Classygirl Musings

Our Fabulous 4th of July

What a super weekend dh and I had.  This year for the 4th we decided to visit my sistah friend, Angie for the 4th of July.  She lives on the marvelous St. Simon's Island, GA!  We headed out on Thursday, July 2nd...stopped in Savannah for a bit of scrapbook shopping!  Yep, that's right...gotta map it out and take advantage of ALL scrap spots along the way!  LOL!  Anyway, we arrived right along with the thunder, tons of lightening and heavy rains.  Not fun to drive in, especially when you don't know where you are going. We made it in safely that evening around 6pm.  Anyway, Friday we decided to drive over to Jacksonville, FL  and 1st things 1st...we went scrapbook shopping!  Woohoo! Hit 3 stores!  (Thank goodness for a kind, patient and generous dh).  Her is my loot! 

Next, lunch and on to Jacksonville Beach where we simply had a BLAST! Here are a few photos to prove it!

Oooooh....the water is a little chilly!  

Rob...just looking good to me!  Nothing new here!  LOL!

Me!  Having too much fun!  Being silly, enjoying the warmth and water.

Back to St. Simon's and to the beach!  Yep!  2 Beaches, 2 States.  1 Day!  The sun is going down!

 

The water is warmer on St. Simon's...nice!

Angie dancing along the shore!  It was a fun and long day...we all slept well!

The 4th of July was filled with fun and excitement!

Breakfast at Dressner's!  Check out the sign that is outside their door???  Interesting..isn't it!

It's like saying...please don't come in!  Wow!  Once inside you'd understanding.  It was worth it...a good breakfast!

Next, I got a glitter tat!  With Classy Coordinates in mind!

On to just chilling and walking around...and we came across this very fascinating Spanish Moss Tree.  It was huge, with large branches, low to the ground!  I couldn't resist!  Beautiful!  

Next...to the lighthouse..where we climbed the stairs!  Hot, no air conditioning!  Whoa.  Reaching the top and seeing the view was worth the sweat!

Rob and I at the top of the lighthouse.

Later that night dinner and fireworks!  Here we are waiting for the fireworks to begin and a few shots of the fireworks!  It was spectacular!  

This definitely ranks up there with the best of "4th of July" celebrations we've experienced!

We had a great time!  Now it's time to get some sleep!

Thanks again, Angie!  You are the bestest!  LOL!

I hope you had a great weekend too!

Tiare.

Juneteenth: History. Fun. Stamping.

Hi All.

Yesterday dh and I decided to go to the Juneteenth celebration.  Do you know what Juneteenth is?  Well here is a quick and easy lesson.  The Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1862 and was set to go into affect January 1, 1863.  This is the day slaves should have been freed!  However, in Galveston, TX 2 1/2 years later the slaves were still unaware.  The government sent in 2000 troops to ensure that the slaves became freed men!  The slaves didn't know the actual date and it became known as Juneteenth.  It is now a holiday there and celebrated in many cities around the country.  There's your history.

Now here is the FUN.

Of course, there were vendors.  Of course, there was food.  Where there is food there is Robert.  First stop, Manna Soul Food Restaurant.   The sign read: Fried Chicken and 2 Sides $5.  Someone, who worked there suggested we try the turkey.  Dh walks up and asks for Turkey.  Here is the conversation:

dh: I'd like the turkey

lady: You don't want the Fried Chicken

me: No.  We don't eat fried chicken.

lady:  Well how do you know you are going to like the turkey?  

me..thoughts only: how would we know if we are going to like anything if you don't serve us.

dh: I want the turkey, with greens and mashed sweet potatoes

lady: OK...starts to give him Mac n Cheese

me: He didn't ask for mac n cheese.

lady: Oh. Sorry what did he ask for.

dh: repeats his order.

lady: hands him the order and says, that'll be $8.

If you know me...you know I got jokes!

me: $8!  You just got gansta'd!

lady: Well it's a dinner.  It's worth it.

me: I'm at a fair in the early afternoon...just wasn't expecting a whole dinner.

dh: (y'all know how he is...all chill).  No problem.

lady:  Would you like a FREE sweet tea with that.

dh: No.

me: Yes. (Hell, I'm burning up..it's like 100 degrees out here).

lady:  You didn't even buy the meal and you've been rolling your eyes. I don't ever do that...(with a sly little smirk).

me: (thinking...why you all up in my koolaid..cause what's his is mine, and what's mine is mine!)  but I said...you know how we do.

snaggle puss behind me: Heh, heh, heh...Yeh you one of us too!

me: as she hands me the drink...I give her a wink and a smile and very big THANKS!  (It was fun..the lady and I enjoyed just a little bit of talking trash and if you know me, you know I love talking trash...LOL!)  No harm. No foul.  You know how we do!  I still say...he got "'gangsta'd!"

