How Old Am I?

I must be getting old....I for the past few months I've somehow lost track of how old I am!  I really thought that I was 32 years old....really!  It wasn't until the other day while in the office visiting with a few ladies that Hunter pointed out how old I was....he said "Mom you are 33 and dad is 35" and I must have argued with him for a good 10 minutes.  As our conversation moved on to something else ( I was still thinking about how old I was) it dawned on me that I was 33!  Good grief! 

They say the mind is the first thing to go....

So 34 is coming around the corner and I am ready....bring it on!  Hoping that my 34th year is full of love and happiness!

PICKY PICKY

I have a confession....I. AM. PICKY. ABOUT. MY. FRIENDS.  I can't just hang out with anyone....and if they annoy me even a little....I'm probably not going to hang out with that person.  Nope.  I can't do it.  I want to be around open minded, laid back and down to earth people.  You can come from any background, socioeconomic status, religion, ethnic group....just be cool. 

Tonight we were invited to one of Ferd's coworkers surprise birthday party...he is a great guy and so is his wife...but I don't do POLICE functions....nope there is something about the vibe that "some" of the wives and girlfriends put off....I just can't take it.  It is almost they think that because their spouse or boyfriend is a Police Officer, they are special.  I just don't get it....I respect the work that Policemen and women do, but I also understand and have experienced the not so great perks of the life of a police officer - the crappy shift work, overtime, court appearances when they should be off, and don't even get me started on the badge bunnies....nope, not even going there tonight.  It's just so weird....I appreciate the uniform, but must admit that I have a little more respect for our men and women in uniform - I know that sounds bad, but it's the truth.  I am proud of Rick and all that he has accomplished in DPD, but he never gets a pass just because he is a police officer.  Thank goodness he is also in the ARMY.    Anyway, I digress...out of the 45 or so people there....there were probably only 10 people that I really enjoyed talking to.

 I've been thinking about this all evening and I've decided that the trouble is that I already have such great friends and they've just set the standard too high.  I'm just glad that I have such great friends in my life - I just wish that we all lived closer so we could gather on birthdays and have family BBQ's.  Maybe I can convince everyone to meet somewhere in the middle for a I'm a super Friend and I Rock BBQ.  I must get started on this.  Oh the fun that could be had....I'm thinking it would be great to rent a cabin at one of our many Lake Resorts and inviting all of my friends and their families out for a weekend of fun....hmmmm the wheels are turning!

Sleep?!?

All day I've been so tired.....just plain worn out.  I made it to my office by 6:00am worked until almost 7:30am came home got my kids up and around and then took them to the office for the day (I really wanted to take the day off, but duty calls - SCHOLARSHIPS).  By the time we made it home this evening (5:30) I was dead on my feet.  I let the kids watch the disney channel and I took an hour nap (I'm guessing that is why I'm awake now).

I am so ready for the Punisher to get home....sometimes being a military wife is stressful.  The good news is...by this time tomorrow I will be snuggled up with my soldier.  I <3 the Punisher...I've even missed him in the gym....I won't remember that little comment during our first workout!  The kids have missed him and they are in need of some serious daddy time (and Hunter NEEDS a haircut).

If I could just get off of the computer and get into the bed...I might be able to go to sleep!

Happy Boobday!

Tomorrow is my year boobiversary :). I never in a million years thought that I would have a my breasts augmented....but then I had two children and breastfed one for a year and the other for 5 months...and that wreaked havoc on my girls. After weaning Hunter my girls were replaced by twin ski slopes. I went from my prepregnancy full B to a negative B. After years of wearing padded bras and hoping that they would come back I began to seriously consider implants. I researched for two years and even had a consult, but my fear of dying during surgery (I had a hard time reconciling the idea of being a responsible mother who doesn't take risks and the part of me who wanted to be happy with my body).
After another year of thinking, praying, research and encouragement from the DH I decided to dive into the world of breast implants.

I can honestly say that it was the best decision of my life and I can't believe that I didn't do it sooner. I had the surgery for me...I can fill out a bikini top and honestly love the way they look and feel! Enjoy them more than the hubby....well at least as much as he likes them, but for mostly different reasons!

The last year has been a year of first and joy with the girls and I'm happy to have them around...the D's are a welcome addition to our family. Happy BDay D(s)!

Unbeweavable

I get it now.  I understand why women get weave....it is so convenient!  My love affair with weave ended last night...we made it almost two months, but I must say I am happy to be back to me....all natural - except for, well that is a blog that I will save for tomorrow.

