Karaoke Ring of Death Catchy songs!

It is that time of the month... No not that time... KARAOKE RING OF DEATH TIME! This month is a really great theme!!! Catchy songs! I am hosting Kanriah from  her blog One Red Wall and I would agree this song is catchy even if you hate it! I almost did it because it was defiantly one of my first thoughts when the theme was decided.

Enjoy watching Kanriah preform "Call Me Maybe" and then check me out on Heather's Blog Musings of a Girl where I sing with one of my best friends "Never Ever Ever Getting Back Together" ... trust me you need to see it! 

What not to say to someone who has Miscarried

Today I was asked to share for a MOPS group (mothers of preschoolers) on what not to say to women who have miscarried. I also added what to say and do to that list. While writing it I cried, but was really happy to write it. After the MOPS group I asked if it was helpful and her answer was "Very much thank you! Everyone was like awe that's great to know". That inspired me to post what I wrote to her and share with others:

What NOT to say to someone who miscarried:

1. How are you?

Sounds weird, I know, because this is the go to question. This question was really hard to digest because honestly I wasn't doing good and I didn't want to talk about it. It was obvious I wasn't doing good and didn't think it was something that needed to be asked.

2. It will get better

This also bothered me because I needed comfort at the time. I needed the freedom to grieve. Hinting  to look ahead made it almost so I couldn't just grieve for my loss. And obviously time usually heals but this doesn't really have a time frame you should just be better by. It's been almost 2 years and I still out of nowhere get extremely sad and just need to cry and remember that I won't ever forget because it's not something you wanted to happen BUT isn't something you want to forget because you will always love what you lost. 

3. I know/imagine how you feel (when the person has never miscarried), and I think I had one.

This actually happened to me. I was in the bathroom at church crying from the song "When everything falls apart" that was played by the worship team. I was trying to pull it together and go back out when a lady had heard about my miscarriage came in hugged me and said I think I had a miscarriage... Ugh really lady? You think? Well I KNOW! and when you KNOW it hurts something fierce so stop trying to make it what it wasn't! That is of course not what I said but thought. And other people said I can imagine how you feel... Well truth is, you CAN NOT unless you have. You can't know what it's like to lose a child and don't try it doesn't help either party.

THINGS TO SAY/DO

1. I am here for you

2. Let me know what you need

3. Bring food (even if that person isn't eating, it might help them eat, or give them something to eat because it is so draining on your whole body physically and emotionally and you don't feel like cooking and need rest)

4. Pray for, and let the other person know that you are thinking about them via card. 

5. Help them clean house and possibly babysit for a bit if they have another child so they can have time to cry without worry of another child and mom and dad can have time together to digest or just cry together.

The biggest thing you can do is keep an open line of communication and let them grieve. It was nice to have people around but only for small periods of time. The reason being is when you have company, you feel obligated to not cry, or be some sort of host and it can make a person really uncomfortable just to break down when that is exactly what they need to do sometimes. When you let yourself cry harder than you ever had because it hurts so bad it also makes you feel bad for the person there, because you know if it was you watching them cry your heart would break and you don't want to make them sad or cry either. UNLESS you are REALLY close friends then it can be nice to have someone else to cry with. 

Bad Blogger!

So I have not been a good blogger this month! AT ALL! Everyday I think I want and need to post on my blog! I need to follow up on my fashion post with pictures! WELL... life happens. Got really sick and really busy... BUT here are a few things I have done while not blogging:

Take my kid to a company picnic

Take my daughter to a pumpkin patch with an awesome jump pillow!

Make a Halloween cake (took 3 days) from scratch... completely!

Take my daughter and the neighbor kids trick-or-treating (my daughters 1st time)

Go to a Halloween party and make my Hurricane Sanday Costume (because my name is Sandy)

Yes I have a bunch of debris in my hair!

Buy Boots!!!

Take my daughter to truck-or-treat with her bff at the automobile museum 

Carve pumpkins

SO as you can tell I have been a little busy. I also NEVER fall asleep when I need to so I am almost always tired and yeah... I hope november is a little less busy so I can catch up on blogging.

Anyone know of a topic calendar? Want to guest post? Want me to guest post? Message on twitter or comment on this post! I will be better this month!

Fashion and Weather

I am a Fall (Autumn) girl. I love the Fall! Let me be more specific because in different parts of the world Fall may have different weather. I love the temperature to get no higher than 73 degrees fahrenheit and don't mind it to get down to 58 degrees fahrenheit. I know, very specific degrees but it's true. I love partly cloudy skies and a slight breeze. Unfortunately where I live fall hasn't really shown up... we had a few days and then it jumped back up to the 80's and 90's YUCK! I want to wear my jeans, boots, long sleeves, jackets, sweaters and scarfs!

