That Redheaded Sister

In just 27 hours I am going to sitting in my fully loaded with people car heading to Nashville for my bachelorette weekend.  I am very excited about going because I havent really been away in a while.  I am hoping this crappy cold Matt gave me goes away in time.  His lasted three days and I am currently on day two.  My eyes have started watering and I cant stop sneezing/blowing my nose.  How much more can one person blow out of their nose?!?!?  (Im sure my coworkers love me right now, sorry).

So, you wanna see something cool?  (This might be something that no one else cares about, but I think its cool)  Before we could actually see houses with a realtor, we were looking through apps like Zillow and Trulia.  The thing is with us, we wanted to see more of the neighborhoods these houses were in before investing the gas mileage to visiting in person, so we also used Google Maps Street View.  I knew Google Maps was out of date, but wow.

This is our soon to be house now:

 This is our house before the investor got hold of it:

 Wild isnt it?  I am going to print both pictures out and frame them next to each other.  I have been doing so much research on the house and its previous state.  Nothing.  All I can find it that it was built in 1947.  Lame.

Hopefully one month from now we will officially be first time homeowners!!

(I hope I am not jinxing myself showing this to you)

I was sitting in the dentist’s waiting room today reflecting on my old self and how much I miss being the way I was in some aspect.

I was a runner.  I went to the gym.  I was in decent shape and loved being at the gym.  There were times were I actually contemplated becoming certified as a trainer.  I never publically announced that, but it was a thought I tossed around.

To do lists were my thing.  Ever since moving into my current position, I hardly make myself personal to do lists.  I used to have a weekly list of things to do and they were done.

At some point in time I was a very VERY tidy person.  Things were always organized.

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These days running is not much of an option (thanks to my body that plagues me with injury and my mind that kills my motivation mojo).  The gym?  I visit it about 2-3 days a week MAYBE.  I’ve tried to get there before work, but I am just too tired.  Ive tried to go at lunch, but the specific location near my office is really gross and just using the sinks in the bathroom make me want to die.  I couldnt imagine using the shower.

The problem is I have no one to work out with.  Each time I have worked my hardest, I have always had a friend by my side.  Will you train with me?  If not, how do I find someone who will? womp womp

I blame the last thing on living in a tiny space.  I live in 700 square feet right now with one other person and two cats.  You leave a pair of shoes out and the place looks like a disaster.  Its so sad.

In other news……

We got our engagment photos back.  I am pretty happy with them.  I havent shared many on Facebook because Matt asked me not to, but I will share with you what I have shared

What seems like 800 years ago, I offered to review a pair of No nonsense leggings.  I was thrilled to be given the offer because I live on leggings.  I love wearing tights, but leggings offer more comfort to me.

I was sent two products to try out, corduroy leggings and fishnet tights.  Of course these showed up at my door the day before Christmas, a week before we moved, and two weeks before busy season started for me, so this is a huge delay in reviewing.

I first tried out the corduroy leggings.  I received the Aubergine color pair (purple) and was not in love with the color.  I am not much of a fan of purple and how bright they were.  I am very limited on what I have that matches purple leggings, so I threw something together.  Of course I do not have a picture because what I paired with it was sort of silly looking (me, not the leggings).  I must say…they were extremely comfortable.  I felt free to move around or cuddle under the blankets on the couch (I always feel uncomfortable laying on the couch in jeans or tights).  They also kept my legs very warm.  Matt and I decided to head out and practice our golf swing in the misty, cold day.  I felt so warm and comfortable.

Of course being a few days before moving, I was unable to snap a picture paired with a possible outfit and I think they were packed into a box that is sitting in storage with our other clothes.  All I can show is what the website has of these.

As you can see, they offer the corduroy in a few different colors.  I would buy these for sure, but not in purple.  This is just a personal preference because I am not much of a fan of purple.

The second pair I received was a pair of fishnet stockings.  I DO have pictures wearing these.  Fish nets are not something I would wear to work, but I do own a pair sitting in my clothing storage box.  The fit of these was actually pretty nice.  The waist was relaxed and I didnt feel as crunched as I do when I wear tights.  Here they are with the dress I wore to work.  I did not wear the fish nets today because it was a chilly 30 degrees this morning and I needed my thick tights.

