Mardi Gras - The Party That Ends It All...

Happy Monday Morning!

Let me start out this morning by saying I had a ton of fun at Mardi Gras this weekend!  So much fun, for the most part - a few events lead me to re-evaluate some things though...more on that later.

First, the FUN!

The drive was long Friday afternoon, like a little over 5 hours long!  I think over that 5 hours I went through pretty much every emotion - Happy and Excited...Fear of the Semi's...Extreme Exhaustion...and lastly Annoyance!  :-)  But I did indeed make it in one piece!

  After Holly's babysitter arrived we went out and had a so-so Mexican meal.  I was starving so I scarfed the chips, salsa and queso down like a bad habit and then still managed to eat a good two-thirds of my dinner.  We tried to do some blog-mom boot shopping, but that ended in defeat, which lead to the DQ late night trip on the way home! #fatfluential As well as the oddest conversation regarding baby teeth which led me to post the picture below of a little girl and her baby tooth - just for clarification...that is not my child - it's a random, googled image!

 We were up bright and early (too bright and early for me) and soon out the door to head to downtown STL!  We met up with Amanda at the hotel and then grabbed a cab that dropped us off right in the middle of the fun!

 Tons of people were dressed up in costumes...and no I don't know what was going on in the pictures below...

 It was overcast the majority of the day so none of us though to bring along our sunglasses - Big Mistake!  We were on a mad sunglass hunt for a good hour!  I ended up buying some off a guy for like $10, then Holly bought some at a gas station and we switched...I ended up with the sweet ass pair of shades in the above pictures, although they didn't end up making the trip home.

 I'm not sure what time it was, I'm going to guess around 4pm we decided we should head back to the hotel and take a nap before the evening's festivities.  Note to Self:  Naps when drunk are good for nothing other than an early hang over and bad attitudes all around!  It was close to 7pm when we emerged from our naps...I eventually made my way down to the hotel lobby in search of Tylenol, caffine and something to munch on - I hadn't eaten since breakfast!

 The lobby was full of people at the hotel bar so I decided to just sit down there, enjoy my snack and snap a picture of the huge painting over the TV - I still don't know who that dude is, anybody know?

The night ended in a rather unplanned, unanticipated cluster fuck.  I was up and on the road just before 7am the next morning for my 5 hour long drive back to KS, unfortunately Mother Nature wasn't going to let me off the hook.  It rained and it poured for the first good 2.5 - 3 hours of my drive.  It sucked!

And today, today brings more rain showers - I'm sicker than a dog!  Head pounding, ears popping, nose running, fire in my throat and a cough so loud I'm sure I woke the neighbors last night!  I hit up Quick Care this morning and got a steroid shot in the booty, an antibitoic, cough medicine and throat losanges!  Here's to feeling better quick!  I'm probably the absolute worst sick person ever, I can't handle it at all!  It's going to be a Pity Party up in here until my meds kick in!

 

 I'm sure no one noticed yet that I made my Instagram account "private" and also removed the majority of my followers (I did the same thing on FB).  Sometimes things happen and it's like a rude, hard slap back into reality, well that happened to me this weekend.  Not going into any detail, I just didn't want to leave you all totally in the dark as to my disappeance.  I'm going to take some time away from this little "blog mom-runner-weight loss circle of love/hate" - it's nothing personal against anyone, I just need to take a step back in light of some recent events.  Nothing tragic is happening to me or my family - everyone is fine!  I think in trying to "find" myself and take time to just be "me" lead me in some directions that might not be best in the end.

 

I hope that someday - maybe in a week or two, a few months, whenever - I'll find the desire to put myself out here again, but for now I'm not ok with doing that.  I will however continue to focus on myself, my family, my fitness and health and when I come back maybe, just maybe I'll be wearing the Red Bikini (I will have new boobies after all)!  Take care, Ladies - you will be missed!

 

xoxo

Bean's Birthday Party & Liebster Part 2...

We had Norah's birthday party last Saturday and thankfully everything actually went fairly smoothly!  We had about 50 guests and Bean was spoiled rotten with all her gifts! 

The theme was Winter One-derland and the lovely Kristen at First Name Smith made her invitations, the cupcake toppers, two banners and the goodie bag tags!  I loved everything!  You can check out Kristen's creations at Little Laws Prints - she is amazing and I highly recommend her for any of your invitation and decoration needs!  You can also find her on FB at Little Laws Prints or search the hashtag #littlelawsprints on my Home Girl (Instagram)!

Little Laws Prints Goodies

Momma's Birthday Party Outfit! 
Teal Cardigan, White Basic Tunic, Black Fleece Lined Leggings all from Hazel & Olive Boutique!
Leopard Print Wedges from Shoe Dazzle.

