Where I've Been and the Great Slim Down of 2013!

I haven’t blogged in a while.

Truth be told I bit off a bit more than I could chew this Spring. I was working on a second master’s degree, planning a semi formal for one organization and an open house for another. All while trying to maintain a social life. Long story short, I wore myself down and made myself sick. Like really, really sick. It took me nearly six weeks before I started feeling like myself again.

But now I’m back and feeling well! In fact, I feel better than I have in a really long time and it’s time to let y’all in on the secret to my new well being…. Weight Watchers.

I’ve been following the program since March and I wish I felt like blogging about it before now because the difference it has made in my life is huge! To date, I have lost more than 15 pounds and I feel great. I went to the gym last night and did three miles on the elliptical! Can you believe that? Me! The Couch Potato!

I've wanted to lose weight for a while. Not for vanity reasons, but for health reasons. I've been suffering from Type II diabetes for a few years now and several members of my family are experiencing even worse health problems caused from being overweight. It's time for me to get myself healthy!

Eating better and exercising more has got me feeling less tired, way less stressed and so much more happy. I know I have a loooong way to go on this program, but I am excited to take the journey and bring you all along! I’ll try to post more frequently and keep an update on my progress. Wish me luck everybody!

By the way, in my absence I've been working with some friends on a second blog, Horizontal Stripes. It's a fun little blog to help women of size find self-acceptance no matter their size. Check it out here!

I Think, Therefore I'm Single

So… here’s a little update on the whole resolutions thing. I’m doing great at the gym!

I’ve been trying to go three times a week. Last week, even though there were two days I really didn’t want to go, I dragged myself in and left feeling pretty good afterwards – I just have to remind myself of that feeling the next time I really don’t feel like going….

The dating thing? Yeah… That’s a little harder! 

Online dating, what you think it will be:

What it actually is:

What is up with men on dating websites? So, I don’t want to sound like a snob, but… If I put in my profile that I have a master’s degree and I’m working on a second one, and you can’t even string together a complete sentence…maybe you can go ahead and assume that I’m not going to be very interested… Just sayin’.

And I try to hold a conversation, but it’s only been a couple of weeks and I’m already sick of doing all the work! Example chat room conversation:

Random guy: Hey.

Me: Hi there! How are you?

RG: What’s up?

(I’m already wondering what kind of response he’s looking for here… What exactly does he think is up? Obviously not much as I’m clearly sitting at home chatting on my computer…)

I decide to try and spice things up, so I go peruse his profile and notice a picture of him and a couple buddies at a comic book convention. I put in my profile that I like comics though I see no mention of it in his. I’ll use this as a window.

Me: Saw your comic con pic. You’re a Spiderman fan?

RG: Yeah.

Yeah.... Yeah?!? What exactly am I supposed to say next? I type some variation of that's cool and then the conversation completely fizzles. And this is just an example of many conversations I've had! It has me asking, has the creation of Facebook and texting, etc. made it so we no longer know how to hold on a conversation? Where are the questions bro? Or are you expecting me just to swoon at your “Hey” and throw my cell number at you so we can meet up for meaningless sex? What about my profile gave you the impression I was that type of girl?

I'm not expecting to meet a rocket scientist in OKcupid or Plenty of Fish, but I do wonder, where does a girl go to meet a decent, semi-intelligent SINGLE man these days? I'm really starting to think, that I think, therefore I'm single!

This year I resolve... to make more resolutions!

It's that time of year, kids. Time for all the boys and girls to share their plans for the upcoming year! It's trite I know. But I'm hoping by making my resolutions known, you all will keep me accountable. Maybe this will be the first year I keep all of my resolutions!

1. Hit the gym!

Everyone says this one, I know! So why should I be any different? Seriously though, I was member to our town's nicest gym, owned by the local hospital and I loved it. But I let laziness and illness get me kicked out of a great program where I got to go for free. This year I'm back in and I plan on staying in!

2. Be more organized!

I've never been a neat freak, though I'm not a slob either. But in 2012, I went back to grad school, joined the Junior League and decided to find a social life. This left me little time for the unimportant things like housework. So, what does any smart girl do in 2013 when she's looking for solutions to life's problems? I hit up Pinterest! There I found all kinds of great suggested schedules for dividing housework up throughout the week! Another quick visit to shabbyprincess.com for some cute scrapbooking downloads and now the following hangs on my refrigerator!

