Take me Home...

I pass this road on the way home from school.

It always makes me laugh.

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30 Day Shred Update

Day 15 for me / Day 4 for hubs: I am technically halfway there... wooooo!! However, since I "re-started" after Justin joined in... I am doing a longer shred than 30 days. Today was rough. I have been super tired these past few days. I am trying to stay on track though -- thank you to all of you that have been my support!! It means so much to me that you are all encouraging me through this journey

Stuff for Less!

Your Trash = My Treasures

So the other day I was reading through blogs and Angie was talking about buying books at Goodwill because they are super cheap.

I love to read.

I want super cheap books!

So I headed to my local bookstore Goodwill.

I found all kinds of books! It was AWESOME!

Right as I was getting ready to leave my eyes drifted over and what do I see in the womens pants department?

OH NO... that looks like LILLY PULITZER?!

I run over and find out these adorable Lilly pants are MY SIZE?

Well... no worries.. I rescued them and brought them home with me!

Lilly pants and 3 books for less than $10 = HAPPY AMY!

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30 Day Shred Update:

Day 14 for me / Day 3 for hubs: Ok, I do not usually believe in scales. I have never owned a scale in my life but finally the other day I bought one. Justin and I both weighed ourselves. Since that point Justin has lost 5.2 lbs. Me? Well... NOTHING! What the heck!? I do zumba... shredding... "attempt" to diet... come on weight.. go AWAY!!

ROAR!!!

Gracie loves to play "run away" games with me.

PS: Please excuse the mess.

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30 Day Shred Update:

Day 13 for me/Day 2 for Justin: Another day on Level 1. I believe I will be pushing Justin towards Level 2 sooner than later. Level 1 is almost too easy for me... is that hard to believe? Dieting this past weekend on the lake was an epic fail... at least we did our exercises...right?

Heaven Sent

Relaxing.

Sunbathing.

Boating.

Jetski-ing.

This weekend has been awesome.

Summer school starts tomorrow. Wish me luck!

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30 day Shred Update

Day 12: Well folks, I have a new exercise partner -- my hubby! He started the Shred today and since it was his first day, I stepped back down to Level 1 to do it with him. I was pretty surprised considering we are at the lake for a "relaxing weekend" that he wanted to do this with me. Anyway, I may now be working on a 30-something day Shred so we can do it together. It is always nice to have an exercise partner! Wooo... Go Team Walter!!

Last Hurrah

Summer school starts on monday....

That means this weekend is my last hurrah before the homework starts.

If you need me, I'll be relaxing at the LAKE!

Hoping for lots of open water

and clear blue skies

Happy Weekend

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30 Day Shred

Day 11: I don't feel like I am doing some of the moves right in level 2. Pretty much all the ones that have you in "push-up position" really don't seem to be doing anything for me. I wish I had a HUGE mirror so I could see what I look like. We are going to be at the lake all weekend so I hope I can keep up the shredding!

Icing Bros?

Last night was interesting to say the least. We went to a bar for a going away party for one of our friends.

At the bar, we found out about this new "drinking game" called BROS ICING BROS.

Have ya'll heard of this? It is the weirdest thing EVER.

RULES:

A guy presents a smirnoff ice to another guy.

That guy gets down on one knee and chugs the smirnoff ice.

Everyone claps.

There is something called an "ice block" in which you can carry a smirnoff ice on you at all time to prevent yourself from getting iced.

I found a YouTube video for a demonstration

Like I said, weirdest thing EVER. I saw this happen at least 5 times at the bar and we were only there for a hour. I explained to everyone I was with that Justin would NOT be participating in something like that so do not even try.

Maybe we are getting too old... I am obviously out of the loop

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30 Day Shred update

Day 10: This was a rough day. I had to skip zumba to go to a going away party (as mentioned above) but I did manage to fit in the shred. I just wasn't feeling it for some reason and was watching the seconds count down until the end of the video. The good thing? I made it... I am 1/3 of the way there!

