{30 Before Thirty} My First Tattoo!

I finally got my first tattoo!!! I spent endless hours looking at tattoo ideas on Pinterest. One Saturday morning I picked the tattoo, font and showed Preston. He said I like it, let's go today. Like a true tattoo newb, I called around and booked us for the first tattoo artist that could get us in that day.  I knew if we didn't get them right then we never would.

Luckily, our tattoos turned out great and we both love them!

{Waiting to get our tattoos}

{you and me}

{Preston trying not to think about the pain}

{My first tattoo!}

{Preston's second tattoo}

In the beginning, I went to great measures to cover up my tattoo at work. It worked because my boss didn't notice for many months. I still wear bracelets to hide it, but I'm not worried if it pops out.

{Attempting to cover up my tattoo}

{Arm Candy}

{Pile it on}

I think I want a second tattoo. I just don't know when and if I can endure the pain! Here is what I am liking:

Source: 12stonehollowway.blogspot.com via Lori on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Lori on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Lori on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Lori on Pinterest

30 Before Thirty

Since I'm 30 today, I better update my 30 Before Thirty list. It's funny how much your interests change in 2 years. I'm looking over my 30 Before Thirty list and some of the items I have on the list seem silly today. Let's re-examine the list.

30 Before Thirty

01.  Finish wedding scrapbook

Totally did NOT happen. I don't think I attempted to work on my wedding scrapbook once. 

 

02.  Complete Rosetta Stone Spanish program

Ya, I don't even own the program. 

 

03.  Compete in a race longer than a 5k

This is a hard one. I really wanted to run a 1/2 marathon, but I couldn't convince myself to put in the time. Actually, let's blame this one on my BFF. She got pregnant and wasn't there to train with me. All your fault Ash!! 

 

04.  Make homemade noodles

I am planning on making homemade noodles this Thanksgiving. 

 

05.  Climb Pikes Peak or other 14teener

This goal all depends on one person.... yes I am talking about you DAN! I still hope to do this one day. 

 

06.  Take a family photo (Cheese)

07.  Start to furnish house (Furnishings)

08.  Aggressively fund retirement and savings accounts ($$)

09.  Go on 2 vacations not including Las Vegas

DONE! Stay tuned.

 

10.  Get in the best shape of my life

So sad. But I have a plan. Stay tuned. 

 

11.  Go snowboarding (Snowboarding)

12.  Sing Karaoke 

Done! Stay tuned.

 

13.  Attempt to surf

Done! Stay tuned. 

 

14.  Dinner at the Penrose Room at The Broadmoor

Didn't happen, but someday. Since I have already been to the Penrose Room {even with Preston} I'm not too disappointed. 

 

15.  Drinks at The Golden Bee

Going here tonight with my bestest friends for my birthday!!! 

 

16.  Get a tattoo (TATTOO)

Done!

 

17.  Do the stairs at Air Force Academy

Let's just say that this past summer was not about working out. 

 

18.  Do something fun for 10 year reunion (10 Year Reunion)

19.  Put together a puzzle

Done! Stay tuned. 

 

20.  Spend a night in, drinking wine with The Hustler (Undeveloped Wino)

21.  Get a picture of Harley playing in the water at the lake (Harley Swimming)

22.  Take pictures of Grammie and Poppie (Grammie & Poppy)

23.  Host a dinner party

I need to do this soon! 

 

24.  Get eyebrows waxed

Although I have waxed my eyebrows myself within the last 2 years, I have not gotten them professionally done. Ashley even gave me a gift certificate for this for my birthday last year. 

 

25.  Play Wii Tennis  (Wii Madness)

26.  Recreate Boulder Creek trip with Ashley, Lindsey and Brea

Done! Stay tuned. 

 

27.  BFF Night Out

Done! Stay tuned.

 

28.  Try rollers in hair

Really, I have this on my list. I'm saying Done! Stay tuned. 

 

29.  Go to a bar specifically to play pool

Done! Stay tuned.

 

30.  Create photo mural from Photocraft book 

Fail. But I did create a wall gallery so I'm counting this as done! 

 Actually I completed most of the items on the list. Pretty cool!

Finding Structure before it's too Late

I need to find some major motivation. I have gained a crap ton {officially lingo for 10 plus pounds} of weight over the summer. I allowed it to happen. I ignored the first couple of pounds and before I knew it I was 10 pounds heavier. I stopped eating healthy and I stopped going to the gym.

I will be 30 in three short months. I would love nothing more than to go into my thirties weighing in the 120's. This is going to take a lot of work on my part. Right now I feel like I look at food and gain weight.

