Guest Post #2 - Jenna

<p>Hey everyone! I hope you enjoyed my SIL Melanie’s post. If you happened to miss it you need to go back and check it out <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/03/guest-post.html">here</a>.</p> <p>Ok, you guys are in for another treat! Today’s guest post is from one of my best friends, Jenna. I met her at my job about 6 years ago, but we didn’t become close friends until right when I started my weight loss journey back in November 2008. She was a huge support & inspiration for me and continues to be even though she has moved. I know she will inspire you guys as well!</p> <p>So sit back & enjoy! :)</p> <p>**********************************************************</p> <p><strong><u>Jenna’s Weight Loss “Journey”</u></strong></p> <p>Have you ever gotten to the point in your life where you just didn’t feel “accepted” and just felt, “out of place”? Well, I have! <img alt="jennabefore1" border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANVV_7nSUM5aGPhUaf3Nq37X4uZeu6F5MFtQG6QZqgOzItJ84uyO5H3fTblceKu0j2ASRCFXH8hwj8mhgkAXgqLPEkrUR67_KX3psL1amDdlHpUNk_cnoy0DaumxcRcq7SD_1tzJBfHwu/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="jennabefore1" width="204" /> </p> <p>Throughout high school I was always that girl who seemed to be out of place because believe it or not, all of my best friends in high school were pretty and skinny! (ugh) I graduated from a class of 18, so all the other girls in my class were average size as well. Back in those days, I just never thought losing weight was possible, or maybe that it was too much work to accomplish.</p> <p>I was one of those that came home after a long day at school, popped in the recorded soap opera, Days of Our Lives, grabbed the bag of Oreos, and just sat in front of the TV and ate… and ate… and whoa half the bag is gone already, oops better save some for the rest of the family! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgam4F1PSKcIOnJKKpSVMFB54qKa9k1xfuVFM1C4f6fqUmceP6r1KqDNvDusrLYS9HxRAZQbsFmmCL6c5ZimfP-vckgVOLFghENivD2olb942iedwg65xSVN6-flYMwJtQOLADfDHkQ7VGe/s1600-h/jennabefore3.jpg"><img alt="jennabefore" border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3DFLbns-pa_ij-DmMRvYZNZQN0MDiYpu2JBKAPR1R64DAvOZXxzvP-EyO3X9vuI0hY2x89WGT-tH6oKeTTlo3EAuv0q6HMHZIXbzbzDXmAeWdCE26p_24WwZESJqJoNk7wD-d74UFOHa/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="jennabefore" width="204" /></a></p> <p>I look back, even my freshmen year in college, it was like nothing to come home after class, eat a Totinos pizza or a box of mac and cheese, or a bag of chex mix and then take a nap and lounge all day! Also, I do have to admit, I even bought weight loss pills and would take one every morning. I must have thought they were magic pills though because I didn’t do any cardio or eat right while taking them!! That shows just how much I knew about them hehe.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhP7lB-xvpdarECroAD-aQZVw96PCi6AObwZY9SBNZTwr-mkUN4J55L0bFtbwLoeOvMOQ7Y_0eio2RsFIp6sDBKprpYFMCxxCJglxS2TKKrKUMkvvUmwy7Dt5ssyJ782y_U-mlIxecdScz/s1600-h/jennabefore24.jpg"><img alt="jennabefore2" border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPKrgGbf3Q6V74FXpqBQg0F7HDUIEeLMCBWLhmU6STeWhB2ezQ0HlIZiPs4er4SnZBUAO-ECmzK2XmE3xB-3XpQ8-SDuFhVgIervXlQx05ormp5EBmXI8IwEv_daaQcSu8Sy0Hm45zvJg/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="jennabefore2" width="179" /></a></p> <p>So my journey all started the summer after my first year at college, in 2004. After college let out in May, I stayed living in the college dorms and worked for the college, where I met my truly amazing friend… Darci! </p> <p>I had gone back to my parent’s house for the weekend, and my mom had informed me that she had joined Weight Watchers online. I don’t know exactly what made me decide to start that very day, maybe it was my mom’s inspiration, knowing she was going to be losing all this weight and knew that I could have the opportunity to as well! It was just one of those things where I just woke up that Monday morning before heading back to college and decided I was going to start, THAT day! And I did!! </p> <p>The highest my scale ever read was 185. I am only 5’7, so that was a little high for me. With the help, support, and motivation from my dear mother, I started counting my WW points and started doing about a half hour to 45 min of cardio every day. On the weekends that I went back home, she always had new and amazing eats for us to try together, and then of course she’d send food back to college with me! Yay :-]</p> <p>Throughout the rest of my years of college, I ate as sensible as I could and tried to limit myself on alcohol and liquor, but sometimes it got tough with living in a dorm room with four other girls who loved to party, and of course they were those type of girls that could eat anything and stay skinny! I managed though, I still had my fun nights out with friends and I thank God I didn’t give those up because those are memories that will be with me forever!! </p> <p>I have been maintaining my weight at about 125-130 for about a year now. I do have to say though, it has been tough, maintaining is not as easy as it sounds! I made a big move in September; I moved down to Kansas City with my boyfriend and that kind of took a toll on my weight with added stressors of being away from my family, who I am very close with, close friends, a job that I loved and enjoyed going to everyday, partly because I worked with Darci!! And just my comfort zone in general!</p> <p>I had gained about 7-8 lbs since the big move and the holidays just had to be thrown in the mix of things as well, but I have been working hard doing an hour of cardio for an hour about 5 days a week and for Lent I am only eating 1-2 pts after supper and drinking 64 oz of water a day, not including crystal light. That may not seem like much water to some of you, but it’s a lot for me because I used to hardly ever drink water, eek.</p> <p>I cannot even begin to describe how good it felt, and still feels, getting compliments left and right from people saying how good I look, ect. Although, I have a couple people in particular, say that I was getting too skinny. Are they just jealous or am I not seeing something in this picture?! You know how it is; sometimes you can’t see it in yourself and just want to keep going hard at it but others DO see it.</p> <p>I would have to say my biggest motivations throughout my journey to weight loss were my mom, who always encouraged me and proved to me that I could shed these lbs by watching her shed lbs!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwXlLqtbd_UZaY8T9Qc_3NmTW2PkXz4WPLIZ06Qt2nfRzRnFcwFjypNOeldscdLodDy3uKOikWAA3jesGN64OibjcixrMBy2aTJOr5nNqxTmi0F3xoGu7t3SmHc9xW2p6HmPBYrVEVXf_/s1600-h/untitled1.png"><img alt="untitled" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDKlH52APtmtHKyKQxbO_5M7lU4rsHNaKJ3j7Dnmjwi41ncfAEclA1jUYxX0M8OwOuidug6okngcphUs3MTC68Pci2ljn_BTBKZnMrBI_CT5sbQYfdkRqYlvmOjkZHQvDUVHnJIeH8a4e/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="untitled" width="354" /></a> </p> <p>My amazingly best friend Darci, who has inspired me with her new eats and going to the gym daily! It was great when we worked together because we would chat every day about our struggles and frustrations, ect. I have not gotten to the point of running 5-10Ks yet though!! ;-)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqP46582BqVl56Ozy7zOwWN8tkmdc94aEenoqBeikVA91Fo0So4CXUX7uLPKbjMq834woY3tzAUqQ5d5oGksaxul1W0emDidibax67OIhks9i1GPv1GYqYm_b-UrhSN9-rR3nzlCvHPb8p/s1600-h/6010_523465091703_210200105_31034069.jpg"><img alt="6010_523465091703_210200105_31034069_4655097_n" border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuuZUpwNk6iNfOr6HBAuCDgKv8Oq-Y87jETZY7wcE3aq-aPeJ-kKfIE-OHMSzkRBbtEdApgLTGeQXE7ADrQFLEhPygvW-nIyK3_2nkX4myLEdd9S82rTTqx5rLLjfc6-zXd4RYbW9JbCk/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="6010_523465091703_210200105_31034069_4655097_n" width="254" /></a> </p> <p>And last but not least, my boyfriend Mark, who always makes me strive for more and encourages me to do cardio when I need a good kick in the butt to get going! It feels great once I’m all done; it’s just getting the motivation to ‘do’ it! He is big into body building and loves spending time at the gym; he could easily spend 3 hours there if he wanted to!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsKGIuMc_VtXJAYXa2zGENKiRwwFuF1ezknRQieBXSVC-zxmM4zC65i-TTd_1Kvxtz4gwQKnRQdqEQgrUQGEVgwVDNXiOncmtQG8W-WIRiFy8AF4jA53E9TQHHE5wcGaFTqqDOJn_0vFF/s1600-h/2490_516789769103_210200105_30925850%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="2490_516789769103_210200105_30925850_1771520_n" border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAuSFJZX7H3DxGWC7jesdJ0msz2wupSb5o1pFmQUIB-0lW_x1MSLCW9AYcC5b9y8KXt9Abw5BKliJNWtc_RMIyJdn-3dPgkx5t0owFTK0CJnr5CRW3E4lvfHlR5xuygu_RGhnx4jaeXJY/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="2490_516789769103_210200105_30925850_1771520_n" width="254" /></a> </p> <p>So, my final weight, to this day, is 131.8. So all in all, I lost about, I’m going to say, 55 lbs ;-) I used to wear size 18 and now I wear between sizes 6-8. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIypAdB_ZAazDCxjzgmPJ7FsJiwOMep5D9AgC1faWEczGIabPG02_a5HVys3JeorC1b5BeYQF8ZUxeNkSRT6b4iupPc2VdmTF9IqGwc1ap7ACVm_Cq4tZeV07KViD-67-gQTIr4Ufae64p/s1600-h/n210200105_30795084_26383.jpg"><img alt="n210200105_30795084_2638" border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9VyEbs9E4FNVX2wqBJjzblb381LBp66yb38aYn1lvFy6HUVuXNSyLtfgaZDfi3-6I77JtrF-AUqU8uVUN9jK2k0LWRAHf_1r6h5m3UZxckiEdHT5iGQltPACy604yc2jZU-YGToyAHQP/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="n210200105_30795084_2638" width="254" /></a> </p> <p>I just want to add that I thoroughly enjoy reading all of your blogs and can honestly say that you all have been an inspiration for me as well! I love seeing and trying new eats and different cardio routines! </p> <p>I am one of those that have a problem with weighing myself, everyday, eek! It’s terrible; I just want to throw the scale out the window!! A VERY good point was made though, and that keeps replaying in my head, “It’s not about the number that’s on the scale, it’s about how hard you are working and how well your clothes are fitting!” </p> <p>Again, thank you all for your inspiration, keep up all the hard work, and I hope you enjoyed reading about my journey!</p> <p>P.S. Do any of you feel like you are a little too obsessed with your appearance at times and feel so self conscious? It is hard for me at times, especially around that TOM, and with me have the total “pear shaped” body, it doesn’t make it much easier. Don’t get me wrong, I like curves, but with me being so small on top, it makes my bottom half look so much bigger! </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>**********************************************************</p> <p>Thanks for sharing your story Jenna! What I find truly inspiring is that you are able to keep the weight off, that is key and isn’t always the easiest part! I hope to get to that point one of these days & stay there as well!!</p> <p>Oh and if you missed it, I’ve had a few Florida posts: <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/03/day-1-in-florida.html">Day 1</a>, <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/03/friday-in-florida.html">Day 2</a>, and <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/03/fun-filled-florida-day-3.html">Day 3</a>. </p>