For the last two months I have been able to wash and go with my hair...it was pure bliss.  Normally the process of washing and styling my hair takes anywhere from 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 hours....it depends on how thorough I am...and most times I shoot for the 2 1/2 time frame and that is not good for my hair.  Back to the story of parting with the weave. 

I really hadn't planned on taking it out last night, but yesterday afternoon while walking back from the Financial Aid office on campus with my dear friend Tomyra, I noticed that my braids were loosing up....I am the kind of person that when I notice one little problem, it is all that I can think about....so by 6pm last night I was making the first cut of string.  Now first let me say that the process of taking it out by myself was a booger...at one point I thought that I might just start cutting my hair just to get the weave out!  It took me 1 1/2 hours to take it down.  To help demonstrate the process of doing my hair I took a few pictures along the way.








Weave after two months of wear and tear.











The next step in the process - "perm" as we brown girls say

 - but a relaxer or straightener.  It took me about 15 minutes to get it all in

and since I have SUPER thick hair I leave it in for 40 minutes.

I have to have it straight!





After shampooing, conditioning, blow drying, flat ironing.



After the bestie spent a couple of hours flat ironing and after a night (4 1/2 hours) of sleeping on it.







So this process took me about 6 hours to complete....some days being a brown girl, with thick brown girl hair is work!  Maybe one day weave and I will meet again, but for now I'm on my own.

Ah the joys of being a LBG ;)















Sometimes I Should Go With My First Instinct

What a day....I can't believe that I am just now getting around to blogging.  My day (technically yesterday) started out fairly early and busy.  I helped three students get enrolled, make FAFSA corrections, and start scholarship apps for our state organization all while working on the regional scholarship applications - all before noon.  Went home for lunch and discovered that I really need to go the grocery store...I had to eat ravioli...so much for eating healthy.  I spent the rest of my work day going through membership rosters and making phone calls....I won't even get on my soapbox about that....and ended up working until 6pm.  I ran home to change into my workout clothes and ended up falling asleep until a little after 8pm.  I didn't get to the gym until almost 10pm....I'd almost talked myself out of working out and just going back to bed, but decided that I needed to say on track.  So off I go to the gym....I get there and end up doing yoga (because I felt like I was being rude to the gentleman who was insisting that I "try some moves")...45 minutes later I am trying to figure out how in the hell to get away from the guy!  At this point I've decided that I'm even going to try to get my leg and shoulder workout in....so guess who will be in the gym at 5:30 in morning?!?  I can't go in the evening because he will be there!  Don't get me wrong he wasn't creepy scary, he really was trying to be helpful and give me "pointers".  I should have just insisted that I needed to stick to my workout, but I just couldn't walk away...I felt as if I was being rude.  Oh well it was definitely a learning experience.

I'm sure I'm gong to be sore tomorrow!  He had me stretching muscles I never knew that I had....it was just a weird experience.  Weird.  So now I won't be working out in the evening without Rickferd.  I'm off to bed....4 hours until I need to be up and in the gym.  I should have just stayed home and gone to bed.  Next time I will go with my first instinct.

I Have NO Words

What a busy weekend.  I had a great time with my girls in Tulsa!  I love spending time with important people in my life.  There are so many things that I want to say about our little concert experience...and I will (tomorrow) but for now just let me say I saw many things that could supply my blog for months.  After the concert was over Amber and I stayed up until 5:30 in the morning just talking...we have so many things in common and I truly love that girl!  I love the way she thinks and the way she sees the world.  It was a great time :)  We were up by 10:30 out of our hotel by noon and then we hit up The Cheesecake Factory - YUMMMMMM.  I managed to eat a small portion of of chipotle chicken pasta and about half of my lemon raspberry cheesecake....it was wonderful.  We parted ways with Amber after lunch and then ran into the mall to grab makeup for miss Stephanie - we were in and out of there.  We made it to my house in pretty decent time and I ended up visiting with the hubby and then taking a quick nap before hitting the gym.  All in all a great day :)

Chest/Tricep Workout
Chest -
Power Pushups 2 sets/8 reps with 30sec rest between sets
Bench Presses (free weights - 25lb weights) 4 sets/10 reps w/1 minute rest between sets
Incline Dumbell Press (25lb weights) 4 sets/10 reps w/1 minute rest between sets
Press Machine (100lbs) - 3 sets/10 reps/ w/1 minute rest between sets

Triceps
Lying Tricep Extensions  (20lb dumbell) - 3 sets/10 reps w/1 minute rest between sets
Extension Machine (100 lbs) 3 sets/10 reps w/ 1 minute rest between sets
Tricep Pressdowns (90 lbs) 3 sets/10 reps w/ 1 minute rest between sets

I thought about hitting the elliptical...decided against it as I was just too darn tired.  I'm proud of myself for making it to the gym! Go me...


