Weekend Recap

I'm just don't do creativity with titles.  Wonder what this is going to be about?<br /><br />Well, I started my weekend/WW week off on the right foot.  I lost 4.8 lbs bringing my total back down to 26.8 lbs lost.  I'm pretty sure what kept me on track this week was the daily pre-tracking of my food.  There are no surprises this way.  I don't do surprises when it comes to meal planning!<br /><br />This weekend was a busy one, as will be all of my weekends in September.  On Saturday we celebrated with Joel's cousin as she walked down the aisle in a princess-y style ball gown.  She was beautiful!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLS_y3ZDKaO3Zyb_7NrX4SbrpSIp7lF8Egl3qRgwWfZWuyTWGvrvDGwlUIeO4ukaToP26zR65MJYgHhT-vlnvE4WaIGc6zwC19bgj5zy_91t0EvE7Wof4phVWov_iLk5UFmQ8E_7Cf-M/s1600/kathleen+in+dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLS_y3ZDKaO3Zyb_7NrX4SbrpSIp7lF8Egl3qRgwWfZWuyTWGvrvDGwlUIeO4ukaToP26zR65MJYgHhT-vlnvE4WaIGc6zwC19bgj5zy_91t0EvE7Wof4phVWov_iLk5UFmQ8E_7Cf-M/s400/kathleen+in+dress.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />The reception was held at Running Hare Vineyard in Maryland.  We were given two wine options, and I went with the white.  It was delicious!  So delicious that I spent <i>all day</i> Sunday recovering from a lovely hangover.  Not exactly my best move yet - seeing as how I had an exam on Monday and needed to spend Sunday reviewing.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocyNF2TiwP8fEcvC6__9tR_8xM0tyNOd6IAqn1hGqE-4zJT_58q_1TSAPfThJB3gN5Z9aEQiXeiVK_WsQzBOi8ED6PSBFHpydV5JPmn-KFafaAKlJ6chVfQfi39inhoej4qof04foRcg/s1600/alcohol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocyNF2TiwP8fEcvC6__9tR_8xM0tyNOd6IAqn1hGqE-4zJT_58q_1TSAPfThJB3gN5Z9aEQiXeiVK_WsQzBOi8ED6PSBFHpydV5JPmn-KFafaAKlJ6chVfQfi39inhoej4qof04foRcg/s320/alcohol.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />It was quite the show.  Everytime I drink like that, I immediately regret it.  Not because of the impending hangover (yes, it does suck), but more so because I know I acted foolish.  To some it might have been hilarious.  To me - ugh... what a disgrace!<br /><br />The GREAT news is that I earned an 'A' on today's anatomy and physiology exam and I'm <b>so </b>proud!  I definitely worked hard for it - studying daily - yes, even yesterday I managed to review my notes for a substantial amount of time.   The productivity has continued all day long as a result of that awesome start to my day.  I finally ordered  my blogger information cards (aka "business cards") for <a href="http://fitbloggin.com/" target="_blank">FitBloggin'</a>!  Will you be attending?<br /><br />Hope you had a great weekend! <br /><br />

Weekend Recap Weekend Recap

I'm just don't do creativity with titles.  Wonder what this is going to be about? Well, I started my weekend/WW week off on the righ...

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Weekend Recap

I <b>so</b> needed this 3 day weekend.  All of last week I was exhausted as a result of having a hard time falling asleep almost every night.  I am a person who needs <i>at least</i> 7 hours each night and I wasn't getting anything close to that.  Anyhow, this weekend afforded me some much needed rest!<br /><br />Along with the relaxation, I was also extremely productive.  I got in all 3 days of activity for the week: Friday - elliptical, Saturday - Wii Fit Plus, Monday - WW Core Cardio.  Now, overall I'd say I had a great on plan weekend.  I did have a few "detours" along the way, but I recovered <b>quickly </b>(and proceeded to throw those bags of Red Hots & Sugar Daddies into the trash!).  Normally I would just allow the failures to keep mounting, but I got myself back under control by the next meal (not the next day!).<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><b>Lesson Learned:</b> <i>When shopping, take a healthy snack!  Even if you don't anticipate getting hungry, take it!  It's better to be prepared than give in to temptation (i.e. candy).</i></blockquote><br />Additionally, I got loads of homework done.  In case you're new here, or don't know, I am pursuing a second degree/second career in nursing.   I love it and I love my classes, but they are <i>no</i> joke.  I cannot stress enough how much harder online classes are.  You think they're easy because you don't have to attend class?  Wrong!  I spend so much time studying every day because I'm essentially teaching the material to myself.  In the case of anatomy and physiology - the work is endless!  Needless to say, I spent the majority of my weekend studying.<br /><br />Naturally, Charles just <i>had</i> to help.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJdRzoAsUfJ4IQQ_7N3hZ-IS_Gk4zu5KrT_47j4bpxVT6yDO3PhF11OFGT3dUXS8xu83Dozsa-2ys-NtN_nVjn7fswxxF-xX-V1OMI67xOAgwDahojPCKEGVG-R8cFsk68Mp8fjrxqA4/s1600/charles+studying+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJdRzoAsUfJ4IQQ_7N3hZ-IS_Gk4zu5KrT_47j4bpxVT6yDO3PhF11OFGT3dUXS8xu83Dozsa-2ys-NtN_nVjn7fswxxF-xX-V1OMI67xOAgwDahojPCKEGVG-R8cFsk68Mp8fjrxqA4/s400/charles+studying+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />He was as bored (and frustrated!) of the chemistry chapter as I was.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUTQwAyNdP1M5WG9uKAMeZGexRSvJOKPhhkkxY3kbMqpJJMmI4W5b4eHmRxXykrrwv0L6uZ0BQdhi45AQ1DL9uFt_Z6hIQbaNC_HIaDUQv99mBAI45OOmwVyFUTigKDQ_jAocggyECkA/s1600/charles+studying+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUTQwAyNdP1M5WG9uKAMeZGexRSvJOKPhhkkxY3kbMqpJJMmI4W5b4eHmRxXykrrwv0L6uZ0BQdhi45AQ1DL9uFt_Z6hIQbaNC_HIaDUQv99mBAI45OOmwVyFUTigKDQ_jAocggyECkA/s400/charles+studying+2.jpg" width="292" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Sodium combines with chlorine to make WHAT again??"</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Not to be the lady who lets a weekend pass by without a shopping trip, I also visited TJ Maxx and Marshalls this weekend.  I have to say, I normally have a lot of luck at both of these places, especially in the plus size department.  This weekend, it was sort of a bust.  I only found two tops at TJ Maxx.  I ended up having far more luck for Joel.  He's very into the "dry-tech" clothing, so I scored 4 shirts for him. <br /><br />One place I did have awesome luck was Payless.  I used to hate that place - detesting the man-made leather shoes. <i> (This is definitely my mother coming out in me!  She would say it is such a waste to spend money on "fake" leather shoes when you can buy something of more quality at a department store.)</i>  However, Payless is fast becoming my favorite shoe store.  They're relatively cheap for cute and stylish knock offs of designer duds.  I also have to admit, all the shoes I've bought there within the last year are still going strong!  I've had great luck with their flats, and this is also the place I bought all of my <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2012/04/shoe-shopping.html" target="_blank">summer sandals</a>.   <br /><br />Today I nailed these 3 beauties:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyf5he_NI9lVfiawr6x-kDaaqPYKmkuIC5HiGEdJHGhUCfY9N3_WsQk8uZGckGKlwzRDaxTM6hidy739nwWA0czM8U93oXdalJrh6CE84boyKyRhA74iRRUBdy2FMrMnRe0UDH71XZqM/s1600/fall+shoes+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyf5he_NI9lVfiawr6x-kDaaqPYKmkuIC5HiGEdJHGhUCfY9N3_WsQk8uZGckGKlwzRDaxTM6hidy739nwWA0czM8U93oXdalJrh6CE84boyKyRhA74iRRUBdy2FMrMnRe0UDH71XZqM/s400/fall+shoes+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />I'm so excited to use my <a href="http://pinterest.com/hilaryjpritt/looks-i-love/" target="_blank">Looks I Love</a> pinboard to come up with some outfits to wear with these.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TmXvCGZ7NwAMZNOLD6YyqiMXRA2fZ5FYzIpDXvBL17sDb54K0Afhes8K5EVuhZIJ3DLoQgcwCUzHaAvJa17-QU8VDulBDd29O4PWLbA-QQkCzRMb_QUhejXy6EN1UBKry_m8dn2uFQs/s1600/fall+shoes+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TmXvCGZ7NwAMZNOLD6YyqiMXRA2fZ5FYzIpDXvBL17sDb54K0Afhes8K5EVuhZIJ3DLoQgcwCUzHaAvJa17-QU8VDulBDd29O4PWLbA-QQkCzRMb_QUhejXy6EN1UBKry_m8dn2uFQs/s400/fall+shoes+2.jpg" width="371" /></a></div><br />I already have a <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/204702745533878298/" target="_blank">few</a> in <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/204702745533866482/" target="_blank">mind</a>.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVh7p6irre30c8XVSVvK1j-QUqRXDnjGycRAJ4wfFYWrba4nRHd-xI2eiINZK3vvZKLwRBzL_A44HUaOT-Sm7t_3YOgOV_4HLHQh9Sorlna885nhN_C2Jf01gSzhatMOCvFtNnoBcXZ8I/s1600/fall+shoes+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVh7p6irre30c8XVSVvK1j-QUqRXDnjGycRAJ4wfFYWrba4nRHd-xI2eiINZK3vvZKLwRBzL_A44HUaOT-Sm7t_3YOgOV_4HLHQh9Sorlna885nhN_C2Jf01gSzhatMOCvFtNnoBcXZ8I/s400/fall+shoes+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charles Always-Needing-Attention Busbee</td></tr></tbody></table> Additionally, I snagged these navy blue flats at Marshalls ($19.99):<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBc_FSoyO_G9378si12EmYXQt6Q2Fg51MXkYhpfu3_WgSxMIWH5I91FUoeiHBYugAGH63WxLHCMBs2ZquZO_3IWzePdP0GfnUmy2YnnJQxCe8DFDoSTKHn0CIDyRVyQDEaezpkB_GKzBQ/s1600/fall+shoes+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBc_FSoyO_G9378si12EmYXQt6Q2Fg51MXkYhpfu3_WgSxMIWH5I91FUoeiHBYugAGH63WxLHCMBs2ZquZO_3IWzePdP0GfnUmy2YnnJQxCe8DFDoSTKHn0CIDyRVyQDEaezpkB_GKzBQ/s400/fall+shoes+4.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><br /><br /><b><span style="color: #674ea7;">What are your thoughts on Marshalls/TJ Maxx and Payless?  Do you shop at those places? </span></b><br /><br />Hope you all had a fabulous holiday weekend!

