I'll be back

Sorry for the no blog yesterday lovelies! I PROMISE to blog today. N had a really bad cold the last few days (he's better now, thanks for asking), and he totally passed it on to me and my mom. So yesterday I wasn't feeling too hot (missed spin and yoga, but got a short 2 miler run in there) and today is no different. I have the beginning of a bad cold - super bad achy feeling, head hurts, eyes are watering, coughing, the works! Long story short though- I got a temp job until I start my REAL position in 2 weeks. So, I will blog when I get home from that or maybe if the people are way cool at the place I'm going today, I'll be able to get online and blog from there :)

The loot

After my lovely (and I use that term loosly) 3 mile run on the tready at the gym, and a hurt so good lifting session, I was famished. I was starving for some reason! Not just a stomach growl, but a feeling dizzy starving. So what did I do? The natural thing any woman would do- go to Starbucks! I ordered myself a tall extra hot non fat skinny mocha hold the whip. I have no problem having my protein in the form of a delicious hot beverage. Thanks to darling N for a darling gift card to Sbucks.

So I most def hit the jackpot at Pier 1. When my family decided they were going to do an ornament exchange instead of getting everyone a present, I immediately headed to Pier 1. They have the cutest and most prettiest ornaments ever! I knew they were having a crazy sale so I was very excited knowing that whatever I walked out with, I was going to get a great deal on it. I walked out with the most AMAZING canvas painting, 2 pillows for my new couch, and 2 adorable ornaments. The painting was originally $130, the ornaments were originally $9 and $4, the pillows were normally $25 each, and how much did my trip cost? $60 and some change! You cannot beat this people. The painting will be going right over my new couch and I can't tell you how in love I am with it. I kept thinking about it sitting in my car while I did my other shopping. *side note: I did have to text N to make sure it was a-okay to buy the painting. I convinced him this was a NEED and NOT a want-take notes ladies*

OOO mama loves


The cushy comfy pillows to go on our beautiful new couches


The cutsie ornaments that I won't use or really see till next Christmas :(

Be back in a Jiff

Things over here at California Dreamin are busy! I got the gym to hit and a bunch of FUN errands to run. What I mean by fun is shopping for household knick nacks :) I'll be back later today to blog it up!

Yowza! It's almost 2010!

I gotta get used to typing 2010 instead of 2009 now! Its crazy that we are almost 10 years into the new millenium. It seems like it was yesterday when people were rushing out to get water jugs and flashlights and candles and generators cause the world was gonna end at midnight in 2000! ha ha, apprently not. I have to wonder though, did people back in 510 B.C, think "Oh man! It's almost 511 B.C! Where does the time go?!"
So I'm doing pretty well with my plan. Workout today was 25 minutes on the Precor and 10 minutes of random weights and abs.

Tomorrow I'm planning going to the gym for a 3 mile run and then an upper body weight routine. I don't know what it is, but I love working my upper body more than Charlie Sheen likes to play with knives. I don't wanna be all buff amazon woman, but I want those guns to be poppin. Then on Wednesday (this day is gonna be crazy), I am taking 2 classes AND running 2.5 miles! Look at who steps it up while she is not working!I am running 2 miles in the morning and then going to a 1 hour yoga class and then going back to the gym after in the afternoon for a 30 minute spin class! And it doesn't stop there folks. I really gotta focus on my fitness these new few months and I really gotta put in overtime before I start my new job. Then Thursday the plan will be another 3 mile run and Friday? Just to change it up, 30 day shred! Mua ha ha!! Lets just hope I stick to it :)

So tell me whatcha want, whatcha really really want

Who loves the Spice Girls?! MEEEEE!! I hear they are going to do another tour, which you can bet I will be getting tickets to! My faovrite was Baby Spice! She was always the cute bubbly flirty one-hello! Me in a nutshell! Her and Ms. Geri Halliwell, aka Ginger Spice, were criticized for being overweight next to bean poll Vicky Beckham and Sporty Spice. Well not anymore- this(and 3 cups of coffee) have motivated me to run my 3 miles today

Ms. Emma Bunton (BABY SPICE)

Geri (GINGER SPICE-AFTER A BABY TOO!!!)


