10/26- Lose your face, lose your name, then get fitted for a suit of flames

Weight Loss for the Week: 3 lbs

Okay, it was a better week. I was able to track everything, and I got in a few workouts. I also ate in most night, and packed my own lunches. Controlling most of my own meals always helps keep me on track. It's also better for my budget. I am glad to have lost what I gained. Now, I just need to keep losing. I have faith, and some new recipes to help vary my diet and curb some of my cravings.

School was fine this week, a bit hectic, but good overall. All my classes started new units, and they're moving through them pretty easily so far. I am looking forward to my seniors' classes this Friday since they are making horror films to show in class on Halloween :)  I am hopeful that they will turn out well for the most part. And since they're both at the end of the day, it might be a way to keep me and the kids from losing our sanity on a Halloween/Friday/Jeans Day.

On Monday, I went with a few friends to see "Aida" at SBA- they did such a good job! Tuesday, CYA had trivia at Huey's, and while we didn't place, we had a lot of fun. Wednesday, I lead Bible Study since Matt was out of town. Thursday, Sean and I had a fun, festive night in complete with gumbo, pumpkin pie fudge, and "The Nightmare Before Christmas." Friday, we had Kristin's baby shower after school. We had a very nice time, and she got some really cute items for Baby Girl McDouble. That evening, I went to the Wicked Ways Haunted House with Angela a friend of hers who was visiting. It was really good! I have some students in it, and it was so neat to see them doing something like this.  After that, we went to Earnestine and Hazel's because Angela wanted to see if it was actually haunted. It seemed to me to be a bit of a dive... and in need of a few repairs...

Yesterday, I went over to Mom's mid-morning to clean and help her get ready for her Oktoberfest party. I stayed for awhile catching up with Mom and making sure as much was ready for the party as possible. Then, I came home to rest for awhile before the party. That evening, I got Kerry, and we went to my Mom's to visit and enjoy all the tasty treats! There was a nice group for dinner. We had plenty of laughs throughout the evening. And everyone loved all of Mom's autumnal decorations! Today, I went to Mass, and then I helped with the Ministry Fair on behalf of CYA. Then, I went to clean Memaw's apartment before finally getting my pumpkin to carve later this week.

Now, I am making sure I'm ready for all of my classes this week while enjoying all the Halloween movies and TV shows :)

Photos of the Week:

CYA at Trivia

Kristin loving the skeleton outfit!

At Wicked Ways

Thomas looking so regal

Love the wheelbarrow!

Tip of the Week: Don't give up on yourself so easily.

Recipe of the Week: Healthy Gumbo Recipe

10/19- If you don't believe, you'd better get superstitious

Weight Loss for the Past Three Weeks: -3lbs

Yes, it's true. I've gained a few pounds the past few weeks. I haven't made it to the gym a lot in the past couple of weeks. I've eaten out a lot more. And I've had more to drink than I normally do. And it's taken its toll. It feels gross, sad, disappointing. I hate it. It makes me feel like a failure... completely worthless. But that's because I have too much invested in my own body image. It's not the be all end all of who I am, but sometimes I can't get past that being the main thing by which I feel judged. I mean, I love that people know about my struggle and are supportive, but it feels like I'm not just failing myself with something like this, but I'm failing everyone. It's depressing. I'm going all hardcore on tracking and planning workouts for this week in response to how much I hate this feeling.

Okay, onto stuff that doesn't make me feel so shitty. I know I haven't updated the past few weeks- sorry, it's been crazy, good, but crazy for me lately. The first quarter is now done with school, and it ended well enough. I got to house sit for Karen, and then for Jan which was nice. The dogs are all too adorable and loving. It was nice to get to spend time with all of them :) We had a nice Mass, dinner, and bowling night with CYA- yes, I did keep my title of "Queen of the Gutter Balls", never fear. Then, I went to Colorado last Sunday because my Dad and Diane gave me their old Lexus. I love my new car! It's such a nice car. I am so fortunate to get it.

I also got some other fun stuff from them, and from my Aunt Gina when I stayed the night with her on my travels back home. Most things have found a spot in my apartment, but I am still working on making sure everything has its own place. Now, the second quarter has begun, and I think it's going well so far. I can't believe it's almost Halloween. I've gone to two pumpkin patches, and I will go to one more with Sean since we're going to carve pumpkins this week :)  We would have last week, but he ended up helping me unpack and organize instead- he's rather amazing like that. Then, we celebrated nine months together by getting some hibachi at A-Tan's. It was very tasty and fun! We had our monthly CYA dinner this past Friday- it was a lot of fun! Yesterday, I finally caught up on my sleep, and last night, I went out with Kerry to celebrate her birthday.  Today, after Mass, I continued cleaning and organizing before going to Book Club at Katey's house. Tonight, I went to a birthday dinner for Kerry- so much fun!

Now, I'm just making sure that I am ready for the week ahead :)

Pictures of the Week: Dog sitting, CYA Bowling, CO trip, Pumpkin Patch, Hibachi Dinner

Tip of the Week: Don't let setbacks make you give up on your goals.

Recipe of the Week: Chicken Gumbo Recipe