A little less of me...

So those of you who have visited my "losing it" tab may have noticed that there's only one post, and no follow up from it.  I have every excuse {I've been so busy at work, Robb and I only get so much time together, we were on vacation, I had to clean the house} but no real reason for not getting in shape.  Now I have a HUGE {expensive} reason to... I want to walk down the aisle a year from now with no regrets.  I don't want to look at myself and think, "I wish I was thinner."  Okay, let's face it, I may always be saying that... but the point is I want to feel truly beautiful, and I want to be able to choose the dress of my dreams and not be limited by size.  So last week I bit the bullett and started dieting.  I wish I was the kind of person who controlls what she eats and loves to work out, but that's just not true.  I need a diet, a plan, a goal... something defined and easy to stick to... at least at the beginning.  Enter Slim Fast.  I've done SF before and I have to tell you, it works for me.  I have had a full week of being good... SF for breakfast and lunch with veggies, fruit, and lowfat yogurt for snacks.  I typically eat whatever I want for dinner within reason.  This way I don't feel too deprived.  Weekends {I think} will go either way.  If we are home I'll do SF and veggies, if we're out or have plans I'll be good.  I'm starting with this and then I'll add exercize to the plan once I've got the diet under control.

Today is weigh in day... I'll update this post with my weight before the end of the day!  {This is the first weigh-in... so just a starting number.}

Make it a great week everyone!

*believe always*

525,600 minutes...

Being a RENThead I couldn't resist the title for this post.  Based on everything Robb and I are looking at, one year from today we will be getting married!!!  I promise to interrupt any previously scheduled posts with an announcement as soon as the actual proposal happens, lol.  I've had a lot of questions about why we picked a date before being officially engaged... here's the scoop:

Having a Jewish wedding typically means a Sunday ceremony {or a late Saturday ceremony sometime after sundown}.  I didn't want to inconvenience my family who are not used to the idea of a Sunday wedding, so we thought it would work out well to do it on a holiday weekend.  Labor Day 2013 is September 2nd, so we decided on Sept. 1st for our date.  It works out well because it's not a huge party holiday {thus keeping our costs down... who wants to pay holiday costs on top of already exorbitant wedding costs?} and most people will still have Monday off work.  From there we realized this is also the weekend of the first Ohio State football game {can you say Buckeye themed rehearsal dinner? - speaking of which... Dear Urban and the scheduling powers that be, If you could make the first game of 2013 a little later in the day that would be amazing!  I mean how fun would it be to go to a 3:30 game with the wedding party, then over to the rehearsal and dinner?!?}  Robb and I have been living together for over a year, we have known even before then that we wanted to be together forever, so the official proposal at this point is really just a formality {not to mention I want a ring, lol}.  I've had so many people ask me, "Won't it take away from the excitement of the proposal if you already have so much planned?"  My answer?  No... I cannot imagine any circumstance where I will not be surprised and highly emotional over a proposal.  Plus, we all know I'm a planner, so it will eliminate any anxiety that comes along with having to make big decisions immediately afterwards.  We want to start a family in the not so distant future, so we don't want to push the wedding date back any later than September.  Everything that we've talked about so far has fallen into place.  I have the perfect partner, we found a great weekend, we are totally on the same page with wedding theme ideas, his mom found the perfect venue for our reception, our Rabbi is available that day... we just need to see if the synagogue itself is free... I mean it really is perfect.

So there you go... One year from today I will be Jennifer Steiner and happily ever after will begin!!!

*believe always*

Friday Letters

Dear Extended Family - I have such mixed emotions around the party this weekend... anxiety, excitement, anticipation, and some more excitement.  I hope everyone comes with an open mind and heart and is there to focus on Grandma's birthday.  I'm excited to see all of you, and can't wait for her to see the surprise.  Travel safely!

Dear Brian - Thank you for the opportunity to pe a part of the training team.  I have had a blast the past three months, it's wonderful to come to work when you truly love and feel passionate about your job.  I am so excited for the next three months and getting our new hires trained!  I can't wait to see what the future holds for me here at QH.

Dear Friends {that includes you!} - Thank you for listening to me talk about wedding plans even though we're not officially engaged.  I know you're all thinking that you have a whole year of this ahead, and that's probably true.  I love you for listening. 

Dear Rachel - I cannot tell you how excited I am to be working with you again.  You are truly going to excell here at QH.  One week from yesterday we'll be reunited!

Dear Shelly -  I hope I am writing the same thing to you a month from now, have faith.  I know you'd be a great fit here, I hope so much you are given a chance to prove your abilities.

Dear Peg and Stan - Thank you for always making us feel welcome at your lake house... it's so nice to have a place to escape to.  You are truly two of the most kind people I have ever met. 

*believe always*

Life in Pictures

1 -  My absolute favorite picture from the beach.  Thanks to the lovely Barbara Ann for bring our photographer for the evening!  {Look for the whole vacation in pictures next week!}

2  -  This is a picture from one of last year's Buckeye games, I love this picture and I LOVE that Buckeye football starts the day after tomorrow!!!