Snugg-erific!

The NEW Snuggie -- SUMMER EDITION! Have ya'll seen it?

What will they come up with next?

Do YOU have a snuggie? I don't... but Gracie does!

(Picture taken on Gracie's 5th bday 06/08/10)

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30 day shred update

DAY 9: SOOOooo.. I didn't realize you could start level 2 anytime you wanted to?? I just figured 30 days, 3 levels.... you should spend 10 days on each level. Silly me... I've moved on!! Today was my first day on level 2 and I thought it was a LOT harder than level 1. I was panting through the whole thing. I also did a "toning" Zumba class today for 1 hour (meaning Zumba with WEIGHTS!!). I am beat.......

Ka-Boom!!

Dear Hubby,

This is why we don't leave SODA CANS in the CAR in the SUMMER....

Hope you had fun cleaning up that big sticky mess!

love, ME

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30 Day Shred Update

Day 8: Almost to level 2. Did I mention for the strength training I am using 2 lb weights? I know most people won't think that is enough -- but dang, my arms burn... it is more than enough for me! In fact, I went to Wally World today to see if I could find some 1 lb weights... apparently they have any (DARN!!).

Baking with Amy

Anyone that knows me well knows that cooking/baking is NOT one my strong points. You think my blog name is funny, but it is actually a pun on the way I cook -- JUST ADD WATER is usually the best I can do.

HOWEVER, times they are a-changing.

A few weeks ago, Justin and I made a cake from scratch on our anniversary and it turned out GREAT! So I am going to share the recipe with you guys!

STEP 1: Put on matching (monogrammed) aprons

RED VELVET CAKE RECIPE

2 eggs

2.5 cups of self-rising flour

1 cup buttermilk

0.5 cup vegetable oil

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla

(2) 1 oz red food coloring

1.5 cups sugar (or splenda)

1 tsp cocoa

1 tsp white vinegar

1. Mix together eggs, sugar, flour, baking soda in one bowl
2. In separate bowl, make a paste of cocoa, vinegar and then add to first bowl
3. In separate bowl, mix buttermilk, vanilla, oil, and red food coloring
4. Add it all together and mix with electric mixer (we actually didn't use enough food coloring because I forgot to get 2 oz. worth - so ours turned more pink than red)
5. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes. (We did 2 layers).

CREAM CHEESE ICING

1.3 sticks butter

10 oz cream cheese

1 lb. box confectioners sugar

1. Combine and beat with mixer until fluffy and then refrigerate
2. Eat all leftover icing in the bowl

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER!

1. Lay down one layer, put icing on top
2. Put down another layer and put icing on top and all around
3. TA-DA!!! This cake helped us to have a GREAT anniversary.

NOW IT'S TIME TO EAT!!

It seemed overwhelming, but it turned out really well and I was so proud of us!!

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30 day shred update.

Day 7: oh my, I made it a week!! WOOHOO!! I also had a 1 hour Zumba class followed by the shred. I really do think Zumba helps me with Shredding. I guess it warms me up so much that it makes Shredding so much easier. I am just proud that I made it a whole week. I'm on my way now!

PS: this cake should not be eaten while on the 30 day shred... hence why it was my last hurrah before starting the shred. It was TOTALLY worth it too!

2 and 2 equal ??

convo with hubby this weekend:

Justin: "how old is your nephew?"

Me: "well, he was born in 2008, so I guess he would be 4 now"

Justin: "how is he 4? This is only the year 2011"

Me: "um, this is 2010, not 2011... and come to think of it, I guess that would make my nephew only 2... hahaha"

Justin: "is it really only 2010? I could of sworn this was 2011"

wow... we are only 28 and already we are losing our minds folks.....

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30 Day Shred update:

DAY 6: you know what? The push-ups are even getting easier... granted I am still doing them "the girl way" but hey, "girly" push-ups are better than nothing, right? I am looking forward to getting out of level 1 and into level 2 although it scares me a little bit. I have started to memorize all of Jillian's lines so it makes the video go by much faster. I am just proud of myself I was able to stay with the exercising over the weekend. woohoo!!

