20 Things...Late Again.

A day late...but what can you do?

1. My friend and co-worker moved back over near my office! I love getting to see her more over here on my side of the building…she is great to talk to!
2. Mailed my swap package off to Stephanie
3. In the midst of all the CRAP going on this week…got caught up on my DVR!
4. Sara being there for me, like she always is…hope she knows what it means to me.
5. Talked to great friends who helped me get through a really difficult time!
6. Talked to my Dad and Teresa, who tried to help me see the bright spot!
7. Drove to Fort Worth talking to my friend Jenny most of the way on the phone!
8. Meeting Anika…SHE ROCKS!
9. Had dinner with one of my GREAT friends from high school Rachel, her 3 month old Cole, and Anika…it was great to just sit and catch up !

10.Anika, Shawn and I went out for some girl time…just what the doctor ordered!

11.Memorial Day in Austin, Texas…we went to the Capitol, Mt Bonnell and the Oasis (Sunset Capital of Texas)

12.Time at the Oasis with LuAnn & Autumn (WE NEED TO DO THIS MORE)


13.Got my swap package from Stephanie (IT WAS AMAZING and I will be blogging about it this weekend!)
14.Tuesday Anika and I got up and had a great hike in one of my favorite places!
15.Went to another favorite place for lunch…RUDY’s
16.Had a quite afternoon and then took Anika to the airport
17.Shawn and I went for a nice walk and grabbed groceries from the store and made a yummy dinner!
18.Spin with Shawn
19.Rudy’s AGAIN!
20.Indian Food…Loving that!

What happened to Thursday?

Ok…so I didn’t post my usual 20 Things Thursday on Thursday and I have to tell you why. I had a crappy week, well in my head it was crappy, but in my heart after dealing with the hurt…it made me realize just how lucky I really am.

I had a crisis of happiness. I couldn’t remember for the life of me the last time I was TRULY happy and it REALLY REALLY scared me. I feel/felt like I have been faking it so long, that I couldn’t remember what it was like to be happy. Not just happy in the moment, but happy about anything and everything. There are things going on everyday that make me happy for the moment, but in the overall scheme of things, I realized that I am not as happy as I pretend to be.

So while dealing with things this week, I have had to take a long hard look at myself and figure out why I am not happy. Of course lots of things have come up, but the thing that comes up the most is the weight loss. I thought it would be a magic fix for everything that I thought was wrong before.

FOLKS…I am here to tell you, it DOES NOT FIX EVERYTHING! It just doesn’t!

I have no magic recipe to finding happiness…but I have learned this week that I need to take it one day at a time. So everyday I am taking mental notes on what is going on around me and how it makes me feel. I will find my way back to that happiness…I WILL!

First step is to start putting myself out there in different situations to find out what works for me. I have to expand my social circle. While what I have around me is great and I wouldn’t change some of it for the world, there are some things that I need to let go of and move on from.

I am NOT the same person I was 2 years ago and I need to find out just what this new person needs to be 100% happy again.

Guess what?

HAPPINESS IS A JOURNEY!

Who knew?

Thomas' Kindergarten Graduation

Yesterday my Super Buddy Thomas, graduated from Kindergarten...I remember the day he got here. It is SO exciting to be a part of watching your brother have kids and be a dad. There is nothing like it!

So back to Thomas...he and his fellow classmates graduated yesterday and it was a GOOD time!

Down to all the kids repeating the pastor's prayer...it gave me the giggles to hear how cute they were!

And without further ado...here are the pictures!
***Thomas and I***

***SILLY KIDS***

***Thomas and Oma***

***Thomas and Silly Daddy***

***Thomas and Silly Nonnie and Papaw***

***Mommy and Daddy***

***Mallory showing Nana her "I am upset with Daddy face"***

***Nana and Mallory***


These are the reasons life is good...it doesn't get better than this!

Happy Graduation Thomas...YOU DID GREAT!

20 Things Thursday...a day late!

I am really glad I write things down…because it seems like this week might have been 2 weeks combined!