Weekend Recap Weekend Recap

I so needed this 3 day weekend.  All of last week I was exhausted as a result of having a hard time falling asleep almost every night.  I a...

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Weekend Recap

As it turns out, I took a road trip to the Motherland (Pennsylvania) to spend time with my niece and nephew this weekend.  Yes, I had a ton of plans but time spent with the kiddos is rare.  I missed both of their birthdays this year, and I wasn't sure when Joel and I would have another opportunity to get up there this summer.  <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUOaX4wALeqqUrsGS8Mu7w6qhUow1PdL5N8u8S4kIO6Qh_4chz95uR6cUYakuPy65b-kP8CfP8MXy7i2vppoKRnS2ZLD1r9XySeq_abWD4EBjBkc3D1xtl8G1M8rZtSq7gvEk6nYPeGM/s1600/grace+and+rexon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUOaX4wALeqqUrsGS8Mu7w6qhUow1PdL5N8u8S4kIO6Qh_4chz95uR6cUYakuPy65b-kP8CfP8MXy7i2vppoKRnS2ZLD1r9XySeq_abWD4EBjBkc3D1xtl8G1M8rZtSq7gvEk6nYPeGM/s400/grace+and+rexon.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1 year old & 4 year old - both already incredibly intelligent!</td></tr></tbody></table>I was still able to accomplish much on my to-do list.  My sister and I went shopping and I found some dresses at Old Navy and JC Penney.  I plan to model them for Joel when he gets home to get an accurate assessment on whether or not they look good.  I definitely appreciate his honesty when it comes to what I wear.<br /><br />I only managed to get in 1 day of activity this entire week!  One is better than none, but <i>still</i>.  The single day of activity came this past Sunday when I babysat my nephew while the others went to church.  We took an hour long walk around the neighborhood.  The poor guy has suffered lots of pesky illnesses since his birth just over a year ago, and so everyone thought it best to keep him at home and away from the children at church.  This time he has a rash that the doctor's were unsure of its cause.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKoJ9GsOATG3mw2fi1Hx2oQpduygzFucPYc3eNQvMrA1-jO_AgbG7lfKOkH-PuyM4ZhBuXe2Kv4iXeGSTvSv3wXkjvl3BB4lCSfzPRZSUeYrsa7NiypBGWY2yukeGiB0ecw1AGObMHa1U/s1600/rexon+walking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKoJ9GsOATG3mw2fi1Hx2oQpduygzFucPYc3eNQvMrA1-jO_AgbG7lfKOkH-PuyM4ZhBuXe2Kv4iXeGSTvSv3wXkjvl3BB4lCSfzPRZSUeYrsa7NiypBGWY2yukeGiB0ecw1AGObMHa1U/s400/rexon+walking.jpg" width="377" /></a></div><br /><br />Things that were accomplished this weekend that I <i>can </i>feel good about: <br /><ul><li>hair is freshly dyed and cut</li><li>bought some clothes and a bathing suit for Jamaica</li><li>dropped my wedding bands off at the jeweler today for sizing</li><li>finalized some last minute details with Sandals in regard to the wedding ceremony</li><li>my veil arrived!! bought on eBay for the sweet price of $25!  AND, it's great! </li></ul>All I have left to get is a garment bag for my dress to carry onto the plane.  I've been told to go back to David's Bridal for the bag.  Your thoughts?<br /><br />Another thing to consider.... would you invest in a wedding video?  It looks like the base price for one at Sandals starts at $500 and I just don't know what to do.  Did you do one for your wedding?  Is it worth that price?<br /><br />I asked on Facebook for "can't put it down" book recommendations for the trip.  Joel and I are both not the bravest flyers.  In fact, we visited the doctor last week for some "happy" pills - I got Ativan and he got Xanax.  I need something to occupy my mind without fail during the 3.5 hour flight!  So, I bought the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy and Weight Loss Boss (by the WW CEO).  Anyone read these? <br /><br /><b style="color: #351c75;">Are you a fearful flyer?  If so, what gets you through a flight?  If not, why not??   </b>  <br />

wedding Weekend Recap Weekend Recap

As it turns out, I took a road trip to the Motherland (Pennsylvania) to spend time with my niece and nephew this weekend.  Yes, I had a ton ...