(And instead of wearing my cute peep toe shoes today, I am wearing my running shoes.  Trying to cater to my injured feet)

 Not bad.  Their prices are very reasonable as well.  The leggings above are $18.99.  I saw a pair of capri leggings that I am sort of obsessing over for $15.99.  I love capri leggings in the spring time!

We shouldn’t stop at just the leggings, No nonsense also offers yoga attire, underwear, slippers, and shoe liners.  Take a look at their site to see what you need to get your hands on for spring!

Thank you No nonsense for getting me the chance to review two of your products.

Excuse me while I clean some of this dust of the blog.  This time of year is so tough for me because of the holidays and my show schedule at work.  I am still walking around like a cast member of the Walking Dead, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I am starting to see a glimmer of it.  Have you ever been so tired that everything ends up becoming silly?  You just laugh because you have no idea what else to do.  That is where I am.  Its better than crying I suppose (although yesterday I did feel like crying because I am so tired, worn down, burnt out, and not feeling well).  Next weekend is my last weekend of working and then my social life (what there was of one) will slowly be coming back .

I thought I would take you one this crazy month through pictures.  I could write out an extremely long post, but who wants to read when they can look?

Let’s back up to December.

At work, I stared sharing my office with our new employee.  I didn’t mind at first, but today I find myself plotting destruction to his chair.  The singing, the humming.  MAKE IT STOP!!!  LOL.  After over a month of SHARING MY SPACE, he moves into his office tomorrow.  Holy Lord, thank you Jesus.  I am not trying to be mean, but when you have to practically share your desk for a month………..

I bought Matt’s wedding ring:

We celebrated Christmas with both of our families and one of my favorite things I got was this book (I received many amazing things, but I could not take a picture of them)

Matt’s brother-in-law has challenged me to complete a few projects from this book (since he gifted it to me).  Hold up…lets get through the wedding, friend.  We have lots o’ projects to complete there.

We moved.  It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, but it was mighty cold.  We ended up going with a smaller apartment, but we will be saving $300 a month just on rent.  And the commute?  MUCH EASIER!!  The area we are in is so quiet and while we still have a crazy methed out neighbor above us, as long as she has crashed from her high, it is rather peaceful.

I know I posted this before, but its worth telling again.  I MADE IT!  One year without french fries.  Since the big day I could start eating them again, I have made sure to have fries at my favorite places.  Want to know something?  They aren’t very nice to my stomach.  In fact, I am thinking of cutting them almost out of my diet because I just don’t like them as much as I used to.  I will still enjoy them, but I am not going to gorge myself.

Again, I know I posted this before….I started taking protein shakes in the morning to help curb my monster appetite.  Since doing this, I have lost 6.2lbs!  Then work and eating went a little crazy, but I am still maintaining my 6.2.  I am also going to start hitting the gym to really get in shape.  I saw a pin on Pinterest that really inspired me.  For every time you work out, you throw a dollar in the jar.  After x amount of days, you take that money and do whatever you want.  I think I am going to track my weeks and after every week, throw a dollar into savings.  I am in desperate need of new clothes and shoes, so at the end I think I will treat myself to a visit to the outlet mall.  I haven’t thought it through, but on workouts I really push myself to be better, I want to give a higher dollar amount.  Motivation you see.

My work friends all came down to Atlanta to help work on my crazy show and while they were here, we had plenty of fun nights out.  One night, Thomas Jefferson joined us for margaritas.  He is a good guy

We had skee ball tournaments and an intense ping pong match (I lost both).

Here is where the silliness started kicking in.  It was week who knows of working straight through and we were all so very tired.  So tired we decided to hang art on my wall while leaving the cardboard corners on.  And yes, my picture is still hanging (cardboard corner intact).

Here is a picture of one of three show floors after my show moved out and while we were moving another in.  In case you were curious.

An exhibitor gave us their Unicorn Droppings after they made a batch of candy.  The candy this company makes is really awesome and I wish I had better pictures of their process, but my cell phone sucks.  I can do many things with the droppings….I can grind it up and use the flavored sugar to bake with (my flavor is blueberry i believe), I can cut chunks off and put them in coffee, or just eat as candy.

Look what I found in the trash!  These are now going to become my project pieces for the wedding.  Stay tuned for a DIY!

The Voice had their auditions at work.  No Adam sightings though.  Just the producers and talent search.  I should have asked….do you think the producers look at the singers?  Or are they soley judged based on voice?