1. Rent the musical with Shawn and Stephanie…it was a GREAT girl’s night!
2. Friday-Shawn and I had another girl’s night...went for some BBQ and then to the Domain and “shopped.” Really what we did is sit on a bench people watching and getting to know each other better. IT WAS AWESOME!

3. On Saturday I took Jason to this cool place I heard about called Cornucopia…it was YUMMY! And I had TOO much popcorn!
4. We also went to the Farmer’s Market, but because it was about to POUR down rain we didn’t get anything!
5. I also got to take him to a restaurant that I really like (Korean House)…and he liked it too!
6. I met up with a fellow WW message boarder for lunch on Sunday afternoon…it was great to finally meet her (Melissa) and her boyfriend!

7. I also went shopping…mostly for others, but I did find a cute new dress!
8. Sunday was 13 months with J…we went to the Alamo Drafthouse and saw a movie and had dinner while we watched the movie! We saw “The Soloist.” It was pretty good…not “7 Pounds,” but pretty good.
9. Monday I met up with Shawn and her friend Miranda and we went for a nice brisk walk and then threw in some running! We walked 3 and ran 1…it was good to get off the couch and actually DO something AGAIN!
10. I also got a great card from Jane with a cool breast cancer flip flop pendant.
11. My wonderful friend Anika, (who is going to be here on SUNDAY) sent me another package with YUMMY Sandwich Thins…I can’t buy them here, so she was nice enough to send me more!
12. Tuesday there was a dinner with friends…sort of a double date! Shawn was involved…yummy food was involved! I think I might have a new favorite restaurant! I think I need to get more out and about in my own city…there are so many hidden treasures!

13. There was also a wonderful incident with yummy desserts!
14. Wednesday I got my messy apartment cleaned back up…I am getting prepared for Anika’s visit!
15. Getting my swap package in the mail for Stephanie!
16. Getting to know my new swap partner Shanna!
17. Thursday was a day gone really wrong that turned around the minute I got to see my family!
18. Thomas’ Kindergarten Graduation (see the pictures coming up!)
19. 15 little kids singing and praying…it was TOO CUTE!
20. Hugs and kisses from Thomas and Mallory…it doesn’t get ANY BETTER!

Upcoming events:
• Possibly seeing my girls Autumn and LuAnn for some girl time!
• Seeing Betsy & her daughter Addison today to pick up invitations for a baby shower (YEAH BABIES)
• Wishing Hadley a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY
• Seeing friends from High School for a wedding shower!
• Going to Dallas to sneak in some time with Amber before picking up ANIKA!
• Hanging out with Anika
• 4 Day weekend

SEE…life is good, even when it doesn’t always seem like it!

Happy Memorial Day! Have a SAFE and WONDERFUL holiday weekend!

20 Things Thursday

Has been delayed...but I WILL post it and other things tomorrow!

Stay tuned...

Janna

Choose to Reuse

That is what my newest toy says! I know these aren't new...but I LOVE my Camelbak bottles. My first one was a hot pink platic number. I had to get pink because I was training for the 3-Day! When I travel...these things save me SO MUCH MONEY! You empty it, take it through airport security and then get someone to fill it on the other side. No need to buy a million bottles of water! Just go in somewhere and fill it up!

My next one came along just because it was so pretty. It was a darker blue with stars like the night sky. I didn't really need a new one, but it was onsale and I was grabbing some for Xmas gifts!

Well, again...I didn't need a new one, but REI was having a KILLER sale! And I have always wanted a stainless steel one, but I didn't like that you had to unscrew the lids...well Camelbak read my mind and came up with the perfect solution!



Meet my newest find...isn't it pretty? I LOVE it so much already!

How is your Monday going?

Mother's Day Swap

I can’t believe it has taken me this long to post about the GREAT package I received from my swap partner Marcia! Cheryl is my blog friend that hosted the swap and Marcia happens to be her MOM! Because of the odd number of participants…I had Cheryl’s sister Stephanie. And after some sort of post office mess up, Stephanie finally got her package last week!

So back to my package, Marcia did such a great job! Here is what came in the big box!