I need a plan. I need structure. I need goals. I need motivation.

Here is the first step. 

~ Take the 5 flight of stairs to and from work
~ Go to the gym at least 3 days a week 
~ Drink 32 ounces of water every day
~ No candy, sweets, cookies
~ Eat in moderation
~ Lose the first 5lbs by September 1st

 

I FINISHED SOMETHING!!!

I have the most exciting news to share with you..... 

Are you prepared???? 

Erin and I completed the 12 week Jame Eason Livefit Workout Program!!!!

The J.E. workout program is perfect if you are looking to build muscle and trim fat. The program has 3 distinct phases; each transitioning to the next.

Phase 1: is all about lifting. Absolutely NO cardio. I know it sounds torturous, but you get used to it. Jamie really works on building muscle before adding in cardio and burning off the fat. This phase helped me feel comfortable and confident in the gym with the meat-heads.

Phase 2: basically intensifies the moves that you learned in phase 1 by adding in new sequences, upping the sets while lowering the reps. You also add in light cardio. The workouts are much longer as you are lifting for about an hour and then doing light cardio for 30 minutes.

Phase 3: pushes you to a whole new level. You really up the reps, while decreasing the number of moves. This is done in a circuit style. Jamie then so kindly adds in 30 second on/off sprints for 30 minutes. 

WHAT I LOVED

The sprints- sounds crazy, but true

Phase 2 lifting plan- this is the phase where my muscles started to pop

The easy to follow workout schedule- structure is good

The new crazy defined muscles that I now have- my upper body is ripped! 

The respect I get in the gym- I'm considered a regular and hard core

I've lost pounds- but more importantly inches 

WHAT DIDN'T JIVE WITH ME 

The length of time I spent in the gym in Phase 2

The circuit's in Phase 3- it was hard trying to "reserve" all the machines/weights needed

Legs- turns out I hate lifting legs

The eating- if I could have stuck to the meal plan I would be down another 5lbs

CHECK OUT JAMIE EASON'S WORKOUT PROGRAM:

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/jamie-eason-livefit-trainer.html

 

A Gift from the Universe

It is truly awe striking when you are searching for something- not a physical object but more along the lines of a goal, purpose or answer- and you feel completely lost and overwhelmed and never think the answer or whatever you are searching for you will come to you and then out of nowhere during a time when you are least expecting it or are not even focusing on it the answer just presents itself to you like a gift from the Universe.

This exact thing happened to me this evening.

You see I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE setting goals and thinking about the future and my dreams and everything I want to accomplish. But this year has been different. Coming up with my 2012 goals seemed daunting and boring and I knew they would be very similar to 2011's goals. So I began to get squirmy. I talked to Preston and asked if we could sit down and talk about them {we like to make sure we are both on the same page} and put them in writing. Maybe if I can get Preston excited I will become excited about setting them.

So we set a date to discuss them and so I sat down at my computer this evening and starting typing them out so I would be ready to share and receive input. As I typed my brain powered off. I felt very overwhelmed and annoyed for not coming up with anything besides the obvious.

I started writing my list.
1. Financial
2. Fitness
3. Marriage
4. Personal Growth
5. Giving Back
6. Organization
7. Work
8. 30 Before Thirty List

Then it hit me. I am not excited to make goals for 2012 because I have this huge 30 Before Thirty list looming over my head. I know, I created this list and the world is not going to end it I don't achieve all 30 items but it will go down as another project that Lori started but didn't finish.

I then become soo completely frustrated I started reading some of the blogs I follow. I ran across this blog: The Athletarian  and a post about a fitness program she is following and her new desire to become lean and fit. Out of curiosity I Googled the program she was doing and found Jamie Eason staring at me telling me about a 12 week fitness program she put together for women. Interesting I thought. So I watched the intro video  and I knew immediately, like a gift sent from the Universe, what my main 2012 goal/focus should be. 

More to come!

{30 Before Thirty} WHAT WAS I THINKING?

Now that I am officially 29, I think it's time to review my 30 Before Thirty List and try and figure what the hell I was thinking on some of these!!!

30 Before Thirty

01.  Finish wedding scrapbook: hmm not really sure if this is going to get done. I haven't been in the scrap booking mood in a long time. But it would be nice to have a book full of memories. I will have this done!

02.  Complete Rosetta Stone Spanish program: totally NOT going to happen. I have no reason to speak Spanish and so if I do learn it, it will never be used. Not to mention the program is crazy expensive!!  I am inserting a new to do that I have happened to complete: Score Jack Quinn 10 Run Shirt

03.  Compete in a race longer than a 5k: this will happen

04.  Make homemade noodles: I should make this for Thanksgiving. If I don't maybe for Christmas or Easter. This will happen. 