And finally some friends and I went to dinner on the last night they were here and we had such a great time.  I tried this banana bread beer and it was surprisingly good.  It smelled more like banana bread than it tasted.  It tasted more like the types of beers I like.  I would def drink this again.

I am still trying to catch up on sleep with this crazy month.  I find myself in bed falling asleep around 8:30 and I don’t try to stop it.  Matt has switched his schedule at work, so he is now working days and we can FINALLY spend time together.  We can actually eat dinner like real people!!

So now that this month is coming to an end, wedding planning is going to take full swing.  There is still A LOT to do and only FOUR months to do it in.  Can you believe it?

So…..

What have you been up to? 

What is your favorite type of beer?  What is the craziest flavor you have tried?

A normal posting schedule.

Life has been so crazy busy with work that I have barely had enough time to sleep.  Starting Feb I will have time for myself and plan to be back here full swing.

How have you all been?  I have been reading (sort of) but not commenting much.  Sorry about that, I really do care!!!

See you in a few weeks!!!!

Considering the world is pretty much ending this Friday, there is probably no need to actually set resolutions/goals for myself next year.  But I am a pretty positive person and I will keep planning ahead.  I have done a yearly wrap up before, so why stop tradition?  If you want to see previous years, check out them out: 2011 and 2010.

Before I jump into 2013, lets reflect on my 2012.

January:  My whole month was taken over by work (which will be the case for Jan 13), so not much happened.  I did build an awesome headboard.  I also rescued the kitten roaming our neighborhood.  He was in bad shape, completely emaciated.  Now he is a fat and happy cat living with my friend.

February:  I signed up and started training for the Cooper River Bridge Run in Charleston, SC.  I redid an awesome antique chest.  I ran the COLDEST 5k probably in the entire world.  I went skiing for the first time.

March: I bought a car!  I ran my first ever virtual 10k for Running with Spatulas!  I ran the Cooper River Bridge Run in Charleston, SC and boy that was the biggest mistake EVER!!!

April: I sidelined yet again by injury.  Had another DIY project for the bedroom.  Pretty slow month it seems like

May: Started training for Chicago RnR.  Someone rearended my brand new car.  Joined Twitter (@Redheadedsis).  Went white water rafting and had the best time ever.  You must look at those pictures!!

June: Was accepted to run the Peachtree Road Race!  Rescued a DOG!  Started Trails and Tails to help dogs in need (still a work in progress).  Placed Peanut the dog in a great home.

July:  Work took over my life for most of the month and I was beyond stressed.  Birthday month!!  Peachtree Road Race.  My dad and younger sister came to visit. ENGAGED!  DNS Chicago RnR

August: Asked friend to be my Bridesmaids.  Bought my WEDDING dress.  Picked out my venue.  Another furniture DIY: the nightstand edition.

September:  Another slow month in my world.  Went shopping and picked out all of the bridesmaid dresses.

October: I lived out of a suitcase this whole month.  Visited Albuquerque for the first time for work.  Worked a lot in Louisville.  Visited my family in Chicago for a weekend.

November: We spent most of this month trying to figure out what our next move was going to be.  We arent quite ready to buy a new house yet, so we had to find an apartment.  Yeah, that was completed until two weeks ago…and we move in two weeks!!!  Was accepted to start posting on The Budget Savvy Bride.

December: Finally found a place to live.  We have been packing and prepping for our move.  Ordered Save the Dates.  Registered for the wedding.  Made a cake topper that you have all convinced me to use on my wedding cake.

Whew!  That was a heck of a post.  I think I will save the resolution for the next post.

How did your year pan out? 

I generally try to do the right thing and follow all the rules, but this one time I had to pass up the opportunity.  As a result, I am pretty sure I am going to Hell.

It all started this past Tuesday.  The sun was still trying to rise and it was freezing, see your breathe outside cold.  (I hate winter in case you were wondering.  Blame it on growing up in Chicago).  As I was leaving for work I realized I needed to take the trash out because it had a very special stank to it and the trash guys wouldnt be there until later in the evening.  I loaded the stanky trash into my car and headed toward the compactor (we are in an apartment if you didnt know).

