Labor Day

Drake and I went to Daytona Beach for the weekend and had a great time! We are going to the Daytona 500 on February 17, 2008!!

Below are updated photos of Drake. As you can see the BowFlex is really working for him and I am so proud.

July 23rd ~ Week in Review

I started my new job at WellCare on Monday, 7/23 and it was overwhelming, but awesome! There are 3,500 people at my job and the campus is huge. Everyone is my department seems very nice and helpful. I feel I have made the correct move in leaving my job from Aon of 7 years.

I have gone to an hourly position, first time in I can not remember, but it works! Drake and I did Weight Watchers this past week and weighed in on Saturday, 7/28. I lost 3.4 lbs. and Drake lost 3.6 lbs. our first week! We are both proud of ourselves and especially me with starting a new job AND WW! Drake has been using the BowFlex and I can already see his body changing. That is my goal for this week!

We had a awesome weekend and have prepared ourselves for next week. I am so happy in many areas of my Life and proud of myself. I LOVE being 40 and finally... Living Life!

Commitment Day ~ July 21, 2007

It has been a while since I have blogged, but Life is good! I love being 40 and love where Life is taking me.

Today Drake and I joined Weight Watchers (WW). It has been a long time since I have been committed to WW, but I feel so confident and excited to begin my new journey. We bought a Bowflex machine and I am so proud of Drake for putting it together. The timing could not have been better for our challenge.

Below are before pictures that we took today to track our progress.

Christine's beginning weight 303 lbs. (still have kept 40 lbs. off!)




Drake's beginning weight 207.8 lbs.




I also begin my new job at WellCare on Monday, July 23 after 7+ years at Aon Consulting. I am so high on Life and so grateful.

Kacy and Dustin's Wedding (4-20-07)

4 weeks til I am the B-I-G 40!

Wow! January 2007 is already gone and here we are on February 9th. I can only imagine my state of mind this time 4 weeks from now while I am celebrating my 40th Birthday! The best part is Carla, Tomi and Hollie are coming down to celebrate with me!! I am so excited I can hardly stand it.

I loved celebrating 2007... out with the old... in with the new! My Pampered Chef business is off to a good start. I qualified as a Consultant, January 30th and received my first commission check yesterday for $311.

Drake and I become closer everyday and I have never loved anyone the way I love him. We have been having fun cooking and using our new products from Pampered Chef. All of their stuff is awesome! Here is a picture of Drake's Caribbean Stew. We both love to cook and eat! We are both ready to start exercising and cutting back on our food intake.

Floe will celebrate her 11th Birthday on February 15th. She weighs 20 lbs. Floe loves to lay on Drake's feet and rub her face. Daddy Drake spoils her rotten!! Happy Birthday Baby Girl

Out with 2006... In with 2007!

I have to say that I am more excited about this New Year's Eve than any in my life! I am totally blessed in so many ways and for once in my life.. IN LOVE! 2006 has been a big year for me and below is a list of major events...

January - Divorced ex and he left home 1/17
February - Hurt my back, chiropractor assistance, painful
March - Drove myself to hospital on 3/5 with stomach pains, had emergency gall-bladder surgery on 3/7 and came home on my birthday, 3/9
April - Met and invited Toni into my home and also agreed for Destiny to move in with me while she was getting prepared to live on her own
May - Getting adjusted to room mates and staying on Weight Watchers the entire time
June - Carla and Michele come to visit, have to make Destiny leave my house and make a decision that I did my duty as a Mentor and it is time for me to move on, and Tomi and Annie come to visit end of June - July 5th
July - Destiny and her mom came and got her things on Friday, 7th... Toni and I went out and celebrated... Did not want to go out Saturday nite, 7/8, but something told me too... did not have one drink and wore black slacks and white top... sitting at table, Gilbert walks up and introduces his friend Drake and Gilbert leaves and I ask Drake to "Have a seat"... and the rest is history! As soon as I closed my door on the last person I stood up too... God blessed me with Drake.
August/September - Work a lot and does not end until now, 12/22/06.
October - Refinanced on my house and droped 1% rate... redid bedroom entirely... now it is my Princess Room! I am now officially debt free expect for my mortgage! Yippee!!
November - Go home for Thanksgiving and introduce Drake to the family. Everyoone loves my Mega Carribean Man!
December - Went home for early Christmas. Had a wonderful Christmas Eve entertaining friends and Drake and I cooking. We both love the kitchen! Christmas day was awesome and I love Drake more and more everyday.

Today is the last day of 2006 and it has been the greatest. I look forward to 2007 and turning 40 in March. I have started my business as Pampered Chef Consultant and hope to do very well. I also bought a vinyl cutting machine and hope to extend Oceanside Graphics. Drake and I grow closer and closer each day. We both plan on getting strict with our weight loss and exercise and becoming healthy! God bless us in 2007!

Holidays are Here!

Life in the fast lane... gonna make you lose your mind! It has been non-stop through Open Enrollment at work and it is still going. Drake and I went to Ohio for Thanksgiving with family and it was great, but non-stop the whole time. We are headed back to Ohio on Friday, 12/15 until 12/19.

Been off track from Weight Watchers, but I am not giving up. Gonna get through these next couple of weeks and back to discipline and walking. I feel good about myself this past year. There have been a lot of changes for me and nothing but positive!!

I love Drake more and more everyday. I have this special bond with him that can not be explained. We plan on having a wonderful Christmas and New Year's! Come on 2007 and 40! I have never been so ready in my life.

Complete Makeover

Here is the final transition to my bedroom. I love it and feel like a princess!!