So Little Mrs. Married has posted a little survey that I am participating in. Why? Because I can & I know you all wanna know stuff about me, mua ha ha ha!




1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
I ran 3 5K's! I was never a runner and I took my health by the horns and lost 30 lb's and accomplished more than I could ever imagine
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I did! I set the typical woman's resolution- to lose 30 lbs and to become a healthier person. I did it! Thanks to sparkpeople, and a gym membership, I. DID. IT!
3. How will you be spending New Year's Eve?
N and I will be spending time with my mom- we are taking her out to dinner and a movie- we are a crazy pair
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My grandpa died :( He had been batteling alzheimers for a few years and my family had sort of expected it. It was very sad, but we know he is in a better place with God.

5. What countries did you visit?
Unfortunatley, I stayed in the US of A! Hopefully in 2010, that will not be the case. N and I DID visit the whole country of America. Driving across it will do that.
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
A 8K or 10K under my belt and a baby on the way
7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
July 31st- Last day at my old job at the Real Estate company in North Carolina. I had to say goodbye to a couple friends who I love! Can't wait to see them again. Maybe a trip in the summer this upcoming year?
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
My 5K's and the accomplishments I've made with my health and weight
9. What was your biggest failure?
Nothing! Failure isn't in my vocab
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had a couple ear infections which brought on nasty flu symptoms, but other than that, I was blessed with good health
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Hmmm....a gym membership? A POD for all of our stuff to be shipped to California? I'm not sure- do I ever make a bad purchase?
12. Where did most of your money go?
Taxes, paying off credit card, and as of yesterday a couch and loveseat
13. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Just Dance, by Lady GaGa
14. What do you wish you'd done more of?
jello shots- no seriously though, probably spend more time with Christine in NC
15. What do you wish you'd done less of?
getting mad over dumb people
16. What was your favorite TV program?
Real Housewives & Jersey Shore! JS came outta no where, but its more addicting than the coffee I can't stop drinking
17. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I don't hate people, but I've never liked a certain person that is still a pain in the ass to many people
18. What was the best book you read?
OOO by far "Beneath a Marble Sky"
19. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Lady GaGa and Lady Antebellum- they can always get me to shake it like a polaroid picture
20. What was your favorite film of this year?
Hmm, this is a hard one. I can't even remember. Most recently Julie and Julia- a really cute movie
21. What did you do on your birthday?
The big 2-3, I celebrated by going out to dinner with my family and having some sushi
22. What kept you sane?
Christine- I worked with her at the Real Estate company and she was the best person ever! Talk about laugh fests
23. Who did you miss?
All my family in friends in CA (up until we moved back of course)
24. Who was the best new person you met?
Oh gosh, hmmm......I can't think of someone who I met in 2009 that I didn't already know.
25. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:
EVERYTHING happens for a reason, and you can't reason with crazy people

Lifestyle changes

Hello lovely blog readers! How was your day? Mine started off on kinda a low note. N went to bed sick last night and he was still sick this morning. I hate it when my hubby is sick. So being the good nurse I am, I doped him up on some Ibuprofen and Mucinex MD. He sounded so congested and he kept saying how his head was so full it could pop. So he stayed home while my mamacita and I went.....furniture shopping!! N & I need new couches (and a few other pieces) so, we had planned on going today, but when the cold from hell decided to drop on in and stick to N, we thought it was best he stayed home and slept. So off we went to boost the economy with money that disappears faster than its brought in with the next best thing- my madre!

