when I was in school, I dreaded the idea of having to run the mile in gym class.  I would walk the whole thing and did the bare minimum to pass.  I decided I wasnt a runner.    Well I have put our differences aside.  I ran a 5 k!!!!!!!  I can’t believe I did it!!!!  My sister and I  decided we were going to do this together.  I think we were both nervous and excited.  It was held at the Dorothea Dix state park to support service animals.  So we registered and got our numbers.

 

And the the first thing we saw was londons’s favorite………face painting!!!!!  Oh and no shocker,  she wanted to be a cat……Tina Myles!!!!

 

We met up with my sister s old friend,  Katie!!!!!  A total professional runner in my eyes!!!   She’s hilarious and always good company, and she brought her sweet nugget And londons’s friend Elle !!!

 

how is it possible that they are so different and exactly the same all at the same time!!  adorbsss!!!

ok before we start let’s take a selfie!!!

 

 

Omg then it started.  I haven’t exactly been training for this!!!!  I told myself I was just going to run as long as I could.  Katie gave some good advice and said walk up the hills and run the rest.  So I did.  I ran the first two miles and was totally feeling it.  The hills kept getting steeper .  And I was so doooonnnneee.  When you are In big crowd running, you want to do well.  I found myself running longer then i ever have.   I have been working with Sandra for so long….I could hear her in my head saying,  I could do this, that my body was strong, challenge yourself!!   She is a total cheerleader. I was so excited when I came upon this …….

 

The the finish line was in sight!!!!!

 

And we were welcomed with roses!

 

38 mins!   I’ll take it!!!  This is me just stepping out of the box again.  I felt so proud when I was done.  I really believed I was going to really struggle.  But I didnt.  It was a gorgeous day and it was great being apart of a community this day. I spoke to my sister today and both of our thighs are on fire!!  And we decided we would love to do it again……..well I mean not in the rain, cold, or extreme heat.  But another breezy 69 degree day, count us in.   Thanks Katie for pushing us to do this!!!!   Xoxo.  And my favorite part was seeing my family waiting for me at the end!!!!!   #familyovereverything

 

heyyyyy….  I’m so proud of my hubby.  I know this new lifestyle isn’t always easy, and it not always convient, or cheap but he is doing it!!!!  And I’m so proud we are doing this together.

 

Looking good Brandon!!!!!

 

 

I love having my third ball!!!

 

So so here we goooo, how did you do Brandon?!?

 

Back down 5!!!!!!!!  That’s great!  How’s it feel Brandon??… ………

Soo. I’m not gonna lie January wasn’t the best month for me. But somehow I managed to lose 5 pounds!!!! This month taught me that It’s easy to get caught up in compliments but you’ve just gotta keep your head down and push through.

Well said Brandon!!!!!!  Love you , congrats,  let’s keep, keeping on!!!

I also recently had a new guest at the salon…Blair!!!!!!!!!!  She reads the blog and decided to come see see me at Samuel Cole!!!! So exciting….I couldn’t wait to meet her!!!!  And we did a major change.  She donated her hair to locks of love. An absolutely fantastic charity. I was honored to do it.

 

I loved meeting you Blair!!!! Can’t wait to see you soon and thank you for your support!!! Hope all is well your way!!!!! Muuuuuahhhh

 

 

 

soo you guys know Sara was sick and now is in New York!  We have had to cancel our workouts with Sandra and all of this makes it really easy to not workout at all……”it just wasn’t mean to be”.   Well guess what……. I have too.  At this point in my journey it is the only thing keeping me at my current weight.  I can gain 5 lbs with one bad meal!!!  That is kind of terrifying.  But ow I know better so I have to be better.  So thank god I am surrounded by amazing, supportive people who are equally excited about our success as we are!!  Meet our friend Nikki K.

