Thursday, February 23, 2012
Engagement Picture Shoot
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Engagement pictures
Monday, February 20th was a beautiful day! Chuck and I got all dressed up and met our friend and wedding photographer downtown for our engagement picture shoot. We had a great time! We took several pictures at different locations downtown and then we went out to EP lake and took a few out there.
For those of you who will be in pictures at our wedding, you are in for a treat, Jeff is one of the funniest humans on the planet and a great photographer. Here are two pictures from yesterday.
Picture for engagement announcement in the paper
For those of you who will be in pictures at our wedding, you are in for a treat, Jeff is one of the funniest humans on the planet and a great photographer. Here are two pictures from yesterday.
This man makes me so happy!
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Silence hides Violence 5K Run
A few weeks ago, 2 of my friends that I have known since childhood signed up for a running group. We run 3 days a week and the training culminates with the St. Patty's Day 5K Run. There is a prize for the best costume that day and we are planning on taking home the prize :)
The 3 of us, Jennifer, Sadie and I have signed up for several runs. Sadie and Jennifer have not only been friends of mine since we were kids, but they are also 2 of my honorary bridesmaids. The run we did today was Kaitlyn's senior project. It was a 5K run at Ballard Park. We are planning on completing the Amanda Price Memorial 5K run in New Albany March 10th, the St. Patty's Day 5K, March 17th, the Warrior Dash April 21st, and the Gumtree 10K May 12. We have a lot to train for :)
So this morning we laced up our running shoes to raise awareness for Domestic Violence, to help out a senior with her project, and to train for our upcoming events. It was rather cold this morning. As we proceeded to the starting line, we decided we would get towards the back of the crowd. After completing several other runs in the past we thought we were placing ourselves in a decent starting place. Well, needless to say, somehow we were stuck smack in the middle of the WALKERS!!! When the starting whistle blew we took off and almost ran over several people, as we worked and weaved our way through the crowd to an opening, a very sassy older lady yelled out at us that the runners should have been at the front of the line. Not sure why she was so vocal, seeing as though she was behind us when we started so we did not pass her, anyway we started at a good pace and we all three stayed together for a few minutes. Jennifer has a bum ankle so we were trying to be careful and get her through the race without injuring it anymore that it already is. So after a few minutes of jogging, Jenn and I slowed from jogging to walking. Sadie took off and rocked the 5K. We did well with running and walking and pacing ourselves. We set goals of where to run to, of course we walked up the hills and ran back down them. As we weaved through the trails and track at Ballard I saw the finish line and was pumped that we were going to make it in under 35 minutes (yes, this seemed strange at first considering we weren't pushing hard because of the ankle, but hey, it was possible.) So as we rounded the corner I told Jenn, we got this up the hill and we will run from here to the finish. Start at an even pace and the closer we get speed up and make this run yours, as I finished saying those words we sprinted to our goal line....
The closer we got I saw the couple in front of us go past the line and down a small hill and toward the main loop of the track. We began to wonder and as we got even closer I realized everyone was running back toward the way we had already been, what, WHAT was going on...and as we reached our goal I realized, it was a water station...so I grabbed a cup and swished my mouth out twice and off we went to finish our run. We ran and walked and walked and ran. And when we were in view of the finish line (the real one, the one with the race clock, with big bold red numbers) I reminded Jennifer of how we were going to finish strong on our first race of 2012. We start running in and I spot Sadie coming back to run us in! Sadie finished in 34 minutes and some odd seconds. I ran on ahead and cross the line in 41 minutes, Jennifer and Sadie were close behind and Jennifer finished in 41 minutes and some odd seconds. We did it! We completed our first run of 2012! We made it ours. I am very proud of us, all of us, every single person that got out of the bed this morning and completed this run in the COLD.
So to celebrate and recover we decided to treat ourselves to The Stables, a local watering hole in Tupelo that has wonderful food. Our post race recovery was a cold beer and an order of cheese fries! Perfect treat for a run completed.
Side note: I have ordered a Garmin running watch, that we will use for the upcoming races, to improve upon our time and work up from where we finished today. We will be able to set it for intervals and the watch will tell us when to run and when to walk, instead of us having to try and keep up with it and make ourselves accountable. We now have a starting point, so will work from 41 minutes. I am setting a goal for us to finish the next race with hopefully at least 5 minutes shaved off of our time.
So Jennifer, that means we will be right on Sadie's heels (if she doesn't try to shave 5 minutes off her time, which is possible.) She is a machine.