Speaking of clothes I have recently been more focused on my style choices and I am SO happy! I actually am skinny enough to dress in skinny jeans and loose shirts! Yes I said loose shirts! You know the sheer shirts that are loose and you still have a silhouette visible that is slimming... You aren't filling out the loose top. I have several of those tops now and also some form fitting sweaters, and a few tops I can't really describe but they are definitely something a few years ago I would have never even thought of as an option especially for myself (teal skinny pants too!). I have a monthly budget for new fall/winter clothes because I don't fit in any of my old stuff and don't have much in the way of clothes for that weather. I can't wait until next month for more shopping! Pictures to come!

If you want to know how I sound LISTEN

I am taking Music seriously, this is me raw. Other than the crappy footage... listen and PLEASE (yes I am begging) let me know your thoughts and feedback! MUCH LOVE!

What a day!

My favorite blogger Emmy from Love woke me up this morning nominated my blog today for

I was really excited to be nominated by her! If you click THIS you can check out what the award is and who else she nominated! 

If you are coming to me because you saw this on Emmy's blog WELCOME! I am so glad you decided to check it out!

Today was a pretty grand day! (Did I just say grand?... Well it was!) It is my 4th Anniversary to my Best Friend and Husband! I can't believe sometime that it's been 4 years... but sometimes it seems like much longer since we have been together 7 1/2! I am very proud of our marriage though; It has not been a fairy tale that much is for sure! It has been an amazing ride and one I gladly would do again.

I write a lot about the stuff that goes on in my daily life and a lot of that has been missing my husband so much this year because of his job working nights. We have seen each other probably half as much this year because of it. It has made this year a challenge and one I believe we are successfully (most of the time) overcoming. We know it will not be permanent and that helps.

Tomorrow we are celebrating as tonight he had to work... which sucks! I am so excited to go out to a nice dinner without our daughter and just reflect and talk about us. I can't wait!

This morning I woke up to this super cute gift

It's kind of hard to see BUT it was really cute and thoughtful... He wrote on the mirror to make sure I saw it first thing in the morning. It says:

 HAPPY FOURTH ANNIVERSARY!!!

THE STORY OF US...

Then underneath that it has 3 pictures, the 1st says best date with a drawing of me on the tail gate of his old truck under the stars (which was our very first date and I loved it!) then an arrow to a picture of us married and then another arrow to us with our daughter (who has a comment bubble saying Mommy Daddy! which she says all the time)

It was really cute especially with the note he left on the counter. It made me feel so much more special than a store bought card and just made me laugh because it was really cute and funny. Also pretty awesome that I got nominated by Love woke me up this morning and literally it did :)

Also my 2 favorite TV shows premiered tonight (Parks and Rec, and The Office), which I didn't get to watch BUT I know it is there to watch and yeah I am a bit excited. I actually chose to watch the 2 episodes of Parenthood I missed! That show always makes me cry somehow because it's real life stuff they deal with and if you watch it you probably understand why I watch it.

Now it is way too late for me to be up AGAIN, but I have a few things to do for friends tomorrow and then it's sleep, work and a Date with my handsome husband! I can't wait!

Hmmph

So many thoughts go through my head on a daily basis. It's weird to me how I can understand something so clearly one day and look back on it and see something else... This is very vague I know but I have just been thinking about so many things lately. How people function, why they act the way they do (including myself). How small groups of people can give a whole group a bad rep and turn people away... How a big group of people suck and there are a small few who are amazing in the same group. How people can't own up to the things they do but want to "fix it"... again all vague but you can probably think of multiple topics that can fit into the things I am saying, can't you?

I keep trying to make sense of somethings, but I know somethings I will never be able to make sense of. Sometime I envy people who don't waste time thinking about detailed things like me, but then do I, really? Do I want to walk around not knowing or thinking about how I can figure things out?

One thing I have decided on is I am taking a break from church. Not from God... but from Church. I am so sad about it BUT can't bring myself to go to a place that is corrupt and many more things. Besides... the church isn't jut a building and that is what I am taking a break from. I am going to be studying in small personal groups and by myself. To do something without a ton of structure (structure and organization can be in different categorize... I like organization lol). I want a place of interaction, study, questions and conversation... I think churches these days are missing the mark and forgetting that the greatest commandment of all is LOVE. It's not about rules and pushing agendas... God is a big boy and doesn't need your agenda, and your harsh words that come from defense and anger, pride and selfishness. 

I wish I knew the actual numbers on people that study the bible that attend church... my guess is it's very low, most get what they say from the preacher/pastor/reverend ect. I don't want to be like that anymore. 

Can I get an AMEN?

Psalm 139:23

New International Version (NIV)

²³ Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.

KROD is going country a little late

In August we had a few delays in people getting videos in so we postponed getting our matches. BUT here I am hosting Helly :)

She went old school with the WATERMELON CRAWL! This song brings me back to when I lived in Wyoming! Fun times!