Guest Post #2 - Jenna

Hey everyone! I hope you enjoyed my SIL Melanie’s post. If you happened to miss it you need to go back and check it out here . Ok, you guy...

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Guest Post - Melanie

<p>Hey everyone! If you missed it, make sure to check out <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/03/day-1-in-florida.html">Day 1</a>, <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/03/friday-in-florida.html">Day 2</a>, and <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/03/fun-filled-florida-day-3.html">Day 3</a> in Florida posts!</p> <p>But without further ado, here is a wonderful post that I’m sure will inspire you from my sister-in-law, Melanie!</p> <p>**********************************************************</p> <p>When my sister-in-law asked if I would post about my weight loss on her blog while she was on vacation I realized that I had never documented anything about it!  So here it goes...bare with me, but hopefully I can get my story across to you. </p> <p>I couldn't even tell you the day or month, but it was sometime in the fall of 2006.  As a way to relive stress, I started working out.  Not even with the goal to lose weight.  I would always say, "I workout so I can eat whatever I want."  And I pretty much did.  Not excessively, but if I wanted something I ate it.  Then a couple months later, around Christmas I believe, I remember weighing myself, and the scale said 189.  Wow is all I could say.  I knew a lot of people around me that were larger than I was, and people always tell me now, "you weren't fat before".  But seeing the scale say 189 was a HUGE wake up call!  I was a size 14 at the time. <br />Since I was already working out to help with stress, I decided why not change what I was eating and see what happened.  I quit eating fast food, I cut back on candy, and started watching my portion sizes.  So to me it wasn't huge changes, but enough that in a month or two my pants were too big.  And let me tell you, it was a great feeling!</p> <p> <br />At the gym I started to increase the resistance levels of every exercise I was doing.  At this point I was just doing cardio.  The machine that I grew to love was the stair machine.  If you've never been on one, basically isn't a revolving staircase.  The first time I went on it I remember how bad my muscles burned and I hadn't even been on the machine 2 minutes!  But I was determined to do it.  Trainers at the gym said it was the best machine to burn fat, and I am proof of that!  I would do 30 minutes on the elliptical machine and 30 minutes on the stair machine.  I went from level 1 to level 14 and depending on the program I was on would do between 160 and 180 flight of stairs a day.</p> <p> <br />Besides working out I played volleyball 2 to 3 times a week, and when warm out rollerbladed and rode my bike as much as I could.  I kept watching what I ate and quit drinking pop.  But I never did give up ice cream!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsWJ0p4gZI4AqIXXwK-cSjX0xHwIKxM76YpNg9St1Qh9DVbkT90T9bSURoRPayH2HSYRVNAwGynVJb484qLT2-19ONse3myEfrpJMbwu9lqVGoyGkJfecjz7VAbdtr7lLME2KWxq7jH8S/s1600-h/melb4after%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="melb4after" border="0" height="413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrVV3HRlSOXwh3_uFSyRrQTTLKctos_u4sJiFuHBSTbDtkgLtOLet2NnwhT0-Jb9SPIcaw2WPvakUyIfcJG5w3KxncypoDlHaBdi3YqCODdDCdnVOd07c70BY5yGyhEWuuV4dfE-dyFiP/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="melb4after" width="404" /></a> <br />The lowest my weight has ever been is 152 pounds.  So I lost 37 pounds total!  Right now I weigh in the upper 150's I still work out at least 4-5 times a week and have started weight training.  I wear between a 6 and 8, and am extremely happy i've been able to keep the weight off.  Most people say you're skinny, what do you weigh, 120 pounds?  I look at them and say, are you serious?  They don't believe me when I say I'm over 150 pounds.  Goes to show you, it doesn't matter what the scale says, just go by how you look and feel!</p> <p>**********************************************************</p> <p>Thanks for sharing this Melanie, you were a big inspiration for me both with weight loss and fitness!! And I love how you pointed out that the number on the scale isn’t what matters!</p>

Guest Post - Melanie

Hey everyone! If you missed it, make sure to check out Day 1 , Day 2 , and Day 3 in Florida posts! But without further ado, here is a won...

