{Finish the Sentence...Linkup}

Linking up today with {Holly} and {Jake}.  I'm loving all of these link ups lately.

1. People always tell me...Actually they ask me, "Are those your real eyes?  They're beautiful"  I feel like saying, "Nope, bought 'em yesterday.  But thank you!"  

2. In the movie based on my life...It would probably get "Two thumbs down".  I try to lead a quiet, drama free life.

3. Typically, I end up regretting...getting sh*t faced.  The last time this happened I threw up until 4PM THE. NEXT. DAY.  Reeeeeee-diculous!!!

4. I always ask to leave off the...Drama.  See #2.  #SaveTheDramaForYourMama

5. Kim and Kanye really...remind me of a train wreck.  I just can't NOT watch.  Remember #12 from {here}.  Pretty sure they qualify as both.

6. My Parents always reminded me...to wear clean underwear.

7. Every single day I...have to put reminders on my calendar or I WILL FORGET.  ThankYouADD

8. This one time in College...I have nothing wild and crazy here.  I actually attempted to get an education.  I know, I'm boring.  Moving right along :)  

9. My grossest habit is...putting my gum on the side of my plate while I eat.

10. My latest white lie was..."On my way!"  Actually happening: Still getting ready.

11. I know all the words to...Baby Got Back.  And can rap it like a mofo :)

12. When I grow up...I want to be nothing but happy.  Everything else falls into place after that!

13. Sexy time is...every day--if left up to Matt :)

14. I will never, ever...be dependent on a man, or anyone for that matter.  EVER!

15. I think it's hilarious...when I bust someone's balls who thinks they are on a totally different level than everyone else.  You put your britches on the same way I did this morning.  Get over yourself.  {So maybe that's mean, not hilarious.  Ha!  Oh well!!}

{Weigh In Wednesday}

I'm linking up with {Erin} & {Alex} again this week with good news!!

I've also deemed today 'Happy Dance Wednesday' because this girl FINALLY lost!  2 WHOLE POUNDS.  

I've tried super hard to have 10K a day on my FitBit and I've been successful all but 1 day.  I'm eating cleaner.  Drinking plenty of water.  And I am planning my meals {I think this may be the most important}.  Failing to plan to is planning to fail.  I keep telling myself this.  

I am proud of myself for pushing through the weeks with no losses, or gains even, and not giving up.  I realize this is just as much mental as it is physical. 

How did you do this week??

{Tasty Tuesday :: Crockpot Tortellini}

Tuesday is quite possibly my favorite day of the week cause I get to share yummy goodness with yall!

Sunday I decided to try out a new recipe from none other than my favorite source, {Pinterest}.  I had to work and therefore decided to pop this into the crockpot so little-to-nothing would have to be done upon my arrival home for dinner.

I realized recently while being OCD and "cleaning" up my pins I had pinned this recipe 3 times.  Must be pretty popular.  So let's jump right in...recipe adapted from {here}

Ingredients:

1 (19 oz) bag of frozen cheese tortellini

1 small bag of fresh spinach (I used about half of a 9 oz bag)

1 package fresh mushrooms, sliced

2 (14.5 oz) can of Italian style diced tomatoes, drained

1 block (8 oz) of neufchatel cream cheese {*DO NOT use Fat Free...it WILL NOT melt}

1 lb of ground beef, drained from fat

4 cups (or 1 box) of Fat Free, Sodium Free chicken broth

Directions:

Brown the beef and put all ingredients in crockpot, chunking up cream cheese.  Cook on low for 4-6 hrs.

Serves 6

I forgot to take an after picture because I was about to gnaw my arm off a little hungry.  Ooops!     

I liked this recipe, however I would substitute the ground beef for ground Italian sausage or something with a little more spice...like the recipe calls for.  Hey, I was trying to clean out the freezer and be thrifty!