My parting gift to you and the tease for the post to follow (tomorrow): 

I wonder how many sit ups/crunches he does in a day?  I'm so jealous!

Getting There

I'm starting to get a little bigger and a little stronger! :)  Whoo hoo...not quite a gun show, but progress!  I have to give a special shout out to the Punisher!!!  :)

Don't Flash a New Kid

That would be the last thing my husband said to me tonight.  Well that and "Let SL do that...it would be a great story for her grandkids"  LOL!  He knows how much she loves them (the New Kids....well Jordan actually) Hahahahaha!  After assuring my DH that I wouldn't show "his" boobs to a New Kid he was content!  LOL...He cracks me up!  Now if we were going to see Eminem or Matthew Mayfield I might have to think about it!  Ha!

I am really excited to get to hang out with the ladies....we are going to have great fun!  I <3 Girl time! :) 

By this time tomorrow I will be laughing it up and telling stories with some super awesome ladies.  I love my friends!

I'm off to rest up...and perk up the ladies...they might have to make an appearance....hahahaha!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE M&F Hers

I had a great workout this evening!  I've been mixing the workout with the Punisher and M&F Hers lift to burn workout... and I love it!  :)

Tonight's workout:
Back and Biceps

Back:
Dumbell power rows 3 sets/10 reps w/30 secs rest between sets
Barbell bent-over rows 3 sets/10 reps 1-2 min. rest between sets
Pulldowns (superset) 4 sets/15 reps
Straight-arm lat pulldowns 4 sets/15 reps

Biceps:
Seated Curls with 25lb weights 3 sets/10 reps 1 min rest between sets
Standing Curls with 40lbs 3 sets/10 reps
Incline Dumbell curls (superset) 3 sets/20 reps
Prone incline dumbell curls   3 sets/20 reps

15 minutes on the elliptical - fat  burning setting.

Great workout! :)  I am so loving this!  I miss the Punisher though :(  Ready for him to come home.

Being the Chair of a Project is Overrated

The Challenges of being Scholarship Chair

1. Constant clutter.

2. The opportunity to deal with people who have no regard for deadlines.

3. The joys of sorting HUNDREDS of emails and documents.

4. The opportunity to deal with people who have no regard for deadlines (did I say that already?).

5. Discover how unprofessional some of your peers are (if you say you are going to write a recommendation for a student - DO IT?  Their incomplete application won't be read because of YOU. And if you are given an extended deadline - take advantage of it!).

Perception/Preview (sort of)

Warning:  There might be a photo of a woman in a bathing suit....just wanted to warn you.  You have the opportunity to turn back.  Ok....I've done my part! 

Perception / Optical Illusion - what do you see?  Santa Clause or a girl in a bikini?

Ok so that is my idea of a preview...I'm not ready to show it all....so we've played with the view....in August the picture will be clear.

PS - not trying to look porn starish....that is the only way I could take the picture myself....couldn't call Jaylin in to take the picture...and Rick was out of pocket.  So I've decided that I really like the pictures....I can only imagine how much better (toned and muscled) thing will be in month!  I'm getting excited :)

Now just to erase the image from your mind, feast your eyes on this..................

How cute is this little puppy....a friend found it abandoned :(  If anyone is in the market for a cute pup, let me know!

Captured

The last few days have been super busy!  I feel like I've been running in circles.  I am ready for some time off and time with my girls! <3  Looking forward to the weekend!

