A new journey

I mentioned in my new years post that i wanted to get healthy this year- which includes losing weight.  I have to be honest that i haven't done much about this so far this year.  My weight was never really a struggle for me until i quit playing tennis.  I guess when you play tennis 4-5 times a week year round, you really don't have to worry about your weight.  However, when i quit playing (college)- i gained weight- not a ton, but probably 20- 25 pounds.  I maintained this weight through college, it was not my ideal weight, but it was one that i got comfortable with.  About 3 years ago, i quit smoking (best decision ever) and i proceeded to put on another 30+ pounds over time.  

None of these are excuses as to why i gained weight- it has been all me.  I completely take responsibility for it- it happened because i made bad decisions regarding my health.  It has really been a source of struggle for me the last couple of years.

Recently Chris and i have started to have the children talk.  While we would love to get pregnant right now- we know deep down that i need to get healthy (or healthier) first.  I have recently had some health issues that could be a result of my weight- the doctors are not sure yet.  Do you know how hard that was to hear- it makes me emotional just typing it out.  It was a huge wake up call to me- that changes need to be made now.  Not tomorrow, or next week, but now.  So Chris and i have set out on our weight loss journey.  We are still very much in the beginning stages of this- but have committed to each other that we will hold each other accountable.  

We have vowed to exercise and eat healthier- right now we are a week in and it is going well.  It is not easy at all- but i know it will eventually get easier.

I want to use this space to record my progress as a way to keep track of how i'm doing, to hold myself accountable.  I want to be able to look back and see what progress i have made.

I have to go to the doctors on Monday to have some blood work done (on my birthday, boooo!).  We will hopefully have some answers after that about my issue.  (I'm not dying or anything- its not a huge problem, but one that will impact us trying to have children when we are ready).

So here is to this new journey- a recap of my first week coming up!

Hello August!

I cannot believe it is already august.  Where in the world did summer go?!?  Our summers are full of parties, weddings, birthdays, and vacations.  It seems like the summer months are just a blur.

August is such a special month for us- it is the month when we got engaged, the month we got married, and its my birthday month!  We sure do have a lot to celebrate this month.

It is so crazy to think that this time last year we were on our way to Florida to tie the knot.  There were so many 'obstacles' that we hit right before the wedding-  we were just happy to be on our way to the Sunshine State.

I wish we could get married all over again- we had so much fun during the wedding and on our honeymoon.  We hope to go back to Florida very soon!

In honor of our upcoming (1st) anniversary, here are some pictures of the special day...

Thursday Randoms...

- Our condo is officially on the market.  I like to be optimistic and think that the process of actually selling it wont take forever.....keeping my fingers crossed.

- I got a new car!  Long story short- chris and i needed money for a down payment for our next home so we sold my car.  It put what we needed into our pocket and we leased a car for me.  It came down to the fact that we would rather have a house than a car :) As sad as i was to see the Acura go, i was just as happy to welcome a 2012 Honda CRV- i'm thoroughly enjoying it!

- I have vacation coming up- an entire week off of work.  I.cannnot.wait.

- Going back to the condo situation- keeping a house up to par for showings is not fun.  It is a lot of work when you actually live in the house you are selling and have 2 dogs.  Sheesh.

- I need the following things terribly:  my hair dyed, my nails done, and a tan.  All things that i wish i could just snap my fingers and have done.

- We have SO many weddings this year- i think 7 to be exact.  We have already been to 2- it is definitely wedding season!  Between weddings, showers, and vacations i am pretty much booked this summer!

- I am ready to move (like yesterday).  We are busting at the seams in the condo.  Selling our place and buying a house cannot happen fast enough.

- Ever feel like you constantly give to people in your life and don't receive anything in return?  Yeah, that's how Chris and I feel lately. I'm just really thankful for my sweet hubby and our 2 pups.  

- I cannot believe our 1 year anniversary is quickly approaching.  Time is going so fast.  We have some fun stuff planned - i am very much looking forward to it!

Las Vegas

Again, i have been terrible with keeping things updated here.  There has been a lot going on between work, vacation, weddings, and parties!

A couple of weeks ago i had the opportunity to represent my company in Las Vegas for a week and attend the HP Discover convention (nerds unite!).  I was particularly excited because its been about 13 years since i had been to Vegas- and i was pumped that I would be of age to do some gambling this time.  I was also excited to attend the convention- this is the biggest IT/QA convention of its kind.  It is held each year as a technology showcase for all IT business/customers.  It is a way to learn about new technology as well as network with many people.  

Our flight left RDU at 6am on a Monday morning- we landed in Vegas at 8 am....ah the joys of a time change! :)  We caught a cab to our hotel, The Venetian.  What a beautiful place- it was so big you didn't even need to leave to do anything.  It had 2 pools, 25 + restaurants, 3 casinos, 2 theaters, and so much more.