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Fun Filled Florida – Day 3

<p>It was a good thing we hit the hay early Friday night because Kyle set his alarm to get up early Saturday morning to watch the sunrise! </p> <p>So we ran the quick mile to the beach to see it! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZXkKsdgnnRVzwJ-FFGn9f5rUt_VjxTB9LoiqPwBzyTIs7l6xQNm8iNrFeMrTWFdodBjwGnuxvQ7El0yB68-OjAuHpCmsK4nEv_6riNqYy0IYlfDwKPhnThawOECW-l0hw4hob9EU1bcb/s1600-h/DSC065103.jpg"><img alt="DSC06510" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGY53Mp62lWIdlAFGUZyf3HUnO3EpesD2vje8zFve_Y4ZyDNqb_ASS7tHbIw2hosS25SJdxezlPK23VdN0ZLH38JjD67QBHrb6GWBkPi40WOitv7xFJcN5X0aecl7heFP9pHy3vZrppQb/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06510" width="404" /></a> </p> <p>And it was beautiful!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6COpzTWyPcth0apro8Fo4tANcSgqvYFUWfHTt3KDegEGw4jyfvW3ZNsYRnTbonxQBxN7Kmj1LzYMMVoY5qEmfSYIN27784o7CO8545J2eIf0jiiuDS61JxKWeApCzRG2ORGoYjGHEyQ4/s1600-h/DSC065113.jpg"><img alt="DSC06511" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUW8hHF8kkfkb53jKSMSEayYjfhfyILLa-6_X23Ay8fR4fcuYzZBn-hXCkpRksycdmk54uw8HBFbrKO-q5AGNbzpI8JbJaLzWfpQIVPdhOTT9V05tAIvbgh3kw1FKCbw8lUroV_nI-_hgm/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06511" width="404" /></a>           <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9n5W1YnadP8WjlqQEXFTcGCNnUfXheTxZ99xNDNeZx419FAWIvsiBBOUvSAJnqy5_S9q9dFAHIhJ3v6V0zqEoQseLEkpl1pZqD1klirzdwslqvdarxvPx_HQTK18kpFvzxpn39vFLxT3s/s1600-h/DSC065223.jpg"><img alt="DSC06522" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UXT-VUFVjHuVI_cdgTCppSaZ3wmoV_nQpF0pGOh-hFJFkRTWUFYg2MUm-_czf4XHMO5W0EIOOCmyXpvmaMcNePTnA9gxxbsJVnORNS7p1CC_5oTY495oS0WJgzzjVBAViKjYJDd9YJKV/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06522" width="404" /></a>   </p> <p>It was the perfect way to start another day in paradise with the one I love most!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuR6ok0u4916DhJY1BzSacHOVMUpxBdWBBhFOSsp4RfAVA3sVMwxjgtfLAHXsff199cH67QPUKqgPLC4hZ5xEL13OfdYF2pU7C7G8_UnjuZYQswdzyhyphenhyphendRas87D_44QBU_RVvCmsZg4li/s1600-h/DSC065264.jpg"><img alt="DSC06526" border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0kKqo5EeYldiHSvtDcqlejKeJWAWMrehYTiaAYI4nvisc_VrihCwhWWyRy4T7ZZF43fN239Q18XK_IUlY1B4haymx7CYDlm25B9M0seXZgXXyaU5ta74B1MGMKEt9I9klYrUgmrcMBqxw/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06526" width="404" /></a>  </p> <p>And then we ran home!! It was perfect running weather. Cool and 65 degrees!  So we only ran 2 miles, but they were a pretty fast! </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Wendi and Grandpa were still sleeping when we got back to his place! Boy they don’t know what they missed out on!</p> <p>When they <em>finally </em>up we went to one of Grampo’s favorite local places for breakfast, Sammy J’s!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeLEApY_CEvLEfVI2R31t1CYH3IxSv5LMMMhXgio8bAFoeF2ESjI5WmQb0q209djX_b64k_SNzCocTQSSqVd0DUAm_03iJvU4FS1E7i4kvKoP05G_f9vp7IS0VVEE2I2k40WtWqvbZjpM/s1600-h/DSC065344.jpg"><img alt="DSC06534" border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwcaVGq-yZAJD9n-FFJ3KzodTcYDmMw4vT9bN6t7Q5t2thoRIzW6w_rx8XV13vz8rNHIOIrFeRV6ytQ7LgNPVtk65VpyPnnZhx0OQalLOiMpU0PvKtVqeoi7f4hruxuHNdNskqDGunxdk/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06534" width="404" /></a></p> <p>We decided to eat outside since it was such a nice morning!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaC7MALu2D__0NMLaYIs_Ye5WZwSDvuHjR8_RoD95N3VwZDkcGGw9QwdVmH_ADxP7qwyCsHmjDozqYCx-QasOX13s3rPA8y3OXuEf_GYNwEK8oGMx3ZNYh96257J7NCST3nDvSVrRFwG1l/s1600-h/DSC065433.jpg"><img alt="DSC06543" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVHYp2HMJrUf-VAthmMoMxgi-W0Nvy56Hk1rtz5USgIhZbxo0oU5A0lutm7JQxuw5F6V4aIvBuPki_71gBIirHLPmaGrzolFYZbnTvwkmtQpdvVrUUTc4SnmwXhwc67UbwXNhXQZK2v2I/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06543" width="404" /></a>     </p> <p>Kyle and I both ordered chocolate chip pancakes…they are a favorite of ours we like to make at home once in a while!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUwafzix8-hf6RfNuiJYl18MBPd6idFzKgmnqH1wArOIR-wJgPeHxGqFsGbZSlqiXIoxiyLDN2aY65pkUC-QyaGwIOfqcRJgPcAQjdeGg0ykwH0Cc4pOthLLUvQASbw61cuKFL02Jx6ZV/s1600-h/DSC065393.jpg"><img alt="DSC06539" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAY4rh0gcVYmwv-hVl2gv51U4yN-JsaSGdFNET4LS9rQnfSMpxyXl3Q71eXm5MCvoMZL_ANqn-yZVISNi1ZhuAqDh9KSYlnraS2tlHUm3kzTsS3tAYknBq_wGMjm356cRyetlfnzijQL4U/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06539" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I just LOVE all the palm trees!! And we had plenty to enjoy while eating!! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiqgRbbFKgsMrvRirsVL38jURE0LiPYUMAlHaSGCFHZPXvbtp_-Ema-PwTqD68fT2tTLHDtG3C0qd6H38JfyX4zp1iubHuSvylJL_poEo3JDzmmkp4gH0V3fy6_c23ZFeLTXo755689WP/s1600-h/DSC065373.jpg"><img alt="DSC06537" border="0" height="471" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVIfLdMWLuf5fLfwhYayP6hYROWbf35iMAJIwPjl2AQwj9iN9lRMEReJn63OL_Y4B7mqZFNjAMK433x8uGFqSZDNHvn6x8AYYIMsjlH-Ma3y4vnS-h6fIomDZsRj4B-cnMgpT8qFnXivZ/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06537" width="354" /></a> </p> <p>The breakfast place was right next to a Dunkin Donuts! Look at what their drive thru sign says:<a><img alt="DSC06536" border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsWJUq5GkL5Pp45lGq5pvs2Ikaof56vx7gllzoZm4PNWhSayCgvveZvddX0891cqPoUUZfdZE_aoHY5miKoF1NM-QVmAv09p7P2q6eEDQqMIFFIGl-MNnS5qH6Rvyu3XUsObM9JNUFOEY/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06536" width="404" /></a>  </p> <p>Don’t know that I agree, but we wanted to test it out!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnHmztrJa21WcfiokT9ANlurSyT1x1EF4UD-8nHu5Yk99nQfRiAkByAkNJGZZ0XHg3ZhIoZyFX7dgoOuaj1Iio0ursumU1Dt94REQio86fSMnZdA4iS8A-IKsUWH3pHD5itjiGZ53FQXs/s1600-h/DSC065413.jpg"><img alt="DSC06541" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyuNRC4SjCyMCxM4rNOOfPN8FDwFLZMfqR2D0HKGYL-3EjvckllvC0SZDZnwv4tdpSqMjP32aO_FqE5Pccx4JRfeL_PGs83Zkc-5NUNwxYu4Ww-BDNXkmhr-7wwPi80exQd72Kyk_CPHo/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06541" width="404" /></a> </p> <p>Just cause we hadn’t had them before and Kyle & I said we wanted to try new things on this trip!