Today was my first day in the gym without the Punisher....I miss him!  I jokingly complain about his training demands, but I miss having him around in the gym.  My workout tonight (I went late 8:30 to 9:55) was all about legs:

Brina's Leg Workout

15 minutes on the elliptical to warm up my legs - just did the fat burning mode.
5 minutes of stretching

Jump Squats 2 Sets/3-5 reps w/30 sec. rest between sets.
Leg Press (150lbs) 3 Sets/20 reps w/30 sec. rest between sets.
Leg extensions (90lbs)  3 Sets/25 reps
superset with Leg Curls (just means no rest -between sets just rotate between leg extensions and Leg Curls) - 3 Sets/25 reps
Romanian deadlifts 3 Sets/25 reps w/30 sec. rest between sets
Standing calf raises 3 Sets/10 reps
superset with Seated Calf raises (150lbs) 3 Sets/30 reps

15 minutes on the elliptical
10 minutes on the bike
10 minutes of stretching/cool down

It was a pretty good workout...I'm glad that I talked myself into going...instead of going to bed.  The captured part came in when I was trying to leave the gym.  Our gym is a 24 hour gym and after 8pm you have to use the key to gain entrance.  There were about 8 people working out when I got there and by the time I was done there were about 6 people and they were witnesses to my being captured.  I try to walk out the door and I couldn't get out....I could not open the door!  I was so embarrassed!  I had to get someone to open the door....it just has a handle on it that you push to go out....I just couldn't get the door open.  I know I should spend most of my time in the gym...but being locked in was not my idea of a good time!  The worst part about it is that there is a camera pointed at the door...so the gym manager is going to get a good laugh at watching me try and try to push open the door! 

In other news...the Punisher made it to Ft. Pickett (in Virginia) today...2+ weeks without him....I think that I am lost already :(  I'm so good at being a non needy wife, but there are times that you just miss being around a person....it is going to be a long 2 weeks.  I am also missing Jaylin and Hunter - they are staying with Grandma during the work week....I'm looking forward to seeing them on Friday!  I must admit though that it is nice to have a quiet and clean house!  I'll bring them home for a few days and then I'm off for a gathering with some of my favorite girls!   :)  I love time with my friends!   It's going to be a great time! 

I'm off to download a few pics from my trial run with the bathing suit...I may post a preview....don't worry I'll warn you!

Trial Run

This afternoon I got the bright idea that I should try on a couple of bathing suits and take pictures..........um why?  It only motivated me to work a little harder.  It's not as bad as it could be, but let me just say having two children has done its damage to my tummy.    Lord help me....stretch marks are the devil!  I'm not sure if I'll ever wear a bikini out in front of other people again.  I'm thinking that if things don't tighten up drastically, I'll be rocking an awesome tankini for my birthday picture!  

Bring on the gym....one month (and a few hours) until operation bare it all (almost all of it).

Random Facts About Me

I'm up...can't sleep, so I decided to blog.  Every now and then I get in the mood to share random facts and tonight...er...this morning is your lucky day.

Random Fact #1 - I am a hopeless romantic.  I believe is surprises, flowers, romantic getaways, sappiness, love songs and love stories.  I believe in true love.  I believe that there is that one person out there that will forever make your heart skip a beat...I believe in love.  I love those cheesy, sappy, ROMANTIC YouTube videos of marriage proposals...not too long ago I spent a couple of hours just watching those...and crying my eyes out.  I am a sap.  I am a lover of love.  I need to be rehabilitated....no scratch that...I love that I am a romantic and lover of all things romancy (not a word, but it works for me today).

Random Fact #2 - I am SUPER tenderhearted...I cry when watching kid movies (Toy Story 3 gets me every time), commercials, if I see anyone else cry...that's it I'm done.  If I see a man cry....Lord help me it is over!  I just finished watching an older movie (Life as a House)....I cried the last 20 minutes...the snotty cry, the can't catch your breath cry (it may be because I can relate to the Dad issues)....I don't know...maybe because there were men crying. My point is that I am sometimes too emphatic for my own good...if you could see me now the puffiness and redness of my eyes would scare you.  I've been in a super tender mood since yesterday - we are faithful Texas Rangers fans and if we are going to a game we are watching it on TV or listening to it on the radio - and the tragic accident yesterday took my breath away.  I think it is because that is something that I see happening to Rick and Hunter - the last time we were at a game Rick took Hunter and Jaylin down to try to catch balls at BP....it could happen to anyone.  I've always believed in cherishing every moment because tomorrow isn't promised, but for some reason this has stayed with me.  It had an effect on Rick as well.  Last night or yesterday morning (in the early morning hours) while on patrol Rick sent a really sweet and heartfelt text.  Life is short.  Tell those around you that you love them....that they are important to you.  It makes me want to cry just thinking about it.  Like I said...I'm tender hearted.