Somehow, having things broken up like this, makes housework seem like a less daunting task. I don't have to mop all my floors – I only have to do the bathroom today! It makes the whole thing seem much more approachable and doable. Three days in and my kitchen, bathroom and living room all look gorgeous! And I am much less stressed about the rest of it! Whew!

3. Stop taking everything so personally.

This one is a hard one for me. I have a habit of thinking everything someone says is a dig at me in some way. Call it insecurity, call it being oversensitive, whatever. It's a problem I've had since I was a child and I need to get over it. So, in 2013, if you have a problem with me, you're going to have to tell me about it, because I am going to be over in my own space trying to assume that you don't! Did that make sense to anyone but me?

4. Get back on the horse, romantically speaking.

I've been knocked around a little emotionally the past few years. Because of that, I've been a little hesitant to put myself back out there. But this year, I'm going to do it! So friends, this is your invitation for setups. If you know someone, help a girl out. This is the year when Ginny starts to date again.

5. Take time for myself.

School, pets, Junior League and other community commitments has sometimes had me feeling a little spread thin. So this year, I'm taking time for myself. I vow to take time to stop and smell the wine, when needed. So friends, if I tell you I need to be alone one night, it's not because I don't love you and don't want to spend time with you. It's just because I need some quiet time for myself to rest and replenish. I hope you understand. In the end it will make me a much happier, relaxed person.

That's all, folks! My resolutions for 2013! I'll try and keep you updated on how well I'm doing at keeping them. Wish me luck and happy new year!

Joy to the World! Joy to ME!

Or How the Junior League (and a few other things) Saved My Life

So, for the last two years, I've been a complete Scrooge over the holidays. I haven't put up a tree, I haven't really wanted to celebrate at all. 

Those that know me well – and have known me a while – can tell you that the last few years have been so difficult for me. I lost my dad and a close friend to cancer, fell hard for someone and lost him, then immediately lost a dear friend in a horrendous one-two punch. I've been sullen and depressed and I didn't even want to be around myself, let alone anyone else. I'd be lying if I said there weren't days I considered ending it all....

What a difference a year can make! 

In January, I took things into my own hands and decided I would make some friends. So, I joined the local chapter of the Junior League. I was worried it might be a group of stuffy, snobby well-to-do ladies (you know, like the girls in The Help), but I couldn't have been more wrong! The group is very diverse, with all ethnicities, income levels and ages. They are very active in the community, giving to agencies to improve child mental health, and I'm so proud to be a part of it. I've had the opportunity to make some new friendships for which I am so very grateful!

I've also gone back to school. The reasons for going back were numerous, but mostly it was to keep my brain stimulated and to keep me interested in something besides just sitting around watching TV (don't worry, TV fans, I'm still a couch potato, just not as bad as before!). It's sometimes stressful, but I am so glad to have the opportunity to continue my education and to keep learning and growing. 

Now I've gone from sitting home alone feeling sorry for myself to running around wishing I had time to sit down! It seems like there's always something going on.

BUT I'M HAPPY! :-)

I didn't even realize the change was occurring until this past month. And now with Christmas approaching? Forget about it! I can't stop smiling. I can't stop humming Christmas carols! I can't stop buying decorations! Last night, I ran into Hobby Lobby to get some magnets for a craft project, and I left with a mini-tree for my desk, yet another stocking and a little sprig of holly to place in the bud vase of my car! 

I'm in a completely different frame of mind this December than months before and I wish to thank everyone who helped me get here, but there just isn't enough time or web space! But I'm especially grateful to my mom, my brother, my sister-in-law and their beautiful family, the girls in the Junior League and my dear friend Rachael, who always manages to make me feel sane even when I feel everything around me is insane!

This holiday season, take time to appreciate those that are there for you when times are tough. For all those who have loved me, know you are appreciated and loved in return. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Sunday Shoutouts

Happy Sunday all! I hope everybody is having a wonderful weekend! 

I am straight chillin' in the house today as I got a little too much sun at yesterday's Ribbon Walk and Ride for Cancer, but what a great experience it was! Check out my awesome team:

We dressed all 80's style because we were the Valley Girls (we work at Cape Fear Valley, get it?), but now I have some very strange tan lines due to all the layered tank tops and bracelets... C'est la vie!

