Wait. What?

My week has been kind of insane. Work has been hectic, home has been hectic, and I've had the flu, and those are some of the easiest things I've had to handle.

My former phone. RIP

My phone decided to commit suicide on Thursday. It was a doomed relationship from the start. I had a tendency to drop it. It had a severe attraction to water. I would lose it for hours on end, growing more frantic in my searchings until I finally found it in the bottomless pit...aka my purse.

I went on a 6 week trip with Mike during the months of June and July of this year. Right before we left, I had slipped the phone into my pocket and climbed down from the truck. There was a puddle of water 4 feet away. Somehow, the phone threw itself from my pocket into the puddle. I didnt even notice it. My husband said, "Uh babe, is that your phone?" Of course I panicked. I pulled it apart with a quickness and dried it out. I left it off for several hours. I used Mike's phone to text my mom and tell her why my phone was off before she called in the Army. (That is a whole nother blog post. I'll go there later.) It was saved.

At that time, I was a housewife. I didn't have any commitments and could just pick up and go where the truck took me. After I got back, I was extremely bored and to the point of cleaning the house for FUN. Something very wrong in that. Anyway, my mom, who works at the Sylvania store, was telling me about the Rainsville store, and how much trouble they were having keeping good help. I know this sounds wrong, but the only reason I applied there is because I felt bad that they couldn't keep good people, and I was bored. Yes, there is a reason to this whole back story. I'm getting there. Patience.

So anyway, a couple months after I started there, I was doing my job and cleaning the bathroom. Yeah, you know where this is going, don't you? I had stuck my phone in my shirt pocket, not really thinking. I had *just* finished cleaning the toilet and had bent over to pick up piece of trash that was in the floor. PLOP. Oh, fan-freaking-tastic. Thank you god, it was clean. Otherwise, well, I'd have flushed it. After I got it out, I cleaned it, then laid it out to dry while I finished the rest of my chores. I left it apart for the rest of the night, calling Mom from the store phone to let her know I was incommunicado for a little while. She really hates that, by the way. And again, it was saved.

The months wore on and my phone and I were inseperable. We went everywhere together, having the best conversations, sending humor out into our little piece of the world. Then one day, my phone started acting a little funny. It would give me the cold shoulder and freeze up in the middle of texting. It would power down in the middle of phone calls. The phone became jealous, keeping me for itself, cutting me off from the outside world.

I tried to coax it into sharing me again, but to no avail. The final straw came when I was on the phone with my dear husband, shopping in Wal-Mart. It turned itself off and refused to come back on.The little punk took all my cool ringtones and awesome pictures with it too. I walked right over to the electronics department, and picked out a new one. (Yes. I'm a Verizon prepay user. It saves money, thank you very much. And I'm a cheap hooker. Just ask my husband.)

Now let me say this. I loved my phone. I could send 5 texts within 60 seconds, easily. I knew just how to work the buttons to make it putty in my hands.

The New Hotness. Name that movie!

So this.. this is my new phone. I like it, but there are reservations. It is pissing me off-fa-fa. And that comedian is? (Sorry, but I'm in a feisty mood, and I quote movies almost as much as guys do.) It's nice, don't get me wrong, but there a few kinks to be worked out. For example, I was texting with my friend Jamie and also with my friend James. Now, maybe this is user error here, but several times, when I was replying to Jamie, I would be in the middle of typing and a text from James would pop up. I'd choose view later, and finish my text. When it sent, it would send to James. What the firetruck? I don't understand. And while the qwerty keyboard is nice, it's SLOW. I'm not as fast as I was with the other phone. I'm sure I'll get used to it, and yes, I am eventually happy. I'm just whining. I'll get over it, or get used to it, one.

Alright, so for some more awesome updates. I've lost a grand total of 39.2 pounds. And as for the blog, I've had 944 page hits since 09/26/10. And of those, I've had recurring visits from France, Russia, Brazil, Croatia, German, and the United Kingdom, as well as the aforementioned Denmark, Lebanon, Canada, and of course, the United States. I've also had referral from sites that I've never heard of. In the photo below, my website has the TOP SPOT. Sorry for the screaming, but that is just amazing to me.

I'm going to bed now, I've got tons of stuff to do before the holidays are seriously upon us.

Love to All,
Allie

Slight Delay.

Hi everyone. My magic 8 ball was wrong. I'm not going to post the recipe today. Why? Well, I didn't have time to before work because I was trying to find a dentist that is open on Friday so my husband can go get a tooth pulled. Bless his heart, he comes in and has to go straight to the dental chair. Major suckage.