<a><img alt="DSC06540" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO09wHk-KO2A8we_R9Z3dUYT6HrA0NbUU2Fbfn4N-kV9YB0jb_xNNqIfsYB2RKiw4krtVntNMHtKC6EfNNDruAYm-UoY2OpbqsQT1SJ3be-I5uNtXxJlinkiFTY4LFPIdkntlNdm9ZiQRk/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06540" width="404" /></a></p> <p>After our breakfast we hit the beach! It was 78 degrees, clear, & sunny….perfect day at the beach!</p> <p>We laid out for quite a while and then Kyle decided he wanted to test out the water…bbbbrrrr it was cold!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VPRddWFKV7uXJfj4diZb6C-vjKypTcQHufZMIe6i1zBexdEaxEdb3tsieStT0uX3IB6BUrgsCMwTpaApRuwSV5_pemz_3uWWR40bJg3wycFCkQMepNjBWUK0fSWcV_I5lUYIjwmxPnRf/s1600-h/DSC065453.jpg"><img alt="DSC06545" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRs8gREEtqGFmuDvTMSiP9sETHNDmUzwXpESOtrjUnUvUWjqUVKWwQ9n90eKX2u_Xov_PZzud8F2J5xMeGbfnHwuMIfpaT2YsbSVmVFZPSTP3f1GQyeTedwDcKZC3n4By29Q9FMRDG3So/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06545" width="404" /></a></p> <p>He begged, begged, and begged!! And I finally decided to take 20 minutes and SLOWLY get in! Silly me, I should have just jumped in! (photographs courtesy of lil sis, wendi!)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUmgyfNFcEyGMRn7-JFM_WYXyYgoNmTAjP8jNsxzjFuhO28dvFoh68E6TSlSE5k4jNW9fxEfBA15FtgbAfMakOj5MjOnQ9xMYcrdu_Y4iDYKlYb9cGNvCB-e23bSrfRa-nVbe2WNLuk3-/s1600-h/DSC065523.jpg"><img alt="DSC06552" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRQwsk8X-7lbie9KHLu-4b3fumdrDcpUfggsnNCnL1HnDtERMWna_qmWLojbtH1jTDM06jt6qY03EvU8V55vpDc0ARnLEh8MfuIfl_36tIZ623eYsS5Xt-kEh1pcK3nnp9CIPGBWZo8tH/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06552" width="404" /></a>  </p> <p>Kyle having a blast in the waves! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVButjTpgen9EFJzQEBylEiO9bfUcrsWDhE1ySQBErCjp-j1Uomet-yI0gfvDFO6i-nSvbHl07YOan_6oiup8H84YXzp8tYGyCl9PQrCJ52nw6RekPHeCnE0IasLsmOtL83WlqUWIbKKyz/s1600-h/DSC065553.jpg"><img alt="DSC06555" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwi5BkLffndqtPm4s4CMQPTaZjrgY5tJxinzjdSW0i52-W-9c4j10q6xQr1xCOX23u5Jevrj2FJMCxPccaU9o4T_7jFcwyDmXYhKJRvg5DVCxHcZcXYrwEi7gWZYq9bZnMOUHg-uJKU49V/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06555" width="404" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-w5XJAkyw7xHBAZJVqSXLQ5SJCHJI7JlEZ9oJcH6chuH6Iqvm0TdsGUmO42qt6Lq1wWAfUyHsGwuRnKB2ujJ4DGB1jtLcTK5pxw5SSx_ZAdua7lVBlw5-i1lXM_ASZPEPrlWPj9kfCKfV/s1600-h/DSC065543.jpg"><img alt="DSC06554" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5mRvEkwh3kaJZirLjm6pBRjMk5waMOkKrB3cQwDcvFI83aXjdj4kdfBhyyKE8aUHk6_z2uGVQHJqx-nvvmsLVT-dhP3gN8QpXUGQYLGKy4jx4JyEiDs5PqHS8D37vKtpn8f8pfX8eDfp/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06554" width="404" /></a>  </p> <p>After our afternoon of fun at the beach we came home and celebrated my Grandpa’s 76th birthday!  <img alt="DSC06562" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNvwoAVS9QHUc2cJ3RDeOOK9dayN5I_xfqCJltJzyiwkYV3xSSvBm7rMgOwGdu8K3UHbml6hk6l_bU3CI4TRPo-Q9GFNBGQISleBuZnXszHL9ghVJcGg7nn2WOOvk_KoLfDAi5Fm_qei9/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06562" width="404" /></p> <p>Mmmm birthday cake!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswVGQlepC_Syi6tsw6MRQKhnjKdzBZMdev-YUAvUu6cC4GIopYWEelytZ9WJN9ZIPmDTNRE2C_lw7_CmVGSLREMHr898bU73UzBFcRl60cB8Jyg5Eh8cNmeFjHIg6lmZEOSRjuJCAg5of/s1600-h/DSC065574.jpg"><img alt="DSC06557" border="0" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkp_ABzmM2otrM7EbMUR5fhMoFc794jGudf2w0vths0YoGa4bchBIUflXKnOHAkAKK5utPtArlY7_kcCxRkYhkrtJme6UJi8KYgpUZrWfJZ084TaV3ijOSh8AmnYJ2VME4SQf2X87SVLd/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06557" width="404" /></a></p> <p>After birthday cake & a little resting we got ready to go out for the night! I love being able to wear dresses again after the long winter we had in Iowa!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwR4jHzQO0ZImHvlSzqrC_IjmwiVUe0-3o68z2PfqymoUgktVZrb9rHzZ_vyqbHHepUfcwCn1DBl40HZvH7dKBqjlx_5y6kVKOImyfrRqdtHaniOE2O8Zco4Dv9fpVKgbZ1uOhwedSXH2/s1600-h/DSC065644.jpg"><img alt="DSC06564" border="0" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1E-ChrbnRzCQhtkTxEUYkuKF3AIVvMYM3xZHcJXPE75tVtTajhu6z_XeT1Z1TjUh-5wf_nVo-E8dAcrteWdFQsMeWWSYkN8Mi9kBPabxbjuvaI_4P_9HezbHTJHwDVMaNVN9xaOGi6Vlk/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06564" width="350" /></a> </p> <p>We hit up a sports bar/grill just down the road from my Grandpa’s because University of Northern Iowa was playing against Kansas in the March Madness basketball tournament. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqiLJp_bch0gSDiwMb3qcksx2gSViwZxwOWtiNoqUDe2bV9k344bGT-EgCh1-UjlzUzcJaQmKJp1YDPgjNXlV7vilTsARMy0piLXO86h3tR0r41b10nnKAraWHwWHf8Ej8fwYgsIScEVN/s1600-h/DSC065653.jpg"><img alt="DSC06565" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiufWlFfEolgiwUyq0kHK7joEiCyxywbTxsAQ6CojPq1IRHk0ovxJjbdtFGmHj13ETzEy1wk-hnQWDURR1yv1ayk-wlQ0-e5BHntF4jgJvrJjk6K5O95-mjMGRygkKx_Bp7rROtwqvA-9X/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06565" width="404" /></a> </p> <p>We had our supper and enjoyed the game, but my Grandpa isn’t much of a sports fan so we took him back home and then <em>raced</em> to the nearest bar to watch the rest of the game….which ended up being “Harry & the Natives”! I just like the name! :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxSSA8PMQAKLxATkkOpr7sO-zJ3bdV0Z-xBUxDFNbEtTI0IOtLCjNVxzEW2-7-WWerko56GxHz8Ppeh80LOJildpVHmBx4Y7pFkmzToBoWpuV0Rl8-fdAMpx50HLLQX19Ii58U_150_Yv/s1600-h/DSC065683.jpg"><img alt="DSC06568" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQYvtzKNDU3AAS72zR4q51e-zBfAzbALH3nAkKzvXw5qzlA_qmaQAzNz-xZ9T-RezwA3knmZxRDAoGfFy5MGLgjQloAdsd-Lz-Gos7K7NpdhAOxsdtl8tZhAVSQKcXCJ3N8vRpkUmBeQZ/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06568" width="404" /></a> </p> <p>And if you hadn’t heard yet, UNI beat Kansas and are headed to the “Sweet 16”!!! It was pretty exciting! We aren’t huge UNI fans, but hey they are from the state of Iowa so we gotta cheer for them!</p> <p>After the game was over we decided to go mini golfing!   <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76dF3LhSeGNBH6nwhsdVUufAL8I_my_cbsO-EskSgE2MXCqbb1ST2Zy0R4GsuvwI4LtHWtS2zLy2B5RaIwDvqCMdJtnUIlV6ZheThlEk0vE6XiEgjgMut9_ifPTIgT0v7V6Chp39ID9Qa/s1600-h/DSC065835.jpg"><img alt="DSC06583" border="0" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyIQg88xrGGGBKfDOBECf5toJ8_vxT-p5XqvrUXT9HiFSJ9bb7Sy5muqP5me2yolsP2nT0uWlANa6nlaL3-fAhMErjY_I91tYZedgtUIIOEzbALodP7sBHkxDK15z_qT_QPRM5xn1UuBg/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06583" width="304" /></a></p> <p>None of us were, that good, but we did have a lot of fun! :) Look Wendi got a hole in one!