The 3 of us, Jennifer, Sadie and I have signed up for several runs. Sadie and Jennifer have not only been friends of mine since we were kids, but they are also 2 of my honorary bridesmaids. The run we did today was Kaitlyn's senior project. It was a 5K run at Ballard Park. We are planning on completing the Amanda Price Memorial 5K run in New Albany March 10th, the St. Patty's Day 5K, March 17th, the Warrior Dash April 21st, and the Gumtree 10K May 12. We have a lot to train for :)
So this morning we laced up our running shoes to raise awareness for Domestic Violence, to help out a senior with her project, and to train for our upcoming events. It was rather cold this morning. As we proceeded to the starting line, we decided we would get towards the back of the crowd. After completing several other runs in the past we thought we were placing ourselves in a decent starting place. Well, needless to say, somehow we were stuck smack in the middle of the WALKERS!!! When the starting whistle blew we took off and almost ran over several people, as we worked and weaved our way through the crowd to an opening, a very sassy older lady yelled out at us that the runners should have been at the front of the line. Not sure why she was so vocal, seeing as though she was behind us when we started so we did not pass her, anyway we started at a good pace and we all three stayed together for a few minutes. Jennifer has a bum ankle so we were trying to be careful and get her through the race without injuring it anymore that it already is. So after a few minutes of jogging, Jenn and I slowed from jogging to walking. Sadie took off and rocked the 5K. We did well with running and walking and pacing ourselves. We set goals of where to run to, of course we walked up the hills and ran back down them. As we weaved through the trails and track at Ballard I saw the finish line and was pumped that we were going to make it in under 35 minutes (yes, this seemed strange at first considering we weren't pushing hard because of the ankle, but hey, it was possible.) So as we rounded the corner I told Jenn, we got this up the hill and we will run from here to the finish. Start at an even pace and the closer we get speed up and make this run yours, as I finished saying those words we sprinted to our goal line....
The closer we got I saw the couple in front of us go past the line and down a small hill and toward the main loop of the track. We began to wonder and as we got even closer I realized everyone was running back toward the way we had already been, what, WHAT was going on...and as we reached our goal I realized, it was a water station...so I grabbed a cup and swished my mouth out twice and off we went to finish our run. We ran and walked and walked and ran. And when we were in view of the finish line (the real one, the one with the race clock, with big bold red numbers) I reminded Jennifer of how we were going to finish strong on our first race of 2012. We start running in and I spot Sadie coming back to run us in! Sadie finished in 34 minutes and some odd seconds. I ran on ahead and cross the line in 41 minutes, Jennifer and Sadie were close behind and Jennifer finished in 41 minutes and some odd seconds. We did it! We completed our first run of 2012! We made it ours. I am very proud of us, all of us, every single person that got out of the bed this morning and completed this run in the COLD.
So to celebrate and recover we decided to treat ourselves to The Stables, a local watering hole in Tupelo that has wonderful food. Our post race recovery was a cold beer and an order of cheese fries! Perfect treat for a run completed.
Side note: I have ordered a Garmin running watch, that we will use for the upcoming races, to improve upon our time and work up from where we finished today. We will be able to set it for intervals and the watch will tell us when to run and when to walk, instead of us having to try and keep up with it and make ourselves accountable. We now have a starting point, so will work from 41 minutes. I am setting a goal for us to finish the next race with hopefully at least 5 minutes shaved off of our time.
So Jennifer, that means we will be right on Sadie's heels (if she doesn't try to shave 5 minutes off her time, which is possible.) She is a machine.
Monday, February 13, 2012
We all went out to eat at Woody's yesteday to celebrate mama's 62 birthday. I am so thankful for the people in this picture and so very glad we all got to spend time and MANY laughs together yesterday.
I wish I had a picture of Pappaw's parking job in front of Woody's, I was trying to capture it on my phone, but there was a lot of commotion going on. As many of you know North Gloster Street in Tupelo is a MAJOR thoroughfare and Woody's sits right on the road. Pappaw being the gentleman that his mother raised him to be, was trying to get my very short legged Mammaw as close to the front door as possible. When turning into the parking lot he realized the only open spot close to the front door was blocked by a median. He learned to drive in the Army (this being so, you can NOT tell him anything!!) So with a scrape of the bumper he proceeded to drive the Cadillac over the obstacle blocking him from his front door parking, so his lovely bride would not have far to walk.
No one really made a fuss at his parking decision until it was time to go and we all realized that he was going to have to back over the median and out onto North Gloster. The cars that were on either side of his car had not moved, so the Collins' kids took to helping back him into the street. We had a crowd of onlookers, as Daddy blocked the right hand lane in Mama's car with the flashers on. Tatum was trying to keep cars from ramming into mama and daddy, I was watching and wondering what he was going to tear up as he backed this low cadillac back over the median. Jill was a wreck and did not want to see the results, Chuck was in amazement. Patrick was livid, wanting mama to take the keys from Pappaw and not ever let him drive again. He made it back over the median and onto Gloster and slowly Mammaw and Pappaw putted down the road.