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Week/Weekend Recap

First off, congratulations to <a href="http://www.myweightingplace.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kari</a> for winning the Weight Watchers Magazine giveaway :)!  <br /><br />I think I'll start with the bad, then quickly move on to the good and pretend the bad was never discussed.<br /><br />I've been doing a lot of gaining, which means I've been doing a lot of eating {and drinking of beer}, and not abiding by eTools.  I have banished those practices and already have myself set up for some delicious meals this week.  Friday I <i>will </i>have a loss.<br /><br />Now to the fun stuff!<br /><br />Last week I made the <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/RecipePage.aspx?recipeid=203061&tab=2" target="_blank">Kielbasa Baked Ziti</a>, an eTools recipe.  I didn't change a thing about it and loved it!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2NjXofYORDbVzU5TKBb0LgUMuF3IPRPNyNNqHp8Uc6SbV5dGVGn9DcKs5jo4jEQCfdZIoldnAXCwuTbOZuVPmeEtwB-Vmi1XbcmEl3sdYzbRsL5kSh2BcOavaEaqsIdU3erv3B8x0nE/s1600/WW+Ziti+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2NjXofYORDbVzU5TKBb0LgUMuF3IPRPNyNNqHp8Uc6SbV5dGVGn9DcKs5jo4jEQCfdZIoldnAXCwuTbOZuVPmeEtwB-Vmi1XbcmEl3sdYzbRsL5kSh2BcOavaEaqsIdU3erv3B8x0nE/s400/WW+Ziti+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />It offered plenty of flavor with the cheeses, turkey kielbasa, peas and the <a href="http://www.redgold.com/tuttorosso/products.asp" target="_blank">sauce</a> I used.  Easy, quick, tasty and I will definitely make this again!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UeaDxABhv59DZHB0pAoP6pGC2OErjOZ4F0yWCvGmv0QHnNb_NxXmJnWtQI2X5VsAcHL-6j5OQbROWtIoY0BKACL5HxY1DdkcHhE4BDUEovtYLKezvk7KkRBUZ2_APqJIYo8T2BHeBtg/s1600/WW+Ziti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UeaDxABhv59DZHB0pAoP6pGC2OErjOZ4F0yWCvGmv0QHnNb_NxXmJnWtQI2X5VsAcHL-6j5OQbROWtIoY0BKACL5HxY1DdkcHhE4BDUEovtYLKezvk7KkRBUZ2_APqJIYo8T2BHeBtg/s400/WW+Ziti.jpg" width="292" /></a></div><br /><br />Next up was an AWESOME meal at <a href="http://www.famousdaves.com/" target="_blank">Famous Daves</a>.  I have never been there before, mainly because I'm not a huge meat eater.  I do like meat, but I'm very basic with my meat choices - ground beef, chicken, and turkey.   I don't like ribs, steak, pulled pork, etc.  While Famous Daves is pretty "famous" for those latter entrees, they also had a great chicken sandwich that I loved, made especially delicious by adding some of their tasty barbeque sauce.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEganBtoqPr4xlQrYBVujp0LY-hzA4ojtvH_LtgMBbGpPyVYM2fLCGyDwHKhfVDJz8rdJLxwJbzUvsYSPEv6ILZPLaXhQO5h-gjQWD77HAjbebfhlk7_l_K5LSYCylCyqUoYifLr98gAcx8/s1600/Famous+Daves+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEganBtoqPr4xlQrYBVujp0LY-hzA4ojtvH_LtgMBbGpPyVYM2fLCGyDwHKhfVDJz8rdJLxwJbzUvsYSPEv6ILZPLaXhQO5h-gjQWD77HAjbebfhlk7_l_K5LSYCylCyqUoYifLr98gAcx8/s400/Famous+Daves+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first letters of the different BBQ sauces they offer - presented by our server</td></tr></tbody></table>I felt like I was able to easily stay On Plan eating here.  Their dishes are all on eTools!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqCdgVYDgfflZ7FazGluZs4n1JQv6Wt4NMstrvw8Opj3ALjnkhEZO9kfYQrnR7hr3cIumIaG18iULk7E4EUdXZFCtxccCoYlheXiNZ5blV0nBWpAvdGRBDqON_e_slXbBWy-ld3Y6lHc/s1600/Famous+Daves+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqCdgVYDgfflZ7FazGluZs4n1JQv6Wt4NMstrvw8Opj3ALjnkhEZO9kfYQrnR7hr3cIumIaG18iULk7E4EUdXZFCtxccCoYlheXiNZ5blV0nBWpAvdGRBDqON_e_slXbBWy-ld3Y6lHc/s400/Famous+Daves+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I will definitely go back to this place in the near future!<br /><br />Because of all the poor eating I've been doing, I stayed exceptionally active this weekend.  I completed three workouts already!  I did two at the gym, and one at a nearby park.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdjkY1wB_OwMo3OdURxW2IzFn4XA131bru9bqokfN3BW2wYf6TI_5AnOgmxULH5aC-2A_PS68om8zebs8nnZOClzX9w2SwfnBKzUAJ9Krg5B6acJZGc8zJGbDJVhJKv0LVad5aUr9nXE/s1600/Huntley+path.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdjkY1wB_OwMo3OdURxW2IzFn4XA131bru9bqokfN3BW2wYf6TI_5AnOgmxULH5aC-2A_PS68om8zebs8nnZOClzX9w2SwfnBKzUAJ9Krg5B6acJZGc8zJGbDJVhJKv0LVad5aUr9nXE/s400/Huntley+path.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />I got some pretty great pictures while there. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTWrg-kKBJgL0CYkJdeoBqgzY1Fow1IRPnJqhh5E-cf-RQ16r9GGsIg0POtSGB849yv-idkW8s-UGb8dxMIF-2Rb1Qqk4caEHsPi5TFSn0XcpTYZKnVNOA_q4fHNsmVsVVf4qelVdqXc/s1600/Huntley+log.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTWrg-kKBJgL0CYkJdeoBqgzY1Fow1IRPnJqhh5E-cf-RQ16r9GGsIg0POtSGB849yv-idkW8s-UGb8dxMIF-2Rb1Qqk4caEHsPi5TFSn0XcpTYZKnVNOA_q4fHNsmVsVVf4qelVdqXc/s400/Huntley+log.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />We decided to go off the neat and tidy path and head around the Pond Trail.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUPes8x2d6fEydSfK3fYc1Ylr9cvSB_6gDlMqfUyk5iM8AkdyuSd8fTcZDPSYmRok9bLuvCvGbyQaKd8qNESg2mDOrf-EHad5CZmzf4HOjy4WDUQdFd8ChA2cDPU-Jw9_iX7wXd7AOSc/s1600/pond+trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUPes8x2d6fEydSfK3fYc1Ylr9cvSB_6gDlMqfUyk5iM8AkdyuSd8fTcZDPSYmRok9bLuvCvGbyQaKd8qNESg2mDOrf-EHad5CZmzf4HOjy4WDUQdFd8ChA2cDPU-Jw9_iX7wXd7AOSc/s400/pond+trail.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />It was fairly muddy, but still a nice stroll through the woods.  While on this little diversion, we came upon this crazy looking tree.  There were several trunks with branches that draped down to the ground {click for a larger pic that hopefully offers a better perspective}. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Sx39tv362zKcliDM_wWNs2QzvyySp7PTV1VRmB5M18PU-UPlFY97SyfMJOZAEI38iAbasGdWyor1PnaTI-DbJ296wGQH9u_wNok_UnkUppnEHgcpW5Cesu386DdIcaPnj_ctc4AuqkY/s1600/Huntley+Tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Sx39tv362zKcliDM_wWNs2QzvyySp7PTV1VRmB5M18PU-UPlFY97SyfMJOZAEI38iAbasGdWyor1PnaTI-DbJ296wGQH9u_wNok_UnkUppnEHgcpW5Cesu386DdIcaPnj_ctc4AuqkY/s400/Huntley+Tree.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Perhaps my favorite part of this walk was coming upon this guy:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8x2_YqK_XuNRK6-Uda1BONbdZwfx2opu0CbgM8zWbuugm2F4tnx5X6XZ5D2gIMb7PlhgtOtyWKZX4zFkSYTk8v3Rs2IBL0dQnFnY3-FgNLTCwSIXz0QeD9xbz8yrNAgADTEADj7yW-50/s1600/cardinal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8x2_YqK_XuNRK6-Uda1BONbdZwfx2opu0CbgM8zWbuugm2F4tnx5X6XZ5D2gIMb7PlhgtOtyWKZX4zFkSYTk8v3Rs2IBL0dQnFnY3-FgNLTCwSIXz0QeD9xbz8yrNAgADTEADj7yW-50/s400/cardinal.jpg" width="307" /></a></div><br />My FAVORITE bird, the cardinal!  He also happens to be our state bird here in Virginia.  I love them so much. <br /><br />By the way, "we" in this story is myself and Joel.  By the grace of God <i>alone</i>, He brought Joel back to me.  Even after Joel moved out of our condo, even after all that was said, it was clear that there was no one who would be able to change Joel's heart and mind other than the G-man.  I have held off sharing this information so quickly because of the fragility of it all.  However, it is clear and understood that we are both committed to working on our relationship, placing God first in hearts, and each other second. <br /><br />I am SO happy again!<br /><br /><br />