Spa and Shred

I got a late night phone all from a friend on Friday who said she had received two FREE coupons for an all day spa pass and wanted to know if I could go on Saturday.

Of course I said YES, YES, YES.

We had such a good time. Services we received were:

• facials with chair massage
• hydroderm fusion treatment (they steam the toxins out of your body)
• slim capsule treatment (they put you in this capsule and make you sweat a LOT which is supposed to help you lose weight over time -- it said I lost 250 calories in 20 minutes just by laying there)
• mystic tan treatment (spray tan)

I was excited about all of them but hesitant about the mystic tan. I had one done years ago and it was a nightmare... back then I sort of turned out like this:

However, this time it was a success (thank goodness!!). I actually look tan and I don't look orange. Sorry I don't have a picture yet -- you will have to wait to see.

Overall, my FREE spa day was great and it is ALWAYS great to spend a day at the spa with a friend.

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30 Day Shred update:

DAY 5: Until today I have been a little mean to Jillian. Around the 7th minute in, I start to roll my eyes at her and yell at her when she tells me to do push-ups and crunches. However, today things have changed. I was able to get to minute 13 before I started yelling at her and rolling my eyes. Yes sir, things have changed. I am getting stronger and fitter and even though I still don't love Jillian -- I am sure she means well.

Award Time!

So, my blog has won quite a few awards lately.. (and I have been a super slacker about putting them up)

received from Kathie @ Just a Happy Housewife. It is so cute, don't you think?

I am passing this award on to the following blogs:

Ashley @ Kiwis and Cocktails

Blair @ Reasonably Swanky

RN Mama @ 29 and Holding

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recieved from BLC @ The Company She Keeps , Meagan @ Classy and Fabulous, Mrs. Rotty @ Sometimes and Always, AND "Melly" @ A Lovely Life

I am passing this on to the following blogs:

Honey B Blog

Puppies, Pearls and Poolside with the Girls

Caro @ The Carozone

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received from Ashley @ Kiwis and Cocktails. This award just makes me laugh!

I am passing this on to the following blogs:

Amy @ Keeping up with the Schultz Family

Lori @ The Peterson Family

Kathie @ Just a Happy Housewife

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received from Amy @ Keeping up with the Schultz Family and Krystal @ Krystal's Kitsch

I am passing this award on to the following blogs:

"Blueviolet" @ A Nut in a Nutshell

"The Wife" @ The Cobia Family

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Received from Becky @ In the Trenches

I am passing this award to the following blogs:

Brittany @ Living in the Moment

Rachel @ Observations of a Token Yankee

Thanks for all the awards - I really appreciate it!

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30 day Shred update:

DAY 4: No Zumba today - just the Shred. At about 10 minutes in, I almost gave up. I wasn't feeling it today. I took a 5 second break and literally PUSHED forward with all I had. I am a bit sore today from all the work I've done this week but I am trying my best to keep with the program. This weekend is going to be super busy but I am hoping I still have time to do the video... ok, lets change that... I WILL make the time!! The "New Amy" is in progress...... :)

Sugar and Spice

Since today is Family Friday I thought I would share some pictures of my sweet nieces that came to visit a few weeks ago!

Anna and Elizabeth had such a great time playing at our neighborhood pool.

Too bad we don't have "pool toys" and they had to make due with a water bottle -- haha!!

Little girls are just the cutest things. Don't you think?

Hope everyone has a great weekend!! Any fun plans?

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30 day shred update

DAY 3: Once again I did my 1 hour Zumba Class followed by the Shred video. I got towards the very end of the video and thought I was going to DIE.... but I pushed forward and made it through. I may be crazy but I swear I feel like I am already toning up a little bit. I am probably crazy -- it has only been 3 days! Those push-ups are still a pain in the butt and I can't really do them very well but I *think* I'm getting better at it!

