I'm celebrating tonight. Celebrating getting through half of this week. It's been hectic and stressful at work. I was ready for the weekend at 9am on Monday morning. Now, there are just 2 days left until my weekend.
It's funny.. when I think about it.. We always want the work week to fly by... and then come the weekend, we want time to slow down to almost a dead stop. We want to stop to relax, breathe, capture moments that we may not have been able to capture had we been at work. Working with kids, I get to capture unbelievable moments that their parents miss. I get to see first steps, first time going "potty", and first time on the monkey bars without adult help. I'm 23 and I have 8 children. All between the ages of 2 and 3 years old. I have about 100 other children as well, that I get to see from time to time during my day. How lucky I am.
Man... I love what I do.
Though I do love my weekends. The time I get to spend alone. Me time. I love being able to send my kids home, with their parents. I especially get "me" time on Saturdays. Scott has work all day. It's nice to be able to get things done, go for a walk, not put makeup on, write, breath, and stay in my PJs all afternoon. I love that.
One of these Saturdays, I want to get the courage to go to the train station, and board a train. A train heading to one place and one place only... New York City, of course.
I want to go there and walk through Central Park with my ear buds in. I want to go without a big bulky purse... without a map... without a camera... you know, the usual touristy stuff. I just want to go there, and be me... a part of the city... a part of it's people... and just pretend for five seconds that I live there. And that I'm this famous Radio City Rockette, whose season has just ended. And I'm just working on my fitness in Central Park. =)
Random.
But, I may do that one day.
I want to be more spontaneous... it's one of my New Years Resolutions. Can't get more spontaneous than that.
On another note... here is something that makes me smile. I love this poem. It just makes me smile when I listen to it. Especially when I'm alone on nights like tonight... (Scott's guys night out) and none of my friends are able to come over for Wine Wednesdays!
I love this video.. Check it out.. I guarantee you'll smile. How To Be Alone =)
Keep Smiling (it's good for you!),
Karla =)
P.S. I chose the song I'll be walking down the aisle to at my wedding. I'll share next time. =) =)
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
Hearts, Stars, and .. Seating Charts!
Who knew that trying to construct a seating chart for a wedding would be so mind boggling. I'm so lucky to have such a trooper of a fiancee, because he has the patience of a saint. This past Saturday, I decided to drive to my parents house and work on the seating arrangements for the big day. Lets just say, we never really finished it. It's tough! Especially with divorced families and certain family members or friends who hate one another.
I came home from my parents feeling a little defeated, but Scott came home from work and said he would help me out. He shocked me. With his help, we seated the 143 guests in under a half hour!! It was like magic!! It all works so perfectly... it made me wonder why I wasn't able to figure it out in the first place.
So now that the seating is all done, we will be writing out our own place cards soon. Then it's time to order invitations and get those all set to go. I also have a date for the boys to go and get fitted for their suits.
I tried my gown on again when I got to my parents house. I showed my Dad and brother for the first time, and my Dad and I picked out a song that we will dance to together at the reception. It's perfect. =)
It was also nice to feel that the dress is LOOSER on me. YAY.
I lost 1.5lbs this past week. My weigh-in days are Sundays. So yesterday morning was great. Every Sunday morning when I drag myself out of bed, and hop on the scale... any number lower than the week before is like seeing a bunch of presents from Santa under my tree. It sends a rush through my body and somehow makes all my effort more worth it. It's sad that I rely on numbers like that isn't it?
Although, no matter loss or gain... all that truly matters to me in the end is how I feel inside. And, right now... I feel pretty great.. =)
Keep Smiling,
Karla =)
I came home from my parents feeling a little defeated, but Scott came home from work and said he would help me out. He shocked me. With his help, we seated the 143 guests in under a half hour!! It was like magic!! It all works so perfectly... it made me wonder why I wasn't able to figure it out in the first place.
So now that the seating is all done, we will be writing out our own place cards soon. Then it's time to order invitations and get those all set to go. I also have a date for the boys to go and get fitted for their suits.
I tried my gown on again when I got to my parents house. I showed my Dad and brother for the first time, and my Dad and I picked out a song that we will dance to together at the reception. It's perfect. =)
It was also nice to feel that the dress is LOOSER on me. YAY.
I lost 1.5lbs this past week. My weigh-in days are Sundays. So yesterday morning was great. Every Sunday morning when I drag myself out of bed, and hop on the scale... any number lower than the week before is like seeing a bunch of presents from Santa under my tree. It sends a rush through my body and somehow makes all my effort more worth it. It's sad that I rely on numbers like that isn't it?