Exercise Gain Joel Weekend Recap Week/Weekend Recap

First off, congratulations to Kari for winning the Weight Watchers Magazine giveaway :)!  I think I'll start with the bad, then quickly...

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Weekend Recap

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I've been cooking up a storm for the last few weeks.  I normally cook several times per week but lately it's been everyday, and I like that.  I'm sure that has also been a huge contributing factor in my weight loss success.  Only allowing 1 meal to be eaten out per week plus no Starbucks Mon-Fri has been working to my advantage!<br /><br />Having said all of that, I have lots of deliciousness coming your way :).<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul></ul><ul><li><b>Oreo Truffles (2 Points+ for one ball)</b> - these are SO GOOD and incredibly easy to make. I first had these at my aunt's annual Christmas party years ago, and this year I made them as part of the cookie tins I gave to our family as gifts. They were a HUGE hit! Freezing them makes it harder to go overboard {if you think you might}. </li></ul><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kraftrecipes.com/assets/recipe_images/Easy-OREO-Truffles-52162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://www.kraftrecipes.com/assets/recipe_images/Easy-OREO-Truffles-52162.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of <a href="http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/easy-oreo-truffles-95085.aspx" target="_blank">KraftRecipes.com</a> - totally forgot to take one!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><ul><li><b>Fast Fix Lasagna (8 PointsPlus for 1/12 of recipe)</b> - this is a tried and true lasagna recipe. The only difference is the noodle you use. No, it's not those pesky <a href="http://www.house-foods.com/tofu/tofu_shirataki.aspx">Tofu Shirataki's</a> {sorry <a href="http://www.hungry-girl.com/">Hungry Girl</a> - I love you but I don't love those as a viable pasta sub!}. It's this flowery little ditty called Campanelle. Real pasta. Real lasagna flavor. </li></ul><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtmEALiB9v_MbtOcuUsbF4E-dBgkMSdsaHT0HTcDF-juqLo5xb7AczfeQKZsDIAiFHjpe2G_P6oD5N_W4gAFxf7Mdh7s96dSmXTeUoAHdnF_ewribrLOm1I352S0REL-YJwx1EXxvv6Wk/s1600/lasagna+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtmEALiB9v_MbtOcuUsbF4E-dBgkMSdsaHT0HTcDF-juqLo5xb7AczfeQKZsDIAiFHjpe2G_P6oD5N_W4gAFxf7Mdh7s96dSmXTeUoAHdnF_ewribrLOm1I352S0REL-YJwx1EXxvv6Wk/s400/lasagna+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><ul><li><b>Kickin' Chicken Pot Pie (7 PointsPlus for 1/4 of recipe)</b> - <i style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #999999;">Made Hungry Girl's way - your total would be 6 PointsPlus.</span> </i>The only difference between how HG makes it and how I did is I used canned chunk chicken {in water - 99% fat free} instead of 8 oz of raw chicken breast. Do what's easiest for you. BUT, again, a wholesome meal. No fake ingredients. Veggies, protein and carbs abound! AND the serving size is HUGE. You'll be making this in a 9" pie plate and you get 1/4 of that as a serving! I sure do wish I could get 1/4 of a pumpkin pie for 7 PointsPlus.</li></ul><br /><div style="color: #674ea7; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BhsCMau1q_VC1jDv0RIWBW0dlV60TFNE8HSEqaN4Yv2rixHUMq_inprjDr0EkkeTVtYP3w59JaudpdQE-s-pYuSmHOJjQFSV4096OaosVOGfFd83ckx0jumu2HeiQxBymxQwoHerhY0/s1600/chicken+pot+pie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BhsCMau1q_VC1jDv0RIWBW0dlV60TFNE8HSEqaN4Yv2rixHUMq_inprjDr0EkkeTVtYP3w59JaudpdQE-s-pYuSmHOJjQFSV4096OaosVOGfFd83ckx0jumu2HeiQxBymxQwoHerhY0/s400/chicken+pot+pie.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>***********************</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>We did meet with the caterer on Saturday.  It went well and the dinner options for the wedding sound great.  Of course, it made my palms sweat facing the reality of the cost.  Don't get me wrong, I knew what to expect, but we are actually committed now, and this is <i>really </i>happening!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_a28JvV_U3vd9WGPTxoqAHCy3P03cBWWTJL2L0nEHbivYfHnNk0sf3bX_Rj9MeVCefzO2EQCxwr1ECWP12tKXxeMLxPAN4EaKqj7tXOtHmbBtnt4EDKmLbtzJvbjwBO0-r8ZsQaZnBA/s1600/charles+dreaming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_a28JvV_U3vd9WGPTxoqAHCy3P03cBWWTJL2L0nEHbivYfHnNk0sf3bX_Rj9MeVCefzO2EQCxwr1ECWP12tKXxeMLxPAN4EaKqj7tXOtHmbBtnt4EDKmLbtzJvbjwBO0-r8ZsQaZnBA/s400/charles+dreaming.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Meal-schmeal.  I have something they can eat that won't cost a lot!"</td></tr></tbody></table>Things like cars breaking down on the drive back from the caterer meeting are expenses that we really don't want to see happening right now.  We were in Joel's Corolla coming upon an intersection when this loud noise began, accompanied by a funky smell.  He quickly maneuvered us off of the highway where we proceeded to push the car into a 7 Eleven parking lot {with the help of a passerby who seemed to come out of nowhere!}.  This is just not something we need right now at all.<br /><br />We definitely have some bad luck on our side lately.  In just the past three months alone, we've now had two cars break down {well, mine was a broken heater but mine was also covered under a warranty}, a furnace that blew only cold air, a microwave that wouldn't heat the food {do you see a trend here??}, and my engagement ring is currently in the repair shop because a prong bent back causing the diamond to shift.  Fortunately the heater and microwave are things our landlord is fixing, but we've definitely incurred some indirect costs as a result of those 2 things being broken {like higher than normal utility bills}.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44M5-3qFgDF8OtVEsnNMJh3BYREzWUbpyxm6-fRpI8OrS8gndik8f2LXnpcdEFA7Lre1ehqUPkOBxe-ZCL7P5_ZjLN2fHiicHV7JzALGZQ__SlmlDdcpvSaxZW8W87qA6o5iNcpXokag/s1600/merlin+relaxing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44M5-3qFgDF8OtVEsnNMJh3BYREzWUbpyxm6-fRpI8OrS8gndik8f2LXnpcdEFA7Lre1ehqUPkOBxe-ZCL7P5_ZjLN2fHiicHV7JzALGZQ__SlmlDdcpvSaxZW8W87qA6o5iNcpXokag/s400/merlin+relaxing.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Bad luck?! I've been living the life!"</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Are we alive and well? Yes, and that's frankly all that matters.  It could always, ALWAYS be worse.  <br /><br />At least I survived my first week of classes unscathed! <br /><br />I hope <i>you </i>had a great "on plan" weekend!

wedding Weekend Recap Weekend Recap

I've been cooking up a storm for the last few weeks.  I normally cook several times per week but lately it's been everyday, and I li...