 

Nikki has always been enthusastic about working out together.  But in my eyes she is like kind of a professional fitness girl.  So yes I was intimidated to go to a “Nikki ” workout.  But I was excited to go to HEAT and see something new.

  

 

So cute!  I was surrounded by familiar things! Mother fing ropes!!

 

Class started.  It is really fast pace but the music was awesome so I was pumped! I want the gym to always feel like a dance party!   We did alot of things we do with Sandra like planks, lunges, squats, push ups, sit ups, and an assortment weights. The only thing different was after 4 mins you would rotate to the treadmill and run up hill and sprint.  It was really hard.  But I did it!!!!  I would have never been able to complete that in the past.  It felt really good to realize I was really getting in shape.  I am so much stronger then I have ever been!! I am so glad I stepped outside of the box and did this!!  Thank you Nikki for your constant support!!!!   Hurts so good!!!!

 

Here our some pics!

 

Our instructor Ashley was a total lady beast!!!!! She was so welcoming and definetly kicked my ass and took the time to correct my form which I really appreciate!!!!!

 #lovefierceladies

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ahhhh I love this pic.  I absolutely love that Brandon is in this with me.  We have definetly changed physically………but you can’t see how much we changed emotionally!!!!!!  We all live really busy lives.  And I love my busy life.  I am really good at doing me! And what I mean by that is…….I know what I like and I know what I want.  I am not drowning in this marriage looking for my identity.  I am constantly exploring new activities and challenges.  Is Self growth/discovery  a hobby????  If so, sign me up….I love it.  My feet are planted and I feel extra powerful these days.  What I do see happen……are two separate lives.  Brandon having tight control of his own life and me equally trying to juggle mine.  And we are” yes “people so we try ing to do it all.   We are both really good at supporting each others needs For personal space  outside the house…..but we totally suck at making it a priority to do things together.  All of a sudden I realize we desperately need a date night!!!!   We don’t know the details of each other lives.  The time spent together at home is spent usually doing chores and mentally unwinding from the day.  I always need  5 minutes of quite when I first come home.  My own debrief from  the day.  Mayb e I do this so I am distracted from food.   Soooo lets go to shabashabu

London spent the weekend with my mother in law.  A great chance to get some sushi together.

 

 

Brandon I weresooo sensible!! We got tuna tataki to start with

 

 

And then we shared a Wolfpack roll and a bagel roll!!

 

 

 

And guess what it was plenty.  My eyes are definitely bigger then my stomach when it comes to sushi.  But we both felt great.  We both decided we wanted to get some sake!

 

 

It was so yummy!!! We were having the best time.   Our conversation ended up getting deeper then we both anticipated, with definitely tense moments.  But we were communicating openly and honestly and we ended up learning a lot about the other that night.  Sara shared with me……” The conversationS  you have is the relationship”.   I understand that concept more each day.  And I am always grateful that Brandon is engaged in our conversations.  He listens with clear ears.  I am trying to learn to do the same.    It is hard to break poor communication habits!!!!!  At the end of the night we were both glad we talked .  This unexpected date was much needed .  Communication is everything….who said that!!!!! It’s true.   We need to make surer our journeys are constantly crossing.  No man left behind!!!  my healthy body is now craving healthy feelings too.  Amazing how this works!!!

 

 

 

 

So this is literally my favorite time of year….The Bobies.  I get to write, sing and act my little attention seeking heart out with my super best boss and life mentor, Joelle!!!  We spend every waking hour together for three weeks leading up to the big event.  Well, this year was no exception!  Thursday night as I was heading over to The Rays I felt a little tickle in my throat.  My new life plan with getting sick is  completely ignoring its existence.  So we practiced hard this night…singing full out, lots of yelling on my part!

