I am in the middle of cleaning up Christmas and I realized I never posted yesterday and I almost forgot again today. The kids are home fromm school and it throws my schedule all off. We hung out last night with our good friends Allen and Shannon who recently moved back to Cali from Florida. Allen is a youth minister at a church in Santa Cruz. We love to hang out with them because we always pick right back up where we left off the last time we saw them 2 years ago. Also they are young with kids. Need I say more? So we are getting ready for the new year by doing nothing. Last year we spend New Years at home with the kids and it was one of the best ones we have had. We love to hang out with friends and have a good time but until Pj gets a little older it is easier to stay home. Next week also marks Ali getting back on my diet. I am actually ready to get back on plan. I love to wake up and get on the scale to see what has happened over night. I am ready to get the last 30 pounds off like yesterday. Well I am off to get the house back to normal mode and out of holiday mode. Oh I also emailed like all of you but in case I forgot Shawn is having a football party at our house next Sat. the 5th if any of you are interested. The plan is to watch football maybe play some poker and eat hotdogs and beer. Total guy day. Ok well Happy New Year everyone. My New Years Resolution is to get to my weight loss goal sometime during the next year. Broad but that works better then a date for me. Have a good one.
Ali

Dec. 26, 2007
Merry Christmas a day late. We had a great Christmas. We spent Christmas eve at Shawn's parents like normal. We woke up yesterday and did the Christmas morning with the kids and had breakfast. In the afternoon all of my family came over and spent the evening at our house. We had fun and saw lots of people who we don't normally get to see. I got a new Brighton watch and Le Cruset pan that i have been wanting from Shawn.
I have been taking a break from the diet for the last few weeks. I will be starting on Jan. 2nd with the whole thing. I was going to restart today but we have a ton of leftovers and I don't have any of my diet friendly foods in the house right now. I did weigh in to see where I stand and I am at 162.6 so still gaining. Good part is it should not be to hard to take it off quickly if I get serious.
Ok well have a great day and I will chat again tomorrow.
Ali

Dec. 21, 2007
Happy Friday. Can you believe we have only 4 days until Christmas? I am still so unpreparred. Today I am doing maket trips and wrapping about 500 gifts. SHould be fun and put me in the spirit.
Last night we went to see Cody in a Christmas play/musical. It was so cute. As soon as he got on stage he is looking all over for us. He saw us and then is waving amd making face the rest of the time he was on stage. Ya, my kid was the waving kid who didn't sing just smiled at his parents the whole time.
Shawn and I met for lunch yesterday. Pj was at the sitter and I get lonely when all the kids are gona and I am home alone. Honestly it never happens but to keep his spot in childcare pj still has to go over Chrstmas break. I thought I would have time to get all inds of stuff done but instead I have been baking, wrapping, shopping with the free time.
Well I don't know when the next time I post will be so to everyone have a very Merry Christmas. Don't get stressed and enjoy it.
Talk to ya soon,
Ali

Dec. 20, 2007
I was so good yesterday. I had my coffee for breakfast, my little lean cuisine pizza for lunch, and tuna salas for dinner. Really good. Then the neighbor came over with baked goods. one of the cookies is sugar cookies with almond icing. You don't understand my mom made cookies like tis every year. I failed and ate 5 cookies and a handful or 2 of tortilla chips. I almost had a great day. I consider it successful in that I ate what I planned on. I consider it unsucessful in those damn cookies being in my house. Then I did something kind of mean. I had just talked with this lady about dieting and struggles and how she really wants to lose weight. So if she brought cookies into my house it is only fair for me to return the favor right? I made a big old bag of all the cookies I have been baking and sent them to her house. How sad is it that I am hoping that she ate the whole bag last night. Hey I am a girl and it would only be right to be mean once in awhile. Oh well. Here is to another good day even if the cookies win a little bit. I weighed in this morning just to check in. I weighed in at 158.6 so definitly up but her I am working on building up a winter coat of fat :)
Ali

Dec. 19, 2007
Well I lost the battle again yesterday. I baked all day again and we had our very favorite Macaroni grill for dinner. Today I am going to do better. I have it all planned out. I cannot weigh in without having a few good days. I toyed with the idea of staying off the diet until Jan 2. but If I gain .5 to 1 pound a day eating all the goodies I want that could mean about 20 pounds gained. Not doing it. So today I am going to have a frozen dinner for lunch and tuna salad for dinner. I know today will be tough only because I have been eating so much I need to retrain my body to know when it is satisfied instead of cramming it full. I know I have gained because my pants feel tighter. How am I going to look cute for the holidays if none of my clothes fit? So back to being good today.