Take a look at my video at One Red Wall's blog where I am singing Sugarland's "Might make me Believe"!

ALSO WE NEED MORE SINGERS! Bad or good! If you want to have fun and do a monthly Karaoke video PLEASE shoot me a comment and check out Karaoke Ring of Death to get involved! 

Now watch Helly's video!:

Looking back

Today's VEDA topic was read an old blog post... well I felt like this was a sign that I needed to read a blog post from one of the first months I started blogging. Why? Well when I first started blogging it was an outlet to help me get through a miscarriage, so it must be time to read some over and think about it, see how far I've come and how far I haven't. I am not surprised I let a few tears go, but after I recorded this... I realized this was the first time I talked about it in some detail out loud (with very few exceptions). It stirred some emotions up inside that I almost enjoy feeling because it makes me feel closer to the unborn child. Not that I wanted to be sad, but having emotions made me accept that I didn't forget and that he or she was real and I still love he or she. I am ok with that. I am ok knowing I have the ability to love without ever having seen my child. It is a blessing to feel such love. If you want to watch me actually talk about it out loud just click on the video below.

Where have I been?

I haven't posted a ton on here because I am doing VEDA (Vlog Everyday in August) so if you want to see what I have been doing check out my videos on my youtube page SandyWessel (Subscribe!). Each day we have a topic so everyday you will get to know me a little better! Check it out!

Also when you are done watching mine check out some of the other VEDA videos and get to know some other bloggers and see if you click!


Hope you are all doing well, and YES I did get a new phone FINALLY! Also I had an AWESOME time on my vacation to Wyoming and have some footage in my VEDA videos!

Leave me some comments! I love them! (Well most of them haha!)

Here are a few of the videos to get you started!

Ever feel detached?

I never thought I would miss my phone. I realize now how much I use if for everyday:
Calls
Texts
Facebook
Twitter
Banking
Email
Business
Youtube (because I am participating in VEDA check it out )
Pictures of random cute things my daughter does
Videos for Karaoke Ring of Death and VEDA and random cute things my daughter does
Alarm Clock
Timer
Exercise Tracker
Calculator
Address Book (Now know as contacts)

That stuff I use on a daily or at least a weekly basis!

I was just thinking I should call my friend... then I remembered I don't have a way to call her because I don't have her number memorized. Erg.

I also feel detached because I recently stopped going to the Church we use to call our home Church, and a lot of our friends are there, and I have been working like a crazy person plus commute time and I miss all of my friends so much! I feel like it has been forever since we hung out!

Today for VEDA I took the Meyers Brigs Personality test and my results were ENFJ (Check out what that means here) The E is for extrovert which I TOTALLY am and I have been deprived of the opportunity to be one! I feel so detached! I need to be around some people! Physically I need to see them and laugh and who knows go dance and sing some Karaoke! (Hint Hint friends)

On the bright side of feeling detached, I am looking forward to an AMAZING weekend with my best friend whom I have not seen (in person) in 3 years!!! I am so excited!!! It's always like we never left each other when we get together!

So let's get you in on this... Are you detached latley? Do you feel the need to be around people? Click this >>>Personality Test and tell me what your results are, if they're accurate and what the letters mean (you Google the letters to get a better description). I really am interested to know!

VEDA day 2

VEDA day 1 2012

It is hard being a mom

Today was a tough day. If you are new to my blog HEY! If not you know that I am now working full time and have a husband who works nights and am a mom of an almost 2 year old. Since I have had my daughter I have not worked more than 16 hours a week, and when I did I was watching kids at my house with her. SO needless to say this is not easy. My daughter misses me like crazy... and I am fairly certain she is punishing me because she is mad when I have to leave or put her to bed or have to tell her no (which that part is normal at her age and I get). Today was the worst day of all though. I have spent most of the evening crying.

 It started with me not being able to say good bye this morning because she was asleep and I wasn't dropping her off today. If I tried to kiss her good bye I would have woken her up and then caused everyone else to have to listen to her cry as I left so I decided against it and just barley peeked on her before I left. And of course like every other day I miss her and feel bad that I am not a full time mom anymore. When I got home she told me she was hungry so I fixed her dinner. She is on this kick of only liking a few things: PB&J, Chicken Nuggets, Crackers, Yogurt and Banana's. None of these things were on the menu. I gave her meatloaf and mashed potatoes... 2 months ago she would have eaten it. Today she pushed the plate away the second my hand left the plate. I told her that was what was for dinner and she needed to try it. This apparently was the worst thing ever and she threw a huge fit and bawled her eyes out. Then I tried to get her down from the chair and she wouldn't let me do that... After I got her down she told me she was hungry (again). I said well that was your dinner... she threw another fit.