{My Love Story Link Up - Never Say Never}

NEVER SAY NEVER
(Warning: This post may be long and full of copious amounts of photos)

Today I am linking up with Erin to tell MY love story

I was 15 years old when I first laid eyes on him.  He was athletic, charming, and the most handsome thing my 15 year old eyes had ever seen.  However, I was currently in a relationship with a D-Bag that was very emotionally abusive.  I wanted out of that horrible relationship with said D-Bag...but stuck around 2 more looooooooonnnnnnggggg years.  And then one random day, I grew a huge effin' set and the shat finally hit the fan {thank you sweet baby Jesus}.  I WAS OUT!  Holla!!  NEVER again.  I was on a mission.  Determined to have Mr. Charming.  So I did.  We dated for several years {with a couple breaks in between}.  During one of our "breaks" I remember someone asking me...
- "So, when are you gonna get married and have kids?"
- "Ummm....NEVER."  {NEVER SAY NEVER}  Geez people...I am TWENTY-FEAKIN-ONE {almost 22} and S.I.N.G.L.E.  Can we slow the bus down just a teeny bit puhlease???  It's time to enjoy me!

Fast forward to August 2005.  Mr. Charming and I rekindled our relationship a few months prior and now this chick is LATE.  No, no, no.  This cannot be happening!  But it was.  And after 4 different pregnancy tests {including the digital kind where it actually says 'negative' or 'positive'} plus one more at my gynecologist it was confirmed...I WAS PREGNANT.  2 months pregnant at that!

Fast forward {again}seven months, and 50 pounds, to March 2, 2006...WHEN I FELL IN LOVE 

Kayleigh Marie was born at 5:53 AM to 2 proud very parents.  I NEVER believed in love at first sight until I met my daughter.  She was perfect in every way.

 

I have watched her grow into a beautiful young lady.  She is one of the most loving, caring, sweet children I have ever met.  She is my mini-me.  She is a diva.  She is full of life.  She is intelligent.  She is precious.  She is self-less.  She is my best friend.  And she is the most perfect creation I have ever had a part in.

Although her father {Mr. Charming} and I are no longer together, by my choice, we still have a cordial relationship for Kayleigh.  He is a great daddy and I am very fortunate to have someone share the love and responsibility of our daughter.

Tomorrow we will celebrate her 7th birthday.  I thank God everyday I was chosen 7 years ago to be her mother, even though I said "NEVER".  

{Weigh-In Wednesday...What Am I doing Wrong?}

Link it up!  {Erin} & {Alex} host Weigh-In Wednesday each week.  Check them out and link up with all of the awesome ladies in our weight loss journey.

Another week down...not an effin' pound gone.  Grrrr!!  However, I am thankful it's not a pound(s) gained either.  What am I not doing correct?  Why can't a lose ONE. SINGLE. POUND?  What is wrong with me?  Am I not working hard enough?  I certainly feel like I am.  I've changed my eating habits, cut out soda, upped my exercise and what do I get in return?  A big fat NOTHING!  Pissed the eff off Discouraged is an understatement at this point.

Moving on to better news...I got my FitBit in the mail last Thursday.  I was beyond excited to see this little guy in my mailbox.  I tracked him all week while he made his journey to me.

Meet Fitty

I am hoping Fitty helps motivate me to get my steps in each day.  I am currently trying to see how many days in a row I can achieve 10K or more steps.  So far, I've had 2 straight days.  Today will be #3.

My job is very sedentary so I have to fit steps in when I can.  I walk at lunch and get to the gym 2-3 times per week.  When I'm not at the gym I pop in a DVD of sorts at home.

I tried a new smoothie recipe this weekend.  I've always read how spinach in your smoothies is super great for you.  And I like spinach, but in my smoothie?  Eeck! {So I thought}.  I mustered up the courage to add some spinach to my protein shake Sunday morning and this is what happened...