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Weekend Recap + Weekly Goals

I could have used another day in this weekend to just relax and do nothing.  I'm normally very good about getting plenty of sleep and sticking to a somewhat regular schedule, but this weekend I was allll over the place and struggling to fall asleep at night.  Today I'm dragging my feet big time!<br /><br />I spent a lot of time wedding planning this past weekend, which was both fun and stressful at times.  I'm heavily utilizing Pinterest to keep track of my inspiration.  I think the stressful part is the overwhelming number of ideas and sites and themes to pick from online.  I'm going for a rustic/country theme and my colors are deep purple and brown with accents of sunflowers.  As always, I welcome any advice/tips in this arena!  <br /><br />My WW week has been off to a great start, even with an eating out session on Saturday night.  I've been staying on plan and tracking, tracking, tracking and I hope it pays off come Friday.  I did a sneak weigh in over the weekend to discover I was down to my lowest weight yet, so I hope I can continue this downward trend the rest of the week.  I'm working toward my next goal of 238 pounds. <br /><br />As part of my weekly goals, I've been working to get myself back on track with my gym attendance.  My goal right now and for the rest of January will be to continue going 2 days/week for 35 minutes.  It's more than doable and I'm all about easily obtainable goals right now.  I achieved this goal last week and I'm well on my way to achieving it this week as well. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPHHXZcGayhBxS9vC7YcoFq6_ZHzGYSWuOo-BlOdbMWpof09vHPM20Oa2UQfXqzy0bmBTUxveiaJW5X_APpzAfF_nB2GxclJGudMWazU-Mg7SUXmA6CUvvFRcVYsiloZLUl2ZEVaEQ0A/s1600/weight-watchers-diet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPHHXZcGayhBxS9vC7YcoFq6_ZHzGYSWuOo-BlOdbMWpof09vHPM20Oa2UQfXqzy0bmBTUxveiaJW5X_APpzAfF_nB2GxclJGudMWazU-Mg7SUXmA6CUvvFRcVYsiloZLUl2ZEVaEQ0A/s1600/weight-watchers-diet.jpg" /></a></div><br /><b><span style="color: blue;">Goals for the week:</span></b><br />Stay within daily Points+ allowance (39) for 5 of the 7 days. If I have to delve in to the Weekly Points+ allowance, I want to use no more than 34 of them, leaving a balance of 15. <br /> <br /><div style="text-align: left;"> <br /><b style="color: blue;">Potential Challenges + Solutions:</b></div><ol><li><b>No Microwave:</b> Our microwave just died a week ago and we still don't have a new one yet.  Our landlord has to go through an insurance process in order to get us another one.  You never realize how much you use this appliance until it's gone!  It's proving to be a real challenge because EVERYTHING has to be heated up on the stove or in the oven, which takes longer.  The opportunity has already arisen numerous times to say, "Ehh, I don't feel like waiting for this item to heat up in the oven, I'm just going to go to McDonald's/Five Guys/whatever.. 1 time won't hurt!"  I haven't given in to that statement, I've just been having odd meals (like cheese and crackers) instead because they are quick and satisfy the hunger cravings right away.  </li></ol><b style="color: blue;">Planned Activity: </b><br />2 active days this week.  1 of those days has already been crossed off.<br /><br /><div style="color: purple;"><b>What are you up to this week?  Did you have a great On Plan weekend?</b></div><br />Don't forget to <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2012/01/its-giveaway.html">enter for a chance</a> to win a free sample pack of Zipfizz!<br />

Weekend Recap Weekly Weight Watchers Goals Weekend Recap + Weekly Goals

I could have used another day in this weekend to just relax and do nothing.  I'm normally very good about getting plenty of sleep and st...

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Merry Christmas + Week Recap!

I'll get the sad parts out of the way first.<br /><br />I've been doing a LOT of eating over the last several days, and I can feel the affects.  Next year I will have to come up with a better game plan if I'm going to do <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/12/giveaway-winner-weekend-recap.html">all that baking</a>.  Not only that, but I will have to institute a better strategy for all of the <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/12/one-day-at-time.html">Christmas-related</a> <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/12/one-day-at-time.html">parties</a> I've attended.  I talked with my WW leader, Sharon, about it this last Wednesday.  She suggested that I only pick 1-2 holiday parties to "indulge" and the rest need to involve conscientious eating.  Let's just say I'm glad to be home the rest of this week so I can detox and get myself back to a better way of eating.<br /><br />How did you do with Christmas/Hanukkah/whatever you celebrate?  I'm already planning the NYE menu so there are no slip ups there.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: purple;">****** </span></b></div>On to better things...<br /><br />As usual, God blessed me in many ways this Christmas.  For one, I got to spend time with my own family (and my parents are arriving today from Pennsylvania for the rest of the week) AND Joel's family for Christmas.  We did a lot of driving between PA, MD and VA, but it was worth it.  Additionally, I received some awesome gifts and was able to give some pretty great gifts as well.  Each year I strive for the "gift of the year" (a phrase I started giving to what I thought was the best gift I was able to give someone each year), and this year is no different.  Let's just say I'm looking forward to seeing my father's reaction when he opens his brand new Wii :).<br /><br />For now, I'm only going to share one of my favorite Christmas gifts so far.<br /><br />I got this beauty from Joel...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_wua8JzrwB_NSFWczKu36sXsdEb_wRRYqXZxW3JGYQJ8umGZQMFDH3NylyJqwqugyD9RwEmzt8p7owkFHlglvjOWp9mJXXyZebjDMyw2ezF6dazcN_oDNv02WW1zGg7PYseAjKl0ws8/s1600/nikon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_wua8JzrwB_NSFWczKu36sXsdEb_wRRYqXZxW3JGYQJ8umGZQMFDH3NylyJqwqugyD9RwEmzt8p7owkFHlglvjOWp9mJXXyZebjDMyw2ezF6dazcN_oDNv02WW1zGg7PYseAjKl0ws8/s400/nikon.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nikon D3100</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Two years ago for Christmas, Joel got me the Nikon Coolpix L100 (below) as a transitional camera from the point and shoot to the DSLR.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.photoxels.com/images/Nikon/l100/nikon-l100-800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="http://www.photoxels.com/images/Nikon/l100/nikon-l100-800.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I loved that camera but there were limitations, and as one of my <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/p/goals.html">goals</a>, I planned to buy the D3100 as a reward.  I was VERY surprised when I unwrapped this gem of a gift... I cannot wait to learn all about it!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I'm going to leave you all with this picture of my work outfit from last Wednesday.  I call this my "<a href="http://fatfatalefashion.blogspot.com/">Ariana</a> outfit" :).  <a href="http://fatfatalefashion.blogspot.com/">Ariana</a> - if you're reading this, notice how I'm also utilizing the work restroom to snap the pic ;).  I will admit that I wasn't initially feeling the look of this outfit at all - I was slightly uncomfortable in the belt (not because it was too tight, I just felt like it didn't look right).  I must have been wrong though because all day long people complimented me on the "awesome outfit".  Thanks for the inspiration <a href="http://fatfatalefashion.blogspot.com/">Ariana</a>!  If you don't read <a href="http://fatfatalefashion.blogspot.com/">Fatale Fashion</a> already, go over there right away and see what fashion finds Ariana has on display - she's so cute and has such a great fashion sense for gals like us :).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxr5Q5RQjNfHvp__NtxeE6zHCr5surKiFIl_OdS8oVFgYbLtGdou-VNl2TD6NzRVPe0f7mcvI8oAJj8Xx_ZbyMZB6CfiVa1lrpNoUE4oL7XFRzRnDd37FsrB9nRNvgLFpCnDltctQMH7s/s1600/ariana+outfit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxr5Q5RQjNfHvp__NtxeE6zHCr5surKiFIl_OdS8oVFgYbLtGdou-VNl2TD6NzRVPe0f7mcvI8oAJj8Xx_ZbyMZB6CfiVa1lrpNoUE4oL7XFRzRnDd37FsrB9nRNvgLFpCnDltctQMH7s/s400/ariana+outfit.JPG" width="297" /></a></div><br />Just like Ariana does, I'll post where I got the items I'm wearing... though keep in mind I do not have current prices on any of the stuff because it was purchased so long ago.<br /><br /><ul><li>Sweater - White Stag - Walmart</li><li>Black and White Polka Dot Shirt - Lane Bryant Outlet</li><li>Belt - Walmart</li><li>Silver Necklace - Ten Thousand Villages</li><li>Black Dress Pants - Lane Bryant</li></ul>Are you still off from work this week, or are you back to the grind already?  I'm working at home 2 days this week and spending time with my parents the other 2.