When we arrived back at Mama and Daddy's we gave Kay and Harry a strict talking to and told them that they WILL listen to us and they WILL do what we say when they are old, and at 85 about to be 86 they will no longer have keys to a vehicle!
 | ||||
| David, Anneil, Mama, Amelia, Chuck, Tatum, Patrick, Jill, Daddy, Mammaw, and Pappaw celebrating Mama's birthday |
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Day # 2 (ughh...)
Day # 2 started out rather eventful for me. I should be old hat at this fiber drink, but this morning I could not get it down. Each time I tried to swallow the fibery, textured, thick citrus shake, I absolutely tried to throw up. My gag reflex was working overtime. I was standing over the kitchen sink with my fiber shake in one hand and an extra large tervis tumbler of ice water in the other. I would take one gulp of the fiber shake and follow it by an even bigger gulp of water. Tears streaming from my eyes, 4 gulps and 2 extra large tervis tumblers full of water and day # 2 fiber shake is in the books and my stomach is rumbling...
I did not eat breakfast until later this morning, that whole fiber shake incident, and I did not want anything to eat. I had a banana about 9 and a fruit punch spark at 10. I had a can of tuna, a half of a large tomato and a boiled egg for lunch. My afternoon snack consisted of an orange and an orange spark. For supper I was feeling lazy so I ate another can of tuna, the other half of my tomato and another boiled egg.
I am feeling pretty good, the worst times are mid afternoon when I crave a reese's peanut butter cup, a diet coke, a milky way, a cupcake, oh and my mind wanders as I think of all the snacks I would love to get my hands on...and I remember the dress, my beautiful wedding dress and those swimsuits for Jamaica. I can resist all those mid afternoon snacks, it will be worth it.
On another note, I have gotten several calls/texts about our wedding invitations, how creative, fun, do I need my ticket to get into the church, etc. We also completed our third and final counseling session with Jimmy Criddle, our pastor, and you will be glad to know (since we already mailed invitations) he passed us with flying colors!
One month, one week and one day!!!
Love this!!
YOU'RE OFF TO GREAT PLACES
TODAY IS YOUR DAY
YOUR MOUNTAIN IS WAITING
SO...GET ON YOUR WAY!!!
- DR. SEUSS
I did not eat breakfast until later this morning, that whole fiber shake incident, and I did not want anything to eat. I had a banana about 9 and a fruit punch spark at 10. I had a can of tuna, a half of a large tomato and a boiled egg for lunch. My afternoon snack consisted of an orange and an orange spark. For supper I was feeling lazy so I ate another can of tuna, the other half of my tomato and another boiled egg.
I am feeling pretty good, the worst times are mid afternoon when I crave a reese's peanut butter cup, a diet coke, a milky way, a cupcake, oh and my mind wanders as I think of all the snacks I would love to get my hands on...and I remember the dress, my beautiful wedding dress and those swimsuits for Jamaica. I can resist all those mid afternoon snacks, it will be worth it.
On another note, I have gotten several calls/texts about our wedding invitations, how creative, fun, do I need my ticket to get into the church, etc. We also completed our third and final counseling session with Jimmy Criddle, our pastor, and you will be glad to know (since we already mailed invitations) he passed us with flying colors!
One month, one week and one day!!!
Love this!!
YOU'RE OFF TO GREAT PLACES
TODAY IS YOUR DAY
YOUR MOUNTAIN IS WAITING
SO...GET ON YOUR WAY!!!
- DR. SEUSS
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Advocare 24 Day Challenge
Day # 1
So today Chuck and I decided to start the 24 day challenge from Advocare. We are hoping for great results, just in time for the wedding and honeymoon. We have taken before pictures and hope to have after pictures that show REAL results.
The challenge consists of a 10 day herbal cleanse (fiber shakes and vitamins) followed by 14 days of MNS (Metabolic Nutrition Systems) and a meal replacement shake.
NOTE: I have already started this challenge once and had no apparent results, I went to an Advocare mixer and met Alicia, who told me I was instructed wrong and there was a very specific list of foods you can eat and food you don't eat during the challenge. Imagine my surprise, so needless to say, I ordered another challenge kit (I didn't want Chuck to feel left out - so I ordered him one too!)