Have you noticed my penchant for making up words? Suckage. Spaztastic. Another example, instead of using the F word, I use truck instead. As in - back the truck up. I'm not kidding. Quick joke. What word beings with the letter f and ends with uck? Hey. I just told you I don't use that word. Acceptable answers are firetruck and fastduck. Thank you, I'll be here all week.

I've been mulling over the advice from Anonymous to try to get into professional writing, and I've decided to give it a whirl. A friend told me earlier today that I needed to pick someone or something local to write about and they would help me get it printed. Yeah. I'm scared spitless. I was at work when he told me that. I was thinking about it there and a woman walked in and I decided it was her that I needed to talk to. I'm not giving anymore details because if it falls through, then I'll have gotten my & your hopes up for nothing. I'm really excited about this, so I'm gonna play it close to the vest for a bit.

Alright. Time for more exciting news. I've lost 37 lbs. Yay me! Since September 26, I've had 513 page hits, with 1 from Lebanon, 2 from Canada, and 3 from Denmark. All I can say is... Holy wow, Batman. I've got the biggest grin on my face.

Well, it's time to go to sleep. I've got to get up early again so I can take my Granny to the Dr's office. If there's anything you'd like to ask, leave it in the comments. To my overseas readers, welcome. And to Anonymous, thanks for the support. Do I know you? If not, how did you hear about my blog? I'm just so curious. Anyway. Good night.

Love to all,
Allie

Continuance of Insanity.

Continuing the theme of insanity in my life, I volunteered to take my grandmother to the hospital for pre-surgery registration. And then to take her to the hospital tomorrow for the actual surgery. It isn't major, they're removing a navel hernia. The doctor, Lawrence Herberholz, is the same guy that did my gall bladder surgery. He's extremely down to earth, very nice, and doesn't treat you as if he only has 5 minutes to give you. I really like him.

I'm not complaining about taking my grandmother anywhere. I don't mind a bit. I remember when I was little, she came to all of my t-ball practices. Sometimes she would practice with us. She would have been around 45 at that time. She makes the best blackberry cobbler on the planet. And fried apple pies. Now you know why I'm fat, right? Anyway, she and I don't always get along, because apparently I get my sarcasm and stubbornness from her, but I wouldn't trade her for anything. I'll keep her as long as I'm allowed.

I'll post again tomorrow to give an update on her and tell you a little about work. Oh, I took this pic to send to Mike. I wanted to share it cause I actually like my smile in this one.

Love to all,
Allie 

Tweaks

Hi everyone. Just a quick post to let you know I'm tweaking my site. Aunt Tish, I found a thing called reactions. It's at the bottom of the post, near where you comment at. Hope this is what you were looking for. I've added ads to my page. How weird did that sentence sound? I said it in my head and out loud and it still doesn't sound right but that's how I roll roll. (Robin Williams - Weapons of Self Destruction) Alright. I'm off to walk & go to Wal-Mart. Although I should just skip walking, cause I know I'm gonna be there forever.

Love to All,
Allie

Why?

Several people have asked me why I'm trying to lose weight. Apparently, being overweight is not a good enough reason to want to lose it? I'm not sure. So I sat down and thought about it for a bit, because I really wanted to know myself. One night, I just decided it was time, but why?

These children are one of  my favorite reasons. My nieces and nephews, Christmas of 09. I want to be able to play games & spend time with them and not be worn out in 30 minutes.

This little girl, Gracie, is one of the sweetest reasons. Here she is protecting mommy from the evil goggie in the mirror. She fought with it for a few minutes. I think she finally realized it was her. Or that the other dog was just protecting her mommy too.

Here's my funniest reason, Squishy. See the eyes? I told you they were demon dogs. She reminds me so much of a cat sometimes. She just doesn't want to do anything you want her to do, until she's ready. She named herself by the way.

This is my pushover reason, Spot. I am a pushover for this dog. I don't know why. Possibly has something to do with the fact that I can do no wrong in his eyes. He just wants to pile up with me for ear scratches and tummy rubs.
Can you tell I love my dogs? I do. And my nieces & nephews. (My whole family, really.)

