Day 620

So I've been gone for a while.  Sorry :/  And I missed my 600 day post.  That's sad :(

Things have been crazy busy with the new house.  Unlike the apartment, where everything was just THERE, the house has multiple levels and I don't find myself on the computer level very much.

So in actual progress news, I'm actually making decent movements on completely changing my name.  Most of this is because of the move... most of my stuff where I was still "Catherine B" was tied to the apartment.  Now all those bills are under "Catherine P."  I think I'm down to a credit card and my car.

And I was elected as Historian for my alumnae chapter!  That means...

79. Hold an elected position in the alumnae chapter
79. Hold an elected position in the alumnae chapter

Cool beans.

Day 494

Happy New Year!  Sorry it took me so long to get in here, life got crazy.  The house offer... didn't work out so good.  And then another failed round of looking, and then more looking and an offer is in on another house... keep your fingers crossed for us.  This whole mess is harder than I expected.

I'm thinking that Darcy made her New Year's Resolution to be the good dog this year.  She got things started early last week when I got really sick (I have no idea what happened, I was super exhausted and had an upset stomach for a week, then I was fine).  Anyway, she climbed up into bed, placed her new favorite toy on my pillow under my chin, and then walked down to the end of the bed to cuddle at my feet.  It was precious.

The halfway point in this experiment is rapidly approaching... I can't believe it :)

Day 484

I'm keeping this short and sweet because I don't want to jinx anything but...

Wish us luck, we put in an offer on a house today!!!

Day 479

So who totally vanished from the face of the blogosphere?  This kid.  It's ok, though.  I'm back, with a goal crossed off.

27. Get 5 digits in our savings account
27. Get 5 digits in our savings account

Granted it won't stick around long, but we've got a down payment on our house gaining some good traction in our savings account.  I guess that means we got this one too...

33. Save 3 months’ bills
33. Save 3 months’ bills

Two for one!  Plus my Christmas cards went out Monday and we had a pretty successful house hunt today.  We'll be going back to check the place out in daylight tomorrow.

I feel awfully good about myself in this post.

Day 436

Wow, we're able to cross off a goal... one that I was beginning to think would never come off.

65. Trevor and Darcy let a “stranger” come into our house, sans barking and jumping.
65. Trevor and Darcy let a “stranger” come into our house, sans barking and jumping.

We had my brother and my parents over for dinner since we were having pot roast for dinner.  (BTW, I thought I had perfection on Christmas, but it was even BETTER today).  Christian came over first and the dogs barked at him, but when my parents showed up a few minutes later, they didn't bark at all!  There was also no jumping at all at my dad.  They admittedly did jump at my mom, but she was holding dog treats.  That does not count.

"Stranger" was always in quotes because to my dogs, anyone who does not live in our home/does not come over at least once a week for months is a stranger.  They're pretty protective of our home.

On a not quite so bright note, my progress on 'book 7 weddings in a year' went back 2 weddings.  I booked Tori's and Tracy's weddings at the beginning of November 2010, so those have expired.  Oh well, I'll book more :)  And on a bright wedding note, Tori gets married on Friday, so I have a wedding coming right up!  So excited!

Day 380

Week 7 of 8 already for yoga!  I started this week a little later than normal because this weather sucks.  It's been playing hell on my knee, and I've been limping more in the last week than I have in like, the last 2 years.  Not amused.  Anyway, next week finishes up my yoga goal, which is great because I haven't crossed off anything in a while.

I'm also making arrangements to visit my sister at JMU next month, so there's another goal in the works!  I really can't wait to visit her and see her townhouse :)

Day 371

Workout efforts continue!

Today I did both yoga and Zumba.  It's an experience.  First off, Zumba is a blast but it will take some getting used to.  I'm doing this with John, which will strongly encourage me to actually keep up with it.  I felt like I was going to pass out about 2/3 of the way through the first DVD though... we'll have to work at that. On the other hand, if I keep this up I'll have my flat abs back in no time.

I tried a new area in the 'yoga matrix' today as well (after Zumba).  This brings me to week 6 of 8.  I tried the solar meditation (more action based than the lunar), the Chakra Namaskar, and the Savasana (which you're always supposed to finish with).  The Chakra Namaskar was a lot harder than I thought it would be, so not really one I wanted to do right after Zumba.  It goes through almost all areas of the body.  I failed at it a bit.  Oh well.  Next time.

Yoga also makes me realize another reason I want a house... more space for my yoga mat.  Seriously, the way we have things laid out now does not make for good yoga spacing/DVD watching.

Day 366

I'm sitting here trying to distract myself from the last seconds of the Redskins game (YES WE JUST WON HAIL VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!) ok now I'm trying to calm myself down lol.  I got my yoga DVD in yesterday and did my first routine today.

I bought Shiva Rea Daily Energy Vinyasa Flow Yoga.  It's got 7 routines and the yoga matrix, which lets you mix and match routines/exercises.  I did the lunar warm up (more relaxation based), the core workout and the Savasana (rest pose).  Let me tell you, even though it was only 7 minutes on the core, it was an intense 7 minutes!  I'm feeling it!  The narrating is a touch cheesy, but that might be because I was listening to it in my living room instead of in a quiet/dim yoga studio.