Although, no matter loss or gain... all that truly matters to me in the end is how I feel inside. And, right now... I feel pretty great.. =)
Keep Smiling,
Karla =)
Thursday, January 5, 2012
2012
I've been composing this post in my head for a very long time. I'm sure I have a ton of excuses I could think of. I haven't written since October!! Instead of getting into why I've not written, I'll just give ya'll an update.. those who still read anyway!! Thanks Lisa, that comment you left got my butt into gear! I really do enjoy blogging... but life has gotten in the way!
I'm finishing up some school things and doing a lot of teaching. My life is kids... all day every day. I laugh when people ask me when Scott and I are going to start trying... HAHA.. For now, I have enough kids. Yeah, none of them are my own, but it's very nice to spend the day with them and then send them home at night! Who knows, I'm sure down the road, I'll have one of my own. Just... not yet!
As far as my wedding goes.. things are really fitting into place and Scott and I are getting so excited. We have such great family and friends that are supporting and helping us with so much. I have a gorgeous dress, and my beautiful bridesmaids have their dresses. The guys are all set as well. They're easy. My whole wedding party looks great. Now I just have to make sure that I look great, and feel comfortable in my own skin, like I did when I first lost weight with Weight Watchers.
As many of you know, I'm back on the program, have been for a while. I've lost about 14lbs... and then slipped over Christmas and gained 5 back. UH. I also probably would have lost more than 14 if I had tracked more.
As soon as the clock struck midnight on New Years, some kind of spark went off inside me. It finally has hit me that my wedding is in about 5 months. I have been tracking like a mad woman this week. Scott bought me a Zumba game for our Wii for Christmas. I've played that EVERYDAY! I LOVE IT! It tells you how many calories you've burned after playing. I played for 45 minutes today and burned 616!! Love the feeling I get afterward. It's a reward like no other.
I picked up my gown on New Years Day. It's now hanging out at my parents house. I love putting it on. It's perfect. Every time I'm in it, I never want to take it off. What better motivation to track my points than that!
My Mom and I are getting together this Saturday to go over seating at the reception and we'll be doing favors. More on that in another post. I've become obsessed with the website, Pinterest. If you are not familiar with that site yet, make yourself familiar!! It's crazy awesome... and then you'll be obsessed with it, like I am. =) I have found a lot of things on that site that I want to use in my wedding.
In sad news.. a few weeks ago, I made the very hard decision to take a year off of dancing. Since I have moved in with my fiance, I am now 50 minutes away from my dance school. It was a lot of driving for me, and it turned me into a crank pot! I am too connected to my dance family to go and find another school closer to me, so I've decided to take a break for this season, and join again in September 2012, after the wedding and after I graduate college with my second bachelor's degree. That way, the craziness will be over, and I'll be able to have a more level head for dance.
Ughhh.. I hate talking about that. I love dance. I hate leaving. I keep telling myself it's just a break, but that doesn't help much. Thank god for dance DVDs and games on the Wii!! I'd go nuts without dance in my life!
So there ya go. A little update on me.
Here's a photo of Scott and I from New Years Eve.
It was our anniversary. Two years. <3
Keep Smiling!
-Karla =)
I'm finishing up some school things and doing a lot of teaching. My life is kids... all day every day. I laugh when people ask me when Scott and I are going to start trying... HAHA.. For now, I have enough kids. Yeah, none of them are my own, but it's very nice to spend the day with them and then send them home at night! Who knows, I'm sure down the road, I'll have one of my own. Just... not yet!
As far as my wedding goes.. things are really fitting into place and Scott and I are getting so excited. We have such great family and friends that are supporting and helping us with so much. I have a gorgeous dress, and my beautiful bridesmaids have their dresses. The guys are all set as well. They're easy. My whole wedding party looks great. Now I just have to make sure that I look great, and feel comfortable in my own skin, like I did when I first lost weight with Weight Watchers.
As many of you know, I'm back on the program, have been for a while. I've lost about 14lbs... and then slipped over Christmas and gained 5 back. UH. I also probably would have lost more than 14 if I had tracked more.
As soon as the clock struck midnight on New Years, some kind of spark went off inside me. It finally has hit me that my wedding is in about 5 months. I have been tracking like a mad woman this week. Scott bought me a Zumba game for our Wii for Christmas. I've played that EVERYDAY! I LOVE IT! It tells you how many calories you've burned after playing. I played for 45 minutes today and burned 616!! Love the feeling I get afterward. It's a reward like no other.