 A few minutes after she calmed down she wanted one of her favorite toys that was outside by the pool, so we went to go get it... she walked straight to the pool and told me she wanted to kick. I said "baby you can't right now you have pants on". She threw her body on the ground and had another tantrum. I picked her up brought her inside where a movie was on for her, and she decided to continue the tantrum on the couch. After this I had enough. I hadn't been home for 12 hours and was tired and really not in the mood. SO I picked her up took her to her room (which caused louder screaming) and told her when she was done crying she could come out. WELL she got hysterical and it was too much... so I picked her up a few minutes later and just held her. She was clutching me (as she has been doing since I started work, never wanting me to go and crying. She has different cries. This cry is sadness and breaks my heart.) So I take her out of her room to calm her down. She wailed in my arms clutching me and pushing me, kicking and blowing boogers all over me. This made me cry. I cried for my obligation to go to work to make money and leave her with anyone else, to have to only see her 2 hours a night and for putting her to bed while she cries for me because I know I have to put her to bed, but feel guilty for her not getting more time with me. I just kept thinking this isn't fair, to her or me. I am the mom, I should be able to stay home and tend to her, raise her and discipline her without feeling this guilty because I never see her! I miss her! She did this for I'd guess about 20 minutes. I just held her rubbing her back and cried silently.

I also have this childcare issues with getting a new sitter because of some medical issues with my current one (which are totally understandable and I don't blame her one bit). Let's just say I have only a few options because I don't want her in an unsafe place that I am not comfortable with (Daycare facility). Some of the options have been limited (with reason) because I share a house, but that is what is also causing stress. I feel like I can't win, nor can I afford to spend a ton of money on childcare.

 Does anyone understand? I am not really wanting advise (because Lord knows everyone gives that freely) I am just wanting someone to understand and tell me I am not a horrible mom, and I am not messing my child up, that I am making a better future for her and our little family. But even if I am told that... will it help? I don't know.

 It is hard being a mom.

Pre-Veda welcome video

KROD Theme: Non-native Artists

I happen to get Liz for my blog swap with 20sb AND for KROD this month! HOW FUNNY! So check out her video and see what song she picked this round... yeah she really does take a drink of water in the middle of her video lol! You can find her blogging away on her blog Joyful Calamity!

And don't forget to check me out on Heathers blog at Musings of Heather!! I am singing an amazing Scottish song!!!

20sb Blog Swap- Childhood Summer Vacation

I am hosting Liz  from     Joyful Calamity        After reading this you will probably want to check out her blog by clicking on her name  (and find my post on my favorite childhood vacation) and find her on Twitter @artemis13_999! Also check her out on 20sb  http://www.20sb.net/profile/LizBaldwin
Enjoy reading about her CHSV!

When I found out the theme of the blog swap this summer was childhood summer vacations, I got so excited.  I tried to figure out which of the fabulous vacations that I remember I would write about.  And then I ran into my first of little snafu….. no photos. Dun, dun dun!   After some stress and writing a couple posts, I finally decided on a vacation destination that I went to many (many!) summers…. My family’s camp on Flagstaff Lake in central Maine.

Honestly, this was (and still is) one of my favorite places to relax and get away from the world.  When I was younger, we would go for a few weeks at a time, generally at the same time that my aunt and cousins were there.  There would be tons of running around, hiking, swimming and canoeing.  One summer we brought out a face painting kit and played as witches, tigers, and other various creatures.  Another we all tie dyed t-shirts.

One of the great things about the camp – at least in my opinion – is that it is literally in the middle of nowhere.  That means no electricity and no running water.  We have to pump water every day to get some ready for drinking.  There is also an outhouse.  Which, let’s face it, it probably not the most enjoyable thing in the world.  We do have lights and a fridge – all gas powered.

I hope that when I have kids one day, I’ll be able to take them out there and help them create their own great memories.

VEDA sign ups!

http://www.writingtoreachyou.com/2012/07/16/veda-2012-sign-up/

Go to this link and Sign up for VEDA!!! It will be fun! Give yourself a challenge and do it! This link is a different one then the one posted on "New Happenings" but is a better link! Are you ready?

New happenings!

New things are happening in my world. I came back from Hawaii (very sad to be back, I'd much rather be in Hawaii) and not even a week into being back I am offered a full time job! Praise God he provides! Not only that but I start TOMORROW! CRAZY! I had come back to work at Soma intimates  which only gave me about 8 hours a week at minimum wage, with taxes taken out that came to a whopping $13.95... barely enough to cover gas to work and back. So I gave my weeks in hopes of finding a better paying and full time job so my husband can go back to school. They didn't schedule me for the rest of my time at Soma and then 2 days later I got a job offer! YAY! Things worked out perfect! And my really amazing friend Melissa whom I love dearly and trust with my life is going to take care of my daughter! I am blessed to have her available on that short of a notice to watch her. I know she will be well taken care of and loved.