I will tell you whole heartedly I absolutely hate my apartment complex.  I complain about it all the time.  Matt and Barley are constantly sick from the mold growing in the walls, the management is dreadful to deal with, they are always trying to find a reason to “check on” apartments every month, and the people living within the confines are deplorable.  It has gotten to the point where I hate walking around at night because who knows what will happen.  I feel watched and sometimes followed.  Oh, and we think someone is stealing gas from Matt’s car.  Yep, that is where we live.

For you to understand what I dealt with on Tuesday, I am going to use the pictures below to describe.

Here is a view of what our entrance gate (which I understand is not a deterrant) looks like and the flow of traffic.  (Sorry about the paint skills)

As you see, down toward the middle of the picture there is a little island that houses the callbox.  I am somewhat annoyed by people that sneak into the gate because I have no idea what shady business you are up to in here.  I cant fully be annoyed though because I follow people in out of sheer laziness.

Lately, it seems as though people have gotten smart and when you sit in front of the OUT gate, the gate opens up.  No idea why, it just does.  I think management has started catching on, so when I was leaving for work Tuesday I noticed they finally put large barrier cone barrels in between the gate and callbox.

As I pull up to the trash compactor, I notice a very sketchy car parked in front of the out gate.  To me it looks like he is trying ot get in, but having no luck.  His resolution was to just sit there.  Keep in mind, this is the morning and people are leaving for work in school.  Now your idiot self just blocked the gate so no one can leave.  This is….until he sees me.  He throws his car into reverse and parks it in front of the IN gate.  Of course, I am watching this and decide to take my sweet time throwing the trash away.  I made sure to get a good look of this man.  He looked extrememly sketchy and like he was up to no good.

After he moved his car into the right lane, he got out and moved the barrier cones.  I was back in my car at this point and decided to book it so he would miss the chance to get in, hoping the gates would close behind me quickly.

He saw me coming toward the gate and started running back to his car when it happened.  He fell and he fell hard.  I am very sure he sprained or broke his ankle because he was screaming in pain, but I dont know fully because I kept driving.  I avoided eye contact and kept going.

I felt terrible as I drove away, but the guy was basically trying to break into the complex.  I dont know what his plans were, but I cant trust anyone in our area.  Maybe he lost his gate card and needed back in or maybe he was part of a group planning to break into other apartments.  Maybe he was stealing Matt’s gas (seriously, can you believe that?)  Over the past few weeks I have heard mulitple people shooting guns, there have been strange people banging on my door at night, and the cops are there ALL THE TIME.  I have every right to feel uneasy about these types of goings on.

We know it is time to move (our lease ends in a month).

I told Matt about this (since he lives there and understands what I am saying) and before I could even start telling him I felt bad for the guy, he said I did the right thing because there are so many unsafe things going on lately.

Dont worry, our apartment is very aware of how bad it has gotten and after a year, this is their first step towards stopping it…barrier cones.  Great job team!

The holidays are almost here.  Can you believe NEXT WEEK!?!  I would love to know where the year went.

Even though my days have been crazy and filled, I thought I would share some pictures of things that have made me happy over the past week.  Hopefully they will make you happy too!

 -I have told you all before, Matt has to eat gluten free.  He has done such a great job with it and I am sure his stomach is thanking him to pieces.  I am surprised how easy it was for him to transition to GF, but how hard it would be for me (see: lack of will power).  You may also recall at some point this blog is supposed to feature BAKING and I have not baked this year.  WHAT?!?!  I dont want to bring things like that into the house and make it harder for Matt….until now.  I found a local company that carries gluten free mixes.  I heard baking GF is harder than you think and have yet to try it.  I DID try this mix before purchasing and when I say this is one of the best cakes, I am not lying!  I bought pumpkin cake (shown above), zucchini bread, regular bread, and chocolate cake.  Now we can eat baked goods without the guilt.

 -I originally picked out invitations for the wedding online and fell in love.  The problem was I would have to make my own RSVP cards and information cards to include.  Not really a problem, but you know.  Friday after work I made my weekly trip to the big red bullseye and ran into the most adorable invitations.  I was so torn with what to do, I sat in the card aisle for over 30 minutes.  Dont mind me Target employees.  The great thing about these invitations was they came with RSVP cards and after doing the math, I was going to save $160!  Sold!  I am madly in love with these ALMOST as much as the others, but I would rather have that money and apply it to something else.