 

I'm horrible for not getting all the questions for my Liebster Nominations done yet!  But here is the second installment featuring questions from:

Ashley @ Living My Dash

Erin @ Happy Ever After (And Then Some)

Chrissy @ Mama Chrissy's Chaos

 

 

 xoxo

It's A Big Ole Rewinder...

Hey, hey, hey!  I'm baaaaaack!  I know most of you were expecting a recap on Monday of my awesome weekend, but life just seems to get in my way ALOT lately.  My apologies to the fullest...



Just a Selfie to provide a visual since it's been so long since I've posted! 

Saturday stared off with Brecken and I heading to the city to meet up with Holly and Molly.  We thought the day was going to be great as we hit 4's on the gas pump and saw an Amish Buggy within like 30 seconds of each other!  And no, I have no clue if seeing an Amish Buggy means good luck... we just made that shit up! You're welcome, feel free to use it!

Then this happened... 

We stopped at the Ward Parkway Shopping Center so that we could pick up our race packets at Garry Gribbles. 

Side Story - I even got fitted for some awesome new shoes AND found out I have double-wide status feet.  The salesdude was trying to be so nice and not call my feet fat, even though I kept trying to get him to slip up and say it.  But yes, now at the age of 30 I have for the first time learned that I not only need "wide" shoes (I knew that) but I need "double-wide" shoes; technical name "2E"...could they make it sound any worse?  Normal width is B, wide is D and double-wide...well that's 2E!  I don't know that I even knew that existed, but doesn't it just scream FAT FEET?  I think so, but they were however the most comfortable fit/shoe I've ever tried on; so for that THANK YOU Garry Gribbles salesdude - you are now my hero!

OK, we were on our way out so we could get some lunch - we were starving (and Brecken had the genius idea to make me lose my Noodles & Company V-Card - I was not impressed) and then we walked up on this mess!  Like who the hell bumps/hits a car and doesn't back up?  If I were this dude, I would have not only backed up, but also changed parking spots!  There were so many people and stores and a 24 Hour Fitness that there was no way I was going to wait around to see who's car it was...instead I left a mean/nice note and then blasted them on both FB and my Homegirl!

I left my cell number on the note and told them they could call me if they wanted to see the pictures...surprisingly they called and we had a little conversation, it went a little something like this...
Me: Hello
Dude: Hey, yeah.  There was a note on my car that said I hit someones car?
Me: Oh yeah, you totally hit my car.
Dude: There's no way, absolutely no way...
Me: Um...yeah there is I have pictures... Is this your cell number?  I'll text them to you.
Dude: No this is my home phone I don't have a cell phone...
Me: Well isn't that convenient.
Dude:  My brother does those, here is his number...
Me: I'm not writing it down, you have my number just have him text me and I'll send you the pics.
Dude: Ok, ok...but there is no way I hit your car, I would have known.
Me: Well you did, promise.  You kissed my car and just left them that way...
Dude: (Stuttering non-sense)
Me:  Look there wasn't any damage, I just wanted you to know you hit my car and that next time you should probably at least back up off of the bumper if you hit one...that's it...
Dude: I still don't know how I hit your car and didn't know...
Me: Just text me..
I soon received a text from "his brother" and then sent back the pictures...he then responded via text "I'm very glad there is no damage, my apologies to the fullest!"  What a dumb ass!

B and I then headed to the hotel to take a quick power nap before Holly and Molly arrived.

 We decided on Cheesecake Factory for dinner and we originally thought about waiting until 7:30, but we were all hangry so we headed out a little before 6:30 and thank goodness we did - the wait was 1.5-2 hours! Holy Shit!  Thankfully, Forever21 was right next door so we went and did a little shopping!  Holly provided the epic photo and accompany entertainment below!  Brecken actually bought the denim vest, but was definitely having doubts after Holly's version!  LOL... B, I know you will rock it!  Amanda and my IRL friend, Fallyne also met up with us at Cheesecake Factory and joined us for our shopping spree and dinner!

 Once we finally got a table, the food was delicious and they even decorated my cheesecake plate for my birthday!  I requested NO SINGING but you know Holly wasn't gonna let that shit happen!  She proceeded to BELT out Happy Birthday solo-style until a random waiter-man and the other girls joined in!  I could have killed her!  Love you, Holly!

 After dinner we went to a little pub and about half a drink in decided since we weren't getting waste faced that we were incredibly too old to be there and headed back to the hotel in order to be bright and bushy-tailed for our 10K in the AM (we really aren't this lame on a regular night out).