With all these blessings I have some pain though, I am no longer going to be a stay at home mom... this breaks my heart. I know I have been blessed in this day and age to have had the 2 years home with her that I have had (with on and off part time work) but I do feel guilty leaving her with someone (anyone) who is not her mom. I wanted so badly to stay at home until she was in school but I know that my husband getting his accounting degree will help us in the future financially and be worth this time of work. Does anyone get this? The feeling like you are a horrible mother because you have to work? It totally sucks.

I am excited at the same time... except I will be up super early. I plan on getting up at 4:30am to work out for 30 minutes and then get ready so I can be out the door at 6:15am. Both of these time are disgusting hours of the day to me lol! I hate mornings... If you read any of my posts you might know it's because I have insomnia. This will be a big hurdle to jump. I hate anything before 10am lol! SO i pray this job is a good one and oh ya... it's through a temp agency so if I like it I hope I get hired on. The pay is good so for sure I'd take it if it is a good one. Pray for me to sleep!

On another note! VEDA is coming up!! WHAT IS VEDA you ask? Vlog Every Day in August! So I am asking you to participate! I am! View this link VEDA and sign ups start tomorrow 7/16/12 ! ALSO PLEASE comment on this post with your youtube channel link is you are participating so I can make sure I watch your VEDA videos!

Hope you all join!

First Guest Blogger! Meet Emmy!

I have my first Guest Blogger! 


Here name Is Emmy and I love her blog so much I asked if she would write a guest post. She was very happy to and I am grateful. Remember to check her out at any of the links at the bottom of this posting.


Hello, friends! I'm Emmy and I am a city girl, who after graduating college found myself working as a youth minister in a small town. Other than adjusting from the culture shock, you'll most likely find me reading a good novel (probably Harry Potter), writing on my blog or one of my fictional stories, hanging out with my dog, or helping with the local community theatre. Life out in the "real world" is crazier than I thought it would be, but with a little bit of love and a little bit of coffee, I make it through one day at a time, as I try to figure out what God has in store for me. I would love for you to join me!


GUYS.


I met a boy the other day.


It was at a party, we hung out, flirted, he was really sweet, cute, had tattoos, loved Jesus, and it was awesome. Nothing crazy over the top, but considering that in the town I live in I haven't found ANY guy that I've been into. ANY. The spontaneous flirt session was welcome.

That is what I wrote about on my Tumblr the other day. (I have a private Tumblr that only about five people know about.) Then... someone commented.

They quoted a verse from Leviticus about how tattoos were bad and said they hoped this guy had fun burning in hell.

WHAT?!??!?!?!?!?!?!?

First of all - CLEARLY this person completely missed the point that I met a boy. Don't we know what the important things are in life? Come on now. ;)

Second - just... WHAT?

So I commented back, trying to explain God's grace.

He commented back talking about the Bible contradicting itself.

This is an old story. We've heard it time and time again. I remember several years ago, I would step up to any theological and religious debate. I would have my Bible verses and little comparisons that my youth leaders taught me so I could "defend the faith."

At first it's because you genuinely want the other person to know and understand God's love. Because it's so amazing and wonderful and out of this world. It's the best thing a person can know.

Then... you get to a point when that's not what it's about anymore.

It's about winning the argument. It's defending your pride. Being the last one to have a say.

The thing is guys - we don't have to defend God. God is a big boy. He can defend himself.

After a little while I stepped away from what could turn into a huge online battle. I posted that I wasn't going to say anything more because arguing wasn't going to be showing Gods love. People commented back about  how they killed my dreams and they had the last word.

It was really tempting to post again and try to explain God's love again.

But I didn't.

A few minutes later I saw this:

“He who does not understand your silence will probably not understand your words.” - Elbert Hubbard


All that person wanted was to pick a fight. It's hard to know when to step away, but sometimes you just have to. Because if they don't understand why you're stepping away, they aren't going to understand what you're going to say either. 


That's why I do my best to not step up to religious arguments and debates anymore. 


They don't really show God's love. Because it ends up being about your pride - and not Jesus. 


If someone is insulting what you believe in, keep going. It'll be okay. Pray for them. Continue to show God's love.

Besides, Jesus said that people will know us by our love. That doesn't have to be with words.

Also, I'm now in that awkward stage of "is he going to try to contact me?" "Should I try to contact him?" "What if I misread those signals?" "What if he really wasn't into me and he's just nice to everyone?" "If I try to contact him will he think I'm some weird stalker chick?"

Source

Sigh.

Oh life.