Now here's a shot of that meal!  The turkey was quite tasty. 

Next up was a booth with these cool ceramic tiles.  This guy works from home and doesn't have a web site. Why not I asked. You can get a web site for free.  His response but you have to pay for the name.  Huhn? You're willing to pay for a booth at a fair and sweat it out in this heat but you are not willing to pay for a domain name?  Hmmmm?  Sounds like you could use some exposure, sales and MONEY!  Get listed!  He asked if I could share more information.  I'm more than happy to send him some more information about getting online and gaining some exposure.  Glad he was open to the idea and to expanding his knowledge.

Hot day.  Nice crowd.

 

I really had a great time and walked away with bunches of resources.  Yay!

And now the STAMPING!  This fair was held in Marietta Square.  There is a fun rubber stamp store on the square.  So I had to stop in. Look at what I found!  My girls at SOC...you all will love these!

I had to get this one!  It's beautiful.  

Then I happened upon these...Glimmer Mists.  I think I'm in love!  Wow!  I want every color.  You can simply spritz these on chipboard, paper etc and it colors it the same as you see on the tags.  Not only does it color it but it gives the paper a beautiful glittery look.  I've already been busy using these on projects!  Yay!

I only bought a couple but look forward to adding more and more to my collection.

Last but not least.  What's a hot day with a bit of ice cream!  Yum!  

Chocolate Fetish...Mmmmmmm!

It was hot but fun!  Looking forward to making this an annual outing...Juneteenth, Stamps and Ice Cream!

Tiare.

Big Blog Challenge: Hot and Refreshing!!!

Ok, this month I have accepted the challenge to update my blog regularly.  The daily subjects have been chosen and I am just going to follow it,  as often as I can.  I must be crazy...cause I'll be starting my job at Lifetime Fitness and running Classy Coordinates at the same time and time will be short.  However, I'm giving it a true effort!  Stay tuned!

I have combined the first two daily challenges: Something Hot and Something Refreshing.

I'm Hot!!!  No doubt. I'm in GA and it's been in the upper 80's...90's later this week.  However, I remain committed to taking my daily walks.  Whew!  It's been a little humid on some days.  A gentle breeze here and there makes it a bit more tolerable.

He's HOT!  Oooo...baby!  At least he is to me!  He's got beautiful arms and legs and...EVERYTHING!  LOL!

After all that HOT stuff...I need cooling off!  LOL!  Nothing better than a nice, cool REFRESHING glass of water.  My beverage of choice!  By the way, my daily walks are quite REFRESHING, as well.  REFRESHING for the body,  the mind and the soul!  LOVING IT!

Tiare.

I'm Having Too Much Fun!!!

I've had a couple of really wonderful weekends.  Although, I think all weekends are wonderful, these had a little extra kick!  LOL!   

This'll be an update for the month of May!   Here goes.

Dh took the day off at the beginning of May and we decided to go to Kennesaw Mountain.  What a beautiful view.  It was so exciting and scary driving to the top!  No barriers for the edge of the road as you get higher and higher.  It is so worth it once you get to the top and look out over the city.

Sistah Retreat 4!  Woohoo!  Now this was just non-stop laughter, scrappin', fun and sistahood!  Loved every single minute.  Nothing like a Sistah Retreat there was:

Dancing!  Everybody Clap Your Hands:

Right Foot, Let's Stomp!

How low can you go?  All the way to the floor!

Tears as we share my mission of Love Your Heart, Love Yourself!  One Heart. One Love.  My desire to see women care for not just their bodies but their minds, their souls, their lives!  To love themselves more through healthy eating, exercise and wise choices in love and life.

Each retreat attendee had to decorate a puzzle piece, which once put together formed a heart!  One Heart, One Love!

There was some cropping too!