05.  Climb Pikes Peak or other 14teener: I really want to do this. It's going to have to involve some other people, so that might be tricky. But I will try my best!

06.  Take a family photo (Cheese)

07.  Start to furnish house (Furnishings)

08.  Aggressively fund retirement and savings accounts ($$)

 

09.  Go on 2 vacations not including Las Vegas: this is a little silly. P-Diddy and I have gone to Vegas twice this year and we go on a cruise in December. I am grateful we are able to go on even one vacation let alone three. I will consider this complete once we return from our cruise. 

 

10.  Get in the best shape of my life: working on it, but have a long way to go. Ass Kicker is doing his best to help me achieve this.

11.  Go snowboarding (Snowboarding)

 

12.  Sing Karaoke: I hate karaoke. Why did I choose this?? But I'll do it. 

 

13.  Attempt to surf: this is going to be hard to accomplish. I am hoping I can surf on one of the excursions during our cruise. 

14.  Dinner at the Penrose Room at The Broadmoor: love the Penrose Room! Can't wait to fulfill this one!

 

15.  Drinks at The Golden Bee: never been. Will probably wait until Baby Fetters is born so Josh and Ash can enjoy the bees with us.

16.  Get a tattoo: man I really want one.  But I'm chicken. It's a huge decision. I know what I want, but honestly it doesn't have a lot of meaning behind it.

 

17.  Do the stairs at Air Force Academy: will do this!

 

18.  Do something fun for 10 year reunion (10 Year Reunion)

 

19.  Put together a puzzle: this one is done, I just need to blog about it. 

20.  Spend a night in, drinking wine with The Hustler (Undeveloped Wino)

 

21.  Get a picture of Harley playing in the water at the lake (Harley Swimming)

22.  Take pictures of Grammie and Poppie (Grammie & Poppy)

 

23.  Host a dinner party: I finally got a china cabinet to hold all of my wedding china. This is going to happen soon!! 

24.  Get eyebrows waxed: I have a gift certificate from Ash, I just need to do it. 

25.  Play Wii Tennis  (Wii Madness)

 

26.  Recreate Boulder Creek trip with Ashley, Lindsey and Brea: decided to raft instead of tube this year. Next year I will make sure to tube down Boulder Creek! 

27.  BFF Night Out: waiting for Lil Fetters to be born. 

28.  Try rollers in hair: 1. I need some sort of special occasion 2. Need to buy rollers.

29.  Go to a bar specifically to play pool: I have really been wanting to go to CJ's and play pool wih Presto-Magic. Maybe this weekend?

30.  Create photo mural from Photocraft book: I am counting the gallery wall for this one. I just need black and white pictures to complete the gallery. 

 

I really only have 18 left and only 16 if you include the gallery wall and waxed eye brows. Wow, this post made me feel 100% better. I was starting to stress over this silly list. In all actuality it's not soo bad. Most of the tasks seem doable and fun. 

 

What I am  not looking forward to is finishing the scrapbook {sounds like a daunting task} and singing karaoke {way out of my comfort zone}.  

 

Other than that, they are all totally doable!!!  

{30 Before Thirty} 10 Year Reunion

I have on my 30 Before Thirty list do something fun for 10 year high school reunion. Check. The Calhan High School class of 2001 met up at Fox and Hound and enjoyed a few drinks. It was great to see everyone and catch up!  

Crazy class of 2001, 10 years later...

Kalen & Casey

Neon, Jackie, Robben

Me & Preston

Shad & Todd

Sam

Jessica, Kalen and Me

Sam, Jessica, Kalen, Me, Todd, Shad

Kalen & Casey

{Personal Training Diaries}

This evening I had my first personal training session. I knew it was going to be tough, but I had lifted before, with some strong serious lifting dudes, so I thought I would do fairly well.

Enter Mr. Trainer Dude.

He kicked my ass. I have never felt so weak and sissy la-la in my entire life. This also tells me that I am not good at pushing myself to my limits when lifting on my own. Mr. Trainer Dude had me questioning my ability right off the bat with a 3 minute blank. Seriously who can do a 3 minute plank?! Then he asked me to do some ab exercises and I literally couldn't. This was a huge eye opener. My core is WEAK. There is nothing there.

I then worked my chest, shoulders and some lower back. Each exercise he pushed me to my max without compromising form. The goal of all this is to not only get stronger, but also know proper technique.
 