Random Fact #3 - I Love candy....love it!  Jolly ranchers, starburst, lemonheads, strawberry discs, hot tamales, bubble gum, banana taffy, peppermint taffy....I eat chocolate occasionally, but the way to my heart is through the sweet and sour candies.  I've had to cut back lately...trying to get into super shape by 8.10.11 - have to put the candy away....I think I'll break into the Mike and Ike (lemonade blends) that I found today at the grocery store....I'll only have a few! 

Until next time....I'm off to savor my candy.

Opportunity

I am spending my day off working on scholarship applications ( organizing for my readers)...I'm a little disappointed in the number of applications at this point....wondering why students don't take advantage of opportunities.  When I was a student I completed as many applications as I could...I like the idea of free money.  I guess students these days think that writing a one page essay is too much work. 

My children will learn and know the importance of opportunity.

I will keep working...I will not be deterred today!

Where to go?

I've decided that I need to start planning my dream vacation.  I'm not going to be able to go any time soon, but I want to start planning and saving for a trip just for me.  It can be a girls trip, a me trip, a couples trip....I don't care....I just want to go somewhere. 

The problem with planning a trip isn't really funds...I'd be willing to give up a few things so that I could save for a trip...the problem is that if I want to travel with my husband.....I'll never get to go.  Finding the time has always been an issue for him.  Being a police officer doesn't allow for a lot of time off....and by itself one could work around the dilemma of working at a small PD (45 officers).  The other issue is that the hubs is also a member of the US Armed Forces (reserve) which means that any time that he has in the summer is taken up by the required 2+ weeks summer camp (which also eats up whatever normal leave that a person might have at the PD).  The third and travel killer is that the hubs is also an avid hunter....which means that there is a week in September that he will be traveling with his father and cousin to travel to Wyoming for an Antelope hunt (which I am excited about because I love antelope and am looking forward to stocking my freezer). 


It is just unfortunate becuase after hunting season (middle of January) there is an open period and then I'm busy at work :(  And then turkey season is the month of April).  So basically if I want to travel as a couple...I'd better pick up hunting or take the occasional weekend (not very many of those because the hubs days off are on Sunday & Monday and he has to take off one weekend a month for military service).  The one week I'm off in March will be dedicated to taking the kids on a special trip (Disney World).

I can't claim to be all innocent...between all of the conferences (professional & student), board meetings (state and regional) and keeping up with school schedules for Jaylin & Hunter it is hard to find a decent block of time.

So I'm looking for a few happy go lucky female friends who are up for a little girl travel.  :)  That is if I'm going to go to any of the spots that I'm looking at:  Destin, Belize, Hawaii, Cabo San Lucas.  I want white sandy beaches and foo foo girly drinks and no stress.

Who's up for it?

I made it...

I spent most of the day in bed recovering from my long night.  I eventually had to get up to make a run to the pharmacy (hopefully my stomach will settle down) - and take my mother to run a few errands (who does that to their child when they are sick?  My mom!  LOL).  I took an afternoon nap and when I got up the Punisher encouraged me to try the gym....said it might make me feel better.  So off to the gym I went ( I was missing it yesterday) had a pretty decent chest and triceps workout ( still felt a little puny).  I guess I'm glad that Rick encouraged me to go...now I'm ready to hit the shower and then go to bed.  I'm hoping to be back to normal by tomorrow. 

Missing the Gym

I haven't worked out since Saturday.  Sunday is the weekly day off and then with yesterday being a holiday I didn't find my way to the gym....and now today.  Today I am sick....the kind of stomach sick that  no girl wants to be.  So no gym for me....wouldn't want to have an accident....it would bring a different meaning to dropping weight.  Hahaha.  Here's to hoping that I feel better tomorrow.  August 10th is quickly approaching!

Believe it or not - I. Miss. The. Gym.

Mount up....

We are getting ready for a fun day with Jaylin and the rest of her softball team!  We are heading to a Rough Riders game to celebrate the girls and their successful season.  Should be good times!  :) 

Our 4th of July is going to be pretty low key....I really wished that I lived closer to friends and family.  It would be nice to have a gathering for the holiday.  Rick's schedule keeps us from traveling...ah the life of a policeman and his family.  We are going to make the best of it though....Transformers, lake, fireworks....hot dogs & burgers and time giving thanks for all that have fought for the freedoms that we enjoy today....it will be a great day.

Have a happy and safe 4th of July!  Thank a service member if you see one!