After stopping by the new apartment to get room measurements, we stopped by several furniture places and even 2 consignment stores with a budget in mind. There were good deals, but N and I had a budget (and he likes it when I stick to them). FINALLY when my mom and I were driving, we saw those peeps on the side of the road dancing with their signs holding one that said "FURNITURE LIQUIDATION! LOWEST PRICES IN TOWN! CAN'T BE BEAT!" Hey-o! That caught my attention faster than another one of Tiger's hoochies revealing more sext messages. We got there and there were couches and other miscellaneous furniture pieces everywhere. My mom and I walked down every aisle in that place until then *insert heaven music here*, there they were. 2 beautiful pieces that were perfect! Even more perfect? The price! For the both of them, it was $599 (599, are you outta your mind?!). Most def a little more than what N and I wanted to spend, but Karli was in control of this mission and I had my trusty mom there who loves a great deal and she was telling me to go for it! I snapped a pic with my handy dandy iPhone and emailed it to N (who was thankfully awake), to get the approval. Two sick thumbs up from N and out came the check book (ka ching! *insert sad, why can't things be free music here*). Delivery date set and I couldn't be happier and more proud of myself. The deal I walked away with was su-weet! We've never had brand new furniture since we've been married so this will be a lifestyle change for us. We're all growns up *Tear*
Couch

and the loveseat

After the heartache that was giving up a paycheck, my mom and I were famished. So after a quick stop at Kohls, we decided to meet up with one of my very loyal readers. My gramma (HI GRAMMA :D )!! We went to her favorite Mexican place, and it really hit the spot. I wish I had taken a picture of it, cause it was a butte! I had a vegetarian burrito (guac, rice, pinto beans, lettuce, fresh chopped salsa) I finished only half of it cause it was as big as Lisa Rina's upper lip

No way would I be able to finish it. After a nice chat we rolled ourselves over to another consignment store (which is where I fell in love with a lamp that would look great right next to our new couch), and then to Trader Joe's. My mom has MS, and got this book called Ultra-Metabolism, which is a book about your diet and especially making your diet gluten free, which is a must do for people with MS. My mom has symptoms that can get in the way of her doing and enjoying things she wants to do, so I am encouraging her to try this diet. Its recommended by a lot of Dr.'s for patients with MS, and I've read so many reviews by people with MS who love it. So while we were at Trader Joe's, we browsed some sections where she will be shopping. Before N and I moved back to California, I shopped at Whole Foods for most of my produce and some other ingredients my clean eating cookbook called for. So I am going to show my mom where she will be finding a lot of her gluten free ingredients. This is a lifestyle change for her, and she's actually really excited as am I. I've told her I will go on walks with her too, since its important for EVERYONE to get in some sort of cardio everyday (today mine was shopping, duh!)

So tomorrow we are off to Trader Joe's and Safeway to get all of the ingredients for her "Phase 1" of the plan. I'm going to be participating in this lifestyle while N and I still live here, so I'm really excited too! I have heard great things about going gluten free in terms of the difference your body will look. Goes perfectly with my plan

K, I take that back

So I know I said I wouldn't blog until tomorrow, but I before I log off for the rest of the day, I am watching True Life on MTV (Very Christmasy, right?) and it got me thinking. I have lost 30lbs (thank you sparkpeople!!!) from exercising and tracking my calories to a 'T'. The heaviest I ever was in my life was at least 185. Beyond that, I never weighed myself. I am watching the True Life about wanting to lose weight and for some reason it just gets me super motivated. True, I have lost 30 lbs. I am a personal trainer and I have educated myself in fitness as well as nutrition, but I for some reason want to push myself (the competitive side in me). So since N and I will be starting a family in the next coming months, I am determined to get in the best shape possible. I am healthy now, but I want to get super toned. N loves me to pieces no matter what size and to quote him "I look smokin hot" and "bangin", but I want to get to the best shape possible so after I have kids, its easier to get in the best shape possible. I will never forget a quote from Heidi Klum when a reporter asked her, " Stay at home mom's all over America would love to know, how they can get the body you have after 4 kids". Her answer? "Well it depends what sort of shape you were in before. If you were 30lbs overweight before you got pregnant, you can't expect to be where I am" It wasn't word for word that, but pretty darn close. So Heidi, I am taking your advice and I can only get on my knees and pray to Jesus that I look like you after kids. N and I move into our new place January 9th, so I will be able to have super fast Internet again which will in turn let me track my calories accurately on sparkpeople again. So lovely readers of my blog- that's my resolution. More details to come, but that's the basis of it.

O and PS- since being back in the Cali-for-ni-A, I have gotten to my original goal weight baby! Snaps for Karli!

