boxes of Mac and Cheese will do me much good for weight loss... even if I did get it all for 43 cents.  So, I may be calling on you ladies for some tips on getting started... I know some of you are amazing couponers {cough cough MrsD}.  So far, I have basically clipped coupons for stuff I don't even buy, but looks cool... so I think I'm doing it wrong.

What am I looking forward to this year?  MY MOTHA F-IN WEDDING for starters.  Also, our honeymoon to DC!  Neither one of us have ever been before and I am getting the vacation itch pretty bad.  I am also starting my masters degree this fall, so in just 3 short years I'll be a NP and officially NOT wiping ass ever again... HOLLA!!  Plus, the hospital is paying for it.... DOUBLE HOLLA!!

I know 2013 is going to be a great year.... I refuse to accept any less! I hope all the unicorns shit glitter on your year too :)

Okay, I've rambled on long enough, I just can't help it, us southern girls like to talk :)  Have a GREAT DAY!! 

What are y'all doing this year?

A-Z All About Me!!!

Happy New Year's Eve Hookahs!!!

I have had a truly uneventful past few days so I have nothing to really blog about.... I managed to score a night off work so that I had 2 days to clean my house and set up all my new toys,  I have done mostly well with my eating and will be renewing my relationship with Jillian at 8am New Year's day... that's about it.  But I didn't want to leave 2012 without one last post, and I have seen this gem floating around a few of my favorite reads, so I thought I'd give it a steal.  Enjoy :)

A. Age: 25
B:  Bed size: Queen.  I'd love a king, but we just got a GREAT  hand me down bedroom suiteC. Chore you hate:  LAUNDRY!  I actually need to be folding some right now... I have the Mt.    Kilamanjaro of laundry in my closetD. Dogs: 2. Ali and Brick.  Ali is a golden retriever mix, Brick is a german shepherd.... Both are spoiled rotten
E. Essential start to your day: Immediately peeing, then coffee and brushing of the teeths
F. Favorite color: Purple and Yellow
G. Gold or Silver: White gold
H. Height: 5'7
I. Instruments you play: BAHAHAHA!!!  i wanted a guitar once, but my dad didn't want to waste his money, I failed the test to even audition for band
J. Job Title: RN, BSN if you want to get fancy with it
K. Kids: Just the dogs.... and my fiance, depending on the day
L. Live: Sweet Home Alabama..... just south of Birmingham
M. Married:  I will be on November 2, 2013!!!
N. Nicknames: Jenn, Wing-a-ling (Ryan), and Bones.... I used to be really skinny so it wasn't always ironic
O. Overnight hospital stays: Only if you count working night shift
P. Pet peeve: wow.... so many.  I HATE repeating myself
Q. Quote: I don't really have one.... I'm lame
R. Righty or Lefty: Righty.
S. Siblings: Sister... 15 months younger
T. Time you wake up:  depends on the day.  If I have to work 4:30PM, if I'm off around 7:30ish
U. University attended: University of Alabama Huntsville
V. Vegetables you dislike: Brussel Sprouts
W. What makes you run late: My love of being in the bed
X. X-rays you've had: foot and dental ones.... and I'm sure multiple accidental onces at work 
Y. Yummy food: MEXICAN!!!!  I could probably eat it every single day and never get sick of it
Z. Zoo animal favorite: ELEPHANTS!!!!

So there you have it.  I know... fascinating.  Coming up this week I've got my first weigh in since getting back on the wagon, and depending on how balls-y I get a post and photos dedicated to my Operation Red Bikini journey... so exciting I know :)

Have an awesome and safe New Year, my loves!!  I will be bringing it in at work with a glass of sparkling grape juice.... I'm just too out of control for my own good these days!

Ugly Truths & Operation Red Bikini

Firstly, I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!!!  Overall, mine was amazing, aside from coming home to the 4 biggest piles of dog diarrhea that ever existed and my carpet still stinks.  I got to spend a whole week with my family.  We ran ourselves to the point of exhaustion, and then a little farther... it was a blast!  Sadly, Ryan and I did not merge our holidays this year like I had planned.  There was just so much to do in so little time, and we were both pretty selfish about giving up time.... so we just decided that instead of arguing or being grumpy we'd just go with our own families.  Ahh, the joys of living out of town and having funky work schedules. 

I got so many wonderful gifts, and I can't wait til I have more than a day off so that I can scrub my house and put them all in their place and play!  I'll spare you the less exciting stuff, but my favorites are my Chromebook, from my AMAZING husband to be, my yo-nanas machine from my parents, and my fancy smancy Kitchen Aid mixer from my grandparents.  I also got a Magic Bullet, all the seasons of Big Bang Theory and Gilmore Girls, and just lots of really great stuff!! I am a VERY blessed girl.

Now, on to the ugly truth of this post.  Short and not so sweet..... I've gained 6lbs since October.  I've made countless excuses and justifications for my laziness and poor eating, but the truth is just that.  I have been lazy and eating like shit.  NO MORE!!  I have worked too hard and have so much further to go to just give it all up.  As of yesterday, I am back!