This man right here. He is the most awesome reason. He is everything I'd have asked for. He amazes me. For example, when he was in last, I was complaining about the fact that the radio at work sucked. You can't pick up a decent station and it didn't have a place for cd's. Only tapes. I love music. Alot. Mike knows that. I'd gotten an mp3 player for when I go for walks and we had looked for a docking station, but they were too expensive. I was adjusting to the fact of a non-musical work place. I really was. Well I had to work on one of the days he was in. He had to go to the pharmacy to pick up my meds for me & was cruising the clearance aisle, killing time. And then? A light shined down from heaven and pointed out a docking station for $1.99. So smart him picks up that & the triple A batteries needed for it and delivers it to my workplace that day. See? I love, love, love him.

Oh, and that girl up there in the pic with my hubby? She's the best reason to lose weight. My stance is this. I am and always will be number 1 in my life. Why? Because if I don't take care of myself, how can I take care of others?

So, those are my main reasons. My family. My dogs. The love of my life. Me. Now then. I'm going to share with you my reward for losing the weight. My goal is to be 200 lbs. Once I get there, I may decide I want/need to lose more. But my reward for getting to 200 lbs?

This is a 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R. (This picture is credited to Norman Mayersohn for The New York Times. I just found it on Google images) This. Just this. I drool for this. I see this and my heart beats faster. I wants it. It's my precious. I could get it now, but I won't. I am pushing my patience, commitment, and self for this. Every time I want to slack off. Every time I feel like I'm not getting anywhere, I look at this.

A friend got me hooked on this site : http://killboy.com/ I love the highlights. The photography is awesome. Most of the things being photographed I want. At least to touch them. I saw this image earlier today and it makes me think of my daddy. (This photo does not belong to me. I don't know who took it exactly because they have different photographers, but it's on killboy's website, so it's his.)

Alright, I've had enough photo fun today. I hope you go by killboy's website to check out the cool cars/trucks/bikes. Oh, but word of advice. If you're at work, the fuzzy pictures - a.k.a. the naughty - are definitely not safe for work.

Love to all,
Allie

Slacker.

Slacker. That is what I am. Sometimes. I fully meant to blog last night, but alas, it did not happen. Why? I went to the fair last night. It was so much fun. It was rideathon stamp night. I went on so many rides I dang near made myself dizzy. One thing I noticed about the fair. You either see people you're related to, people you wish you weren't related to, or ex boyfriends. Guess who I saw last night? ALL of them. I was like, really?

 Saw my nephews - M & S. They're growing so fast. Seems like just yesterday I was changing their dirty diapers. I miss that. Sweet. Innocent. Willing to give kisses & hugs. Now they're preteen know it alls that are miserly with love. But it's all good. They'll out grow that phase and love me again eventually.

After them, it was my ex, P. He's a doofus. What was I thinking? That is all I can ask myself now. And then it was my cousin, J. I love him, because he's family, but I don't like him.

Anyway. I walked a ton & didn't get tired. Even though I walked 2 miles that morning. I didn't even go all out on the food either. 1 small caramel apple. Yes, that is bad for me, for the most part. Wish you could have seen the girl's face when I told her I wanted the smallest one. (Oh yes, I did) Priceless.

The thing I am most proud of, I did the day before, though. 30 pushups without stopping. Ask mom, she was there. She did 20, btw. So proud. I'm going to post again later. For now, I'm going over to a friends house for cards.

Love to All,
Allie

Tired.

   Tired. That is the word for today. I did a bad, bad thing. Well not extremely bad. Not even immoral or illegal. Just not good for me. I didn't go to sleep until around 1 this morning. Why? Because I just couldn't wind down quickly enough. And then, I woke up at 7. I didn't want to. I had my alarm set for 7:45, but oh no, my brain decided I needed to be awake 45 minutes early. So I snuggled with my demon dogs for 45 mins before I forced myself out of bed. I put on my new sports bra. (Danskin High Impact - it's awesome) & my workout clothes and headed to moms house.

  We went to the walking track in Henagar. I love to work out with mom. It's so much fun. She just so happens to be my best friend. So anyway, it's been kinda rainy here. Which is awesome, because we need the rain. But it is major suck to walk in the rain. We'd done 1.5 miles when we noticed the storm clouds moving in. We made the big loop to add the last .5 mile in one. We'd just finished our cool down stretches & gotten in the car when the skies opened up and poured buckets. That walking track is pretty great. There are just a few things wrong with it. It needs to be resurfaced. There are several cracks that make it a little unstable in places. That is caused by what you see in the picture below.