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0qNfGuK993_yAMp6tyQazY8x0BocpaGv3oVUYPTY90TRIUysABsU_fYwg_ML_9isNBIDPsQv8djGzkaqp4J-QXLJ7OWcydJ_hxnFtjo7g9tVFBwTnpSNxFXqV5G4tCr9pBV3e-UXhNlAY/s1600-h/DSC065733.jpg"><img alt="DSC06573" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdey_Ze59lb2iM5FRVetupLnRQzGoyAcmmA6gtleL1b2fqlypzpgbLahswlElNaMsOHoBjpC0-1SL8MkVnLYpQg0GuzFcjEwiKcFgDECRy7O6tyZVhdeGXEll3SkxP_u10fFGQBZvd5_uh/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06573" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Not so much for Kyle though, he kept hitting his ball off the green! lol<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSxiJGl6LVZ_TV8vFMm1RYwQsHCcyI7SxOlfp8_sLRCse_IMdB8lL-_KseApMpJsKg-O0XJkw2nKCz7p449nqN0rAHNwYz-0kCMD5SYB8c7H7JMUr0xwZ6gaEKakPfJc61bYKot2Wjnoh/s1600-h/DSC065743.jpg"><img alt="DSC06574" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpOgLLpp35P1xq2wha0xOOnT7q13ezHMOKJkYNV2rXP40CdGAxxzfWUxRDmgNwQ9yGgxvkYKiZwJYmDLgslkm3e9bmSaTowJf-fUaUEmsvy_NjMmxqx2VBJfy6x9c-qBSceOfhSaKilTz/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06574" width="404" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uYUFBM3GfbBTyp-Ijw70LcGIA5h3ahg9x-EgDrlmJtfffXN21nN0At9y30iqhyQ0dcUA0HS03qlSuwoJd5lLR5u7n1Y5I9TPONqkCCEde6-ko2_0EdDIQ7CjRk6_ZMZnBTUxfSBwXBvC/s1600-h/DSC065753.jpg"><img alt="DSC06575" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFKQoJl942h87GB1rFeIN-OSlDdPv6NQFAhHXt1ANdc7JN74rgwTmOIcFlGZB7xLH2NYnDVUAH_2hlW7mrxYjxvV75s8ualZNSLLAYV7_83Y04BkGfQmiUyREph0OkT2q5GFa5ne6qAbk/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06575" width="404" /></a></p> <p>It’s always fun to take pictures along the way!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUv8tdRysgTG954muCTzBTm0EontuepX146EmPdAkghZCWvahE_nKv-8LoZsuLldoxzaEpDHtHjXQ_MDXwGaC4PnGV44tAAhYLc-nOuV7_kz7enyqI6Ny_cem9b428XTHkTNlPfPjUoI7x/s1600-h/DSC065765.jpg"><img alt="DSC06576" border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdeSthuZtMqv4D8kzAXjqsfh1B9biXE0dfz2Q8MW_LRXuaJuviuJsRo324ghtoGdQPM0i-JK89e_ZT2Gkv83cjLrvQqxlJjYTHzejexMPIYq2oSau5-aOIUTGUurwMo0URtX5IPmDLbHP/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06576" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Look, Kyle and I danced in the gazebo just like in Twilight! ;)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-aY_TZo3_xdMof26nY4sn8gxT1tJxSLGguxBZv1pWrBCkr1xikrfUXsc5Ruq8fhVqkyqyVL3yn5d4PiGLKvPw_RtecL0DQugJJZ1dyiVBdbEAdGFB1U69w5JoIbcfhXbof58iXOcTMXm/s1600-h/DSC065783.jpg"><img alt="DSC06578" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXY4nA0sLRRQbqXwtaZrfaSnmTSPrBzg5NKo629M8_3wUn3FRZCnpf3Ux09vAVKSypeC2Bl3xDo8qhtWJquJMVyUYBk-J6ACzCdq2FOtxfKf6MYV0WW73x19cziJ0iQssr-Y1GuudAZD4/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06578" width="404" /></a>   <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSmMwTS16NPgrNs-D6rWxM7TcGoLFocqIc9yw5-3QU7xcJ6-cVO4v8tGJL-vVv9wPtX8xv9gnDPIv-GXOACnR8VL99sntvdXfSJZ2VenSdGSqhXNg0Avm-dqI7Xldel6_rSPJABmnQOkU/s1600-h/DSC065813.jpg"><img alt="DSC06581" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vS-lWZXFvt9IggKhrndOsqGQ9KZFy7Jb8zUjSoScYsf9_N7_vFzPBuSi7HAspEyemEPfwCRLKoZ-7f3gcH8B8iBFxY3EPveW_VP6KWzFp51urJmxFrTLbzpfrj7fceEl2WLmz293wZeh/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06581" width="304" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieLtBJH0yo_Z2fBj_Wi6xOJZZXtOtIJIh1ox_xcv7goqZKDe7j0vf3mQ_QrscrDZLwe9PNkAOtK9BF90xM7bRUWis781uYCdEABczudCA0Hz__potQTbxPdxIirKxtv2ganxJ9Q1BbEpI/s1600-h/DSC065823.jpg"><img alt="DSC06582" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGozcLTE86gv4XG4rfNwTevgTfS1cZX5QHUKRbsH4GibYH4i5oqiPTcd-QbC4pBE4zjQLK5wEAK9zVWGEd6Mdc3_JEUFFqeH9ECE3m6pU67nE4xHjDJVdMaGcqmh3lSlm2ySeUMAxH9DRy/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06582" width="404" /></a></p> <p>And we rode some rides at the end!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjBKQ5U0haLtrQTdq0OenKGNneCgpfyr5K0BsZtA0GQtZKsSOcr7KUNNSp6-XmAy_fkmfRk13ioF1Rbd17nYvG_vowaZUMC7dBu9W7x8UKLBwQ6NTG0rBT08SqPyyQcVQ8HAq9XZgdVG9/s1600-h/DSC065843.jpg"><img alt="DSC06584" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tBnH5oLLZL2YvpN_0vS3kMJREcRovhOYvPDfsA9Vxmzt72nOQb6NGEKIGOg4vAZFGRra_JFvJLKvLhp_9JKqWs46uIaZCn4hHelbLERL5yEJw4RFNcDohp2lapFiNwH-uiLBvAtfBMTR/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06584" width="404" /></a></p> <p>And our last stop before leaving the “Family Fun Center” was the driving range. Kyle was pretty good!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bIYZDMHkV5OXo2VuA1me2eWNNl3l-J-wiHFU6yBYBYWHVImHthM1dYN1DnYA1fIKOdf-8RwrYvodSeFsBRn_2r33_HlGjmNwzx-B9yqMFO04waHBxDkVp0WtaMkJ3L95zcoLvNGwxdlk/s1600-h/DSC065873.jpg"><img alt="DSC06587" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVM25sqTpnGF7YREDmY0VfsDOHA0qgAj1AlMSzA_lbe2lD9QtVn18eypHB4dsf4AUU4HZ8Od5Oug1JrzISY7U-oY58gkCAvhiyJoT1yQcOpbKaixZ7C3kc1XKfNfEYYpASIQ8Sh8COlxeb/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06587" width="404" /></a></p> <p>But I was horrible! Notice I had already swung and COMPLETELY missed! Oh well, we had fun anyway! :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qzkhqCEmjXBdGkwlavhOz21Rv6nD22awLyG-Tq9tVyuKcOrl4Wo4OqO8Xc4iB3zQx37d7tPAqklV6RPG0EB6lfDMVNzT-gLdL2tnidKnbCOLVh9VZeGG25X9DXCze4hB15KGMlTx7uLe/s1600-h/DSC065893.jpg"><img alt="DSC06589" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlHk6Y40s3pD-zNbbxcS4E0pQiEQAc_lvIIxAnTUYvkS471kkGe8b1vIBXVmTQsKmxmzjlOjCuwnY446GamtLauaxwc3qDHrQGHJ6sUMLjknWOiwfeUkwuV9T4fU9t0-gDFnTRnDdwahg/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06589" width="404" /></a></p> <p>When we got back to my Grandpa’s place Kyle and Wendi noticed that the sun hadn’t been so nice to their skin!</p> <p>Check out the burn lines on my poor baby’s legs! Ouch! I on the other hand didn’t get red…just tan thanks to the tanning bed!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikmS80SWk0mDDW10kKZHDHjSwnVSwROe20pks-psu6IhUsE82nZX7N-3Cx2BGq1r3-IGX485SlQo0L65iQy_YomeAOY9M_6gNb_UmByc83xSUGNlQAmcNw5u-Y4NBNKDMf7m8wjKHYDeI/s1600-h/DSC065946.jpg"><img alt="DSC06594" border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRb5qzKBpPrW9CIGUbVEVByLUpND9qfpdBYWQcSJUoiq5F098biktQJ4OiD_xEoGmMaKVPf-upgeC15Ano5pwmig_G1C_4T1Jk_zSgUC7b1w_2eVoQkVWfBuD5adrCkDl7Z8Na4P9YLdn/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06594" width="313" /></a></p> <p>And that concludes my 3rd day in Florida! Hope you guys are getting excited for my guest posts…they are awesome! :) </p>