Anyway, that's my first shootout! The event was awesome -- kudos to my co-workers, Tara Hinton and Jason Brady, and everyone else who had a hand in putting it together. Great job, y'all! Another thanks to everyone who came out. I was walking for my dad, who we lost to liver cancer, and my friend, Angel, who lost his battle with stomach cancer earlier this year. It really touched my heart to see all the survivors out there walking in the heat. And everyone walking in support of survivors and victims! It was so inspiring.

I've got some products I want to give a shout out to. 

First, and people are probably getting sick of hearing me talk about it, but I have to rave about Ulta brand nail polish again! I usually only buy pretty pricey nail polish brands because my nails are weak. They bend a lot and my nail polish just chips right off. Like right off. Like 12 hours later with the cheap stuff. 

I've had some good success with some nicer brands like OPI and Butter London. But even those don't last more than 2 days before they start to chip. But Ulta put their polish on sale for $2 this month (what a steal!) and I needed some hot pink for my Valley Girl costume, right? RIGHT! 

So I tried it and I am in love! The first color I tried, I had it on for 6 days and not one chip! I only had to take it off so I could apply my pink for today's walk. And speaking of pink, take a look at this polish! I just love it. So bright and smooth. Did I mention this was only ONE COAT?!?!? Ulta nail polish girls, go getcha some!

While I was at Ulta I asked the sales girl about lip gloss, yet another makeup product I can't manage to keep on my body for any length of time. Apparently, I suck my lip in when I think. As a writer, I think a lot. So I chew off my lip gloss within an hour of putting it on. Every time. If I get the really thick kind it'll last a little longer, but it is always really sticky and my hair sticks to it. Ew. Eating hair all day sucks.

Sales girl recommended Smashbox to me. Apparently they have a line of lip gloss called Limitless wear. It's not limitless, no, but it did manage to stay on my lips through four hours of thinking, lip biting AND diet coke sipping. That is a pretty glowing recommendation, if you ask me. Smashbox, kids, tell your friends. Check it out here!

Tisha UnArmed.
As you can see by her T-shirt, she has quite the sense of humor!

My last shout out? Have you all ever heard of Tisha UnArmed? This is a girl who was born with no arms and one leg shorter than the other. Does she let that slow her down? Hell to the no! What an inspiration! Tisha drives, she dresses herself, showers herself, she even eats sushi! Check out her YouTube channel and you will never complain about your easy life again. OK, you might. I probably still will. But I'll feel REALLY BAD about it!

Have a good Sunday, y'all!

Let's get charitable!

OK, those of you who know me, know I try to help others when I can. But I can't always do it myself. Sometimes I need the help of my friends! I have a lot of opportunities coming up where my friends can help me help others. I don't want to be chasing people down, asking for money all the time, but I sure would like some help. Take a gander at my list... Maybe there's something going on that you would like to help me with??? Come on, people! Let's get charitable!

Coming up first is the Gently Used Purse Sale for the Child Advocacy Center! It's next Saturday, Aug. 25, from 9 am to noon, at Max Abbott Middle School. Admission is only 5 bucks and there's tons of cute bags (I've seen some) for sale! Like this one: 

Y'all can see that Kate Spade label on there, right? Cuz I can!

The Child Advocacy Center is near and dear to my heart. They do great things over there for abused children and they could use some help too. Plus, PURSES people!

In September, I'll be walking in Cape Fear Valley's Friends of the Cancer Center Ribbon Walk and Ride. 

The older I get, the more cancer is touching me. It took my dad. It took my friend Angel. My sister had a bout with it, and my friend Kim's mom is currently kicking the shit out of it!

The walk is on Saturday, Sept. 15 and I need people to sponsor me. This is exercise people, so you know I take this seriously! Here is the website if anyone wants more information: http://www.ribbonwalkforcancer.org/

Please let me know if you're interested!

If purses aren't your thing, and you have no interest in fighting cancer (WTF people?), you can still help me out by coming to the Blue Jean Ball and bidding on my chair. Everyone likes to sit, right???

The Chair-ity Auction is part of the Child Advocacy Center's annual Blue Jean Ball where party-goers can bid on one-of-a-kind chairs decorated by people of the community. One of the chairs this year will be created by yours truly (and whoever I can get to help me)! So grab your best blue jeans and boots, pack up your pardner and do-si-do on over to the Blue Jean Ball on Oct. 6 to bid on my chair! It's for a great cause!

OK, so there you go. An entire post about me with my hand out. But I'm just trying to help some of those around me. ANd I'm ready to feel the love and support (and the green y'all) of those that love ME. Won't you help me help others?