So I really like this DVD and it will definitely become a part of my regular routine :)

By the way, just sending this out in case anyone is interested... if you buy online, Victoria's Secret has a 7 for $25.50 deal on select Pink panties... comes to $3.64/pair!  Just thought I'd share :)

Day 365

Can you believe we're here already?  1 year ago today I published my list and prepared to launch my 101 things in 1001 days.  Since then, I've accomplished 30 of my goals, along with booking 5 of 7 weddings and going to 5 of 8 weeks of yoga.  I'm also pleased to say I've accomplished at least one goal in each category!

We're also in serious saving mode for a house and for vacation, so those are in the works.

I'm really excited to start year 2 of my list!

Day 363

Today began week 5 of yoga.  Well, sort of.  I started the first pose in class today and kind of got this little wave of nausea.  I had sit down... then lie down.  I'm normally an hour to 70 minutes into the class (90 minutes long) before I need to lie down.  After I while I couldn't take it any more, and I had to cut out early.  It probably didn't help that the guy next to me smelled pretty bad.  Oh well, I'll go back tomorrow and see how it goes.

Speaking of tomorrow, it will probably be my last Bikram class.  My Living Social deal expires tomorrow.  I bought a Vinyasa yoga DVD on Amazon, and I think I'll be finishing out my 8 weeks on there.  I just want to make it clear to anyone reading this that Bikram Yoga Fairfax is awesome.  The instructors are great, the facility is really nice, the location is super convenient... this type of yoga just isn't for me.  Though seriously, if you want to try Bikram, I strongly recommend Bikram Yoga Fairfax.

On another workout note, John and I just bought a set of Zumba DVDs, and plan to work on that together!  I'm pretty pumped :)

Aaaand Victoria's Secret had a 20% off swimwear deal, so I bought 3 new bikinis for Jamaica 2012.  So pumped!

Day 357

First order of business: we're ok after the earthquake.  Though I must say, a 5.9 earthquake experienced from the top floor of a 10 story building is something I NEVER want to experience again.

Today started week 4 of yoga.  I actually think it might be getting better... I'm handling the heat a little better, and I can stay up longer... I also know to sit down *before* I feel woozy, and if I know I feel badly after doing a pose, I skip it.

And BTW... John is feeling better :)

Day 350

Yoga week 3 officially started today.  My ankle hurt from falling down the stairs on Saturday, my knee was just not doing wll today, and my lunch wasn't agreeing with me.  Despite all this, it was the best class I've had so far.  Since I wasn't feeling so hot, I didn't push myself at all so I didn't feel frustrated or upset at my inability to get through all the poses.  I've got to remember this for future classes.

In John news, he's still not feeling so hot.  I don't like this.  At all.

Day 349

So today was supposed to start week 3 of yoga, but that's delayed until tomorrow for multiple reasons.  All health related.

Over the weekend we went to visit Newport News.  While walking down the stairs, my heel caught on a mat and I fell.  I got a bit of road rash on my knee (already gone), a nasty little scrap on my foot, and a big bang on my shin that turned purple IMMEDIATELY.  I haven't looked at it since (covered it with an H bandage) and I have not desire to.  I also pulled a few muscles, so I'm giving myself some time to recover.

But truth be told, I probably would have gone, just to see if the heat would help, if it weren't for John's health issue today.  He'd been feeling a little off in his abdomen, and went to the urgent care center today.  They then sent him off to the hospital, where he spent the whole afternoon.  I'm glad to say he neither has appendicitis or a kidney infection, but they aren't sure what he does have.  Just wonderful.

Aside from this, things are good... the NN trip was great, we saw all the people we wanted to see, and got to eat at the recently reopened Plaza Azteca.  Yum.

Day 343

Ok, this post is coming from my iPhone so forgive me if there are weird formatting or spelling issues!

I went to Bikram yoga again yesterday, and while it wasn't as bad as Sunday, it's still not so great. Don't get me wrong, it's an utterly fantastic workout and the instructors are great, but I think what the problem is is that I just feel frustrated by my inability to finish the class (even though they say at the beginning just staying in the room for the full 90 minutes is an accomplishment) due to the fact that I'm both hot as hell and having trouble breathing in certain poses. Hard to find inner peace when you're frustrated. Sigh. Well, I've still got 6 weeks left on this goal, maybe things will improve.

I've also started going through my closet and pulling clothes for charity, I expect this effort to continue for about a week or so. Donation 2, here I come!

Oh and I can't believe I forgot to post about this already! My brother dove in age-group nationals this past week. He got 7th on the 1 meter board, 5th on the 10 meter platform, and 2nd on the 3 meter board! But it gets better... his finishes qualified him for OLYMPIC TRIALS!!! Cory will be competing for a position on the United States Olympic team in June at the age of 18. I am so excited for him and proud of him!

