It makes all the difference!

Posted on January 8, 2012 by Crazy Busy Mom

I have to start by saying I don’t usually wear makeup. I don’t know if that is because I don’t like it, or more likely, I just don’t have time. I don’t remember my mother doing her makeup everyday nor did I love putting it on.
Don’t get me wrong, I love getting a make over, I love having my colors done and I LOVE when someone that knows what they are doing applies makeup on me. I just don’t know what I am doing and it never looks as good as it did at the store.
I am also married to a man who is not a huge fan of a lot of makeup and so the few times I have tried to get “all done up” I don’t think he has really cared for the mess I have made of my face!

Well, this week I am headed on vacation ~ to the beach! And I really have gone all out to get ready! Toes done (haven’t had a pedi in over 6 months!) Waxed, exfoliated and spray tan! So when my esthetician, Pepper at Clarity Day Spa, suggested Xtreme Lashes instead of my usual of eye lash tenting for my trip…I was super excited!

Usually for events I get my lashes dyed to make it look like I always have mascara on – and it really works great! But I wanted something different. Something that would make my eye pop! All I can say is WOW! I love my new Xtreme Lashes! I think I am hooked!

It took Pepper about two hours to apply each lash to my existing lashes.
Pepper said my lashes will last 2-6 weeks depending on how well I take care of them. I have to wait 48 hours before I can put water on my face and I am not supposed to touch them because the oil in my fingers will cause them not to last as long. That’s it – nothing else! I can swim and still look great!

She finished my eyes right before the Texans game. We had a few friends over for the game and they all commented about how great my eyes looked! I am all ready for my trip!

Here are my before and after pictures.
This is the before Xtreme Lashes picture…
eye lashes

 

extreme lashes after photo

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The Hunt for the Perfect Winter Boot

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Crazy Busy Mom

I love shoes! I have since I was little. I think my first memories were of some cute little cowboy boots that my mother wore when she was little. That and my little red purse, but I’ll save purses for another post.

I have been on a hunt for a great boot for winter. Living down south in Texas you don’t really need winter boots but every now and then it gets cold enough that you want something to keep your feet warm.
So a few weeks back when we had our first cold front I went out on the hunt.

I was about to purchase a pair of UGGs last year but just seemed like too much money and it was getting close to spring so I was pretty sure I wasn’t going to wear them. So when I started out this year, I went to the best place for shoes – Nordstroms! I fell in love with a $200 pair of UGG ankle boots but it wasn’t what I was looking for. Very proud of myself for staying on track – to find a casual pair of warm shoes.

I had received a Croc catalog in the mail since I had ordered a pair for

my kids this summer. Who knew – Crocs has boots?!?! I actually bought two pair! One for the original purpose – to keep my feet warm and wear with tight jeans and leggings then I found a cute pair of black mules to wear with jeans.
Even better, both pair of shoes cost less than the UGGs I was thinking that I had to have. I really like these clogs, they are great with jeans.

One of the problems I have with lined boots is that my feet get too hot. I haven’t had that problem yet in my boots and I won’t have that problem in the clogs. With the cold weather I find that my toes are the things that are really cold and these lined shoes fix that!

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A Little Sad

Posted on October 6, 2011 by Crazy Busy Mom

Yesterday the news of Steve Jobs passing hit me…I was sad to hear about his death. A friend had texted me (we both use iPhones) to tell me the news.

I should tell you that my father is a computer guy. I grew up thinking it was normal to have multiple computers in your house (which now is much more normal).
We had an Apple 2 and the first Macintosh. I remember the Mac commercials.
I love all things Apple, and feel like Steve (or Apple) has always been a part of my life.

When you stop to think about it, so much of what we do and use has been impacted by Steve Jobs. I get up in the morning to read my devotional on my iPad. I check my schedule on my iPhone calendar which is synced through mobile me. My phone, my camera, my lifeline.
The mouse, personal computer with icons, and the list goes on.

My crazy busy life is made easier, made better by technology Steve Jobs visioned…created. He was a visionary and will be missed.

 

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Crazy Life

Posted on September 17, 2011 by Crazy Busy Mom

To say it has been a busy week is an understatement. Monday started normal, as Mondays go. Monday night I drove to San Antonio to see to Mary Christensen, the group was small enough that we got to meet her. She is amazing!