URL: http://www.lovewokemeupthismorning.com/
Blog Name: Love Woke Me Up This Morning
Twitter: @LoveWokeMeUp (https://twitter.com/#!/LoveWokeMeUp)
Facebook: Love Woke Me Up This Morning (https://www.facebook.com/LoveWokeMeUp)
Pinterest:Love Woke Me Up (http://pinterest.com/lovewokemeup/)
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7426632-emily
Instagram: @lovewokemeup

Vlog on Blog Hawaii Video

Aloha Vlog Blog

Sunburn and more

Yesterday I had a plan and I stuck to it... maybe a little too well! Here was the plan, early lunch to get my daughter down for a much needed nap, then go outside by the pool and get my tan on, then work out for 30 minutes in the pool. I never really know how long to tan because I am very fair skinned. Well I have been wearing a bikini for most of the summer now after my weight loss and firming work outs. BUT because the first few days it was warm enough for swimming I was in a 1 piece swim suit and that started my tan lines... well my stomach was still very very white! So I put sunscreen every where but my tummy so I could get a little start to getting some color.

Here is before and after.. 

White belly

Red Belly with (with weird white spots that didn't burn )

After a hour or so it got angry red... HURTS!

This is also on my back, thighs, and a little less red on my top half. Luckily I wore a hat so my face and head didn't get burnt. I laid out too long but the problem is my skin didn't show me that I had hardly any color until  well after I came inside... so now I'm just using a ton of Aloe Vera and taking as hot of showers as I can stand to draw out the heat... and suffering lol.

Maybe it's from the sunburn maybe not but, I have been really wishing for fall weather. I love Fall! It's totally my favorite season for many reasons. I LOVE the feel of fall, the trees changing color, pumpkin patches, baking, pumpkin spice flavor comes out at the coffee shops, and cute fall clothes. There is more but I think you get the point, I LOVE FALL! I am already thinking of things I can do in fall with my family and about the new clothes I will need for the season. What's your favorite season?

Also I am going to HAWAII in 9 days! (Which is why I was trying to get a base tan!) so aside from wanting fall I am really wanting to get there! I can't wait to see it's beauty! I think my sunburn will have toned down by then lol! I don't have much money to spend there but I think I will still enjoy the environment. I plan on bringing my running shoes and running along the beach, I am looking forward to that. We will be in Maui, so if you have been what are some cheap things to do? I'd love to hear from you!

June KROD has a little summer laziness!

So Jes from Jes Getting Started and I were a little busy and the video deadline slipped away from us but luckily we both happened to miss the deadline and we get to host one another!!! How lucky are we that we still got to participate?

The theme was Songs with the word Summer! So Jes is singing Summer Girl! I so almost did this song! I love Jes, she is fun and creative. Her videos are always full of both those things! So watch her video and visit her at Jes Getting Started and check out my video too!

Sleepless Nights and Remedy Fights

Do you sleep well? How many hours a night would you say you get most days? Do you get to sleep with a routine, medicine, tea, good book? Really I want to know all of these things from people. I have such a hard time getting to sleep and sometimes even staying asleep even though I am extremely tired. I have Insomnia. This is a fact. I have tired many things: melatonin, teas, neurosleep, seeing a therapist, ambien, tylenol pm, benadryl... you get the point. So it is really catching up to me and I have a different doctor than I did before so I emailed her to see what could be done given my current and past attempts to get some sleep. She wants me to try Restoril and take and Insomnia program that reduces the need for sleep aids by at least 50%. I did a kind of poll on facebook to see if anyone had ever used it before and I am getting a couple of warnings about.  I also looked it up online and found this:

Stop using temazepam and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• weak or shallow breathing;
• fast or pounding heartbeats;
• confusion, slurred speech, unusual thoughts or behavior;
• hallucinations, agitation, aggression;
• thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;
• restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck;
• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
• problems with urination; or
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

• daytime drowsiness (or during hours when you are not normally sleeping);
• amnesia or forgetfulness;
• muscle weakness, lack of balance or coordination;
• numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling;
• headache, blurred vision, depressed mood;
• feeling nervous, excited, or irritable;
• nausea, vomiting, stomach discomfort; or
• dry mouth, increased thirst.

Some people using this medicine have engaged in activity such as driving, eating, or making phone calls and later having no memory of the activity. If this happens to you, stop taking temazepam and talk with your doctor about another treatment for your sleep disorder.

And a bunch of allergic reaction warnings.

So the I was wondering how the Amnesia is a less serious side effect lol! I think that is serious but maybe that's just because I have had a kid and your memory goes out the window enough as it is! Anyway it just seems a little scary, and I don't want to be dependent on chemicals to help me fall asleep, but it seems I might have to resort to that for a little while. So while I ponder if I should go ahead and try this I want to get more peoples input on what they do, and if they know any info or have ever had any experience with this particular drug. Please share this blog post with friends if they my have helpful info.

My goal is to be smart and well informed before I make a definite decision. 

Pictures as promised

This is the super cute dress and shoes on the new smaller healthier me!

Well I said I would show you the new dress I bought for my friends wedding! What do you think!?! As well as you can see my weight loss from all the hard work I have put in! Just goes to show that hard work does pay off and I would have to say it is very worth it! I still have stomach toning to do and just keep on working out and eating healthy and making it my lifestyle instead of just a weight loss plan. 