So today, we started out on an adventure to healthier, happier and more energized Chuck and Amelia. The fiber drinks on days 1-3 and 7 - 10 are pretty terrible, not bad tasting, they just have a texture that is hard to stomach. But hey, we are 1/6 of the way there already :)
I have to admit, diet coke has been the worst thing to resist all day. I had a meal replacement shake for breakfast, an orange, lemon pepper tuna and a few strawberries for lunch, a banana, and a salad with a little grilled chicken, lots of tomato, boiled eggs, fresh pineapple, craisins, and organic mixed greens with just a sprinkle of lite raspberry vinagrette, 2 sparks and extremely ridiculous amounts of water.
Have I lost my mind, I think that is a YES, not only have I committed to this 24 day challenge, maybe longer, I have re-enrolled in BootCamp Ines - a 3 day a week running program, I have also signed up for 3 - 5K runs before our wedding (with the last one being on my wedding day, *note we are getting married in 1 month, 1 week and 2 days from today). I have also signed up for the Warrior Dash, April 21 in Jackson, MS. Only one more to contemplate...Gumtree 10K...I think I can, I think I can, I think Chuck and I may run this one together!
We weighed this morning and we will post results after the first 10 days. And I know, Chuck will lose twice as much weight as I will, and I will be happy for him, I will be happy for him (although I am the one who needs to lose the most to look fabulous in my wedding dress!)
Day # 1
So today Chuck and I decided to start the 24 day challenge from Advocare. We are hoping for great results, just in time for the wedding and honeymoon. We have taken before pictures and hope to have after pictures that show REAL results.
The challenge consists of a 10 day herbal cleanse (fiber shakes and vitamins) followed by 14 days of MNS (Metabolic Nutrition Systems) and a meal replacement shake.
NOTE: I have already started this challenge once and had no apparent results, I went to an Advocare mixer and met Alicia, who told me I was instructed wrong and there was a very specific list of foods you can eat and food you don't eat during the challenge. Imagine my surprise, so needless to say, I ordered another challenge kit (I didn't want Chuck to feel left out - so I ordered him one too!)
So today, we started out on an adventure to healthier, happier and more energized Chuck and Amelia. The fiber drinks on days 1-3 and 7 - 10 are pretty terrible, not bad tasting, they just have a texture that is hard to stomach. But hey, we are 1/6 of the way there already :)
I have to admit, diet coke has been the worst thing to resist all day. I had a meal replacement shake for breakfast, an orange, lemon pepper tuna and a few strawberries for lunch, a banana, and a salad with a little grilled chicken, lots of tomato, boiled eggs, fresh pineapple, craisins, and organic mixed greens with just a sprinkle of lite raspberry vinagrette, 2 sparks and extremely ridiculous amounts of water.
Have I lost my mind, I think that is a YES, not only have I committed to this 24 day challenge, maybe longer, I have re-enrolled in BootCamp Ines - a 3 day a week running program, I have also signed up for 3 - 5K runs before our wedding (with the last one being on my wedding day, *note we are getting married in 1 month, 1 week and 2 days from today). I have also signed up for the Warrior Dash, April 21 in Jackson, MS. Only one more to contemplate...Gumtree 10K...I think I can, I think I can, I think Chuck and I may run this one together!
We weighed this morning and we will post results after the first 10 days. And I know, Chuck will lose twice as much weight as I will, and I will be happy for him, I will be happy for him (although I am the one who needs to lose the most to look fabulous in my wedding dress!)
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Oh what can change in a year!
Today is my mama's birthday, Happy Birthday to the best mama in the world!! Today also would be my 8th wedding anniversary. This time last year I was very bummed and trying to figure life out - for those that do not know me, I had just kicked my husband out of the house in late January and I was getting ready to sign divorce papers. I battled with thoughts like, I don't want to be a 33 year old divorcee, who wants to marry a woman that has already failed at one marriage, and who wants to marry a divorcee? I read a quote from a friend on facebook - "You may not be where you thought you would be, but you are where you are supposed to be, where God intended you to be all along" I could not get those words out of my head. It was my God talking to me telling me everything was going to be ok.
He was going to take care of me and little did I know, he was preparing me to meet the man he had hand selected for me. I will blog about all this later, just know I met my Prince Charming, and we are planning our wedding.
So today one year later, on my first un anniversary :), Chuck and I went to the Courthouse and picked up our marriage license and then went to the post office and mailed the invitations to our wedding, St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2012!
Oh what can change in one year!!
He was going to take care of me and little did I know, he was preparing me to meet the man he had hand selected for me. I will blog about all this later, just know I met my Prince Charming, and we are planning our wedding.
So today one year later, on my first un anniversary :), Chuck and I went to the Courthouse and picked up our marriage license and then went to the post office and mailed the invitations to our wedding, St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2012!
Oh what can change in one year!!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)