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas & Happy Birthday Jesus

The day I have been waiting for all year is here!!! Will be back in full blog mode tomorrow! I hope you all have a great Christmas and you get everything that you asked for!

Namaste'

I am sitting here in my cozy home in front of a warm fire with Daisy Mae because its 38 degrees this Tuesday night! It's so funny that people (other than Californian's) think its 80 degrees all over CA all year round.

So today was a tough (no idea why it was tough) 3 mile run followed by 55 minutes of yoga. Right when I heard the teacher talk, I got a shiver down my spine- I knew it was going to be a good class. Some people go to yoga for the flexibility benefits, some people go for the "yogi" experience, and I? I go for the goosebumps and relaxation. Its the last pose that you end all yoga classes with- corpse pose.

The teacher, or master as the yogi's call them, will generally talk you through your "cool down" or relaxation period after stretching and holding your body in intense poses for an extended period of time. It's a way to thank your body for being so strong- I on the other hand prefer to thank my body by getting in an extra hour or 2 of sleep (or stopping on the way home from the gym for a Superstar from Carl's Jr).

Tomorrow I am going with my sister to finish our Christmas shopping, and then let the fun begin! Christmas Eve day we have a bunch of family coming over for an early dinner and presents, and then on Christmas, the fam is waking up at the bright and early time of 3 AM! WHEWY!! My sister is making a delish breakfast crock pot recipe and I will be making Fiber One blueberry muffins.

Oh so N and I also decided what we are doing for New Years Eve. Get ready for this wild night I'm about to describe. Are you sitting down? Do you have a brown lunch bag near the computer just in case? N and I are staying home from New Years Eve!!! We've done the whole going downtown and staying out till the early hours of the morning and we've done just doing the small house party thing too. Been there, and got the T-shirt. So we decided since my mom will be all by herself on NYE (brother and dad go north for hunting & niecy poo & sister will be in NC), we'd take her out to dinner and a movie. Some people like to ring in their year by making out with a total stranger and then proceeding to the nearest toilet (or vase), to puke every liquid and solid they've had, but I prefer to ring it in with a little guac (or mucho guac if I'm being honest) and MUCHO margaritas.

Currently on Repeat

Bad Romance by Lady GaGa

Going for my 5K run at the gym followed by some yoga, be back later!


PS- My whole upper body is in sore from yesterday's workout. It hurts so good

God Bless our Troops

Workout today consisted of a nice 3.2 mile run with 30 minutes of upper body weight training

I wanted to say thank you to all of our servicemen and women out there. Especially to those who are far away this time of year. N was away for the whole holiday season when he was in Iraq and I'll never forget how sad it made me to miss our 1st holiday season together.

4 days till our favorite time of the year!!! Are you in the least bit ready?! I am- BRING IT!! But please, don't bring it too fast- I want to soak up every second on Christmas morning.

RIP Tai Frasier

So I'm going to start this blog on more of a serious topic: I am seriously so bummed about Brittany Murphy dying this morning. Here is a brief snip from wikipedia

"...Murphy was rushed to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after suffering a full cardiac arrest and pronounced dead. Reports of her death were confirmed by the Los Angeles County Coroner's office and a spokesperson at the hospital."

Now I do agree with what people are saying, that it probably was drugs and the word on the street was that she had a problem with anorexia, but non the less, she was still a bouncy happy little thing (coulda been the result of the pills now that I think about it). Hollywood has lost an amazing actress. They are saying that her husband is opposing the autopsy which my sister and I both agree that he probably knows she was on some sort(s) of drug(s) and he just doesn't want people to remember her like that. N on the other hand is from the school of "if you can't do the time, don't do the crime". Crime equaling drugs of course. I do agree with him, but still- sad, sad, sad! Her mother, Sharon, was the one who found her too which I can't even begin to imagine finding your child unconscious on the floor.