The Green Monster

Pure Green Goodness.  I LOVED IT!  COULD NOT, COULD NOT, COULD NOT taste the spinach.  Seriously, I would not lie.  I got a serving of veggies and fruit all in one drink and stayed very satisfied through lunch.  I'm thinking this will be my go-to breakfast smoothie on the weekends.

Green Monster
8 oz. Almond Milk
1 scoop Simply Right 100% Whey Protein powder
1 serving Strawberry, Pineapple, Peach frozen fruit medly
Fill to the top of blender with spinach

Any advice you awesome ladies have for me is greatly appreciated!  Have a fabulous Hump Day!!

{Thirsty Thursday...I NEEEEED WINE}

It is only shortly after lunch that am currently writing this short little post and I am hoping/wishing/bobbing-my-head-like-a-genie for 5:00PM cause I'm certain it's the weekend (slight run on sentence, maybe?).  Oh wait...it's only THURSDAY?!?!  Are you effin' kidding???  I could have sworn I've already worked my 40 hours plus some this week.

Today calls for one of these.  Although, mine would probably say, "Don't Ask, Just Pour!"

On top of my "fabulous" week, my weight loss has become non-existent.  I really want to crawl in a hole where I can be a super fatty and not care.  BUT...I must do this for myself.  I must do this for my daughter.  I MUST DO THIS!  

At least I managed to drink 4 of these bad boys yesterday...

Pretty sure that's a half gallon.  Yes, I peed every 30 minutes.  Yes, it was irritating.  Have I accomplished it again today...No.  But I'm almost there!!

On a brighter note I am getting my "hair did" tonight.  That always makes a girl feel better.  Bye Bye roots!!  

Holla!!

{25 Things You Should Know About Me}

1. I adore dark chocolate dipped in peanut butter.  {Try it...it is OMG GOOD!}
2. My mother named me after a soap opera character. {Lauren from The Young & The Restless}
3. I've changed my major a bazillion times & have enough college credits to technically have a degree.  {I should finish that up...note to self}
4. My eye color changes from green to blue depending on what I am wearing.
5. The ASPCA commercials make me cry EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.  {I am convinced I need a farm to house those beautiful creatures.}
6. I am a makeup/skincare whore.  {Love my MARY KAY}
7. I use a coupon ALMOST everywhere I go.
8. No matter how many times I go to the store, even WITH a list, I forget something.  {I will contribute this to my non-medicated ADD}
9. I CANNOT CANNOT CANNOT ride in a vehicle without music.  {If there ain't tunes, this hooker ain't ridin'!}
10. When giving directions somewhere I am rarely good with road numbers...but I can always seem to fit food joints in there somewhere.  I.E, You know, the exit with Chic-fil-A.  {Inner Fat Girl, again!}
11. I do not have that one show that I have to sit and watch every week.  
12. However, I do LURVE reality TV.  {Trashy skanks and rich bitches...sign me up!}
13. Whenever we go on vacation I have to drive.  {It's a control thing}
14. I feel the need to plan everything.  {But can procrastinate with the best of 'em}
15. I'm not good at "being a team player" because I'd rather just do it myself.  {It's an only child/brat thing}
16. One of my biggest pet peeves is when a waiter/waitress collects my bill and asks if I need change.  {Their tip drops instantly.  Former Hooter girl rule}
17. I have a Pinterest addiction.  
18. Dirty Dancing is my all time favorite movie.  {Top Gun is my 2nd fav}
19. Second biggest pet peeve...knowing your grammar.  I HATE when people confuse their, there, and they're.  {Seriously, I cringe.  Pretty sure that was covered in 3rd grade}
20. I feel naked without earrings.
21. I have a serious led foot.  {The long skinny pedal on the right is my friend}
22. I pray everyday that my daughter and I become as close as my mama and I.  {Love my babygirl...and my Mama too!}
23. I Google EVERYTHING.  {Wish I got paid for each search, I'd be a rich Mama}
24. I am quick to jump to conclusions and play out the worse possible scenario in my head.
25. I have 2 tattoos.