On Tuesday I had an all day meeting at my customer’s office, which was productive.

I took Wednesday, Thursday and Friday off for vacation and to try to get rest, but that didn’t happen.

My cousin and I were doing a show and had a Scentsy booth. Booth set up can be a lot of work, especially doing it by yourself and not being prepared. The event started at 5pm, we had to be ready to go by 4. I barely made it by 5.
It was an awesome event, Shecky’s Girls Night Out. I highly recommend finding one in your area. It is great to attend with some girl friends as well as being a vendor. I think my favorite thing was having the people help me unload my car at the event. It made setup so much easier!

Thursday night was much busier than Wednesday. We didn’t stop. It was a blast. By the time we finished and packed up on we were wiped out.

Friday morning my husband was getting ready to leave for work and I realized my car still had the very heaving shelving from the show. I had to have his help to take it out. I jumped out of bed to get the rack out of the car.
We took it out and then he left. I spent the next 20 minutes putting the two car seats back in the car.
I came inside, got dressed and then started to get the kids stuff ready for school. They have to be at school by 8am.
I looked all over the house – I could not find my kids’ school bags. I called my husband, no answer.  I went everywhere trying to find them. VERY FRUSTRATED! Then my husband called me back. Mike said, “What are you looking for?”
“The kids bags!” I replied. He said, “Chilly, I already took the kids to school.”

Really? I was that out of it? I am still laughing at myself as I write this. I cannot believe how crazy the week had been. I think I will try to spend the weekend recovering. But with my hubby out of town and both kids here, not sure that is going to happen.

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Crazy Shoes

Posted on September 10, 2011 by Crazy Busy Mom

I love these Shoes! They are the Vibram Five Fingers shoes.

Every time I wear them someone always comments about how funny they look. My husband hates them! I love them.

I have to start by saying I am flat-footed. I have an over pronation problem (not very strong arch of my foot). I have to be careful when selecting shoes, especially exercise shoes. I should also tell you that I don’t run, I can jog a little but mostly I walk.

I had first seen these shoes at REI. I later was with my husband getting him a pair of running shoes at Fleet Feet, my favorite athletic shoe store. Fleet Feet had them! The thing I really like about Fleet Feet is the people there take the time to listen and watch you in each shoe. My patient sales guy helped me try on several pair.
You have to try these on. They need to have a snug fit. We talked about my over pronation problem and he said the shoes would help. The idea is that it is like walking barefoot so it is more your natural step. It will also help build up strength in the arch.

We left the store and went to the gym. It was one of the best 30min treadmill experiences ever! I felt great, nothing hurt! It was a very different experience from my traditional athletic shoes.

I don’t wear them every day, I do find my feet can get a little tired. I alternate them with my other shoes or my fit flops.

They come in a lot of different colors and styles. I have the basic KSO. They have several different colors in this style to chose. I just walk around the neighborhood so I didn’t need anything super padded.
I am thinking about getting some of the cuter shoes, maybe wear them when I am our running errands. I took the five fingers on my trip to Disney World, they worked great!

There is a lot of information out there about the five fingers shoes. As I said before, I am not a runner. If you are, you might want to do some research to amke sure it is the right option for you.

If you are looking for something new and different, these shoes are worth a try!

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Much Harder than I Thought

Posted on August 16, 2011 by Crazy Busy Mom

After the first few days “off” my HCG diet I already started eating carbs. It was like a drug, I started with a few chips and couldn’t stop! I started walking every day to try to keep the extra calories off, but the weight was up.
As the protocol states, I was to have an apple/steak day. This means I eat 5-6 apples during the day and then a 6oz steak for dinner. I did great on the apple/steak day, back down to my goal weight.

I talked to my doctor about my carb craving and how crazy I was about carbs. She said that gluten, wheat and yeast can do that to you. On average it takes 21 days for gluten to leave your system. I had spent 40 days and gotten it out but then as soon as it was over, I picked it right back up. I started feeling tired again. No energy!

I think transition is one of those things you have to take day by day. I plan to continue to walk and try to stay away from carbs!

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Day 40 on HCG

Posted on August 9, 2011 by Crazy Busy Mom

I did it! I made it through 40 days on the HCG Diet! I actually took the drops for a few additional days since I had already paid for them. I lost a total of 22 pounds. Now a am scared and worried how I am going to keep it off! I am so surprise how much energy I have now. I think cutting out carbs, milk and gluten all helped!