My Sistah Friends - Sistah Retreat 4 Attendees

The following weekend my dh and I had a party and some of scrappin' buddies showed up with their dh's.  How fun!

The Wives

The Husbands and Me!

It was wonderful to finally meet the dh's of these ladies, afterall we have been croppin' together for a couple of years now.  We had a blast!  Their dh's were friendly and funny.  It was a great time for all..including our other guests!  LOL!

Next, thing you know we are at my neighbors house for a party.  Whew!  We had some firsts at this party!

Potatoe Gun!  What the...?  Who shoots potatoes out of a pipe!  Only in the south!  Never heard of this in Chicago...but dh did it and hit the target!

I played a Football Game..Wives against the Husbands!  We lost!  Yikes 3-10.  However, I had fun!  75lbs ago..I wouldn't have done this..but now that it's gone...I'm just having a blast being active!

The Wild Ones!  LOL!  We don't drink...so we aren't in the photo.  However, I couldn't resist getting a photo of some of my neighbors guest doing this shot together!  Whoa!

Well that's it for now!  However, there is plenty more fun to be had and photos to share in the future!  Stay tuned!

Tiare.

Happy Scrappy Friday!

Isn't it amazing how you go from using your heat to using air conditioning!  Whew!  It's going to be 78 degrees today here in GA, which for me means I'll need to either turn on the air or at the very least turn on the ceiling fans. I just had the heat on a few days ago.  LOL!

I am so looking forward to the weather being consistently warm.  I'm just waiting to break out all my short skirts and dresses!  Woohoo! 

Anyway, I hope you all have something fun and wonderful planned!  I am planning to have a BIG SALE tomorrow!  My neighborhood is hosting a garage sale and I have purged my scrappin' supplies and most of my TOO BIG clothes!  Some lucky person is going to get some really great deals on scrappin' supplies and on some CUTE clothes.  I've got at least 7-10 boxes of scrappin' supplies and probably 50 or more pieces of clothing to sell.  Whatever doesn't sell, I will donate to a worthy charity.  Actually, I already have some stuff set aside for charity.

That's it..that's all I have planned, but I'm sure something else fun and wonderful will come up.  I'm sure dh and I will go out for dinner and probably hanging out with friends.

Oh...I cannot forget that I will be walking this weekend and doing some strength and core training..which I love..it feels so good!  Although it is the weekend your health still matters be sure to do something good for yourself and do not abandon your healthy lifestyle goals!

Have a Healthy, Happy Scrappy Weekend!

Tiare.

74.5 lbs Down and Counting!

Ok...I hope you all are not just sick of me...but I tell you...I'm amazed! When I saw this first photo and others from the same day while at Archivers...I just started crying and am getting quite emotional just typing this. I'm not sure if I cry for joy or shock! The first is from Sept. 06, the second is in the same outfit taken in March 08 and the last is from March 08, as well.

 

These are the first pictures that truly, clearly depict for me, just how far I've come. I get so extremely emotional. I am so grateful to everything, every person, every thought, every action, every Power that works within me and through me to get me here and keep me here.

Again, thank you so much to those who are taking this journey with me and allowing me to share!

Enjoy,
Tiare.

Drink Water for Your Health!

This Week's Love Your Heart, Love Yourself Challenge is to DRINK WATER!

We depend on water for survival!  Water has been ranked by experts as second only to oxygen as essential for life. We need lots of fresh water to stay healthy. Aside from aiding in digestion and absorption of food, water regulates body temperature and blood circulation, carries nutrients and oxygen to cells, and removes toxins and other wastes. Water also cushions joints and protects tissues and organs, including the spinal cord, from shock and damage. Conversely, lack of water (dehydration) can be the cause of many ailments/illnesses. 

Among its other benefits, water plays a major part in weight loss. Since water contains no calories, it can serve as an appetite suppressant, and helps the body metabolize stored fat, it may possibly be one of the most significant factors in losing weight. Also, drinking more water helps to reduce water retention by stimulating your kidneys. Studies have recommended that if you are overweight according to average height and weight comparison charts, you should add one glass of water to your daily requirement (of eight glasses) for every 25 pounds over your recommended weight.

Dehydration leads to excess body fat, poor muscle tone & size, decreased digestive efficiency & organ function, increased toxicity, joint & muscle soreness, & water retention.

My challenge to you this week is to get the daily recommended amount of water in each day according to your own height and weight, as well as activity level.  Remember you need more water if you active.