Bedroom Makeover

My bedroom has finally got its makeover... new hardwood floors, crown molding/trim, painted, new lights and celing fan, all new window treatments, a door and closet door. The furniture arrives Wednesday, 11/8 and Drake's birthday!!

WOW...it is my Princess room!! Here are pictures to share:

Hurry up before October ends... eek!

I can not believe how fast time is flying!! Wednesday will be November 1st. I have survived Open Enrollment season once again. Drake and I get closer each day. I refinanced on my home Thursday, 10/26 and my bedroom is in complete makeover mode! Cory Moon has put down hardwood floors, new dooor, painted, wall papered on wall to look like stone, new lighting and new window treatments!! It has been exciting, but the house is upside down. Not to mention there will be a party here Friday night for Pampered Chef and celebrating Drake's 48th birthday... wooohooo!!

Going home for Thanksgiving from 11/21 - 11/24. I am taking Drake with me, so this should be interesting. I am excited, but scared at the same time, shew!! One day at a time. Started walking this morning after the time change. Did my old 2.5 mile walk and feel great. Just gotta get myself back in shape food wise. Get myself back on program and lose as much as possible before the end of the year!

Blessed and Loved

I have had the best days of my life this past month! I am crazy in Love and it feels SO good. It is awesome to be with a person that feels the way you do... the same feelings, the same wants, the same needs. I received the "mushy" card!! I am the one who used to also give them to other people, but never receive. I have been spoiled with flowers and kisses. I do not want this feeling to end. I love you Drake!

Today we remember those who lost their lives. I am blessed to have my life, health and faith. I am blessed each day I wake up for a new day. God Bless.

One day at a time...

Life needs to be enjoyed one day at at time. It is so easy to forget we have only one life to live on earth and we need all enjoy every moment. This past year has been incredible for me. I have started standing up for myself and believing in the ME! I have stood up to people in my life that I never thought I could. My confidence comes from therapy, self-esteem, weight loss (60 lbs.!), positive thinking, exercise, my family and being grateful for every breathe that I take!

It is hard to believe it is August! Wow... time does fly when you are having fun. I love life and myself. I pray for my strength to continue to grow in this direction. I pray that I make the right decisions along my journey and when I feel myself stray off the road, I will steer myself back on the road.

Never stop believing!

Life is but a dream.....

Wow! had an exciting past 3 weeks. Entertaining family, dealing with drama and living life! Tomi and Annie were here for the 4th of July. Here is a picture I took of the fireworks on Redington Beach, FL. We had front row seats on the beach and it was incredible!!

It was the best fireworks I have ever seen! Life is somewhat getting back to normal. One day at a time....

Wow... it is June 26th

I realized I have not posted here in almost two months!! Today was my first day back from vacation after spending 6 nights on St. Pete Beach with Carla and Michele. We had such a great time and it was very relaxing. Tomi and Annie get here on Thursday so it will be more entertainment next weekend as well. Enjoy it while it lasts!!

I started Core today and did not do too bad. I ate 3 pts. today and I hope I do well. I have been at the same weight for almost 3 months. I have been doing the Elliptical for 7 weeks now consistantly. I am going to keep going and my weight loss will catch up soon.

It finally happened!

I was granted my divorce on Thursday, April 27! It is such a relief and a load off of my shoulders. The past 4.5 years has been a huge lesson and it has made me so strong as a person today. I am taking care of myself mentally and physically one day at a time. April has been a good month for me and viola, tomorrow is May 1!

Breathe deep and live life to it's fullest. Thank you Lord for all you have given me. Amen.

Simple Life

Wow, how time flies! I just read my last post and it was from 4/8. Life is treating me well. I have a new room mate Toni renting out my sun room for a few weeks so she can get on her feet. It was ironic, because I was in that same position 12 years ago when I first came to FL. Destiny is also staying with me until she gets her Independent Living status and can get her own apartment. I love having people around and also ones I don't have to take care of. That is definitely different for me.

My weight loss is yo-yoing. I lost 4 lbs. two weeks ago and gained 2.6 lbs. this past week. I have been doing really well and hoping I am retaining water with that last gain. I can not stress over the watching the scale, because this is my lifestyle change for the rest of my life.

Work is going well. Our new girl Nancy starts Wednesday and hope everything works out as planned. We really need to balance our team. I plan to stay as simple as possible dealing with work and life. Be grateful for each day and live life to its fullest. I am very blessed and I have my faith.

Here is a recent picture. I love this blouse I bought for my birthday. It is magical... I get so many compliments when I wear it.

Staying focused

I can not believe it is April 8th already right now! I have been back to work three weeks and have to say last week was my best one. We have finally got control over the jobs at work and everyone is back in their place. I weighed-in today and lost 1 lb. and I am excited! I have been working on staying focused on my weight loss and getting back into routine. I have to keep up this pace. Get back into routine with activity. Gotta take it slow because I have a bulging disc I found out about this week. It will be okay and as I continue to lose weight and exercise, it will get stronger.

I will try not to stay away for as long this time.

New Clothes

I love where life is taking me

I am proud of myself this week. My energy levels are increasing each day. I have done very good OP and have walked every day... a total of 17 miles thus far. I wake up earlier, but the time does change on Sunday, so we will see how my morning walking schedule plays out.

I love all of the outfits I bought at Lane Bryant this past weekend with my birthday money. They all make me feel good and can see my body shaping up.

Thank you Lord for all of the blessings I have been given. Amen.

I took this picture last night before I was going out. I have lost 48 lbs.