A Great letter! That was probably my favorite thing, getting to know about her and her reasoning for what she got for me.

Marcia is a runner-17 MARATHONS…and training for another! HOLY COW! This is something for me to aspire to. So because of this she included:

• Packet of Gu
• Zone Energy Bar
• Bottle of Gatorade
• And a Runner’s Log
• She also gave me a book (Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”) along with Bubble Bath. So I could read and relax! By the way Marcia…I haven’t read this book and I am looking forward to it!
• She also gave me The Devil Wears Prada movie and popcorn…along with a Heath Bar and a diet Pepsi…sounds like the perfect Girl’s Night In!
• And last but not least…A PINK…I love Pink, life is good mug. I am a HUGE fan of this line of clothing and novelties! It is one of my favorite go to gifts for my friends! A great message to always remember…

In fact a line from Marcia’s letter that rings true for everyone!

“Life has struggles, things to overcome, and things to deal with…but life is a blessing and “Life Is Good” when one counts their blessings and can try to focus on the beauty and good around them!”

Marcia THANK YOU for all the thought and energy you put into my package! I loved EVERYTHING!

Cheryl thanks for hosting...it was so much fun!!

20 Things Thursday

1. Hiking on Thursday with J and the dog
2. Jason’s Deli-I LOVE THEIR SALAD BAR! And I can actually have everything that I want…minus the cheese but after everything else going in that bowl…I don’t miss it! (and they have HUMMUS!)
3. Receiving my swap package from Marcia (more to come)
4. Meeting up for an impromptu dinner at Central Market with my friend Shawn…good girl time!
5. Getting my oil changed and car cleaned…it was WAY past due!
6. Night out with Tammy & Dave (I am REALLY going to miss them, more to come on this)
7. Making new friends that night while out for the going away bash!
8. Another GOOD, hard Hike at one of my favorite bike trails…it was interesting to hike it.
9. An unexpected day off work…while I didn’t enjoy not feeling well…it was nice to catch up on the DVR!
10.Shopping with Susan and getting 2 new shirts!
11.Getting the CUTEST voicemail from my friend Roxie and her little boy…VROOM VROOM!
12.Getting back on the bike after not feeling well. 7.5 miles…not great but not bad!
13.Sending off some fun packages! Can’t wait for everyone to get them!
14.Getting back on the WW train…and celebrating 2 years with them TODAY!
15.Hearing that two, possibly three of my WW message board buddies will be here the weekend of my tri to cheer me on!
16.Talking to my brother the other day…we should really talk and see each other more! I miss him and his family and they only live 30 minutes away!
17.Talking to my dad and catching up!
18.Packing up a bag and walking to “run” my errands last night…went grocery shopping and got dinner all with my own 2 feet…exercise and getting things done…WHO knew?
19.Mother’s Day-while I didn’t get to see either one of my moms…I did get to talk to them both! And I can’t wait to celebrate their day with them as soon as possible!
20.The musical Rent tonight with Shawn and my new friend Stephanie…it is going to be a GREAT girl’s night!

Highlights for the upcoming week…
• Farmer’s Market on Saturday Morning
• A trip to the HUGE Whole Foods
• Volunteering for the Trek Tri this weekend (anyone else want to join?)
• Possible Date night with LuAnn and Drew
• TRAINING TRAINING TRAINING for the Tri…it is only 3 weeks away!

Happy Anniversary!

2 years ago today…I walked into Weight Watchers.

Who knew it would have gone like this? With hard work, determination, sheer will and lots of pain, sweat and tears…I am here. Where is here?

Knocking on the door of lifetime…

While I have been struggling lately…I continue to battle through and keep trying! Everyday is a journey and I wouldn’t trade it for the world!

Thanks for being there cheering me on through it all…I LOVE YOU GUYS!