Water is my beverage of choice!  It's the only thing I drink each day other than a glass of Organic Concord Grape Juice. Therefore, getting water in each day is EASY for me...but may not be for many.  Here are a few suggestions:

• Drink a glass before and after each meal.
• Replace one beverage/soda/juice with a glass of water and slowly increase the number of glasses over the next few weeks with a glass of water.
• By a LARGE water bottle and sip water from it all day.  You may need to fill it more than once.  If so strive to finish the first by 1pm and then the 2nd by 6-8pm.

Now go forth this week and Love Your Heart, Love Yourself and DRINK WATER!!!  Feel free to share your tips for getting your water in here.

Learn about the challenge here.

Join the Challenge Here!

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BREATHE!

This week's Love Your Heart, Love Yourself (LHLS) Challenge is to BREATHE!

Yes, that’s right BREATHE!  Trust me, as you make lifestyle changes this small step, will make a BIG difference in your life, how you feel and how you handle stressful situations.
   

Most people don’t give any thought to how they breathe.  We are just moving through our day, as usual.  However, did you know that many of us are not getting the full benefits of breathing deeply and fully.  Consciously practicing to inhale and exhale properly and regulating your breathing can neutralize stress, lower blood pressure, improve digestion and more!  Wow! 

Now, place your hand on your belly and take a deep breath in and blow it out, did your belly inflate on your inhale or your chest?  When you breathe you want your belly to expand rather than your chest.  Now try it again, this time place your hand on your belly and take a slow deep breath in (through your nose) and imagine that your belly is a balloon you are filling with air, now exhale deeply through your mouth and your belly should go down.

Practice this throughout the day and whenever you are feeling anxiety or stress do this breathing technique until the feeling subsides.  It is WONDERFUL for neutralizing stress.  And guess what?  When you neutralize stress it lowers your blood pressure, aids digestion and can help in the battle of getting rid of those unwanted pounds!  With enough practice you can train yourself to breath from the abdomen regularly.

Now go forth this week and Love Your Heart, Love Yourself and BREATHE!

Join more than 30 women (and counting) as we take a journey to a healthier, happier life!  Learn more here...

If you are a blogger and you'd like to help encourage other women around the world to love their heart, love themselves please feel free to add the button below to your blog, you may link it to the first challenge, as well.

Thank you for making the journey with me!

Love Your Heart, Love Yourself Challenge

…a journey of health, happiness and strength.

The Challenge in a Nutshell!
Each week I will issue a challenge/suggestion or information that is good for your heart/ good for you or post an encouraging quote, poem or healthy recipe.  Your challenge is simply to follow along to achieve your own healthy, happy life!

Join the challenge by February 29, 2008 and you'll also be entered to win this journal to help you keep track of your personal journey. 

Know that it’s not just about weight loss, eating right or exercise…it’s also about thinking right and filling your heart, your life with good and positive people, places and things!  It’s all about LOVING YOU!

I've been commited for over a year now and counting.  See my before and after photos here!  Today, I challenge you to decide on YOU! Today COMMIT to loving YOU just a little more.  Now who is with me?  Who will make the commitment and join me each week in learning to Love Your Heart, Love Yourself!  Simply leave a comment if you would like to make the commitment, send me an email or simply pop in each week!   Also, pick up the Love Your Heart, Love Yourself button below and post it on your blog.   It'll be a great reminder to yourself and hopefully it will encourage other women to join in the journey!  Feel free to add a link to this post and invite your friends to join..no need to be a scrapbooker...this is for every woman!  Together we can all live a happier, healthier, stronger, more fulfilled life!

If you add the button to your blog, be sure to include your blog address so I can come visit and also leave your email address if you would like update reminders!

Ladies, you may join at anytime…just join and make the COMMITTMENT TO YOU!

   

Tiare.

I Did It!!! 60lbs Down! Woohoo!

I started 2007 off with a goal to lose 60 lbs.  Well, I am happy to say that as of 12/17/07 I reached my goal!  I'm so excited!  It feels good to have stuck with a healthy eating/lifestyle change for an entire year!  Now this is my life...healthy, happy, whole, strong and relaxed!

How about a couple of before and after shots!

Won't you join me in 2008 for living healthy?  Loving life?  Start now and keep it going!

Happy New Year!