 7:30am came early and I was not a happy camper, but we all got up and dressed and headed out to Hunt Midwest Subtropolis for the Groundhog Run!  The run is underground through these man-made caves.  It was a super cool experience, but also tiring, long and sometimes dark and a little scary! It was dim inside the caves and there were no mile markers or anything so it just felt like you were running forever with no clue where you were or how far you had gone or had left to go.  When we finally hit the end of the first lap (halfway mark), I remember thinking "No fucking way that was only 3 miles!"  In the end, Holly and I ran the whole 6.2 miles pretty much side by side.  Brecken kicked our asses (she ran in college), Molly intervaled pretty much the entire second half of the run and then thought it would be cute to blow past Holly and I the last 1/2 mile! Of course, this sparked something in Holly and me and we took off right after her!  We all finished within steps of each other, it was a great way to end the race!  Amanda ran the 10K too, she didn't have any music (because there was no cell service in the caves so her Pandora didn't work) and that would have killed me, but she finished strong and got it done!

I received this Good Luck picture of Bean!  I missed her sweet little face!

Yesterday this happened...Bean turned ONE!  Still seems unreal that a whole year has gone by already!  She rocked my world when she was born and I remember thinking "What the hell have I done and gotten myself into!"  Not only because she was another child, but because she is a girl!  I'm not normally good with girls...I much prefer dudes!  But now, now I can't remember how life was without her!  Her big party is scheduled for this Sunday - yes, I know, it's Super Bowl...do I care, not one bit!  I will post a picture recap of Sunday next week!

 Yesterday was chalk full of excitement!  In addition to Bean turning ONE, Momma went for her BOOBIE consultation!  Can I get a Yee-haw!?  I have wanted to get my boobies done since before I even had kids!  I am super uneven...like my right one is a good 1/2 cup size bigger then the left!  This leads to me not being able to wear stripes and EVERYTHING always pulls to the right.  I've always had big(ger) boobs, I was a full C before kids and now I'm a good-sized D.  I had in my head implants, but quickly realized that wasn't what I was going to end up with at yesterday's appointment!  As soon as they asked what size I currently am and I said D - the nurse was like..."and you want implants?  You better show me what you go!" so off the shirt/bra went and she immediately was like, you need a lift - not implants!  In the back of my mind I had a feeling this was the way it was going to go.  See I've always had this idea that a lift meant cutting my nipples off and then reattaching them and this girl LOVES her nipples, so the thought of them being cut off and put back freaked me out!  I do not want "dead" nipples!  Doctor explained that it is very unlikely that my nipples will go dead, he did say some people experience some diminished sensation for a couple months, but that it normally comes back.  He also explains that he will not/does not cut my nipple off - it will never be unattached from my body!  Thank you sweet baby Jesus!  After he showed me what they would look like and where they would be after the lift I was amazed!  My only other concern was whether or not a lift alone would address the asymmetry - he said that he will probably do liposuction on the big one to bring the volume down to match the smaller one and then do the lift.  So basically my boobs will be a little smaller (which is fine with me) afterwards!  Now, a lift is more expensive than doing implants by about $1,500 so I had to talk The Husband back off the ledge (again) and into the additional expense - which wasn't very hard!  Happy wife, happy life - right?!  RIGHT!  I am now scheduled for Tuesday, March 5th @ 9am!  What!? What!?  If anyone has any questions about the procedure or cost, etc. email me - I'm more than happy to share that info, I just wasn't going to blast how much the whole thing is going to cost here on the blog.  Best part - he said that the recovery for the lift is harder initially, but that as soon as the incisions are completely heeled (3-4 weeks) I can start running again!  Unlike with implants, the muscles aren't affected by the lift which is what usually causes issues working out after implants.  I will also be swimsuit and bra-free ready for Cancun!  Yay!

 

Here I am on my way to the consult!  And that is my doctor, he is kinda old-balls, but attractive..

I can't have a post and not mention Mr. Jack!  This was last night...he was Big Foot Huntin' - notice his shirt! Love him! 

 

Lastly, I started my 10 Day Herbal Cleanse from Advocare yesterday!  You basically have a Fiber Drink that is disgusting, Cleanse Pills and Probiotic Pills.  The goal is to eat clean during the cleanse and start new/better eating habits...so far so good!  I'm also doing Spark again - love me some Spark!  I used to drink like 5-6 cans of Dt. Dr. Pepper each and every single day.  I used Spark when I quit drinking soda (a few months back) and it totally worked!  I went from 5-6 cans/day to nothing and maintained it for 8 weeks!  So I'm doing it again along with the cleanse, not only as a replacement for the soda, but it also helps/aids in the Cleanse.  I don't know the deets, I'm not good with that crap, but my girl, Molly sells Advocare so if you have questions hit her up!

The Fiber Drink is the worst part!  It's supposedly Citrus flavored, but it's thick and chunky and things float around in it!  I usually just use like ice cold water, mix and chug it immediately!  If you let it sit it starts to literally thicken...YUCK!

I have now concluded the longest blog post ever!  Thanks for sticking around to the end!  Love you, Bitches!

xoxo