And thanks Dad for my email this morning…you really are my biggest cheerleader! LOVE YOU!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!! Two years of a new lifestyle, WOW!!!! I'm so proud of your accomplishments. You have grown so much as a person and you are learning to live life and not let it live you!
Love you,
Dad

***THEN***

***NOW***


When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place.
Anonymous

20 Things Thursday

1. Date Night-shopping, dinner and putt putt…it was FUN!
2. Friday-getting off at noon from work…PAID!
3. Shopping and a movie on Friday
4. Hanging out with Amy and getting in some good girl time (we need to do that more often)
5. Getting up early and taking the dog for a hike on Saturday…it was a beautiful morning!
6. Movie with Misty on Saturday
7. Kathy coming into town to run the 5K
8. Dinner with Kathy and J at NXNW…YUMMY FOOD…GREAT COMPANY!
9. Running the Bun Run in 34:11
10.Brunch, better known as pancakes with Kathy after the run!
11.Scale love on Tuesday-only 4 WI’s left until LIFETIME!
12.Dinner with Tammy and friends on Wednesday
13.Lunch to celebrate a co-worker’s birthday…HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCOTT!
14.Starbucks-ONLY ONCE! AND MAN was it yummy…and I got this!


15.Trying Indian food for the first time…it was REALLY good!
16.Getting my swap package in the mail (more on that later)
17.Getting a necklace I ordered online…SO FREAKING CUTE!


Go check out the site...tell Stephanie I sent you!
18.Bailey going to the vet and getting the “doing good” see you in 3 months speech!


19.Getting my hair cut…I think I LOVE IT! So easy to do…
20.New hair, new dress, new outlook Wednesday…it was a good day!

On a different note…I was supposed to be in Michigan right now with some friends for Tulip Time…and it just didn’t work out. At the last minute some things came up and I had to cancel the trip. I hope you guys are having fun…and I am sorry that I can’t be there with you! Can’t wait to see the pictures…and I will see you ALL in Chicago in August for the 3-Day!

New Janna, New Do

I got an itch...and got a new do. Haven't had one in a VERY long time...please pardon the no makeup and puffy eyes.







YES...I know I am silly!

Bun Run Baby!

A couple of months ago one of my WW message board buddies and I decided that we needed to do a 5K together…so we checked out the calendar and picked the Bun Run in Austin. Kathy came to Austin on Saturday and we hung out and had a great time catching up and eating yummy food! Thank you NXNW!

Sunday morning was cloudy and “cool,” well as “cool” as it can be in Austin this time of year. I think it was around 75 or so. We grabbed oatmeal and a banana from Starbucks and headed downtown. There were about 7500 people or so, I believe that is what I heard the announcer say. I had to find my friend Susan so I could give her her race number.

Before The Race


Right after that they had this lady doing a group stretch over the PA system…WOW…talk about TOO MUCH COFFEE! She was loud and obnoxious! So obnoxious the announcer even asked her to back away from the mike…it made me giggle!

So the race started and we were OFF! Kathy and I probably stayed together ¼ of a mile or so…we were so busy dodging all of the walkers. (Which by the way…if you are walking…go to the BACK…really?) It was an obstacle course for the first half mile or so. I lost Kathy, but kept a lookout for the green shirt. She had warned me the night before that she was competitive and she wouldn’t let me beat her…she wasn’t lying! The entire run I could just see her ahead of me about 500 feet or so.

So I ran out the first mile…RAN IT! Looked down and I had done it in just over 10 minutes…YEAH ME! It wasn’t long after I saw that first mile marker that I walked a bit…maybe a minute or so. That is pretty much how it went the rest of the run. I would run until I couldn’t and walk a minute or so. Most of the time I could still see Kathy ahead of me and it just pushed me to keep going.

At the end though…I was just concentrating on my race and I lost sight of her. But guess what? I found her at the finish line cheering me on! Now these times aren’t official and the results haven’t been posted yet…but Kathy finished in just over 32 minutes and I finished just under 34 minutes! Yeah that is right…2 Prior Fat Girls (thanks Jen) ran a 5K! WE ROCK!
After the Race

With the Bun

85 Year Old Woman...STILL getting out and enjoying life!


Thanks Kathy for coming to town…as always…it is so good to see you and I am very grateful that you have come into my life!

My GREAT friend Susan...she just hit 51.2 pounds lost this week! GO SUSAN!!!