Christmas Holidays Weekend Recap Merry Christmas + Week Recap!

I'll get the sad parts out of the way first. I've been doing a LOT of eating over the last several days, and I can feel the affects....

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Giveaway Winner & Weekend Recap

Well let's get right down to business, shall we?<br /><br />The winner of the $40 Target giftcard was announced on Saturday evening on The Big Weight Facebook page, but just in case you (or the winner) missed that, the lucky person is:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thekrazycouponlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/target-Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://thekrazycouponlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/target-Logo.png" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Jena Rae!!!!!!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Jena Rae - please send me an email (thebighweight@hotmail.com) with your full name and address so I can get the goods sent to you as soon as possible :)... hopefully you can take advantage of those after Christmas sales!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: left;">With the impending Christmas holiday, I don't know about you, but I've been SUPER busy.  I'm not only behind on my own blog, but I cannot keep up with my other favorites either!  </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: left;">By the way, last Friday I had a small gain 0.8 lbs.  I didn't sweat it.   </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What I am sweating is that this weekend I baked over 300 cookies (for gifts, not for me!!).  So, what I want to know from you is this:  <i>is it even possible to bake cookies and not sample them????</i>  </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I started off really well - just kind of focusing on making the cookies, and not dwelling on how awesome they might taste.  Then I transitioned to cookies that I hadn't ever made before, so I wanted to give them a taste.  Ok - no problem.  A small piece of one cookie (then pawning the rest off on to Joel) was no biggie.  But then shortly there after it quickly went downhill.  All day Saturday, and for about 6 hours on Sunday, I baked the following: Oreo balls, Snickerdoodles, Melt In Your Mouth Sugar Cookies, VF's Chocolate Chip Cookies, Buckeyes, Peanut Butter Blossoms and <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/12/bhg-fudgy-cappuccino-crinkles.html">Fudgy Cappuccino Crinkles</a>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Let's just say that from Monday to Thursday, I have to be ON POINT with the Points+ counting.  I mean, at this point, I may very well have a gain on Friday as it is, but I am going to try very hard to redeem myself from this weekend's self-sabotage.  Lord help me!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thankfully all those cookies are tucked safely in my deep freezer... hard as rocks by now :).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'll leave you all with this:  </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyoWlB0MxYbQZ7_ruT29ROYz0WgKYqz_5MnefRv-tzjrmakALotFGKmCUTlApfBZm-xY_v1auFDOIgKGUF6LMX_r-pYq1c7K0HcyJ7jdyoiNH00g3VhTHL4dwAyxfuNOmI2EtKJBwsv8/s1600/hair.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyoWlB0MxYbQZ7_ruT29ROYz0WgKYqz_5MnefRv-tzjrmakALotFGKmCUTlApfBZm-xY_v1auFDOIgKGUF6LMX_r-pYq1c7K0HcyJ7jdyoiNH00g3VhTHL4dwAyxfuNOmI2EtKJBwsv8/s320/hair.JPG" width="294" /></a></div><br />For 4 hours on Friday, Kim at <a href="http://ladolcevitalaplata.com/">La Dolce Vita Salon</a> changed my hair color from blonde to purple.  Love love love!<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>

giveaways Weekend Recap Giveaway Winner & Weekend Recap

Well let's get right down to business, shall we? The winner of the $40 Target giftcard was announced on Saturday evening on The Big Weig...

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Weekend Recap (1 Day Late)