Workout Session 1:
Row 4 minute warm-up

Plank 3 minutes
Ab workout (similar to a P90X V-Up Roll Up)
Regular crunches
Crunch pulses with bar
Side Oblique crunces

Bench Press
Seated Row
Assisted Pull Ups
Butterfly Chest Machine Thingy
Ab workout holding feet up and bringing knees in
Elevated Row
Elevated Pull Down Bar Thingy
Push Ups on knees using ball
Side Planks

Ending with the Foam Roller 


I hope my P90X Recovery drink does its magical trick and makes me feel good as new tomorrow.

I noticed that in my workout I was parched the entire time. I need to make sure to drink more water throughout the day. Also, when I got home I wasn't hungry like at all. I need to switch up my meals and eat the salad with beans for lunch to make sure I get my vegetables and save the bean soup for dinner. It's also probably important to eat dinner.

One of the main reasons I am working with a personal trainer is to build my strength. I know lifting plays a vital part in my overall fitness level. I just don't have the knowledge or will power to do it.

I also have this goal on my 30 Before Thirty list to be in the best shape of my life. I knew that without help I wouldn't be able to reach this goal to the tone of best shape of my life. I feel like now is the right time to commit my time to a trainer. Preston's pool leagues have started, it's getting colder out, Ashley is Prego and I have this huge desire to be lean and toned all before I turn 30- in little over a year. For all of these reasons I decided to ask for help.

{30 Before Thirty} Cheese!

Number 6 on my 30 Before Thirty: take a family photo. 

Back in June we celebrated Grammie and Poppy's 65th wedding anniversary in Denver. We had a photographer come in and take our family pictures. 

{Family Photos}  

Grammie & Poppy

Family

Grammie & Poppy with Cousins

Lawson/Hollis Family with Grammie & Poppy

Taylor, Sister, Dad, Mom, Preston and I

Sister, Dad, Mom and I

Preston & I

Preston & I

Preston & I

{30 Before Thirty} $$

I'm going to make this one short and sweet cause it's not polite to air your dirty laundry. In this case I'm talking about finances. But because I put in on my list and because it's a huge accomplishment for Preston and I, I feel I must at least acknowledge it.

Preston and I completed number 8 on my Thirty Before 30 list- aggressively fund retirement and saving accounts. It feels great responsible to be able to mark this one off the list!! A big sigh of relief. The savings account don't touch unless your world is crashing down account is fully funded and our retirement contributions are being make every month like clock work.

In Dave Ramsey world we have moved onto Baby Step Number 5, but as it turns out we don't have any children so that brings us to Baby Step Number 6!!!! WOW!!

Dave Ramsey's 7 Baby Steps

{30 Before Thirty} Harley Swimming

We have been to the lake a lot this year. This has given me many opportunities to take pictures of Harley swimming in the lake.   

Augusta Waiting for Harley.

Harley swimming in.

Harley fetching the largest stick I have ever seen.

Harley enjoys swimming so much he actually jumped off the side of the boat thinking he would swim to shore. I was too shocked to jump in after him. Preston can't swim very well. I think he kept waiting for me to jump in and save him. By now Harley is swimming in the opposite direction of the boat.  Before I know it, Taylor does the most graceful dive into the freezing cold water and rescues Harley. I don't think I will ever live this down.

Augusta is finally starting to venture into the deep and unknown. She has actually swam for a stick more than once. My next task is to capture her on camera.

{30 Before Thirty} Snowboarding

On the way to Loveland

 For Preston's 30th Birthday, we went Snowboarding in Loveland with friends. I don't have any pictures of me on the mountain to actually prove it so you are just going to have to trust me on this one.
 
I own a snowboard and boots from my days working at Sports Authority, but it's been a couple of years since I have snowboarded.  

At dinner

Preston has only been snowboarding a couple of times in his life. I figured I would be waiting on him as he fell down the mountain. Not the case! He picked up snowboarding faster than I could imagine. In no time he was flying down the mountain leaving me in the dust on my butt. Next time we go I will be skiing just so I can keep up.

After skiing we ate dinner at the most amazing Mexican restaurant in Frisco. Honestly, I think it is the best Mexican food I have ever had!


Number 11 on my 30 Before Thirty list crossed off! 5 completed, 25 to go with a little over a year and a half left until I'm 30.

{30 Before Thirty} Furnishings

For Christmas I got a new bedroom set from Preston, Mom and Dad. Finally, all of the bedroom furniture pieces match! 