I picked up my gown on New Years Day. It's now hanging out at my parents house. I love putting it on. It's perfect. Every time I'm in it, I never want to take it off. What better motivation to track my points than that!
My Mom and I are getting together this Saturday to go over seating at the reception and we'll be doing favors. More on that in another post. I've become obsessed with the website, Pinterest. If you are not familiar with that site yet, make yourself familiar!! It's crazy awesome... and then you'll be obsessed with it, like I am. =) I have found a lot of things on that site that I want to use in my wedding.
In sad news.. a few weeks ago, I made the very hard decision to take a year off of dancing. Since I have moved in with my fiance, I am now 50 minutes away from my dance school. It was a lot of driving for me, and it turned me into a crank pot! I am too connected to my dance family to go and find another school closer to me, so I've decided to take a break for this season, and join again in September 2012, after the wedding and after I graduate college with my second bachelor's degree. That way, the craziness will be over, and I'll be able to have a more level head for dance.
Ughhh.. I hate talking about that. I love dance. I hate leaving. I keep telling myself it's just a break, but that doesn't help much. Thank god for dance DVDs and games on the Wii!! I'd go nuts without dance in my life!
So there ya go. A little update on me.
Here's a photo of Scott and I from New Years Eve.
It was our anniversary. Two years. <3
Keep Smiling!
-Karla =)
Sunday, October 9, 2011
The Dress!
Last weekend, I went dress shopping with my mother, grandmother, and maid of honor. It was such a wonderful experience at David's Bridal. My consultant was so nice, and I had an amazing time. My maid of honor was so helpful in calming my nerves and helping me put gowns on. I don't know why I was so nervous...but I was! Trying on gowns made everything a lot more real for me.
I tried on about 7 gowns. I bought gown #4. Nothing compared to it, and every time I put it on, I loved it more and more. It has what I was looking for... a SPARKLE factor! =)
I purchased the gown, the veil, the head piece, my shoes, and all the undergarments that make the dress look good! I was also able to pick out colors that my girls are going to wear. I am so excited to go back with them to try on their dresses.
Yesterday, the wedding photographer that we chose to photograph our wedding met with us at Harkness Park on the CT shoreline. It is such a beautiful park, Scott and I love it there. He took some engagement shots of us, and we developed a great relationship with him. He is an awesome guy, very easy to get along with. He's laid back and down to earth, and it's a perfect match for us. I cannot wait to see the pictures. We have had so many pictures taken of us, it will be cool to see something a little different!
I'm still on WW, losing weight slowly because I've slipped quite often lately. With all the stress I was dealing with a few weeks ago, I have not lost much weight. I need to get back on track. Sometimes, it's hard to find the motivation... but I will. I want to be perfect on my wedding day. Perfect to me, is loving what I see in the mirror, and how I feel about myself. I'm not there yet, but I will be.
Keep Smiling,
Karla =)
I tried on about 7 gowns. I bought gown #4. Nothing compared to it, and every time I put it on, I loved it more and more. It has what I was looking for... a SPARKLE factor! =)
I purchased the gown, the veil, the head piece, my shoes, and all the undergarments that make the dress look good! I was also able to pick out colors that my girls are going to wear. I am so excited to go back with them to try on their dresses.
Yesterday, the wedding photographer that we chose to photograph our wedding met with us at Harkness Park on the CT shoreline. It is such a beautiful park, Scott and I love it there. He took some engagement shots of us, and we developed a great relationship with him. He is an awesome guy, very easy to get along with. He's laid back and down to earth, and it's a perfect match for us. I cannot wait to see the pictures. We have had so many pictures taken of us, it will be cool to see something a little different!
I'm still on WW, losing weight slowly because I've slipped quite often lately. With all the stress I was dealing with a few weeks ago, I have not lost much weight. I need to get back on track. Sometimes, it's hard to find the motivation... but I will. I want to be perfect on my wedding day. Perfect to me, is loving what I see in the mirror, and how I feel about myself. I'm not there yet, but I will be.
Keep Smiling,
Karla =)
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
I'm about to have TONS of lemonade!
WAY too many lemons in my life at the moment.
- my car is in the shop
- it was pretty expensive to fix it
- weddings are VERY VERY expensive, which I find out more and more as I complete more and more of my planning..
- bills seem to be larger than income! AH!
- work made me mad the other day..
- I'm sick.
- I have a lot of homework.
- A LOT.
With that said, at least I'm alive and .. sort of well, health wise. AND, I'm about to have me a HUGE, COLD, REFRESHING glass of lemonade with all of these lemons I've been carrying around lately.
