It's Christmas Eve

And I still have shopping to do. I am not especially looking forward to this jaunt but it must be done or else poor Robert will have nothing to open tomorrow morning. We have been insanely busy at work and while most of my co-workers bemoan the crowds and the endless stacks of books and mags to be put back on the shelves, I absolutely thrive on the bustle! I'll probably be singing a much different tune when it's me out in it soon, haha. Tonight we'll hold up tradition and head to my grandma's house for her annual tamale dinner.

Every year on Christmas Eve, my grandma hosts an open house supper in which she serves her famous tamales. It's the only time of year she ever makes them and we all get together and make them about a week before the big event--usually about 60+ dozen. However, I always get stuck with the task of counting the dozens rather than actually helping to prepare the food. I think she must remember how much I dislike having messy hands wink, wink.

The bustle of the Christmas season is almost over for another year. I've worked hard this last week and earned these next two days off to be with my family and loved ones. I hope ya'll have a wonderful Christmas as well!

Brittany Murphy Dies...

I normally don't blog about celebrities. It's not my style. I don't care who they're dating, don't care what kind of car they drive or what designer they're wearing. They are people with careers that keep them in the public eye. Her death, though, kinda hit home with me. She's only two years older than I am and it got my mind racing with all kinds of different thoughts. Okay, maybe not "racing" but it made me think about life in general. If I died today, would I be happy with where my life took me? What lessons would I have learned? Would people know how I felt about them? Did I teach my boys to treat others kindly and with respect? Did I accomplish what I hoped I would? Did I have a more positive affect on people's life rather than a negative one? What would my legacy be?

I think about these questions some. Especially when I hear about a youngish person who passes away. Do I try to live my life to the fullest extent and get everything I possibly can out of every experience? I really hope I do. I know I try. I just hope that my life is never lived in vain and that one day I leave behind a legacy of love, laughter and genuine zest for the life I lived.

NPC 2010

And so begins my journey. Two years ago, I watched some friends compete in the NPC Lonestar Classic Figure Competition. From the moment I stepped into the facility and saw the bodybuilders and figure athletes, I was hooked! Figure is something completely different from women's body building. You lean out and gain muscle definition without building the massive man bulk that's associated with bodybuilders. (Example, pros Mary Elizabeth Lado and the late Amanda Savell, below)


I've slowly begun to transform my diet because it's a science that goes hand-in-hand with the workouts. Meals consist of chicken breast, ground turkey or tuna, oatmeal with flaxseed, brown rice, asparagus... Meals after 3 are protein and veggies. I'm not going to absolutely flood this blog with nothing but workouts and the same boring meals, but I'm going to do everything I can to chronicle this event in my life. I want to prove to myself that I have what it takes to be a figure athlete. I don't have many things I want to accomplish in my life, but I've always wanted to be able to train for an athletic competition. So, welcome to this journey in my life and here's to NPC in (November) 2010!

The Most Wonderful Time...

Christmas is right around the corner, kiddies. I haven't done much to prepare for it. I'll end up procrastinating, getting presents at the last minute and dawdling away until December 24th because, hey, I have time! I'll be honest, this has never really been my favorite time of year. I think it's partly due to the cold--cold weather and I do not get along. BUT aside from that, this time of year makes me think about my blessings. It means that I have lived to see another full year come and go. I have gained new life lessons, made new friends, and created more memories than my mind can fathom. It leaves me hopeful for the year to come. Hopeful for the blessings, the memories, the laughs, the friends... This is what life is all about and I love mine.

I Know, I Know...

It's been ages. I've been working. A LOT. I miss my blog friends. I miss my boys. But I am here now and hope that the next post will have a couple of pictures. So, here's what's been on my mind as of late...

-Thanksgiving was wonderful and it never fails to amaze me what a great family I have. I've bragged on them many times on this blog but I can't help it--they're wonderful. I am so thankful that no one is at the other's throat, no one avoids holidays because they don't want to be around a relative, we've always supported each other... that's the stuff to be thankful for. We hung out at my grandma's all day, ate until we were all in a comatose state and woke up just in time for the Cowboys game (which I tried not to watch because I'm just not a Romo fan).

-Black Friday came and went and luckily, I was making money rather than spending it. Yes, I was crazy enough to actually WANT to work on Black Friday and it was awesome! I love the bustle of the holidays, especially when I'm working.

-Yesterday was my "magic" birthday. 30 on the 30th. It's the birthday I've been looking forward to since I was about 15 years old. It wasn't as magic as I expected but it was still nice enough. We went out Sunday night to ring it in at 1201 a.m. and I was serenaded by my friend, Bernard. Good times! Saturday is the party and we're gonna do it right in downtown Ft Worth which I'm really looking forward to! Yesterday I worked all day. I didn't mind--it's money in my pocket and my parents brought the boys by to see me so that was nice.

-A friend of mine is engaged. We've been close friends since we were 8 years old so literally 22 years. I was not asked to be one of her bridesmaids and I'll admit, my feelings were hurt. Is it wrong, blog readers, to have expected to be asked? One one hand, I feel silly for expecting it and therefore silly for being upset by it. But then again, how do you not ask a friend of 22 years to be a part of your big day? I don't know. It's been bugging me for a few days.

Anyway, that's about all I have for now. I'll update with Thanksgiving pictures tomorrow since it's my day off. And as always, I read all the blogs I follow even if I don't always comment!