3  - A pair of dorks.  Seriously though, I know you all have done this... we call it Martha Washington hair.  :)  The lovely girl with me is my baby sister {the previously mentioned Barbara Ann}.

4  -  My brain is all things wedding right now {no, no official engagement, but we have set a date!!!} and this is the centerpiece we are going for.  I apologize in advance for the wedding talk you will all have to read through over the next year.

5  -  The BEST poochies in the whole world!  This was taken at the lake last weekend after a long day of swimming.

6  -  Bonbon!!!  My first "publicity shot" for the bakery.  What do you think?

7  -  My ADORABLE nephew in his 9 month picture.  :)  I get to see this little chunk {along with his brother, sister, and my BFF} tomorrow!!!

8  -  My new breakfast and lunch.  I want to start losing now {you know, for the wedding} and this is my jump start.

9  -  My awesome boyfriend riding in Pelotonia.  He raised $1200.00 for the James Cancer Research Center while riding 25 miles.  He amazes me every day.

That's it, my life in pictures... vacation pics coming next Thursday!

*believe always*

So What! Wednesday

Here's what I'm saying So What! to this week:

• It's only Wednesday and I am SOOOO looking forward to my 3 day weekend coming up!  I l.o.v.e. my job, but my house is {still, yes, still} a disaster and I just know I can get it all together in a long weekend.
• I'm planning a half birthday dinner for Robb next Friday.  I know it's silly, but he has some BIG things he's planning and I want to do something special for him.  Besides I have the cutest idea in my head for a half birthday cake that I want to try.  {Yes, pics coming soon.}
• I've been blogging more on this blog than my baking blog.  Lately I've just felt like I have some things I need to get out.
• I am so totally pumped for football season to start.  THE Ohio State Buckeyes kick off this weekend and I feel like it's the first sign of fall.
• One of the main reasons I want to get the house cleaned up is to put up my fall decorations... I have A LOT of them!

What are you saying So What! to this week?  Link up with Shannon and spill! 

*believe always*

Friday Letters

Dear Martha Graham and Otis - You are the best poochies in the world, and you brighten all my days.  Thanks for all the kisses and cuddles.

Dear weekend MAGIC class - You guys were awesome.  I was nervous to teach such a large class on a weekend with no backup, but you all rocked.  I hope your first week using your MAGIC was not too stressful!

Dear Joy - I think about you often and hope you're doing well.  I hope someday we'll be in contact again.

Dear Aunt Nancy - I have to tell you, I was stressed about helping plan Grandma's party.  There are things about the family dynamics that I have still not come to terms with, and I wasn't sure how that would affect the planning of this and my anxiety level.  I have to tell you, I am so glad we decided to do this.  I have missed you so much, and I am so happy that we are able to talk, and be honest and open and really get somewhere with our conversations.  I can't wait to find a free weekend to come spend with you... and I can't wait to see you and everyone next weekend at the party!  Thank you for all of your love and support.  I'm glad you and I are communicating... it means so much to me.

Dear Abbey - I hope your move in to Otterbein this week went well.  I was thinking about you all week.  I can't wait to come visit and do lunch sometime soon!

Dear Self - I know you aren't happy with your body.  I know you want to lose weight and you think that will solve so many problems for you.  I don't know if it will or not.  Know that you are special and you are loved by so many.  You have so many blessings in you life.  If there are things you want to improve you CAN do it.  You've done it before.  Make it happen.

*believe always*

So What! Wednesday

Here's what I'm saying So What! to this week...



• Rob and I have been together over 2 years and I feel like we're finally making our money work for us.  We set up joint checking and savings accounts last week and have a detailed plan for every pay check... it's a step!
• I am OBSESSED with the Sookie Stackhouse series... I started the first book while we were at the beach {so like end of July} and just finished the 12th book earlier this week... 12 books in about 3 weeks - seriously?!  OBSESSED.  I am so sad that it's over.  We did start getting True Blood on Netflixx, so at least I can kinda stay in that world for a little while longer.  I guess it's actually a good thing that I finished the series because it will give me a chance to read the Blog Friends Book Club selection - Gone Girl, which I will review on September 3rd.
• I worked my first weekend in FOREVER last weekend... and actually enjoyed it!  I taught a customer service class at QH and the class I had was AWESOME!  Seriously, they were all there on their weekend off too, and we truly had fun!
• I still hate when Rob had to travel for work... at the same time I think it makes us appreciate each other more too.
• The house is {still} a mess - though it's slowly getting better, I have a million things to do, and we're going to the lake this weekend.  There are only so many lake weekends left and I want to take FULL advantage.
• Speaking of the lake, I am so sad that my tan from the beach is already fading... does that make me vain?
• I met with the director {co-director?} for CATS last night and we watched the movie and talked about our vision for our production.  I already have a million ideas and have bits and pieces already choreographed... yeah yeah, I know, the show's not until February, but I like to be prepared okay?  
•  We bought paint for our bedroom at least 3 months ago and haven't done anything with it... sounds like a Shabbat project to me!  {Wait, would that count as writing?  Gotta check with the Rabbi on that one!}

What are you saying So What! to this week?  Link up with Shannon and tell the world!

*believe always*