Once I feel better, I hope to have a nice weekend, including... meeting with my wedding coordinator, going to dance class, going to several birthday parties.. one of them being for my gorgeous Bridesmaid, Marisa!! Happy Birthday, love! =)
I also intend to go to the Durham Fair. I can't wait to see how Scott and I placed with our photos. We look forward to it every year. We never made it to the judging, so we will be surprised! I hope I feel well enough to enjoy all the delicious fair food. Mmmm.. Nice weekend splurge... but that it's back to the grind!
Speaking of that.. things are well... 2 pounds lost already this week!
Keep Smiling,
Karla =)
- my car is in the shop
- it was pretty expensive to fix it
- weddings are VERY VERY expensive, which I find out more and more as I complete more and more of my planning..
- bills seem to be larger than income! AH!
- work made me mad the other day..
- I'm sick.
- I have a lot of homework.
- A LOT.
With that said, at least I'm alive and .. sort of well, health wise. AND, I'm about to have me a HUGE, COLD, REFRESHING glass of lemonade with all of these lemons I've been carrying around lately.
Once I feel better, I hope to have a nice weekend, including... meeting with my wedding coordinator, going to dance class, going to several birthday parties.. one of them being for my gorgeous Bridesmaid, Marisa!! Happy Birthday, love! =)
I also intend to go to the Durham Fair. I can't wait to see how Scott and I placed with our photos. We look forward to it every year. We never made it to the judging, so we will be surprised! I hope I feel well enough to enjoy all the delicious fair food. Mmmm.. Nice weekend splurge... but that it's back to the grind!
Speaking of that.. things are well... 2 pounds lost already this week!
Keep Smiling,
Karla =)
Friday, September 16, 2011
9 more months
I cannot believe our wedding is only 9 months away. In wedding time, that's more like 9 minutes. It's crazy how fast the time goes.
I believe I mentioned that I had chosen a photographer. He is awesome, by the way. He wants to have an engagement session with us so that we can get to know him a little bit better. We have had so many "engagement" pictures taken of us because I am friends with a lot of people who are interested in photography. So, why not a few more? lol So our engagement shoot will be in early October when there is color in the trees and it isn't too terribly cold yet.
I have a date picked out to go wedding dress shopping with my girls and my Mom and Grandma. I so badly want my Grandma to be a part of this day because she is paying for some of the wedding. She is excited about it and so am I. More on that later when the actual date comes.
This weekend, Scott and I are putting photos into a contest at the Durham Fair in Durham, CT. Scott and I met at the Durham Fair and we have been putting photos into their photo contest ever since. I picked 2 photos that I thought were contest worthy and he picked 2 as well. It's so much fun to see how they place... or if they place. Last year, Scott beat me and won a third place ribbon for one of his photos.... lucky for me, the photo was a picture of ME! HA! I'll let you know how things turn out this year. The fair isn't until next weekend. Hopefully, we will watch the judging of the photos on Sunday. I have always wanted to see how they judge them.
I have a confession to make.
I did about 200 crunches... 50 leg lifts on each side, and a nice "dance" workout on my Wii the other day. I woke up yesterday morning feeling like I had been punched in the stomach a bunch of times. Wow was I in pain. The pain escalated throughout the day at work (picking up kids..etc) and by the time I got home from work, I was in bed, all curled up in a ball feeling like I was going to puke. I thought I was sick at first, but I had an appetite, so I knew that it was just my tense and very sore ab muscles. I have never in my life felt that much pain. I should have eased into such an intense workout. What was I thinking? Clearly, I wasn't.
I haven't worked out since that day (Wednesday) because I have been in so much pain. Today was a little better, but still sore in some areas. I would like to be able to workout later tonight. We shall see. I don't want to over do it.
So glad it's Friday.
Enjoy your weekends!
Keep Smiling!
Karla =)
I believe I mentioned that I had chosen a photographer. He is awesome, by the way. He wants to have an engagement session with us so that we can get to know him a little bit better. We have had so many "engagement" pictures taken of us because I am friends with a lot of people who are interested in photography. So, why not a few more? lol So our engagement shoot will be in early October when there is color in the trees and it isn't too terribly cold yet.
I have a date picked out to go wedding dress shopping with my girls and my Mom and Grandma. I so badly want my Grandma to be a part of this day because she is paying for some of the wedding. She is excited about it and so am I. More on that later when the actual date comes.