Then practice was over and I went home and passed out!  Then I woke up Friday morning and thought SHIT.  I think I’m really sick…I had no voice, no energy, my throat was on fire and I felt a little fevery and after running all of my morning errands I came home and literally passed out on my couch for an hour.  I was freeeezing.  But I got up and went for practice.  When I walked in both Jack and Joelle said Eeeesh…you look awful (cause I really did), so we piled onto the couch and did a very calm and quiet run through for a couple of hours.  Jack loaded me up with green tea and lemons, Joelle stocked me up with advil cold and sinus and I housed a thousand cough drops!!! They are so good to me! #babysick

After practice was over I got my spray tan…it’s not an event unless I look like George Hamilton am I right Joelle!?! and then I promptly went to bed at 8.  Then I woke up at 6 to pack up all my things, showered, blew my hair out and met Jenny at Whole Foods by 8 for a yummy breakfast.

I had a whisper of a voice at this point.  I downed Detoxifying juice, a kambucha and green tea.  Then we hopped over to the salon and she did my hair.  Then it was off to MAC for makeup.  My girl Krystal was out sick so Sam saved the day and made me look like a million bucks which is super important when you feel like zero dollars.  Then I met The Rays, Andrews and Joelle’s high school buddies at Firebirds for a traditional pre Bobies lunch.  I was silent and freezing and nodding off…I was really getting concerned here…is this the flu!?!!  But I just downed more Green Tea with lemon.  Finally I made it to the hotel and checked in!  Not too shabby…

Time to get organized.  I only have about 45 minutes once we are finished practicing to get ready so I like to lay everything out.

If you can’t tell jewelry wise from this pic…I am the anti Coco Chanel…I want to wear every single piece of jewelry that I own, together, all at once!!!!  #donttakeanythingoffjustaddmore I also needed to make sure I was stocked up on the things that were going to get me through the night…Emergen-c, Alka Seltzer Cold and as many vitamin c cough drops as I could shove into my purse…plus all of the beverages of the world!

Time to practice!

We did our mic check and about 10 run throughs…then it was time to get ready with my sis…I love this part of the night…so much laughter.  Although I really just wanted to go to bed!

#jackassingaround #thankgodforspanx #sorryheeledbootsyoulosetonight

And finally we were ready!

My sister is the living best date…she is so excited to be there, so happy and fun and funny and delightful and self sufficient and friends with everyone!!!  This really is my favorite night of the year and she is a huge factor in that.  Love you did #hikelly So we headed downstairs…

And practiced one more time…

Then we cocktail houred it up, greeted everyone, took red carpet pics and photo boothed it up…healthy app’ed it up and had a ball.  My adrenaline kicked in here and got me through!

Lauren and I made a thousand attempts at mooning the photo booth…we finally succeeded but had a real reality check of butts in spanx!!!

We’ve never laughed harder….the photo booth is the living best! Get ready for 1,000 hilarious pics!

 

I clearly was not conserving my energy.  And by the time the Biggies rolled around and they surprised me with a heart warming speech about mentoring and called me on stage and I got a standing ovation from my team….

I started bawling like a baby and lost the last shred of my voice and energy #totallyworthit.  It was so unexpected and so kind…This was an amazing moment and the warmest bath of love from my sammie cole fam….super humbling! I literally could not stop crying and my speech came out as a strangled…i love every single one of you, this is my dream job! #gratefuleveryday

 

I finally stopped crying and it was time to perform.  With a piping hot glass of water with lemons, a mil cough drops and a little prayer we started the show.

And before you knew it 41 Bobies had been given out with only minor heckling from the audience!!!  We survived…best Bobies ever!!!  This is what happened immediately after…

I found the nearest couch and Brandon and I joked about being old and I so genuinely wanted to pass out…

But we rallied and me, Kelly and Jenny danced the night away with all of these fun people!!!!  All of the sudden it was almost 2 and my bed was calling me.  Here is me and Kelly’s after picture!