Day 341

Week 2 of yoga started today, and I'm not going to lie, it kind of sucked.  Maybe it was because I didn't eat at all before I went, maybe it was because my sports bra was too tight, maybe I hadn't drank enough water before, but this class I could barely stay upright.  I spent most of the class lying down because it was all I could do to just stay in the room.  I hope it will work better tomorrow, but I'm pretty pleased that I stuck it out even though I just wanted to leave the room and never come back lol.

Day 335

I went to my first Bikram Yoga class today!  OMG.  Considering how hot it's been outside lately I didn't really notice the heat at first (since I can take my class in a sports bra and shorts, but can't just tromp around in public like that).  Then it snuck up on me.  I have NEVER sweated that much in my life!  I managed to stay in the room the whole time, but I couldn't finish all the exercises.  That's my goal by the time the first month is done.  So one week down, seven to go!  I'm going back tomorrow, so hopefully it will be easier.

I still need to take clothes to the Salvation Army.  Normally I do it around my birthday when people give me clothes, but since I didn't get clothes this birthday (and therefore didn't need the hanger/drawer space old clothes were taking up) I haven't gotten off my butt to do it.  Sigh.  Soon.

Day 321

After an awesome lunch meeting, I have another goal completed...

76. Create a discount deal with another vendor
76. Create a discount deal with another vendor

I met with a lovely Zeta sister who's getting into the wedding business for lunch today.  We discussed getting into the business, some fun stories from weddings, exchanged cards, and worked out what discounts we can give each other.  Some of it will take a while to pan out (as in while we build our businesses) but we're doing what we can for now :)

And so... please check out my sorority sister Amanda's photography business, Amanda Truth Photography!

amandatruthphotography.wordpress.com

On a non-wedding note, I bought a Living Social deal for bikram yoga classes, which I'll be taking with Nikki and Ami.  Fun times!  Goal 13 is going down!

Day 310

I brag because I care.

I might have a 2 birds-1 stone chance for my goals next year... visiting Cory in college and visiting the Texas relatives.  Why?

Because my little brother got offered an athletic scholarship to University of Texas!

I'm so proud of him!!  It's his top choice school, and the coach flew out from Texas to offer him the scholarship in person on July 1.  It's kind of a big deal.

:-D

In other news, this was a wonderful wedding weekend, and completely personal!  My ZTA little sister got married on Saturday!  John and I missed the last turn going to the church and that was enough to get us there literally as Jenn walked down the aisle.*  I was disappointed about that part, but they had a gorgeous ceremony and we had soooo much fun at the reception!  The DJ was great (I got his card) and John and I sat at a table with all the ZTAs, woohoo Zeta table!  I'm so happy for Jenn and Aaron, they are a fantastic couple.

On Sunday John and I celebrated our second wedding anniversary!  We agreed to exchange gifts "in the spirit" of traditional anniversary gifts.  For example, last year was our paper anniversary, so he framed a painting we got on our honeymoon and gave me an artificial replica of my bouquet (paper roses).  I gave him some nice new art supplies.  This year, he gave me Vera Bradley beach towels and an umbrella, and an Angry Bird, lol.  I gave him a black sweater (it's always freezing in his new office) and a canvas of one of our favorite wedding portraits.  See, in the spirit of cotton :)  We went out to dinner at L'Auberge Chez Francois, which is sooo good.  Soooo expensive but soooo good.

On a professional wedding note, I'm starting into the process of making a deal with another vendor... we're meeting to discuss later this month.  I'm not going to give too much away now in case it doesn't pan out, but I'll give a hint... what's better than a Zeta as a wedding vendor?  Two Zetas as wedding vendors! :)

*Just to show how you get tunnel vision the moment before you get married: I walked into the church vestibule as Jenn was about to walk down the aisle.  There was definite eye contact.  Fast forward to the reception:
Me: I'm so sorry we were late!  We missed that last turn and had to add about 5 trying to find a way to turn around.
Jenn: Oh no!
Me: Yeah, I felt so terrible showing up as you were walking down the aisle.
Jenn: You got there as I was walking down the aisle?
Me: We made eye contact...
Well, it's easy to get over guilt when no one noticed lol.

Day 302 - Update

I booked the wedding :)  Ok, technically it's on hold since I don't have the signed contract yet but that's beside the point.  This one is really exciting for me for a few reasons:

1. This is my first bride who I got with NO referrals.  Not a friend of a friend, not "oh I know someone..." She was doing a google search, came across my name, and started looking me up.  Thank you, Infinite Joy Weddings Blog, for showing up in google searches :)

2. I'll be doing back to back weddings in Norfolk!  The google search was for wedding coordinators and her venue.  I'll be doing a wedding there for a sorority sister the weekend before her wedding.  So yay for establishing myself in Hampton Roads!

3. I'm now only ONE wedding away from my goal!  6/7!

Day 302

I have an interview for another wedding tonight... I don't want to go into to many details right now, but keep your fingers crossed for me!