We quickly got settled into our rooms and headed to the pool.  The heat out west is so different from the heat in the east- it was SO warm.  We relaxed at the pool for about 2 hours and i managed to get burnt!  Later that evening we attended a Welcome banquet that HP put on- it was a nice way to kick off the week.  That evening was spent at one of the restaurant/bars in the hotel, The Public House.  Way too many drinks were consumed and a lot of fun was had that night!  To say that i was not 100% the next day is an understatement.  There may have been some bad decisions made that night- i think i forgot how old i was! :)

To give an idea of how big this event is-- there was an estimated 10,000 people that attended.  With 1,000 sessions available (in a 3 day span) to attend.  Day 2 was spent in sessions- i tried to pick ones that would most benefit my position- however, when there are that many to choose from its tough.  Later that night my company hosted a cocktail party at one of the restaurants in the Venetian.  We invited all of our current customers that were also attending the conference.  It was a really nice event!

After the cocktail party a couple of my coworkers and myself headed to a club at the Mirage, which was across the street.  That was the first club I've been in since i left college, i really don't know how i did that for 5 years, whew.  

By day 3 my poor feet were killing me.  You do so much walking in Vegas.  Even though the convention was in our hotel, you still walk so much.  I seriously had to take Advil to help alleviate some of the pain in my legs.

Going out 2 nights in a row and then having to get up and sit in sessions all day wore me out- by Wednesday night i was dead tired.  The day was spent in sessions again, trying to retain as much knowledge as we could.  My roommate and i had dinner at B & B, Mario Batali's restaurant.  The food in Vegas is so fancy, and yummy too!  We both stayed in that night and watched a movie after dinner.  We needed a little break from the Vegas crowd!  

The last day was again spent in sessions.  That evening HP put together a farewell party for the entire convention that included a private screening of Madagascar 3 and then a concert with Sheryl Crow and Don Henley (from the Eagles).  We went to dinner at a place called 'Delmonico's'- it is Emeril Lagasse's restaurant.  Delish!  Instead of going to the movie and concert a couple of us opted to see 'The Phantom of the Opera' which was playing in our hotel.  It was awesome- we had really great seats.  That was my first time to a show like that, i loved it.

The next morning we got up early and flew back home.  It was such a fun trip, i really hope i get to go again next year.

My company also won an award at the convention- we won HP's support partner of the Year- Commercial.  It is a huge accomplishment and says a ton about the level/quality of work that we do.  

A few pictures from the trip...

 (In the lobby of the Venetian)

 (View from our room)

 (View from our room)

 (Room in the Venezia- a tower in the Venetian)

 (Room again)

 (Inside the Phantom theater)

 (The fire show at the Mirage)

(Coworker and room mate)

Friday Randoms...

Some Friday randoms...and a catch up post

- I traveled to Atlanta for a week in February for work.  I don't usually like travelling for work, but this trip was fun.  I was with a couple of co- workers so we enjoyed the week soaking up ATL, trying new restaurants, and working hard!  Atlanta always makes me think of my engagement- it was nice to reminisce. :)

- I missed Valentines with Chris, as that was the week i was in ATL.  So, we celebrated early (Valentines and our 6 month anniversary) with a nice dinner to Print Works. It was delicious!

A sweet from my sweet

- The stomach bug hit the Collins house in full force this year.  I've never had the stomach bug before- after experiencing it in early March, i can confirm that it is just as terrible as it sounds .  It took both Chris and I a good week to fully recover....we were quite the pair for a while!  Thank goodness the dogs couldn't catch it!

- I had a couple of days of vacation to use up, so i spent the first couple of days in March spring cleaning.  (I know, spending your vacation cleaning should be illegal).  I got a lot accomplished- the spare closet/room cleaned out and organized and i moved a lot of things to our storage unit.  One step closer to getting our condo on the Market!

- My babe started a new job!  He is now working in Crop Insurance, yes, crop like farmers crops.  :)  I wonder if there are any chances of farmers market discounts....probably not! :)

- My parents and Chris and I made a trip to Richmond to visit Lora and Matt.  We were there St. Patty's weekend.  It was nice, as always, visiting Lora and Matt.  It was a beautiful weekend- we did a little shopping and had a nice dinner on the water at The Boathouse.

(Lora and Ding Dong Duncan)

- Chris celebrated his 29th birthday late March!  We kicked off the celebration in Richmond and finished it up with a special dinner at one of our favorite places in Greensboro, Steak Street.  

- Wedding season will officially begin for Chris and I in the next couple of weeks.  We have 4 weddings to attend this year, with Chris as a groomsman in one!  Lots or parties/showers to look forward to.  

- I just booked a cabin at Barkwells for our 1 year anniversary in August!  Chris and I and the dogs are very much looking forward to it!  We love it there.

New Year!

I am having a really hard time coming to terms with the fact that a new year has started.  Is this the case with anyone else?  I mean- didn't i just get engaged and married????  I had so much to look forward to with 2011- birthdays, showers, photog sessions, wedding planning, and of course the WEDDING!  I remember thinking when January 2011 came our wedding seemed so far away.  I didn't know how we would survive passing the long days until August.  Well August came and went and now we are reflecting back on that time- unreal! 