Sooooooo sweaty #wetbangs We chatted for a bit about how great the night was and then she passed out.  I was so sick and so full of caffeine that I didn’t fall asleep until 4am! We woke up and I knew it was really bad.  My body was trying so hard to tell me to slow down but I didn’t listen.  Which landed me at the Urgent Care…

I started throwing up on Sunday and I had a fever and chills and was achy so at first they thought it was the flu….but thank goodness it wasn’t!  Turns out it was walking pneumonia!!!  So I got two shots in the butt, a 10 day supply of antibiotics and Lil’ Wayne’s cough syrup.  Off to my couch for a Downton Abby marathon and lots of unexpected naps…

I hate being sick, but I love being proactive, finding out whats wrong and fixing it.  Now comes the hard part, forced rest and absolute silence!

Lesson learned…if you don’t listen to your body…it will make you listen and you will end up sick as a dog with a fever that won’t break!!!  But still best Bobies ever!!! #weveneverlookedbetter

And just for fun I made some before and afters…this night really made us both realize how far we have come!!!  Loving this journey together!!!

 

Sending lots of love from my invalid bed/couch!!! Xoxo

 

we had the beeeeeest weekend.   We had our holiday party the bobie’s!!!!  It is such a fun night full of awards, playful roasting of team members, and Hollywood glam!!!!!

 

I have been been a part of this team for 6 years, and every year in the past I would plan to have lost weight by the bobie’s. Some years I succeeded, others were a total fail!!!  So going this year was exciting for both us because we worked so hard together and this was just one of the milestones we both looked forward to.  I am so happy I get to share this night with my husband and best friend!!!!!! So Sara and I never get to sit together at this thing because she has to sit at the managers table, not to mention Jack, Joelle and Sara MC the event. So we send pictures back forth to each other.

    

 

And as always…Sara brings the best date…her sister Kelly !!!!!! I think she is an honorary Sammie cole salon employee! Love her!

 

 Yeah…..I drank a little. Wink wink.

cocktail hour is the best…..because you are seeing everyone for the first time!! I love my salon family so much!!!  #membersonlyclub

 

 

 

Best picture ever!!!!

 

the night started with dinner. And guess what I made great decisions!!! I think this healthy thing is becoming “a thing”.  Salmon asparagus, broccoli and a salad. Sara was on point too!!!  This is the first time I’m seeing what she had haha!!

 

Time for the awards!!!  We work with a lot of stylist….so there was a lot to reconize.

 

 

 

My favorite part of the evening was, Sara being recognized for all the joy she brings to everyone’s life in the salon.  She is our mentor at the salon, and genuinely loves us all.  And we love her and are grateful for her showing up for us everyday always pushing us to be better then we ever thought.  She is truly a treasure!

 

 

On to the bobie’s !!!!  Basically everyone gets recognized for something’s hey did that year….these are silly, playful, shameful and Ffffing hilarious !!!!!!!!  Sara and Joelle act us all out.  Genius!!!!!!

Mine was the “Afro crotch award”!!!!!  I got really passionate this year nd about bring the bush back!!  Am I right ladies?!?

And Sara’s was ” any excuse to get naked award”  but you guys already knew that!!!

 

 

 

 

 

then we danced our asses off!!! Haha hope so, weigh in almost here…again!!!!!!

 

We have have the greatest jobs.  With the most amazing bosses who host this fabulous party every year.  We have so much to be grateful for!!  Thank you Jack and Joelle for all of your love and support professionally and personally.  We love you!!!!!!!

 

Well Joelle , Jack and Sara , I’m going to say it……… best bobie’s ever?!?! You guys put on a great show!!! Mmmmmmmmmmuuuuaaaahhh xoxo!!!!!! #curtaincall

I even got in a post bobie’s workout the next day!!!!!  Oh hey coworker Libby ……fancy seeing you here!!!!!

 

Fun crazy weekend….this lady is tired, goooooodnight!

Here we are in the past……wow things are really changing!!!! What I love most is that we can be happy at any size…..so proud that we are still happy and definetly healthier.  Love you Sara!