Boy those weekends come and go before ya know it!<br /><br />Friday night after work, I ran over to the <a href="http://www.nationalharbor.com/">National Harbor</a> to pick up my new Pandora charm.  I went with a glass bead, though the other one will be a purchase in the near future no doubt.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJuclzn2nFYhAitRyc2axfb_rWMtlUWNCe6zTewXXvjjkBbVPvsunLTzhQ48fSnY7xrD1OYoT8o61nrz3xS5tdYxRIAniMakBCy0PpgGWq3u56zgXYAfSu_qTJ_Faq4pPpGnxmu_xv8s/s1600/Christmas+Card+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJuclzn2nFYhAitRyc2axfb_rWMtlUWNCe6zTewXXvjjkBbVPvsunLTzhQ48fSnY7xrD1OYoT8o61nrz3xS5tdYxRIAniMakBCy0PpgGWq3u56zgXYAfSu_qTJ_Faq4pPpGnxmu_xv8s/s400/Christmas+Card+003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />I have yet to purchase the VB bag.  I feel guilty dropping so much money on myself this time of year, when I should be getting Christmas gifts for others.  And then there's that little old wedding I have to pay for too. <br /><br />Speaking of weddings, we checked out a venue on Saturday in St Mary's City, MD.  It's on the campus of <a href="http://www.smcm.edu/">St Mary's College</a>.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkqo1GdNNIMS6O6Z3oa-lVUi2vIL0tNXLROGRSV-1eqmhsBsoRVc-4NvSnQKKcP7jU3ZH9coJKR_e9FSDi1G3BKhwYyU1MW2tZhiQfiFzv097wIvUGvgNqAC7jnfkGej5dgj9OPKXW8ED/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkqo1GdNNIMS6O6Z3oa-lVUi2vIL0tNXLROGRSV-1eqmhsBsoRVc-4NvSnQKKcP7jU3ZH9coJKR_e9FSDi1G3BKhwYyU1MW2tZhiQfiFzv097wIvUGvgNqAC7jnfkGej5dgj9OPKXW8ED/s400/016.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">State House</td></tr></tbody></table>The place doesn't have a great website to show you pictures, but it's really nice if you can use your imagination.  The State House will be where the cocktail hour and cake will most likely take place.  Guests will enter the ceremony site through this building.  It's rather rustic inside.  Outside, directly in front of the building, will be where the ceremony will take place.  It overlooks the St Mary's River, which ultimately dumps into the Chesapeake Bay.  The reception will be held outdoors in a tent to the right of the building.  We have penciled in the State House as our venue (pending responses from other venues).  The date is tentatively October 6, 2012!  Unbelievable, still, for me to imagine that by this time next year I will be married!!  I really think this is the place!<br /><br />After wedding venue shopping, I wanted to get our pictures taken for our Christmas card.  <br /><br />It was absolutely freezing cold along the water... and VERY windy!  This shot is along Piscataway Creek in Joel's hometown in Maryland.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8t4XwNvwQZerVJEU_fZ9OtaF0Y1chIAvSLPDmB3jtKtivRl7ydTHqMgjCg4eN62KMDI2oOMY-jqjqxGaAIoLazQ2zONdYSnM4eYUEzai008VfACxT4_S3SQj1krP3IkUzfaUmCaYtOU/s1600/christmas+card+edit+1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8t4XwNvwQZerVJEU_fZ9OtaF0Y1chIAvSLPDmB3jtKtivRl7ydTHqMgjCg4eN62KMDI2oOMY-jqjqxGaAIoLazQ2zONdYSnM4eYUEzai008VfACxT4_S3SQj1krP3IkUzfaUmCaYtOU/s400/christmas+card+edit+1+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Some people in this picture were not pleased with the cheesiness that was the handmade heart.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWU5fwI7qPi30VZ6fKdFbcf3EjEcX4SZj0BR7JwubmxX_RhX38R0pUw3xWXcsoeCQmuaQUF54pmV3vxyRAFFg61Wtiqh5Gdbr_VuyzbOWS5L8LbLU1MwccSHLYQubJGLPKcV5Oo69vWg/s1600/christmas+card+edit+2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWU5fwI7qPi30VZ6fKdFbcf3EjEcX4SZj0BR7JwubmxX_RhX38R0pUw3xWXcsoeCQmuaQUF54pmV3vxyRAFFg61Wtiqh5Gdbr_VuyzbOWS5L8LbLU1MwccSHLYQubJGLPKcV5Oo69vWg/s400/christmas+card+edit+2+copy.jpg" width="338" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Then we crossed the river back in to Virginia to try out the park near our condo.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwaKur0GGrmtFvRq8OowB4yJagCls6l0NNRNdWonRjR3MdxfM6BR3vXtfLvSPmroK0fhPso7bk4KObcp1efF0_ZvABcUWLa0kScQj5wsMJ80Gxv03mfFsz5e1Wwl-7vkLli6m4UlOWx-4/s1600/christmas+card+edit+3+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwaKur0GGrmtFvRq8OowB4yJagCls6l0NNRNdWonRjR3MdxfM6BR3vXtfLvSPmroK0fhPso7bk4KObcp1efF0_ZvABcUWLa0kScQj5wsMJ80Gxv03mfFsz5e1Wwl-7vkLli6m4UlOWx-4/s400/christmas+card+edit+3+copy.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><br />It was so much warmer over there with the trees shrouding our picture taking frenzy.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZ86GK1YCkC7B0qkG3cQN1fX3nGb9E6uZ99Qn_2ux_Y1M0jwwRT9hxo2LVVy-CtJITk94ntNcMQluAmo21Xa940F99Ge_XZDSZqfUD-bmJEERNLfeoTPqi07J4TJLCo0mcq2rJFwPj3o/s1600/christmas+card+edit+4+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZ86GK1YCkC7B0qkG3cQN1fX3nGb9E6uZ99Qn_2ux_Y1M0jwwRT9hxo2LVVy-CtJITk94ntNcMQluAmo21Xa940F99Ge_XZDSZqfUD-bmJEERNLfeoTPqi07J4TJLCo0mcq2rJFwPj3o/s400/christmas+card+edit+4+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I'm such an amateur photographer, but it's something I really like doing and want to do more of.  I love capturing a perfect moment of a human being - I'm not so much about landscapes.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_mCWKVKol9NaBRWzfrzoJYnUkfdN_WDU9BBLeH0cuaRCxZhhCJypiyq_WMxCT-GN3t_LW6VENtSEnWDzmrUjMNRRqNiPdYjAhLmhtS-wpzkCgWveUidW7hTFko_1YtJbCTYP3_NDv2Q/s1600/christmas+card+edit+6+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_mCWKVKol9NaBRWzfrzoJYnUkfdN_WDU9BBLeH0cuaRCxZhhCJypiyq_WMxCT-GN3t_LW6VENtSEnWDzmrUjMNRRqNiPdYjAhLmhtS-wpzkCgWveUidW7hTFko_1YtJbCTYP3_NDv2Q/s400/christmas+card+edit+6+copy.jpg" width="290" /></a></div><br />We ended our lovely weekend with a Sunday road trip to Fredericksburg, VA to pick up a case of Joel's much loved wine, Rappahannock Red from <a href="http://www.hartwoodwinery.com/">Hartwood Winery</a>.  I love wine so much - it really helps ease the tension of a day at work.<br /><br />I've been doing MUCH BETTER at staying On Plan this week than last.  Despite all the travels we did this weekend, I've still stayed within my daily target two days so far and have not surpassed my Weekly Points+ allowance yet (and it's Tuesday!).  Usually by now I would have blown through the WP.  I currently have a balance of 15 - which is great considering I'm only allowing myself 39 this week, instead of 49.  So I technically have more left but I'm going to forget I even typed that ;).  I've also hit the gym twice this week, earning 8 of the planned 14 Activity Points.  So far, I'm setting myself up for what should be a successful week.  <br /><br />How was your weekend?  How has your "healthy eating" week been progressing so far?<br /><br />

wedding Weekend Recap Weekend Recap (1 Day Late)

Boy those weekends come and go before ya know it! Friday night after work, I ran over to the National Harbor to pick up my new Pandora char...