This weekend, Scott and I are putting photos into a contest at the Durham Fair in Durham, CT. Scott and I met at the Durham Fair and we have been putting photos into their photo contest ever since. I picked 2 photos that I thought were contest worthy and he picked 2 as well. It's so much fun to see how they place... or if they place. Last year, Scott beat me and won a third place ribbon for one of his photos.... lucky for me, the photo was a picture of ME! HA! I'll let you know how things turn out this year. The fair isn't until next weekend. Hopefully, we will watch the judging of the photos on Sunday. I have always wanted to see how they judge them.
I have a confession to make.
I did about 200 crunches... 50 leg lifts on each side, and a nice "dance" workout on my Wii the other day. I woke up yesterday morning feeling like I had been punched in the stomach a bunch of times. Wow was I in pain. The pain escalated throughout the day at work (picking up kids..etc) and by the time I got home from work, I was in bed, all curled up in a ball feeling like I was going to puke. I thought I was sick at first, but I had an appetite, so I knew that it was just my tense and very sore ab muscles. I have never in my life felt that much pain. I should have eased into such an intense workout. What was I thinking? Clearly, I wasn't.
I haven't worked out since that day (Wednesday) because I have been in so much pain. Today was a little better, but still sore in some areas. I would like to be able to workout later tonight. We shall see. I don't want to over do it.
So glad it's Friday.
Enjoy your weekends!
Keep Smiling!
Karla =)
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
It's been difficult to remain faithful to this blog. Sigh.
It's been a difficult month, but I will say, I've been smiling through it all.
I have an amazing fiancee who supports me, holds me, gets me through the tough stuff, and reminds me to smile every single day.
The move was, tough. It took a lot out of me! More so than I planned. It threw my wedding planning off a lot. It's been difficult to get into the flow of our new rent and getting things squared away financially for the wedding.
Before I knew it, it was back to school, and adjusting to a hectic school and work schedule. I feel like I'm never home, and when I am home... it's to do laundry, cleaning, dishes, cooking, homework... and blogging comes last! Such is life.
Then a few weeks ago, I find out that a family member of mine is sick. Real sick. I will be visiting him in the hospital on Friday. I'm nervous. He is on the mend... but for awhile, we were all unsure if he would make it. I'm praying, everyday. And trying to smile.
In better news, I found a photographer for the wedding! Scott and I love him. He's so awesome and I feel like he's a perfect match for us.
I have yet to really try on dresses. Yike..
Soon! I'm hoping late September, early October. I'm not a real picky person and I have high hopes of finding a dress on the first try, so I am not too concerned about running out of time.
As far as weight loss goes... I did lose quite a bit when I first started WW in July and I've gained some, not all, of it back. It makes me want to scream!! But, this happens, and has happened before. My weight always fluctuates... It's not the number that matters to me, but how I feel. I feel alright, but I want to feel gorgeous on my wedding day.
I will get there.
Dance started up again. I'm SO happy about it!!
As Mrs. Lathrop would say,
Keep Smiling!
-Karla =)
It's been a difficult month, but I will say, I've been smiling through it all.
I have an amazing fiancee who supports me, holds me, gets me through the tough stuff, and reminds me to smile every single day.
The move was, tough. It took a lot out of me! More so than I planned. It threw my wedding planning off a lot. It's been difficult to get into the flow of our new rent and getting things squared away financially for the wedding.
Before I knew it, it was back to school, and adjusting to a hectic school and work schedule. I feel like I'm never home, and when I am home... it's to do laundry, cleaning, dishes, cooking, homework... and blogging comes last! Such is life.
Then a few weeks ago, I find out that a family member of mine is sick. Real sick. I will be visiting him in the hospital on Friday. I'm nervous. He is on the mend... but for awhile, we were all unsure if he would make it. I'm praying, everyday. And trying to smile.
In better news, I found a photographer for the wedding! Scott and I love him. He's so awesome and I feel like he's a perfect match for us.
I have yet to really try on dresses. Yike..
Soon! I'm hoping late September, early October. I'm not a real picky person and I have high hopes of finding a dress on the first try, so I am not too concerned about running out of time.
As far as weight loss goes... I did lose quite a bit when I first started WW in July and I've gained some, not all, of it back. It makes me want to scream!! But, this happens, and has happened before. My weight always fluctuates... It's not the number that matters to me, but how I feel. I feel alright, but I want to feel gorgeous on my wedding day.
I will get there.
Dance started up again. I'm SO happy about it!!
As Mrs. Lathrop would say,
Keep Smiling!
-Karla =)
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