Fun Filled Florida – Day 3

It was a good thing we hit the hay early Friday night because Kyle set his alarm to get up early Saturday morning to watch the sunrise! So...

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A Friday in Florida!

<p>Hey everyone!</p> <p>Day 2 in Florida was a little less beach than day 1, but a little more of something else I love…shopping! :)</p> <p>We headed to Orlando to hit the shops! Kyle was especially excited because they had an Under Armour Outlet! Pretty much everything he wears for running is Under Armour. </p> <p>We hit up Kyle’s choice first and got a TON of stuff!! He is stocked up for running season in Iowa now!</p> <p>We stopped at a few other places and then wanted to get on the road to my Granpa’s house. </p> <p>On the way Kyle and I had two new “trys’!! The first was Chick-Fil-A! I ordered the original chicken sandwich with the waffle fries and Kyle got the chicken strips…both were great!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHAGxoW9x965p2sYmjF-Cfw_l7nqbkk2GqW0zgVGHwXrC8ThW8VScY5VRneXabSIq30vbmvEzF9AO03ekVWqD1zv9meQMFigUb5aVpJ7IfdlDiQ3Tg7MKOkIr_fKDxBo9tkC9EcxZ2SHt/s1600-h/DSC065003.jpg"><img alt="DSC06500" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5hDtxJfiEmogfYGM3xD6JXLDh4hDGVaZHzvW4KkXMnlT0T6hYiuNHZgBagdVAvFA0IzsUZlVE1Rypz9focmVhnnGUcmQFtd5T6G2eA15e3MvgaH2ufBuClmWEL7Z31yB0Zo5s4eHoqzi/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06500" width="404" /></a> </p> <p>After Chick-Fil-A, I knew right where we were headed next. I had read abut it many times on Meghann’s blog and knew the next time I was down here I wanted to try it! Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYEpkNZz5n5jB9TJYgiPCYsRappHcaa45Ec6RLAvs0uskxExzkx63LxdawDM6rfaIQUH5xng4Z-mwv3iAY72GvILbTtMMBNDGwuknT1rTNQZq6pUUN-iihrhQZMd3MyethX7aZaES4g8R/s1600-h/DSC065013.jpg"><img alt="DSC06501" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKmuqL9Ji_Oek_5O1xEsloplYmU3RdNdvxz3Xp-dTNi-s_5Y71SjFXxFo2shTnbW_unh5spnhYQwDk4qwz6TF35x0xEZhwX3qr3JQK-72YIPTxVBq_1b7WpMfEtkO2dO8FM5rjjqWrqak/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06501" width="404" /></a>  </p> <p>To say that this place is great is a HUGE understatement!! You take a cup and and pick a flavor of fro-yo you want, there are 12+ choices!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6hULhh1Qqog5Qwc_nmKUiHDpCj9B3XgobaCICRNprAi9fuV7-vwVAZUuadyVmcRMNqXYqIeBOD9t_YRx7ZiGnoVJfn384hcJjfy8VNJr6NeeWCvvVUHwMeZJe4L1pxYNwGgl1S5NB8jT/s1600-h/DSC065033.jpg"><img alt="DSC06503" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OZgORhN9uYMJzePbUarqZWWrsR6vC8cTR3XtzZTGtcyKv0aSE3UtHkQ6mb3C1Gx5yD-O1P3oh9WUsuDRFTJiYIVahpYbJMKa_AinYyRUJ8C8UYFjYhl25CwJufpk6EvceMqOJWQOB599/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06503" width="404" /></a> </p> <p>Then you add on whatever toppings you want!! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVzQt1lORFuAYTvWEWIjGWa0eE9mm7wCNP3DFhRfsOuuU7KdZgeFg4rYs_tClzjkbpDFdm_quoJnifu_KBV2T7eniK8GaTvHocQmEBSlhyTfZMCQgixeVmCvcBceXOK7EuLi678qFyQRb/s1600-h/DSC065043.jpg"><img alt="DSC06504" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIbmfYaC8WosVEUrfx1rYPLGQubn83hhsy32K8TfRm-kLsNjwU2XfkvzPGXKBVLJOrw6cCMfSZaq-SY8x8h7wTAa60lPQz_UYcBRjo55ZSPeIf0HXbyispwuzVtU7rttP8oS0SVXWEmp7/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06504" width="404" /></a> </p> <p>Just look at all these choices! I was like a kid in a candy store! ;)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQySbgEN9-Dn_GGcsp9MeIH0P4_S89WfA5vwojeVPN4ocrZthHmgjYroUwldCZCRT1R6-oBXf-mlZtNlGpgL_EzAcgpiCcKNnYUOglu26tJy-AuKV7HdYDKgim8Ut_G5OP7xxvZLR5MYS/s1600-h/DSC065053.jpg"><img alt="DSC06505" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijR5h5XT8CEisvnfoLq5idNJWliFDq7UOqC43IcdvIzcmAIqdRWIIvgy-4-TE-xjCnJ1DhDrf6SUxfIqpePJYEx6n5dRqDniagqtJD0MD0ecNX7wYqxeEEbLOEcWYzxMVa_u9S5HFQ82cg/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06505" width="404" /></a> </p> <p>We all went for the chocolate! And added pretty much any topping that went well with chocolate….cookie dough bites, mini pb cups, brownies, mini caramel cups, crushed Oreos, cheesecake bites, gummy bears, crushed Reeses PB cups, mini chocolate chips…….<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9DOrxxSFl8f9NJduPlph9sFcctps1PZEv1CNLsl1eKZAUfn_41rylm83XX4P7kM_-3l3y0EcwUogCtxmxsXlZzMwgAfJ9CUjE9kaGfyKU7CO6x5BO9XIAZU13wFL8ZrhyphenhyphenxK-vvFALSmc/s1600-h/DSC065063.jpg"><img alt="DSC06506" border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAIjXEWsicavd7RgHZ4xMbUNN7Uu1B9XHK6pQrUFcAVawBjlXMZpeIGyEgRJzg6UkiqNCyIaVC3q8NKADXeLKZSnUUnsuD54SxxggX8-C_8dNDzzcZcRF523aU_f8giBchS4oHQWpGens/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06506" width="354" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center"><strong><em><font size="4">AAAAHHH-MAZING</font></em></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilmxa7KND7UMtT-5kppo9VCKd9rDItJOKJAH4iJkFx0Nxv8rBkN9F8oflqtjb0cQU1BrFhtWfgIluyxQSVzBZl_W5KMpgEJAtZD2PG1crhCzKBSk5ittXV5Tf2YlFrXzYBpPaBlryW3YM/s1600-h/DSC065073.jpg"><img alt="DSC06507" border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOEPc0sfHzz75LWCWr7qxH23EM7idxNtijJpiUkeLqFqqU60tpu-6sZakoLQX3T0-d3KnbrhgWo9LeiO16stS4gMl0kuJPSD41MiR44h3HyhV55t3GyirlmYTVm-1cIwT7gnJLGVAhpuY/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC06507" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Then you put your creation on the scale and pay by weight! The 3 of ours came to $19….I think we all had a <em>tad</em> too much! ;) And we couldn’t finish them! But it was still <strong>SUPER</strong> good and <strong>SO</strong> fun!!</p> <p>Next time we all want to try a more fruity kind and definitely get <u><strong>less</strong></u>!!</p> <p>After our fro-yo experience we headed south to my Grandpa’s house near West Palm Beach. It was about a 2 1/2 hour drive straight down the Florida Turnpike. </p> <p>And of course, what was the first thing he wanted to do when we got there….eat! Ugh….the three of us will still <strong>STUFFED </strong>from our two new “trys”!</p> <p>But we went along with him and he was excited to go to this new place he said that had just opened….Golden Corral. I think all old/retired people like buffets! It ended up being ok though. Kyle, Wendi, & I just ate pretty light after our afternoon filled with food!</p> <p>It was a pretty low key night and we hit the hay early, but that was ok with us! We don’t want to be tired on vaca!</p>

A Friday in Florida!