Day 40 was officially August 2nd and I hadn’t reached my goal of 20 pounds. I am glad I stayed on a few more days.

Now starts the transition phase. I am gradually working my way up to 1200 calories. I am “allowed” to add some additional fruits and meats and one new veggie back in. Shocker – I get to have avocado! It is one of my favorites! And my new favorite thing to eat – grill a chicken breast and then put it in the food processor. In a small bowl mash up 1/2 of an avocado with lemon juice and salt. Then mix in the chicken. It has to be one of the yummiest chicken salads ever!

I am looking forward to expanding my choices. I am also looking forward to exercise. I now have energy again! I will start walking soon.

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Day 26 on HCG

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Crazy Busy Mom

I cannot believe I have been on this diet now 26 days! I am down 10 pounds so far and feel really good about it. The pre-made meals have been a life saver! I did make a few of my own meals the last few days because I forgot to order the meals for Monday pickup.
I don’t have a weigh-in on Wednesday this week. I only have one more doctor appointment remaining while on the program and I will use that one to plan TRANSITION. That is the 21 days after my 40 days of the HCG drops and my 500 calorie meals. During transition I eat 1200 and add a few additional foods back.
Last week during my weigh-in I was feeling pretty good about changing my diet, my eating choices and habits. It was during this visit we also reviewed the results of my food allergy test came back.
I have a food sensitivity to almost everything! I have to say it was a little overwhelming to realize I cannot eat most of my favorite things.
Guess it explains why I am here doing this crazy 500 calorie diet.

I am very proud of myself for going this long, I am over half way through and I wasn’t sure I could do it.
I have more energy than I have had in a long time, I am finally fitting in clothes that I had before my first child. It really does feel good.
My main concern with the diet is how tired I would be. It is amazing what cutting out carbs can do for you!
Actually, I have stopped taking my daily allergy medicine because I don’t get it on my diet.
That’s it for tonight – off to sleep before I get hungry!

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HCG Week 2: Weigh-in Wednesday

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Crazy Busy Mom

Life gets busy, and while dieting that is a good thing. Stress, not so good! But at least I didn’t turn to food and pig out when it hit this time.
Fortunately we had a long holiday weekend. It was a nice break. Monday on the 4th my family all came over to my house. My dad cooked some chicken and ribs. The smell drove me crazy and I broke down an cheated! Isn’t it funny that I am considering eating an extra 3oz of chicken a cheat? Well that and one rib…ok, maybe 2! The BBQ was amazing, I just couldn’t resist. Some of the best chicken ever!
Since I had “cheated” I decided to just have my fruit (snack) for dinner. So that is what I did – just an apple. And…I wasn’t hungry! How strange is that!

It has been a week since my last weigh-in and I have lost 4 pounds! Needless to say I am very excited. I have been on the program over a week now and feel like I can really do it.
Last Thursday, on day 4 of my very low calorie diet my hunger was much less. Now the hunger has gone except before meals. I do still have cravings, especially when I am bored, but I am not going to give into it.

Part of my program is a weekly visit with the doctor and a B12 shot. Since starting this diet I haven’t felt sleepy or run-down. Usually when I start a diet and exercise program the first few weeks I am exhausted.

It takes 21 days to make something a habit, I am 7 days in and very excited about finishing the program. The first few days of the 500 calories were really hard but it got much better. It has really helped having all the food already made. I am planning to cook some of my meals this weekend and grilling out one night as well, a very nice steak!

After my 40 days of the HCG drops I will move into a 21 day transition. I will stop taking the drops and at that point I will increase to 1200 calories. I will also get to introduce a few new foods and larger portions. It still follows the same approach, low carb diet.

Well it is late, if I stay up too much longer I will be hungry…good reason to try to get more sleep. I am hopeful the numbers will be down again tomorrow.

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What day is it?

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Crazy Busy Mom

As I said in the last post, I am going to count my dates on my very low calorie diet, which started Monday so today is day 4. I think I am finally getting into it. I haven’t been hungry until right before a meal. I am drinking a lot more green tea. Now that I have found lemon flavored stevia I am loving iced green tea with the flavored stevia.
I am ready to see drastic results and for the hunger to end. Not sure if either will happen during my 40 days.

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