  These are workers for the city of Henagar that collect the garbage. Instead of walking over to the trash barrel and carrying it 10 feet, it is apparently neccessary to drive on the walking track. Where I might add, people were still walking. How effed up is that? What totally kills me is the fact that there are signs everywhere that state no cars/bikes/skateboards on the walking track. Grrr.

  Alright, so after that we had to rush over to Pisgah school & take my minion some pain reliever. Someone opened the door and it cut her toe really badly. After we checked on her, we flew (not really) back to mom's house so we could do the strength training routine before I got ready for work. I had to be there at 11:30 am.

  Work was slam busy tonight. Mondays are usually slow after 5, but we were busy right up until 8. I've been going, going, going all day and I am worn out. But before I leave, I'm going to copy & paste the Day Two post from sparkpeople. I hope whomever is reading this is enjoying it. I'm really enjoying writing it.

Day Two : Oh. Em. Gee. I woke up this morning & I was so sore. But it was such a good feeling. My stomach, my arms, my thighs... all sore. And I loved it. Every time I moved, I could feel it. It was great. Is that weird? I went to see my dad today. Trying to do the whole balance work, family, friends, life thing. And the first thing he says? Gosh, you're getting so little! And my daddy? He calls it like it is. Not so long ago, he said to me, Shay... you're fat. And I said yeah, you too kettle. (That's how we've always been. Nothing but love, I swear.) So to hear him tell me repeatedly today that I was getting smaller & he was so proud of me, well that just makes me glow. From the inside out. So yes. I am sore, but I am ecstatic.


Love to all,
Allie

By the way, Danskin does not support me in any way, shape, form, or fashion. I just happen to love that bra.

Earlier Posts.

  Hi everyone. I originally started blogging on sparkpeople, but decided that I wanted to be a little more accessible. So, for my next few posts, I'm going to copy my first posts here. I'll still talk about my day, but some of that stuff is pretty funny.

  Today was kinda fun. It rained a good bit, which I'm totally thankful for. Right before twilight, there was a huge beautiful rainbow that went on for miles. Here is where I have to tell you about my leprechaun. I'm not sure of his name. He's probably 5'5, has red hair, green eyes, and can pull off an amazing Irish accent. Even funnier? He works at O'Reilly Auto Parts. So anyway, he comes running in and says "Aye, lass. See my rainbow? You can't have my pot of gold, but you can play with my lucky charms." I laughed so hard, I choked on my gum. I love my job. You meet the greatest people. And the meanest. That story, however, is for another day.

 This is my first post on the sparkpeople blog. It is called Day One.

Today is day one of the rest of forever. Day one of trying harder. Day one of eating better. Day one of exercising more. Day one of not being ashamed to look in the mirror. I'm proud of myself for starting this journey. I'll be even more proud when I've reached my goals and continue to have the healthy habits I'll pick up.

Alright, I'm about to be out like a light bulb.

Love to All,
Allie

Intro to Allie

  Hi All. Welcome to Confessions by Allie. I'm new to blogging, so please, cut me a little slack. So, a little about me and why I'm here. Me : 28 year old female from Henagar, Alabama. Look it up. Seriously. It's tiny. I've been married a little over 6 years to a wonderful man, Mike. We have 3 demon dogs, Squishy, Spotticus, & Gracie. If you are not familiar with demon dogs, go google Rat Terriers. They are hyper little monkeys who like to run, jump, bark, and I absolutely love them. They make up the majority of my world.

 Why I'm here : Well, to be honest, I recently started a diet. One of my goals is to write in a journal daily. I've been thinking over blogging for around 6 months or so and decided to start a blog so I can share the ins, outs, ups, and downs with family and friends. Yes. I know. The internet is a big place with not family and not friends. I have always been a very private person. Sometimes too private. So I figure... why not? Why not put myself out there and have an online journal? Who knows, maybe it will help someone else.

 So, now you've met me. Or well, read about me. Now then. I'm going to post a picture of me. This is the picture that made me realize exactly how far I'd let myself go. I saw this picture and cried for a good hour. It is me, Christmas of 2009. And here comes todays confession. In this picture, I weigh 325 pounds. No, I'm not kidding. This is the first time anyone besides my mother or my husband knew my actual weight. This is when I reached the point of Oh My God. What have I become?

                     So.... that is me and my Mike. I look back now and think. Wow. Really?
  Alright. That's enough for tonight. I have to get up early for my walk. I'll be posting again tomorrow. Or later today.

Love to all,
Allie