I have a handful of new clothes now because I had nothing that fit me and this time it was a good thing! My goal is to slowly build up an amazingly cute wardrobe piece by piece so that nothing is a blah in my wardrobe except work out clothes and a few shirts for various cleaning and don't care what happens to these clothes activities. 

Maybe my next post will be an album of the new me in new clothes!

Personal Goals

Today I am am in a good mood. I didn't wake up that way that is for sure! On top of the fact that I just don't go to sleep well (almost EVER!) my husband works nights and got home at about 4am (after I fell asleep at about 2am) and I realized I had to pee... worst feeling EVER! When you are all comfortable and in a good sleep that is the LAST feeling you want to have. It means you must get up or face serious consequences if you don't! That reminds me watch this...
 It is just funny to me... but maybe not to you... just thought I'd share.

 SO anyway... I get up to pee and then my husband starts talking to me, which is GREAT... but not at 4am... then I couldn't go back to sleep. I finally do then shortly 6 am comes around and who's awake? My daughter. I was SOOOOOO tired and really didn't want to be up let alone take care of someone else's needs! BUT being a mom, I got up and praised God there was coffee and made myself a cup after getting breakfast for my daughter and hated every moment of the morning. About 10am either the coffee kicked in or my body just forgot it was exhausted and was awake. I took McKayla to her last day of swim lessons and had a great time! She fell asleep in the car on the way home.

 You are probably asking "Why is this posted called personal goals?" well now I am at the point where I am about to tell you.

 I put McKayla down for her nap and debate on sleeping myself or again doing things I should be doing with the small amount of hours these days seem to have. I decided to eat lunch and work out. I have worked out everyday for a while now... EVERYDAY! I posted on my facebook my progress of weight loss and size recently and tonight played guitar for worship team, THE ONLY GUITARIST this time! Shockingly I was impressed with my playing!

 I feel like I am doing really well by sticking to working out, even though most times running I hate every minute or most minutes of it. As well as playing guitar more frequently (but I don't hate those I just get frustrated). Now I am no record setting runner, or Jimmy Hendricks on the guitar BUT I am achieving my personal goals and it feels AMAZING! I thank God that he has finally put this drive in me to push through! Thanks to that I have lost 3 inches on my chest and waist and 1 inch on my thighs and arms since May 1st 2012! I am in a size 6 pants and had to go buy a new dress for a wedding this weekend that was a size 8! It felt really good! I don't want to boast but just want to tell people that I am proud of myself and all the hard work I am doing. I can only be thankful to God for the drive to get it all done and accomplished. I was sick of feeling fat and like the baby weight would never go away. I just bought new running shoes today (eek on the price!) and can't wait to use them!

 What are your personal goals? Are you or have you achieved any of them? I want to be encouraging and share about the things we are struggling with and the accomplishments we achieve!

I will post a picture in a few days of the outfit I just got for the wedding on Saturday! Super Cute!

Awesome Progress!

So if you follow me on Facebook you may already know this! I AM A SIZE 6!!! My goal size!!! I can't believe it! AND I WORE A BIKINI today AROUND PEOPLE! I am so excited!!! And proud! I stopped the HCG diet because 13 days in I seriously almost passed out! It was not good and my family agreed that I should not continue the diet. I lost 9 pounds on the diet and a half inch or and inch on every part of my body and was in a size 8. Since I quit that diet I have made good food choices consuming 1200-1800 calories a day. I have been using  My Fitness Pal app and Map My Run app to keep track of my calories and my progress of exercise (today I beat my mile time by 45 seconds!). I LOVE it! Then I share it on Facebook, not twitter because I only want people I really know in person to see my map. It helps me keep me accountable because it will show exactly what I did because of GPS and keeps my time so if I slack people will see. It's great motivation.

 My weight hasn't changed much, it's up and down, mostly down but I really don't care, I am smaller than my pre-pregnancy size (8) and have a bigger bust than I did back then so of course my weight isn't the same when my body isn't the same. SO I have decided to not care about my weight anymore, BUT to focus on being in shape and fit. I still have "loosish" skin in the abs and am learning to get over my stretch marks. Nothing I can really do, realistically about them and I had a freakin' huge baby! lol! And I love her and God knows she was worth EVERYONE! But I am doing plank exercises to flatten out my stomach even more.

Oh and I have little to no cellulite! This is CRAZY! Like a month ago it was there and I thought the dimples would never go away, but I found out yesterday in the dressing room that it's gone! WOO HOO! I am not about showing my body all over the place but it's nice to feel comfortable in my own skin, and to know that I have worked hard to get this way. I haven't felt this way in a LONG LONG time! God is good and he knows that things don't always come easy but hard work and persistence do pay off and that... "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".Phil 4:13 This is true. I remember this is my 1 temple and his strength can help me keep it up!