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Weekend Recap

I knew <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/12/weigh-in-results.html">this weekend</a> was going to prove challenging when it was going to be focused around food!  Alas, I have already blown one of my <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/12/weigh-in-results.html">weekly goals</a>, and so I'm hoping I can somewhat redeem myself for the remaining 4 days I have left in my WW week.<br /><br />But wait!  What happened, you might ask?<br /><br /><b>Half Success</b><br />Saturday I had lunch with some lovely ladies at a local and delicious restaurant called Carlyle.  I had a grilled chicken sandwich with french fries.  I ate half of the sandwich and only a few fries (they were shoe string fries too).  I considered this a huge success.  I even planned to take half of it with me, but forgot the box at the table when we left.  It was probably better that way anyhow!  Then I didn't have to feel obligated to eat the leftovers. <br /><br />After that, I headed to a friend's house to visit.  Her and her husband just bought a house and so we hung out Saturday evening.  I had dinner there and tried to be modest with my eating as much as possible.  Still, I went over my daily Points+ for Saturday.<br /><br /><b>Failure Begins</b><br />Sunday was the big cookie exchange.  Could there be a worse event for a Weight Watcher?<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9vzo-4d0BbNn6y3c3jB5XtUwdh0vsLdaVSpSBP6YTl02ctbCCFw5qdEQs8cX_7bTVDPkOVhEwJWTdR_KEHhNv1kEE-iYuMS4Ho6D_fmV6mVIPjeMiiYWXi2pXAeFBiD9Pb_Af-RdSNg/s1600/Cookie+Exchange+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9vzo-4d0BbNn6y3c3jB5XtUwdh0vsLdaVSpSBP6YTl02ctbCCFw5qdEQs8cX_7bTVDPkOVhEwJWTdR_KEHhNv1kEE-iYuMS4Ho6D_fmV6mVIPjeMiiYWXi2pXAeFBiD9Pb_Af-RdSNg/s400/Cookie+Exchange+015.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tempting spread... and this didn't even include the appetizers</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>*sigh*  </i></div><br />I spent all day Sunday baking two separate types of cookies, as well as an appetizer (recipes to come for all).  <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQKkwF_BOg58C2FCjXQrKlJ1EgQqjc5y8hsSRWNZKznn2yRx6PolQAWTnlqyZx5IncxsWE1bC6BTga4ECHTsfJn6umcEnuGcJD0WcxFu0INUmFC2GzTqndrnMyYgaIV-a8cWTWECcJsA/s1600/cookie+exchange+013+redone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQKkwF_BOg58C2FCjXQrKlJ1EgQqjc5y8hsSRWNZKznn2yRx6PolQAWTnlqyZx5IncxsWE1bC6BTga4ECHTsfJn6umcEnuGcJD0WcxFu0INUmFC2GzTqndrnMyYgaIV-a8cWTWECcJsA/s400/cookie+exchange+013+redone.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hungry Girl Fiesta Bites - 1 Points+ each</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I made Fudgy Cappuccino Crinkles (1 Points+ each) from the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cook-Book-Limited-Pink-Plaid/dp/0696227320">breast cancer Better Homes & Gardens cookbook</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMt5_4YGrB31GOwy7ZJxUEU_b8mbHvt4ic9ATdBgAmBNht3YTO7FCQZyl8p5NYy5F_tW-ai1Y-YgFJFKHZDnl1BBkz5KC874rfvwTcliJFpDZotGVQ-HdRJo_bT1iQYYRrwrsLCxOeeo/s1600/cookie+exchange+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMt5_4YGrB31GOwy7ZJxUEU_b8mbHvt4ic9ATdBgAmBNht3YTO7FCQZyl8p5NYy5F_tW-ai1Y-YgFJFKHZDnl1BBkz5KC874rfvwTcliJFpDZotGVQ-HdRJo_bT1iQYYRrwrsLCxOeeo/s400/cookie+exchange+001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />You can kind of see them in the lower left hand corner of the bowl.<br /><br />I also made Meemaw's Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies from the <a href="http://www.foodnetworkstore.com/the-deen-family-cookbook-hardcover-by-deen-paula/shop/141685/">Deen Family cookbook</a> (3 Points+ each).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCCIdaAz2OVmor3zPAYIpSU6IDAhOu5obQFztMemx20yFq3CT6NiCM5_h2dswyMF1z95qQLwqKAh2IvZeQQ6K-0U2wvpLTI2XTPE3Szao3kQv0msiAbfB77VSMt6a1rb1wkigmzD7Omo/s1600/Cookie+Exchange+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCCIdaAz2OVmor3zPAYIpSU6IDAhOu5obQFztMemx20yFq3CT6NiCM5_h2dswyMF1z95qQLwqKAh2IvZeQQ6K-0U2wvpLTI2XTPE3Szao3kQv0msiAbfB77VSMt6a1rb1wkigmzD7Omo/s400/Cookie+Exchange+011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />They had a million things in them!  But everything I made was sooooo good!<br /><br />Still, as you might imagine, it didn't end well.  Remember how I told the host that I wouldn't be taking any cookies home?  I knew that I would be interrogated by the ladies for why I wasn't taking cookies (that is the entire point to this, afterall!), and I didn't feel like fielding questions.  <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/11/part-1-how-i-approach-ww-in-public.html">I'm still not crazy about sharing my journey with others</a>.  I sampled several (or a million - who's counting?!) cookies.  Still, I brought that entire cookie bag to work today and let those people go at it.   At least that's good right? <br /><br />I kept a few favorites and hid them in the back of my pantry, like these babies:<br />  <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAdOAiyVSKC8IdlQV65L4NjlpqOAJJjFL5Pb-Ybdl5C07SK1h_20DZCuYTQtM4MxXEsATe4DO1NsUmUlEyHyLMGBvYc1ePijuHlop2UzfxxtwRIrxJ-mC2ceWzRipCSNYMKU9ZEeeLkA/s1600/Cookie+Exchange+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAdOAiyVSKC8IdlQV65L4NjlpqOAJJjFL5Pb-Ybdl5C07SK1h_20DZCuYTQtM4MxXEsATe4DO1NsUmUlEyHyLMGBvYc1ePijuHlop2UzfxxtwRIrxJ-mC2ceWzRipCSNYMKU9ZEeeLkA/s400/Cookie+Exchange+020.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peppermint White Chocolate Cookies - kind of taste like <br />Girl Scouts Thin Mints</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Out of site, out of mind... I hope?!  <br /><br />How was your weekend?  Do you participate in a cookie exchange (or something similar) during the holidays?

Weekend Recap Weekend Recap

I knew this weekend was going to prove challenging when it was going to be focused around food!  Alas, I have already blown one of my weekl...

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Weekend Recap

Happy Monday!<br /><br />It was another busy weekend, which was kicked off on Friday afternoon by meeting up with <a href="http://honeyishrunkthegretchen.com/2011/11/14/zoology/">Gretchen from Honey, I Shrunk the Gretchen</a>.   SO cool meeting a blogger in real life!  Have you ever done this before?  I had some <a href="http://www.lacroixwater.com/">La Croix</a> waters that I wanted to pawn off onto someone, and I knew she loved these so I offered them up to her.  We met at a cutsie coffee shop in the area and got to know each other a little bit.  Some things about Gretchen's blog that I enjoy are: her sense of humor, her writing style, and her pictures (she's so good!).  If you're a dog lover, her 2 pups make frequent appearances.  Also, let's not forget how much of an inspiration she is -  having lost over 50 lbs!  <br /><br />Saturday was spent with Joel's family, celebrating his grandfather's 80th birthday at this REALLY cool retirement community called Leisureworld.  So wild!  It's like a piece of Florida in Maryland for older folks. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wPCVFnN2TPZvJBGyS2CPwG297LHIc78Nd2MSOdHBFqM205YXtcCrUHQFmqA3PEqRjQ7nQ-v0vwRHgN6dVOZLcxJcynHfgEZ0EmmVVs6lqgBF6wnCHcEVCriAe-2USdwg2kgF1KL4-pI/s1600/Paw+Paws+80th+Birthday+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wPCVFnN2TPZvJBGyS2CPwG297LHIc78Nd2MSOdHBFqM205YXtcCrUHQFmqA3PEqRjQ7nQ-v0vwRHgN6dVOZLcxJcynHfgEZ0EmmVVs6lqgBF6wnCHcEVCriAe-2USdwg2kgF1KL4-pI/s400/Paw+Paws+80th+Birthday+069.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />Since I now have another commitment on Wednesday evenings, I had to change my WW meeting day to Sunday (well, in order to stay with my awesome leader, Sharon).  So, I headed out Sunday morning to a very intimate meeting at 10 AM.  I really enjoyed it - sometimes I prefer the smaller crowds.  This week's meeting topic was about Thanksgiving and how we're going to plan our plate.  I came away with some great tips:<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ol><li>Fill at least half the plate with fruits and/or vegetables.  Then the other half gets divided into two parts - 1 for meat and 1 for whatever indulgence you want to have.</li><li>Be active before or after the meal.  This year, I'd like to find a local "turkey trot" in the area to attend.  If that's not possible, then I need to hit the gym or do a walk/run around my neighborhood.    </li><li>If eating in a buffet setting, do a "first pass" of all the dishes, and then go back and pick only what you REALLY want to eat.</li><li>If you don't like something on your plate, don't eat it!</li></ol></blockquote><br />This year I'd like to bring a dish to both meals (I have Thanksgiving at two families) that is "safe" for me to eat.  I'm thinking a dessert, since I'd rather eat dessert than eat the actual meal, believe it or not.  Pumpkin pie is my absolute favorite!  <br /><br />After WW, I attended church for the first time since moving back to Virginia.  The place I chose was just "ok" for me.  I'll keep trying out some others in the area until I find a place that feels right.  <br /><br />Finally, after church, I spent all afternoon and into the evening cooking for the week.  <br /><br />How did you spend your weekend?  Any special, Points+ friendly dishes you plan to make for Thanksgiving?

Random Weight Loss Thoughts Weekend Recap Weekend Recap

Happy Monday! It was another busy weekend, which was kicked off on Friday afternoon by meeting up with Gretchen from Honey, I Shrunk the Gre...

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