Hey everyone! Day 2 in Florida was a little less beach than day 1, but a little more of something else I love…shopping! :) We headed to ...

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Sunday update: It' not really a war

I managed to get to the gym this morning. After three days of bed rest and nursing my cold, it wasn't an easy workout. Thirty minutes on the StairMaster and 40 minutes of upper body strength training. I felt weaker than usual, but I got through it. <br /><br />While I was on the StairMaster I was thinking about my post from earlier this morning, about it being a war trying to stay on track. I insinuated every day is a battle, but that's not really true. Some days are definitely difficult, some days are easier. Sometimes it feels like there's an internal battle of wills going on in my head, eat this but don't eat that, or don't eat at all. <br /><br />There are times I just want to stop thinking about food, stop thinking about Points, and just let it be. Unfortunately, that type of thinking is what got me up to my highest weight of 245 pounds. <br /><br />I believe it's wrong to think of this as a war. I can't live in a constant state of battle, fighting with myelf about doing the "right" thing when it comes to food. Constantly condemning myself for making the wrong choice serves no real purpose except to lower my already low self-esteem.<br /><br />My ultimate goal is to make peace with food. To eat when hungry, to not overeat for comfort. Basically I want to eat to live, not live to eat. I don't want to constantly have the fight going on in my head about food.<br /><br />I don't want to live in a battleground about food on a daily basis. That's not sustainable for the long run, and I'm in this for the long run. Whether I'll ever reach that goal of making peace with how I deal with food is yet to be seen, but it's something I'm striving towards.

Sunday update: It' not really a war

I managed to get to the gym this morning. After three days of bed rest and nursing my cold, it wasn't an easy workout. Thirty minutes on...

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Lost a battle but not the war

Last night I had a little slip. I went to bed at 8 p.m., exhausted from being awake all day and fighting my cold. I took a dose of NyQuil and fell asleep immediately. <br /><br />At midnight I was wide awake and ravenous. No matter how hard I fought with myself to go back to sleep, I couldn't do it. I felt hungry and finally after tossing and turning for about thirty minutes, I headed to the kitchen for a snack. Just a little something so I could go back to sleep. It felt like I was sleep walking, but I was aware enough to not go totally crazy.<br /><br />I decided on an Oroweat Sandwich Thin with Weight Watcher whipped cream cheese. I didn't measure the cream cheese, but it was about three tablespoons. I also had about a cup and a half of fresh strawberries. Total value of four Points, which I added to the tracker under yesterday making it a 33.5 Point day. Ouch. <br /><br />Certainly not my best day, but I could have done a lot worse. Remember the cup of pecans I had a few weeks ago for 20 Points? Along with a variety of other foods in the middle of the night. I didn't even bother to keep track of what I was eating during those middle of the night rampages.<br /><br />I lost the battle of wills last night, but it was just one night and a minor infraction. That kind of thing is going to happen. I'm not perfect and I don't pretend to be perfect. The war continues.

Lost a battle but not the war

Last night I had a little slip. I went to bed at 8 p.m., exhausted from being awake all day and fighting my cold. I took a dose of NyQuil an...

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Planning de la semaine du 22 au 26 mars 2010

<BR><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Permanences<br /></span></strong></h2><ul><br /><li>Le <strong>Conseil Général du Loiret</strong> sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans<br />- le lundi 22 mars de 9h à 12h30<br />- le mardi 23 mars de 9h à 12h30 et de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le mercredi 24 mars de 13h30 à 17h<br />- le jeudi 25 mars de 13h30 à 17h<br />- le vendredi 26 mars de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2007/11/boutique-de-gestion.html">Boutique de Gestion</a></strong> - vendredi 26 mars de 09h à 12h30 (sur rendez-vous)</ul><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Ateliers</span></strong><br /></h2><br /><ul><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2008/12/atelier-parcours-emploi.html">Parcours Emploi</a></strong> - mardi 23 mars à 09h30<br /><br /><li><strong>CV</strong> - mardi 23 mars de 9h à 12h30 et mercredi 24 mars de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong>Lettre de Motivation</strong> - mardi 23 mars de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong>Préparation à l'entretien</strong> - jeudi 25 mars de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong>Pôle-emploi.fr</strong> - vendredi 26 mars de 10h à 11h30<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2009/07/atelier-situtilises-tu-trouves.html">Sit'Utilises tu trouves</a></strong> - vendredi 26 mars de 14h à 16h</ul><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Information collective</span></strong><br /></h2><br /><ul><li><strong>Boutique de gestion</strong> - lundi 22 mars à 14h</ul><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Visite d'entreprise</span></strong><br /></h2><br /><ul><li><strong>Visite de l'entreprise <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2010/02/souvrir-les-portes-des-metiers-de.html">Imprimerie Nouvelle</a></strong> - vendredi 26 mars à 13h30</ul>

Planning de la semaine du 22 au 26 mars 2010

Permanences Le Conseil Général du Loiret sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans - le lundi 22 ma...

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Job Search Myths

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/9d/ar5b60p5whh02f4m6n9d.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/9d/ar5b60p5whh02f4m6n9d.gif" vt="true" /></a></div>Myths that people believe about looking for a job are many and persistent. The most common ones are these: <br /><br />Myth #1: A résumé should be only one page.<br /><br />Absolutely not! The normal length of a résumé is two to three pages (at most). It is fine to have addendum pages such as a list of references or published articles. A one-page résumé is only appropriate for a recent college grad. <br /><br />Myth #2: If you go on an interview through a contingency or search firm, you cannot speak directly to the person who interviewed you after the interview. <br /><br />The person who interviewed you is either a decision-maker or an influencer in the hiring process. Ask him during the interview if he minds if you contact him with any questions you may have later. If he says no, be skeptical about his interest or style. After all, you are the person who was on the interview, not the recruiting professional who set up your interview. He or she is also someone you can nurture as a networking contact even if you aren't hired. <br /><br />Myth #3: If eight people at a company interviewed you, you need to send a thank-you note only to the person you'd report to if you got the job. <br /><br />Those other seven people took their valuable time to interview you. Of course you should send each one a thank-you note! <br /><br />Myth #4: You shouldn't take notes during an interview. <br /><br />Why not? Nobody has a photographic memory while talking, listening, and processing information. Simply ask the interviewer politely if she minds if you take some notes. Obviously, you should use abbreviations or keywords so that you're not concentrating too hard on taking notes and not focusing enough on the conversation.<br /><br />Myth #5: There is no point in conducting a job search during the summer or in December because companies aren't hiring then. <br /><br />This is absolutely ridiculous. In fact, during the summer, businesspeople are more casual and "laid back" in their attitudes and approaches. They don't tend to be as immersed in stressful projects. What a great time to approach people! In December, companies may be focused on bringing someone on board before the new calendar or fiscal year. People are in a much more celebratory mood during this time of year, and December offers lots of opportunities for networking.<br /><br />Myth #6: The most qualified candidate has the best shot at getting a job offer. <br /><br />Obviously, for most positions, a company needs someone with specific skills and experience. It is also true that many companies still lean toward someone who has worked in the same industry. It is more likely that the individual who fits into the company culture is the one who will get the offer. This means that as a candidate you are accountable for finding out and understanding what the culture is -- the values that shape the company, the way people communicate, and the kinds of people who are respected within the organization. You will not find this kind of information on a Web site or in an annual report. You will find it from talking to people -- the company's employees, vendors, and ex-employees.<br /><br />Myth #7: Only certain components of a job offer are negotiable.<br /><br />The two best times to negotiate with a company are when they ask you to join them, and when they ask you to leave. Anything can be negotiated if you are very clear about what you need and want, and can state the reasons why. You stand the best chance of getting your needs met if you put yourself in the company's shoes during the negotiation. Not only can compensation be negotiated but also the work itself, the way you will do the work, whom you will report to, and every other aspect of the job. Looking for a new job requires many skills, and the more you network, interview, and negotiate, the easier the process becomes. Above all, trust your instincts during your job search. As with any relationship, you may have to make compromises. However, there is absolutely no reason that you shouldn't be able to find the right job -- a job that fits your personality and fulfills your needs.<br /><br />Julie Jansen is the author of "I Don't Know What I Want, But I Know It's Not This." She is a career coach and consultant who is also a frequent speaker at both non-profit groups and corporations through the United States.<br /><br /><a class="addthis_button" href="http://addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=rockfordlink"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" height="16" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" width="125" /></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rockfordlink" type="text/javascript"></script>

Job Search Myths

Myths that people believe about looking for a job are many and persistent. The most common ones are these: Myth #1: A résumé should be only ...