Getting this excitement out feels good! I would LOVE to hear from you and your plans or success stories of your weight/fitness. Let's chat it up and motivate each other more!

Vlog Blog again!

In May KROD is Rockin' the 80's!

This month I have Liz! Liz has a little to drink before recording her fave 80's song! She blogs at  www.joyfulcalamity.blogspot.com so check it out and see who she is hosting!

If you are looking for me you can find me on Alex's blog  http://thetsaritsasez.com/ singing Cyndi Lauper Time after Time!

Check them both out and remember you can join our monthly Karaoke Ring of Death group if you are up for some Karaoke Fun!

Catch Up

I have been really inconstant with blog posts, vlogs, and my music video uploads on youtube! Sorry if you keep up with me! Let me catch you up!

I have started a very controversial diet, I actually started April 30th and have dropped 8lbs! I am doing it for 21 days unless I am happy after 15. (those are the 2 cycles for my weight loss goals) I have been working on getting under 150 for FOREVER! Finally I am under it! I have lost inches every where! It has been VERY exciting! I am now at 148! YAY! I am wearing size 6/8 and am excited to move into just a 6 and not have muffin top! LOL. But I was a size 10 when I started. I want to be in between 130-140. Not exactly sure at this point of a specific weight but I don't want to be smaller than a size 4 in pants. and I don't want to weigh less than 125 for sure. I just have too see how my body is after 2 pregnancies. I know my hips aren't the same! Once I hit 140 I think I will have a better Idea. My pre-pregnancy weight was 144 and I know I want to be just under that. If you are wondering what the diet is it is HCG... I did talk to my doctor before I did this and she gave me the go ahead as long as it's the only thing I do.

I have not cheated once! Until tonight. I had already planned on it because it was a pre-planned Girls night out and we do it every month and this month was my pick so I knew I would cheat only this night, and I am ok with that. It wasn't a weak moment or a cave, I went into this knowing this would be my one and only cheat. And it was SUSHI! Not the worst cheat ay? lol (no I am not Canadian lol). When I came home I swam VERY hard for 30 minutes so when I get on the scale tomorrow I hope I don't gain. If I stay the same fine, if I lose more PRAISE GOD!

So onto the next thing, I got a job!!! One aside from my jewelry business which I still do and love! I got hired at Soma Intimates (similar to victoria secret) and I am VERY excited. I can't wait to find out my discount seeing as I REALLY need some new swim suits for Hawaii in a month and 1/2, and will probably need a new bra or 2 AND my great friends bachelorette party! Now I can save and get her something great! My first shift is tomorrow but it's just the paperwork and policy day but still exciting.

Today I just got some new jewelry and was VERY pleased with it! I can't wait to show it off! I could never sell something I didn't love so I am glad I love this jewelry, plus I get and give most of it for free! Best part!

I am currently in the 1st book of the Outlander series and am liking it a whole bunch! I got it on audible.com and am really liking that I can listen to it at night and just relax. I have the 1st 4 books so this should be fun!

I plan on getting my schedule from Soma and sitting down to map out a weekly calendar to make sure I get my music in on my youtube Click to see my videos weekly. So I hope to get more consistent with that.


Hmmm.... Yeah I think you are caught up :) Maybe I will hear from the voice soon, maybe I wont hear at all we shall see!

Peace out and God Bless! oh and I am not proof reading this so there may be typos and I don't care lol!
"So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

20sb Vlog day!

This video post is a part of 20SB’s Vlog Day, join us on this Tour de 20SB! Anyone can participate! Details found HERE

"It's gonna be May"... oh wait it is May!

So this cracked me up! It's already May because I never go to bed early BUT through retweets I found this and it made me laugh because if you know the song it's referencing you get it and you should laugh too. BUT just in case you are a little strange or didn't grow up in America or late 90's early 2000's (is that how you say that? Probably not.) Then just click the link > "It's gonna be May" and you will get it... and if you don't... well... I feel bad for you lol!

In all seriousness it's MAY 2012! It's just crazy how time flies! May has a ton of things happening, Graduations, Proms, and a BUNCH of birthdays, at least in my family and friend circle. We are almost 1/2 way through the year! Unreal!

So It has been a little while since I have posted music on my youtube page (please take a look and subscribe > SandyWessel, I have some vlogs and stuff but my music is what I care most about) and I really want to do some more soon! I did KROD this month and that was a TON of fun. I want to collaborate more with people but that seems to be hard to work out with other schedules and with a baby (and the other people who have kids) but I am going to put more effort into making that work. Maybe seeing some more original music from me and my peeps (lol I really just said peeps). I have to get copyrights though... I don't need people stealing my/our future material!

So what would you like to hear from me? What songs do you think my voice would fit, or I could make my own? Challenge me and let's see how many songs I can live up to the challenge on! Comment on this blog, my Youtube video's, and please help me by passing my videos around and making my dreams a reality.

Much Love!