THE PLAN:  I'm going back to where it all began, MFP and being more active in the social outlets that kept me going strong in the first 5 months of my journey.  I also will be jumping back into my running and reuniting with my best frenemy Jillian,  and am hoping to score a gym membership in the next couple months after I do some shopping around.  As far as eating goes, I plan to clean it up, once I go grocery shopping again and maybe even throw in some of those low carb challenges I am seeing so much of.  I'll be keeping accountable by posting food pics on Instagram and hopefully trying some new recipes to keep it fun.  And of course, I will be drinking water like like it is my JOB!

My biggest motivator is probably going to be the Operation Red Bikini challenge being hosted by Kassie and Leigh Ann, go HERE for details!  It is an amazing contest and there are going to be PRIZES!!  What is more fun than winning right?!?

My "red bikini" is to be a size 10 by May 31st.  I am currently wearing a 16, so it's going to be tough, but I know if I bust ass, I can make it happen!  I'll be keeping you posted on my progress here and on Instagram and maybe even on Keek.  I'll have some starting photos up next week and maybe even my before picture in case some of you have missed it.

Finally, a big HEY Y'ALL to all my new readers!!  I saw that I finally reached 50, which is about 50 more than I ever expected to have, so thank you, I am beyond flattered.  I promise to try and keep it fun for you guys.

I'm off to bed so I can partake in another night of my fun filled job!  Happy Friday, Hookers!  Since I have no pictures to entertain you, I will leave you with a video I saw over the holidays, and as a girl from the same town as Antione Dodson's Hide yo kids, Hide yo wife, I can show you this without feeling bad.  Enjoy

And if you aren't familiar with my hometown celebrity

WASSSSUPPPP?!?

I survived all 3 nights of work, even though last night cut it pretty effin close... between not sleeping well all week, heightened security thanks to a recent shooting at another local hospital, an EXTREMELY anxiety riddled patient with an even more anxiety riddled family, doctors who don't want to give medications for said extreme anxiety, and shit river I had used up what tiny bit of patience I have and taken several years off my life.   I was ready to get the EFF out that place and home to my mommy so I can be a princess all week.  After waiting for the barista to finish flirting with the guy ahead of me and make my damn skinny peppermint mocha., spending $50 on a tank of gas and keeking with all my 12 hour smeared eye makeup glory (check it out, you'll feel great about yourself afterwards)  I was on my way! Just an hour and a half drive including a  40 minute conversation with my future mother in law..... she talked, I mostly listened and got cut off anytime I tried to speak, I finally made it home!!  I love coming home!  For the most part, living away from my family isn't too hard.... it isn't a bad drive and my schedule allows me to visit fairly often, but Christmas is special!  I haven't been able to part with any traditions with my family which basically means a balls all out week, but I'm going to love every second of it!!

First world problems I have and all... NOT

So, if you don't already read Kassie's blog, it's a MUST!  She, along with Elle Noel (another must) has put together Operation Red Binki. Go here and check it out, these fellow southern girls totally have there ish in order!  It's a great challenge and I am totally doing it, even though it will be December 26th before I go hardcore.... and I mean HARDCORE, there are  prizes on the line here!

The MOST important prize of all

 
This week I am just focusing on maintaining  and ramping up my motivation, that seems to be slipping over the month, I have no will power at the moment. Not that I plan on reverting back to complete fat girl status over the holiday week, I just know that by expecting a loss this week, I would just be setting myself up for a disappointment.  To be perfectly honest, this makes me feel terrible about myself, but I'm going to try my best not to let it get me down and take this time to re-evaluate my plan and rediscover what I've been missing since I hit the 50 lb mark.  Not to worry, it's hard to keep this control freak over acheiver girl down for long, especially after seeing my newly thin sister- who still lives at home and has my mom to buy her all healthy groceries and cook for her every night and doesn't have anything to do besides exercise- prance around in her new size 12s and plethora of new Victoria's Secret panties.... no, I'm not jealous/bitter at all.  All, kidding aside, I am so happy for my sister, she has worked hard and after seeing her be big all her life it's nice to see her actually enjoy trying on clothes and getting all prettied up.... I'm sure I'll do a post on her sometime soon, she is one special chica!   I'm going to be back on the trail getting my run on before the new year.... more on my new fitness plans to come :)

 I need to tell myself this everyday, because it's TRUE!

 

I'm going to do my best to check in over the week, but I will for sure be blowing up instagram and (hopefully) Keek so you can find me there if you miss me too much!  You can find me @jennlynn426 on both sites, I'd love more attention.... only oldest child syndrome anyone???  Hope everyone is having an AMAZING week!!!

I may have a slight problem with this... I just love my blog ladies SO much that I need to know every bite of food you take, outfit you try on, new move you try at the gym, and silly thing your kid does!  I can't help it :)

Yea, I have been totally lazy with the pictures lately, probably because I have been totally lazy with the make up and hair brush lately and have reverted back to my sweat pants.... hmmm any relation to my crap eating and lack of exercise perhaps?!? 

 

SERIOUSLY?!?!? Bitch, put the Icee down... why am I so excited?

 

 

Tutu and shirt I made for Ryan's little cousin!

 

Story of my life right now... if only dogs could wear tutus :-/