Weight loss is weighing on my mind

Although I do not have a recent photo of my entire body (on purpose) I would like to announce that I am at 145 pounds, which is back to my 22 year old weight. It's taken 5 years to get here. At my largest I was 165 pounds and although people tell me that being tall hides the fat well, I disagree completely!

Some of you may know that I have had major girl/females issues that landed me in the hospital last year with extreme inflammation. I could never loose weight because my stomach was literally bloated or swollen all the time. Yet, I had to find some way to conquer the weight thing regardless of what my body wanted to do (eat!) In March I stared memorizing calories and walking for a half hour in the morning and then yoga or jogging at night. I felt better, but I still did not see any significant wait loss. I was at 155 this summer and felt like I would never go below 150.

And then I took a claritin. I haven't had relief like this in about 4 years, and I take one everyday now. Food is no longer my source of fixing things. The only things I can figure is that I have an allergy that triggers my bloated gut and claritin fixes it. Seriously I am amazed at the difference and wish I had found this years ago. But, I know... there is a timing to all things...

So, I am about 5 pounds away from a new size--8! For anyone that is my height, you know that just to be in single digits is so very important. I will never be called "little" or "petite" but I love feeling great. Maybe claritin is not your diet plan, but I encourage you to get out and do whatever you need to do that helps you get out of bed in the morning. That first step is so important!

The incredible hair-color-changing woman

This update will be posted with a photo of me only. I had resolved long ago to no longer post photos of guys or boyfriends or dates or potentials or anyone who happened to fall in the background of a photo so as not to get my families hopes up. What?! Could Tawny have possibly found someone??? At her age???? I went against that resolve and now I must rescind those pictures, taking with me with I know to be true. That is-- he was not the one for me.

I have moments-- sometimes days-- of peace where I feel assured that everything is as it should be in and to trust God's timing and not mine. It took me 27 years (perhaps a little less, but this long to say it out loud) to realize that I am most happy and content being with me. With that realization, I started eating better, working out, going back to school... all so that I could be the best version of myself without anyone else. I love my family and friends, but my identity is constantly being refined with "who am I when no one is looking???" So even though I joke about my age, I think the best years are now.

With God I can go anywhere, do anything, and have purpose. My future is unsure, but at least it is exciting!

Double your freshness, double your fun...

Oh look, a blonde! Diana drove from Walnut Creek that night and met us in time for karaoke. The whole night I kept running into people I knew and I started looking for the "This is your life" cameras. There are those that say Di and I look like sisters. If I could be so lucky!!!

27!

Here are my friends all together at a birthday dinner for me on Friday night. We all gathered at a local restaurant and I was surprised when most of the girls said they would come because they might only know one other person besides me. While sitting at the table I took stock of all of my friends and decided that not only was I lucky to have them, but to have them all in one room together was a huge gift. Thank you to Alysun and Aunt Marlene for the birthday wishes (your card was perfect timing, Auntie! :) What a perfect way to turn 27. I promise not all of my friends are brunette!

Dog fight

On labor day, Mick had to subdue the dog, who wanted to be outside to play catch with Dad and Mikey. Micky is dating a girl named Laura and she has a boy named Mikey. They are an adorable family.

Puppy Love

Another highlight of going to Mandi's is-- she has two new puppies, Daisy and Duke. I got a TON of kisses that night.

Lone Survivor

I went with my sister Mallory to our friends house (Mandi) on Sunday night to "swim" (the water was too cold so I just lounged in my swimsuit and coverup). We had the tiki torches burning... until I got voted off the island.