I still want to paint the green wall behind the bed. I know in the pictures below the wall looks like it matches the comforter, but it doesn't. The wall is more of a sea green and the comforter is a light baby blue. I am thinking of either painting the wall grey or blue to match the comforter. 

I would also really like to repaint the jewelry hutch black to match the rest of the furniture. Currently it's hiding in the closet since it's a dark cherry color. I have read enough DIY blogs to know if can be done. But I am not sure if I have it in me to do the transformation correctly or to even complete it. This is what I had in mind.... {click here}. See, it's totally doable. And Centsatinal Girl used spray paint! I am talking myself into doing it as we speak!

Here are pictures of my new bedroom set.

Number 7 on my 30 Before Thirty list is checked off!

{30 Before Thirty} Grammie & Poppy

Number 22 on my 30 Before Thirty list is take pictures of Grammie and Poppy. I took these pictures on Christmas Eve.

"Grandparents make the world... a little softer, a little kinder, a little warmer."

~Unknown

Wii Madness

My Sista and her Mr. came over and played Wii tennis with The Hustler and I. I forgot just how much I love Wii tennis! Is is my favorite Wii game.

The Hustler and I also tested our Wii age. Usually the Wii says your age is 80 or something crazy like that. To my surprise my Wii age was 33- not bad at all!  The Hustler was in the 50's or 60's. Ha take that Hustler!!

There is a tragic story however to this night. The Hustler and I where in a close game of tennis and I was serving. The Hustler has a wicked return that results in a point every-single-time. The only way to combat is to bring the heat with the serve. I knew that if I wanted to win I had to send a rocket fire. I got so into it on my down swing I hit Augusta on the head with the remote which flew out of my hand and hit the wall making a dent. The sad story is Augusta's lump on her head. For the remainder of the night she would not come into the living room and hid upstairs. So so sad!  

Undeveloped Wino

It's amazing how driven and specific my life becomes when I make a list. It shouldn't surprise you that I have already completed something off of my 30 Before Thirty list just a couple of days after I came up with this great idea!

The Hustler and I stayed in and finally opened the bottle of wine my Aunt and Uncle gave us last Christmas. The wine was great! I wish I could tell you what it tasted like, but my lack of experience in the wine department leaves me with no idea how to successfully describe it. Therefore I have made it my main goal to drink more wine. This is by far the best goal I have set for myself yet. 

I was finally able to add a wine cork to my decorate collection.

30 Before Thirty

I recently turned 28. People have asked me if I feel different- older. The answer is no. Honestly before my 28th birthday I couldn't remember if I was 27 or 28. I think half of the time I thought I was already 28. The only difference I can see is I am only 2 years away from 30. Now 30 sounds old! No more twenty something who can get away with anything.  At 30 people expect you to be responsible and have your shit together.

The Hustler truly believes most women go through a semi mid-life crisis at age 30. He says he is already preparing for my crisis!? I have no idea what he is talking about, but he says he knows people whose wives went through the 30 crisis. Does anyone else know what he is talking about? I get the feeling he is not looking forward to me turning 30 either.

Lately I have come across blogs that talk about a 30 Before Thirty list- something like a Bucket List, but the items must be checked off by your 30th birthday. Since I love lists I thought this was right up my alley!

30 Before Thirty

01.  Finish wedding scrapbook

02.  Complete Rosetta Stone Spanish program

03.  Compete in a race longer than a 5k

04.  Make homemade noodles

05.  Climb Pikes Peak or other 14teener

06.  Take a family photo (Cheese)

07.  Start to furnish house (Furnishings)

08.  Aggressively fund retirement and savings accounts ($$)

09.  Go on 2 vacations not including Las Vegas

10.  Get in the best shape of my life

11.  Go snowboarding (Snowboarding)

12.  Sing Karaoke

13.  Attempt to surf

14.  Dinner at the Penrose Room at The Broadmoor

15.  Drinks at The Golden Bee

16.  Get a tattoo (TATTOO)

17.  Do the stairs at Air Force Academy

18.  Do something fun for 10 year reunion (10 Year Reunion)

19.  Put together a puzzle

20.  Spend a night in, drinking wine with The Hustler (Undeveloped Wino)

21.  Get a picture of Harley playing in the water at the lake (Harley Swimming)

22.  Take pictures of Grammie and Poppie (Grammie & Poppy)

23.  Host a dinner party

24.  Get eyebrows waxed

25.  Play Wii Tennis  (Wii Madness)

26.  Recreate Boulder Creek trip with Ashley, Lindsey and Brea

27.  BFF Night Out

28.  Try rollers in hair

29.  Go to a bar specifically to play pool

30.  Create photo mural from Photocraft book