-Friday I finished my biggest wedding project yet, the cake table tablecloth.  Holy cow this was a HUGE undertaking and I have honestly surprised myself on actually being able to complete it with as few cuss words as I did.  You only get to see a sneak peak though and soon I will have a breakdown of the how, the what, and the price.  After this, I have learned just how much my sewing machine and I DONT get along.  It was pretty brutal.

-My laundry helper.  One helps with laundry and the other helps make the bed.

-This may not be happiness to most people, but I think its pretty darn funny.  Last Monday I was at home making dinner when all the sudden I heard a loud crash.  I swear someone had fallen off the roof of the building.  Being a chicken when I am home alone, I didnt run to the door to look (because clearly killers make those sorts of noises), I ran to the bedroom window.  What do I see?  My stupid neighbor crashed into the apartment.  I was so worried he hurt someone and was about to run downstairs when I flung the front door open and saw this sight.  He drove into the stairwell.  Idiot.  I am not a fan of this man or his family.  They are extremely loud and rude to people AND their dog.  Now the columns and railings are completely messed up, but that is what happens when you are careless…….wow spiteful are we?  LOL

-Last week I applied to become a Budget Savvy Bride blogger at The Budget Savvy Bride.  This website next to Weddingbee is one I frequent the most.  I found out I was chosen to start contributing.  I am so excited and so nervous.  I hope everyone likes me!

-I was told we cannot use this for any of our pictures. Sad

-But we can use this.  Crummy picture I know!

So that is my happiness for the week.

What has made you happy this week? Or last week?  Or this month? 

For some reason it has taken me four tries to try and write this.  Mainly because at first I didnt want to put it out there, but also because I did not want to come off as whining.

Friends, I have fallen completely out of shape.  I blame my lack of desire and my feet.  There are so many ways I could have kept up with exercise without being on my feet or being part of a gym.  I chose not to do those things.  Instead I have developed a really bad body image of myself to the near point of obsession.  I have gained all of the weight back that I lost four years ago and after minutes of poking and prodding, I feel worse about myself.  My clothes dont fit right, I dont want to buy anything new.  And then there is the added WEDDING pressure. (Dont worry, I have been staring at my arms noticing their size)

Now that my feet are almost 100%, I am going to take this time to stop this pity party I am on and do something about it.  (Yea, that sounded cheesy! LOL).  I know how to do this.  I know it is possible to do this.

I signed up for a Couch to 5k program on my phone.  I am going to use this program to reteach my feet how to run.  I dont want to go too fast too soon, so after reading how the C25K works, I think that will be the best jumping off point.  Obviously running is not the ONLY way to lose these unwanted pounds.  A few years back, we started doing p90x.  We had a few friends that followed the program and looked great after they were done.  I liked the different workouts they offered and always felt challenged.  I am going to look for the cds and bring those along with my laptop down to the apartment gym and start using that for my strength base.

Food.  Oh yes, food.  Instead of counting each and every calorie that I eat, I think my main goal is portion control and choosing smart foods.  Id love to get on some type of meal plan, but lets be real…I cant follow those.  Late nights at work, long stressful days….I wont follow a plan.  Ill throw whatever is easiest together.

Im nervous, but I want to be back in running shape.  I want to PR a race…like a real, honest to God, never thought that would happen PR.  I want to start training for a half again.  Eventually (before I turn 30, the goal) I want to run a marathon.  Its time to start building a base.

Have you struggled with these types of things before? 

How did you overcome?

What lit your motivation spark?

Are you just restarting?

I am on week four of traveling for work.  I have eaten out for two meals just about everyday.  All last week I drank…a lot (or what seems to be a lot for me).  Dinner tonight was a corner of pizza and cottage cheese.  Sleep is a thing of the past.  So is keeping up with reading blogs and writing.

Apparently my cats have been acting out since I have been gone for so long.  One tried to climb up the chimney, the other walks on the other side of the porch banister (we are on the second floor).  I almost fell out of my chair when I heard that. 

Wedding planning has been slow BUT I think I have decided on a caterer and plan to meet with a DJ that was kind enough to work with our budget.  I also got my hands on an elemint (hint) i will use for favors from one of the shows I worked for free!!!

Before I left I had cortizone injected into my feet.  Worked wonders.  Can’t what to start running when I get home. 

On that note, I am going to bed because today was a 13 hour day and it starts again bright and early.  Two more days until I’m in my own bed!!!!

What is new with you?