Now shifting gears here: Working out- I have not worked out once this whole weekend. Yesterday was a day full of walking around, but nothing that I would call a workout. So I sorta feel like a slob today. N and I went to din din with Bestie Bon Bon and her hubby last night at Benihana's and it was so good that I hardly left a thing on my plate- NOT GOOD. The restaurant was kind enough to take my picture as N and I were leaving last night




Sike! That's not me, but in my mind, that's what I felt like. Tomorrow its back to the gym for some mayja working out. I'm feeling an upper body day/run 3 miles sorta day, and maybe follow it up with their addicting vanilla raspberry whey protein shakes. If I could have permanent IV with that stuff in it, I would. You think I'm joking but I'm not- it's that good. Also something else thats just as delicious as a raspberry vanilla whey protein shake, is that I won't be starting my new job till after the 1st! I get to soak up the long workouts and just relaxing till after the holidays!!!

So

I spoke to a lady in the HR department of the company I interviewed at today and she said that I will be getting the job!!! EEEEK!! It hasn't been offically named MY position yet, but she said I would be getting a call from her later on this week or beginning of next week to confirm pay and benefits and all of that great stuff. So either way, before the new year starts, I will have a new job(praise the Lord above!!) I have been thinking a lot about how 2009 has evolved: started my health and fitness kick (and by kick I mean a David Beckham wammy), started and completed my personal training school and passed my test with a high score, packed our apartment and moved all the way across the country to our home, N accepted a good and stable job from a very prestigous company, I accepted a job at a small/fun CPA firm, was then laid off due to unforseen (to me and employers at least) events that occured, threw Bestie since we were 4 years old a successful baby shower, N and I getting our apartment that we l-o-v-e, starting a new job at reputable company and the year isn't done yet! The family "issues" that have happend, have been blessings in disguise for my family and I am thankful that.

Anoter big change - my heeeeeer. I started this year as a brunette, went to blonde, went back to brunette, and am now making my way back to blonde! I am so so so excited and I have a feeling that I will be a blonde for some time since N and I have some "plans" for what 2010 will be bringing :) BABIES *cough cough* I am more than ecstatic. We will be coming up to our 5 year wedding anniversary and N and I are more than ready to start our own family.

On the 12th day of Christmas

My family gave to me: a beautiful Christmas treeeeee

Trying to find THE tree


Maybe a tad too small


We found the perfect one!


We couldn't leave without a snap shot of Bunny boo with Santa Clause


Let the festivities begin! While my dad was putting the lights on the Christmas tree, Monica and Mack-a-tack, were hard at work making deeelicious peanut butter cookies


There she is! Before the decorations attacked her limbs


The lovely decorating committee


The beautiful disaster that was "organizing" the Christmas decorations we've had since me, my sister and brother were babies


Drum roll please.............


My dad is going to add the garland tomorrow, but I must say (in a totally bias opinion of course) it's a beauty! Easy on the eyes if ya know what I mean. Everyone had a good time helping out and Daisy Mae had a fun time with her kong, not helping out

Now it is time to relax by the fire and kick back with N and finish up the Christmas shopping from the nice cozy location that is the couch- the pic is dark but you catch the drift


Can't you just feel the coziness come through your monitors?


Hope you all are having a happy holiday season so far! I am doing really good with interviews and workouts. Last Friday I had my 2nd round of interviews with the same company I interviewed with on Thursday, and it went really well. The guy told me that he thinks I will be hired with no problem. He also told the first lady I interviewed with, that he really liked me and things went really well. I really hope I get this job. Not to get all yippity on you all, BUT I am about to. This just goes to show that a positive attitude will do so much for you. I have kept positive about the whole being laid off thing and just knew that God had something else in mind for me. I have my 3rd and final interview with the company tomorrow at 4:30pm and I will be a nervous wreck I'm sure since it's with the regional manager. The woman whom I interviewed with on Thursday told me that she is a really nice though, so I am not too worried about it. To unravel some of my nerves, I will be running a mile or 2 and going to spin class in the morning. Nothing like sweating all the butterflies straight out to the point of a blackout. Just to keep you up to date from my last post : Shredding and running 3 miles on average, have been accomplished everyday these past few days (snaps for Karli!) Then to keep my UNnervous self busy, I will be running to CVS to get N and mine's Christmas cards printed and at least ready to mail the next day. If the butterflies aren't gone by THIS point, I will return home shortly after I get the Christmas cards and catch up on all the important, soul nurturing shows such as Jersey Shore, Bad Girls Club, and my favorite Teen Mom. Guilty pleasures I tell ya!