Romping Around Town

I was on twitter yesterday when I saw my good friend Katie tweet the following:

@kjwallace7: Hillcats game with my Junior League besties. Question of the night: "How do you feel about girls in rompers?"

I immediately start thinking..... Oh no.... did I do it again? Is this my second fashion faux pas in a week? First the "shirt/dress fiasco" and now this...?

I have a romper... do people not like rompers? Am I the only one that things they are super fun?

Now granted, I don't wear my romper around town... so far I have worn it to the lake and around the house on the weekends... afterall, rompers are for romping around

To romp or not to romp --- that is the question. Do YOU romp?

(PS: do not be blinded by my super white skin - I don't tan easily... obviously!)

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30 day shred update --

Day 2: I MADE IT THROUGH THE WHOLE VIDEO!!! Not only did I make it through the whole thing today but this was AFTER doing a 1 hour ZUMBA class. I feel like an exercise machine -- haha, ok, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Seriously though, my muscles are experiencing something they haven't experienced in a long time and I am not sure what they are going to think about it all tomorrow. For now though -- I FEEL GREAT!

Pretty Prince(ss)

My nephew is going to hate his big sister for this one day....

but for now he is just having fun too... hahaha

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And as promised I started the 30 Day Shred

Day 1: I tried my hardest but couldn't even do the entire thing.. yep, I am OUT OF SHAPE! I lasted approx. 20 minutes on level one. My muscles were literally quivering so I must have been working some stuff I don't normally work. Hopefully tomorrow I can make it through the whole video! Does this mean I have to do a 31-day shred now?

Let's get Physical!

ok folks, its official -- I need to lose some weight!

I have been doing Zumba a few times a week for a little while but the weight really hasn't gone anywhere...

so today I am starting the 30 day shred.

I started it awhile back and never kept with it, but this time I am going to do it the whole way through! Anyone want to do it with me?

I have taken a before picture of myself in a bikini (YIKES!!) and maybe will do a before/after picture at the end (if it looks like I lost anything).

Along with my regular posts, I will be updating at the bottom with my experience exercising on that day. Stay tuned for the results (hopefully!)

Hoochie Here

So I was shopping with a friend the other day when I showed her the "dress/bathing suit cover-up thingy" that I bought at Forever 21.

My friend explains that is not a DRESS, it is a SHIRT.... I didn't believe her so I went to look it up on the internet.

OH NO!? I have been wearing that thing all summer. It is the perfect little bathing suit cover-up... but then again I am only 5'2".

I am embarrassed that I have been going out in public in JUST a SHIRT... I'm such a hoochie

PS: if you want a dress/shirt/cover-up thingy like me, you can find it here

We got SOAKED!

Its been awhile since I've play Mckmama's "Not Me Monday"... but this weekend gave me the perfect post for this meme.

So this weekend we did NOT decide it would be a great weekend to head out to a couple of local wineries.

The weather was beautiful. We did NOT have a care in the world.

I did NOT try to take some artsy pictures to show you guys because I was having so much fun.

We had NOT prepared the night before for a fun little picnic at one of the vineyards.

So right when we set up we were NOT surprised that the sky opened up and we found ourselves in the middle of a MAJOR storm with HORIZONTAL rain.

(not actual picture -- source here)

We did NOT get completely SOAKED from head to toe

and the rain did NOT destroy over half of our picnic food

Even wet, we did NOT let the storm destroy our day... and we did NOT decide to move the picnic to the inside of the car.

We did NOT end up going to Walmart and spend $120 together to buy new shirts, pants, shoes, and UNDERWEAR for all 5 of us to wear to the remaining wineries.

Our friends new "Ghostbusters" shirt did NOT become our new funny saying of the day...

When life throws you lemons, who are you gonna call?????? GHOSTBUSTERS!

What did you NOT do? Go to MckMama's to see other peoples posts.

Gracie Day

My sweet Gracie turns 5 yrs old today!!

Happy Birthday to the best little dog in the world.