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Asking For -- and Maximizing -- the Informational Interview

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/00/ar5b5cc6zm4hv2rms900.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/00/ar5b5cc6zm4hv2rms900.gif" vt="true" /></a></div><br />Do all the employees at your dream company have an MBA? What is a typical day like in a big-city newsroom? What types of questions might someone be asked when interviewing for a position in the health-care industry? <br /><br />If you've got questions about a career, an informational interview might be your ticket to answers. <br /><br />"An informational interview can help you better understand a career, industry, company, organization or specific position you are potentially interested in by finding out what really goes on behind the scenes versus what you've heard or what you imagine," says Debra Condren, author of "Ambition Is Not a Dirty Word," a career guide for women. "Having a more accurate picture will help you decide if this career target really matches your talents, passion, interests, strengths and weaknesses. It will also inform your choice of education and training." <br /><br />How to ask<br />For many people, the prospect of making a blind call to a place of interest can be daunting. It also might not be very fruitful. A better idea is to network your way into an informational interview. <br /><br />"The best approach is to brainstorm about someone you know who may work in the industry or company you're targeting," Condren states. "Does your parent, brother, best friend, roommate or someone you went to college with know someone who knows someone who would send an e-mail on your behalf asking if it's OK for you to contact them?" <br /><br />Alumni offices and college career centers also can be good places to turn. James Greeley, director of career services and cooperative education at Merrimack College in North Andover, Mass., notes that his institution routinely provides informational interview services for students and graduates. "The programs are staffed by human resource personnel and hiring managers from a variety of corporations as well as Merrimack College alumni who volunteer to offer their expertise and assistance." <br /><br />When picking up the phone or writing to someone to set up an informational interview, Condren recommends the following to help things run smoothly: <br /><br />Mention your mutual connection.<br /><br />Ask for a precise amount of time. (As in, "I was wondering if I could have fifteen minutes of your time.")<br /><br />Approach the person with two or three very specific questions. (As in "I'm interested in your opinion on which majors train you best for this field.") It gives the interviewer a preview of what you want to discuss and shows that you have taken the initiative to define what you're trying to accomplish.<br /><br />Treat it like a job interview<br />If you are interested enough in a field or a company to set up an informational interview, there is a chance that down the line you might want to use this connection when seeking employment. Make a good first impression by:<br /><br />Dressing professionally<br /><br />Treating everyone you encounter politely<br /><br />Arriving early<br /><br />Doing your homework; you should be asking for insight, not basic information available on a Web site<br /><br />Preparing a list of questions that gets at exactly what you want to know<br /><br />While it may seem that you are the one with everything to gain from an informational interview, remember that companies also can benefit. "We're always looking for top talent, and an informational interview is another chance to meet a potential candidate," says Holly Paul, national recruiting leader for PricewaterhouseCoopers, one of the world's largest professional services firms. "It provides an opportunity for us to share what we do and learn how the candidate might fit into our organization." <br /><br />Express gratitude<br />The person who granted the informational interview provided a valuable service and should be thanked accordingly for sharing her time and expertise. While a timely e-mail is considered acceptable by some experts, a mailed note may be better.<br /><br />"Sending an old fashioned hand-written card will make you stand out," Condren states. "It saves the person who did the interview from having to open one more in his or her daily gazillion e-mails."<br /><br />Finally, remember to keep the lines of communication open for future contact. How to do this without becoming a pest? Paul suggests that before the interview even ends that you ask how you should follow-up, and then follow that advice. Later, take a moment in your thank-you note to restate your interest in potential future opportunities. A small, but genuine, gesture now can be a building block for bigger things to come.<br /><br />By Beth Braccio Hering, special to CareerBuilder <br /><br /><a class="addthis_button" href="http://addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=rockfordlink"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" height="16" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" width="125" /></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rockfordlink" type="text/javascript"></script>

Asking For -- and Maximizing -- the Informational Interview

Do all the employees at your dream company have an MBA? What is a typical day like in a big-city newsroom? What types of questions might som...

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Success Stories: I Found a Job after Long-Term Unemployment By Beth Braccio Hering, CareerBuilder writer.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/f8/ar5b4346jld4dwzvdcf8.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/f8/ar5b4346jld4dwzvdcf8.gif" vt="true" /></a></div>Headline after headline about corporate downsizing and businesses folding can leave you wondering: Is anybody out there actually finding a job? <br /><br />Yes (though oftentimes not very quickly). Here are three real-life success stories of people who persevered through prolonged unemployment before landing a new position. <br /><br />Volunteer work leads to paid position<br />"During unemployment, I became extremely hard on myself, questioning what was wrong with me as a job candidate that would cause my searching to be so fruitless," says Margaret White of New York City, who encountered a not-very-welcoming job market after leaving school in 2008. "I also felt enormously guilty that I was a burden on my family financially. It was stressful not knowing where my future was headed and how I was going to support myself." <br /><br />Needing a morale boost, White decided to volunteer with Step Up Women's Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting and advancing women and girls. <br /><br />"At first I started coming in on an as-needed basis, but during that time, I cultivated a relationship with the program manager," White states. "She started bringing me in more frequently to work on projects. Eventually, I asked if I could come in every day. I recognized that I was gaining a new, invaluable skill set and making amazing connections through the organization, not to mention I was loving the work. Eventually, the program manager left to attend graduate school, and I was the best-trained candidate for the job. I applied, and they hired me!" <br /><br />Networking proves good use of time<br />After downsizing in January 2009 left Barbara Cooper without a job, she went to local "job seeker" meetings, registered with various companies on their Web sites and checked job boards. Primarily, though, she focused on networking. <br /><br />Her efforts paid off a year later when a former co-worker recommended her for an open position. Cooper is now the Learning Center Administrator for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. <br /><br />"I knew that sooner or later I would find something, primarily because I had no other choice," Cooper says. "I kept reminding myself that every rejection -- whether it was résumés that didn't get responses or phone interviews that didn't lead to anything -- was one less step between me and my next position. I told myself, since it was taking so long to find another position, that the position that was waiting for me must be really terrific -- and it is!" <br /><br />Thinking about what you really want -- and finding it<br />An account executive at a high-profile marketing/advertising agency, Sarah Humphreys of Burlington, Vt., was in shock when company layoffs left her unemployed. Though she admits that at first it was "hard not to take it personally," she eventually decided to make the best of her unexpected time off. <br /><br />"I was lucky enough not to have to rush back into anything. I reevaluated what I really wanted to do with my career. If I was ever going to change career paths, this was the time to do it. Eventually I came out knowing that account management is really what I love and enjoy doing." <br /><br />Armed with this knowledge, Humphreys began looking at area companies that interested her and applied for positions that matched what she wanted to do. After many people told her that Dealer.com was a great place to work, she looked at the company's Web site and discovered an opening that matched her career desires. She is now an account manager at this leading provider of online marketing tools for the automotive industry. Best yet, the company hasn't laid off a single employee in more than four years. <br /><br />Her advice for other job seekers: "Keep looking. It is exhausting, but something will come along. Everything happens for a reason. You will end up finding a company and a job that you love." <br /><br /><a class="addthis_button" href="http://addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=rockfordlink"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" height="16" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" width="125" /></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rockfordlink" type="text/javascript"></script>

Success Stories: I Found a Job after Long-Term Unemployment By Beth Braccio Hering, CareerBuilder writer.

Headline after headline about corporate downsizing and businesses folding can leave you wondering: Is anybody out there actually finding a j...

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