Have a splendid week ladies and gents!

I'm sorry - am I missing something?

Unless you've been hiding under a rock or eye hasn't been caught while you are in the check out line at the grocery store, you all know about the fasinating news that Tiger Woods has cheated on his wife with 13 (and counting) women. Really classy women too. Ranging from hookers to porn stars - texts and emails have come out & it makes me sick to even think about. If THIS woman can't keep an honest man, who can?




Look at her! I was baffled! I had to ask N what the heck and even he was speechless and said he would never cheat on her (unless my beautiful sultry self showed up at his door of course). I mean this woman gave birth to 2 of his kids, showed up to almost ALL of his boring games and is gorgeous! Any woman who can sit through hours of golf, they deserve a cookie. If not a cookie, then at least a non cheating husband. And PS, what the heck is the attraction this guy (besides his bank account)?

Greetings from sunny California

We woke up on Monday morning to this

My parents yard/pasture


The Bunny Boo having fun with the doggies


The vegetable garden


While N had to go support his unemployed wife, I and most of the family spent that first day trying not to freeze to death and did a lot of this:




It was beautiful and such a big surprise. Surprised like all the men in America were when they learned that their beloved Megan Fox has toe's for thumbs




The snow made the roads ridiculous! The main road that my parent’s house is off of, looked like something out of a movie! Trees were down in the middle of the roads & bushes were just hanging off of power lines. I don't mean just little wispy tree's either. I mean hundreds of years old oak trees. So our power was out for a total of 2.5 days and I have to say thank God N and I have a gym with a shower cause we were gettin ripe! It was a lot of fun just having candles and everyone gathering around the fire for warmth, er I mean fun, and living like the pioneer's did. It made for an early bedtime since I couldn't watch The Hills or my new personal fav, Jersey Shore.
So ladies and gents, another year of brown hair is coming to an end. For some reason, the blonde in my hair pokes through the brown no matter how many times I go sit in the chair (and pull out the credit card), and my roots are starting to show now that I am OD'ing on prenatal and biotin. My hair grows FAST which is what I want, but my wallet and N are not as understanding to the monthly hair appointments. So, I will be seeing my hair magician sometime before this month ends to get a bajillion blonde highlights put all over my hair. N says he is ready for his blonde wifey again. He has decided that he likes me best blonde. He has a true appreciation for the California girl design: D

Another topic I would like to discuss with you peeps: working out! Since I am still unemployed, I will be making my fitness a first thing in the morning type of deal, like I did when we first got back to California. With the power being out and it being so cold and crazy on the roads these past couple of days, I only went for a short run and went to the gym once and ran a 5K and lifted some weights, so I am most def slacking. On top of eating take out most nights since we didn't have power. So the rest of my week will look like this:

Tomorrow- shred with Jillian in the morning & hit the gym for a nice 3 mile run after my INTERVIEW (Scroll down to the next paragraph to read about it)

Friday - I have nothing planned except getting things ready for Bestie since we were 4 years olds baby shower on Saturday. So I will be going to the gym for a 1 hour yoga class and doing a nice 1 mile run after. Then when I get home - SHRED!

Saturday - Run 3 miles outside before the baby shower so I don't feel guilty when I drink a few insanely delicious margaritas (yes, you read that right: margaritas (non for the mother to be) at a baby shower)

Sunday - A brisk 2 mile run prior to church and then......WE ARE GETTING OUR CHRISTMAS TREE!!!! SO SO SO SO EXCITED!! I have waited for this day all year!!

Now the interview?! you may be asking yourself? Yes, I have an interview with a promising company tomorrow at 10 am! If I get this job, N and I will most def be moving into our apartment & the benefits of this position will be way better than the benefits my previous job offered, so I am praying that I get this. Not only that, but its in a beautiful area AND it will only be 1 exit up the freeway from our apartment and since I am always looking forward, I yahoo! mapped it. It will be approximately 12 minutes from our house, boo ya! Prayers this way please :)


I will be sure to fill you all in on the job tomorrow lovelies