I thought i would do just a short list of the highlights of 2011 as well as go through some of my hopes for 2012.  I prefer to call them hopes rather than goals :)

2011- Year in Review

- 2 year mark of when Chris and I met....what a wonderful 2 years it has been.

- Buying my wedding dress

- Wonderful trip to Pinehurst with the family

- Chris' 28th Birthday!

- Wedding planning!

- We attended 3 lovely weddings

- I hosted a baby shower for a dear friend

- My nephew turned 1!

- I watched my dear friends welcome their baby boy into this world

- Chris celebrated 1 year of work with his current company

- Showers, Showers, Showers

- Engagement Photos

- Bachelorette Party :)

- Bridal Portrait

- Wedding!

- Honeymoon

- Reception

- Lots of trips scattered throughout this list too- Richmond, Atlanta, Boone, Carolina Beach

2011 was really the year of the wedding- that was by far the main focus.  I am so grateful for all of the people that were a part of all of the events surrounding our wedding- it really meant so much to Chris and I.

I have many hopes for 2012- i think it is going to be a great year.  So in no particular order.....

2012 Hopes

- Be debt free (minus a mortgage/car pmts). 

Chris and I signed up for Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace Class.  It starts the end of this month and is held every Sunday evening for 13 weeks.  I have heard really good things about this program.  We don't have huge amounts of debt, we don't even have student loans.  However, anyone that has some debt knows how easy it is to feel like your making no progress in paying it off.  I want to start living debt free now, before kids, before a new house, before everything else.  We are excited to get started!

- Get Healthy and Stay healthy. 

This is a must- I want to lose weight and keep it off.  It is time.

- Get organized.

This is a general statement, but there are so many aspects in life i feel a little disorganized about.  Bill, Money, Home, Work.  Get things really organized and keep them that way.

- Get my condo on the market (and SOLD). 

I would love to move into a house this year (whether it is buying or renting)- but in order to do this i need to sell my place first.  Chris and I have made some updates recently to the condo- i really hope to have it on the market and sold by early spring.

-Grow in my relationship.

This is Chris and mines first year of marriage.  While we have been together for a couple of years- i think this first year of marriage is so exciting.  I want to really grow in our relationship this year- make tons of memories.  I want to be able to look back at this time and reflect on how fun it is.

All in all I am really looking forward to what 2012 has to bring!

Yes, I'm Still Alive

Whew- it's been a while since i last posted on here! 

Things in the Collins house have been busy!  Here is a little recap of whats been going on (pics to follow in a seperate post- i haven't pulled some of them off my camera)!

1- Gamma Xi Weekend

I spent the weekend before Thanksgiving in Richmond with my lovely pledge sisters.  We had a really good time- the weekend included a lot of laughs and cocktails.  It is always nice to get together with these girls- i don't get to see them often. 

2- Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year was wonderful, as always.  Chris and I split our time between the Vestal's and the Collins.  It was a busy weekend- but so good to see extended family.

3- Bridal Shower

I travelled to Oak Island to host a Christmas bridal shower for my dear friend Jennifer.  It was so fun to celebrate Jennifer and Dave with wonderful friends and lots of yummy treats.  We even topped off the shower with tacky Christmas sweaters.

4- Four Months

Chris and I celebrated our 4 month wedding anniversary on December 10th....time sure is flying!

5- Boone Bound

In Mid December Chris and I, along with our friends Matthew and Lauren, went to Boone to for the weekend.  We were invited by L & M to tag along that weekend to celebrate Laurens birthday and her recent graduation.  It was a beautiful, yet chilly, weekend in the Appalachian Mountains.  We had a wonderful time- we spent the weekend enjoying each others company, eating, and shopping!  We cant wait to go back.

6- Glasses

With the end of the year approaching- i realized i had some money in my Flex spending account that i needed to spend or i would lose with the new year.  I decided it would be a good opportunity to have my eyes checked- i don't know if I've ever really had them checked.  So long story short- turns out i need reading/computer glasses.  I've never had glasses in my life....this might take some getting used to!

7- Christmas

Christmas was wonderful this year- especially since it was my first as a Mrs.  Chris really spoiled me this year and went waaaay overboard with the gifts!  We split our time between Burlington and Greensboro and it was wonderful.  I love being so close to both families!

8- House

Chris and I have made some updates to our home recently.  We have installed new blinds in the living room, new drapes in the living room, added shelves to the coat closet to turn it into a pantry (we currently don't have one), and added a back splash in the kitchen.  We have both realized that we are not DIY people- hahah, but since we don't have money to pay anyone we have had to step up and take care of it.  We also have to give credit to our wonderful brother in law for doing most of the projects- its nice to have a handy man in the family.  We would like to repaint the walls and have the carpets cleaned next - once those two things are done we plan on putting our condo up for sale.  We are ready for a bigger place ASAP!

9- Pups

Just thought i would mention the boys- they are doing great!  They didn't love that Chris and I were gone almost every weekend in December, however they are much happier now that things are slowing down.

We are looking forward to the new year and what it has to bring!