3FatChicks

I found this fun tool while I was blog-surfing. I thought it was a good way to keep track of my progress while I am losing weight.

My Inspiration

Jen asked everyone to find an inspiration photo of themselves and state their reasons for why they are participating in our contest. Okay, I know Clint looks a little goofy in this first one but I'm cute.
This next one is not actually when Clint proposed to me but it was when we got my ring back from the jewelers. His friend Doug took a bunch of pictures for us. Thanks, Doug!
Here's to me getting all my skinny clothes back from my sister, Debra (not really, Debra.)
My reasons for participating:
To fit back into, yes, my wedding dress.
To chase Leslie and be able to keep going for about half as long as she can.
To get rid of any clothes that have double digits on the tag, that will mean more to any women reading than to the men.
To take full advantage of my job in retail. I get a really good discount.

The Biggest Loser

Alright, Jenny, my sister-in-law, started a competition between friends along with the show The Biggest Loser. I decided to give it a go. I just finished my first workout and I have to say it kicked my butt. I am doing the P90X videos and they are intense. Our competition is going to 10 weeks and I am hoping to lose 20-25 lbs during that time. Wish me luck and any encouragement you can spare.

Happy Anniversary

Today is the third anniversary of our wedding!!! Clint and I dropped Leslie off with a babysitter. My boss from Eddie Bauer, Nancy, offered to watch her. I was a little nervous about it but after dinner and a few minutes of wandering around IKEA we can back to a very happy girl. I guess she cried for about 3 minutes and forgot about missing us. It was nice to have some time to ourselves and know that Leslie had a good time too.

The youngest of Nancy's two boys is Jacob. I think he is about 7, has become Leslie's special friend. She loved Jacob and occasionally acknowledged Easton's presence, her 9-year-old. She also very much like their dog, Basil. We said goodbye a dozen different times and finally made it home an hour after bedtime.

I love my Clint and am so happy that we are together. Here's to many more years together.

Like Mother Like Daughter: Part II

I love to read. As far back as I can remember I have loved to read, maybe my mom can counter that from very early childhood but I don't think that's likely.

Leslie also loves to read. We go to the library on a regular basis and get all kinds of books. The books we have at home are wonderful and we read them often enough that Leslie remembers what comes next in most of them. She could probably tell some of the stories all by herself If she had all the right words. She even gets ahold of my books occasionally and brings them to me to read out loud.

I love to watch her sit quietly by herself and look through her books. It makes me think that maybe she is a little like me after all and that our books are something we can continue to share as she gets older. I love my little book worm.

Like Mother Like Daughter

One of my Dad's favorite stories, accompanied by an appropriately embarrassing picture, about me is when I got a hold of some Desitin and had a little quality time by myself. I'm not sure how much of the tube I used but my legs were completely white by the time I finished. Well, Leslie has shown a similar fascination with Desitin.

Now, she didn't get quite as far as I did but that didn't seem to stop her from enjoying it to its fullest. I'm sure it was easier for her because now they sell the 'creamy' variety, I had to use regular.

I'm SO crafty

I, Julie Long, have actually made something for my daughter. I have been wanting to make her a tu-tu for a while now and I finally did.

I put in three different colors and I think it turned out rather well. It is a little long but that will take care of itself in time.

I want to start making some other things for her but am not sure how to get started. If anyone has good directions for making a duvet cover I would love to hear about it. I have a dozen different ideas for an amazing girls' bedroom. Also, anyone that can make hair barrettes she could use some of those too. Leslie has really beautiful hair but sometimes it could use some embellishment.