Have a good one,
ALi

Dec. 18. 2007
This season is getting the best of me. I am having a harder time staying on track then I thought I was going to. I baked yesterday. Last night Matt came over for his birthday dinner. We made pork chops. It was a fun night of hanging out. I ate a bunch of cookies. You have to test everything before you give them to people. Isn't that right? Anyways my tummy is very upset with me and all my cheating. I am going to try really hard today to stay on track.
I did not weigh in this morning. If I have gained I don't want to know because it will drive me crazy. So Ali is going to be good today and eat right. I have come to the idea now that if on Jan 7th when I go back to school and life returns to normal I weigh the same or close to what I did when I left school for break I will be totally fine with it. Wish me luck.
Have a dry day.
Ali

Dec. 17, 2007
We had a great weekend of family fun and relaxation. Friday night we babysat out nieces and made cookies. Girls are so different then boys. Sat. we had our family Christmas party. We ate and played to our heart content. Sun Shawn and I both were sick and layed around the house doing nothing. We both got a cough and lost our voices. Funny part is when you are a little sick and your ears are kind of clogged up so you cannot hear very well combined with no voices. We spent most of the day saying what. We are feeling better today but the voices are still a little gone.
Well I cheated all weekend. We ate bad for Friday night dinner, Sat. was a free for all and I ate everything, Sun. was a clean up and eat everything that was left over from Sat. I did terrible but it is Christmas and I expected to do this. My plan is be good all week and then cheat again for Christmas and then get back on hard after the holidays are over. So here is the kicker I am thinking of not weighing in until the day after Christmas. This cound be better then getting discouraged by it not moving or could be bad because I may not have any idea where I stand and gain a ton. I am still thinking about it. I'll let you know what happens.
I am a baking fool today. Need to get the Chrstmas goodies ready for all the neighbors.
Have a great Monday.
Ali

Dec. 14, 2007
I went and had my pedicure yesterday with Carrie. We had a fun time and I had the chance to sit and chit chat with another female. I think we all need that once in awhile. Carrie is a fun and talkative person and we talked the day away. Thanks Carrie,
After I got done with the pedicure I went and got Pj and then went to the market to get everything for Sat. By the time I got home I was starving and had only had a coffee for the day. Shawn came home and I went to the old faithful Taco Bell. I tried to be good and had a fiesta Chicken Burrito which is really not to bad for you at all. I think the potato cup and spicy chicken soft taco that chased it down could have been avoided if I had tried a little harder. After dinner we decorated our annual Gingerbread house. Seriously I licked and ate so much candy. How do you tell a 2 year old no more candy for Mom. Oh well. So this morning I get back on and start the diet up again. I honestly weighed in this morning at 153 something but I was disappointed and don't want to remember the real number. Why do we all want to be that person that can mess up once in awhile and not gain. Oh well.
I am off to get ready for the day.
Ali

Dec. 13, 2007
I have decided to be super optimistic and instead of putting my weight everyday I am going to start a countdown. As of this morning I have 20 pounds to go. I weighed in at 152.8 so really 20.5 but close enough. I did have a salad yesterday because it was the easiest thing in the house for dinner. So I did have some carbs from that.
I fired my kiln again yesterday and have my first finished in my ouw home studio pieces. I am excited. I am learning all the little details about ceramics. One of my pieces sis blow up and shatter all over the kiln. I was a little impatient and put them in while they were a little bit wet. You will all see what I have been making when you gfet your Christmas gifts. :)
Today I am going to get a pedicure with Carrie Jones for one of my sponsored pounds. I am excited. It should be alot of fun and talking.
Pj is still sick, he has a nasty cough but he still is running around the house in full force.
Ok well I am off to get stuff for the Brenner family Christmas that is going to be at our house on Sat. Busy day of shopping and planning here I come.
Have a good one,
Ali

Dec. 12, 2007
I did really good yesterday. I am back to my strict lean protein, eggs, string cheese, and yogurt for a few days to get my body back to not living off of carbs. I feel a little tired and worn out but I know it will pass.
I fired my kiln for the first time yesterday and all is good. I actually am going to fire it again today with some stuff in it. Yeah I love having a home studio. My professor actually checked in to make sure I had it up and running correctly.
I weighed in this morning at 153.6 so a few more pounds down from yesterday. It is a good modivator for me to go strict and see some weight come off again. It is hard but worth it. I am so close to my goal I can taste it. 21 pounds to go.
Have a good day,
Ali

Dec. 11, 2007
What a great day I had yesterday. I went to an electrical store in the morning and got all the cord to get my kiln up and working. Now I have a fully functional kiln. Bad part is it is so big I have to make a bunch of stuff to fill it up. Darn. Just kidding.
Next I went to the botanical gardens with Justin and Brandy. We went for a good walk and I got some leaves to make more necklaces. I love to see J and Brandy they are just so fun and unique.
lat I came home made dinner and then got my grades for last quarter. I thought I knew my grades but I officially know them now. I got a B- in art history, an A- in my drawing class, and an A in ceramics. I had a 3.51 Gpa I am so excited. I did really well for my first quarter. I am an A and B grade student for like the first time in my life. Love it.
I weighed in this morning at 156. somthing. I can't remember and forgot to write it down when I came downstairs. I had a tough day yesterday. I was good all day and only ate good stuff then noght came. I got the munchies and wanted to eat so bad. I was really good with Shawn's help and had an omelet to eat something but not bad stuff like I wanted. It is so hard to get back on this diet after I have cheated a few days in a row. For some reason the holidays and cold air make me want to eat. I am going to lose this season I am I am I am. (Stomping my feet). I just have to keep focused on my goal and the fact that I have sponsors helping me out really helps in this tough time. Thanks everyone.
Ali

Dec. 10, 2007
Ahhhh I had another terrible weekend. I did not stick to my diet at all. Terrible. Today I am going to take Pj for a long walk and get back to my good habits. I am hoping to be back to my previous weight sometime soon. I am getting back on the horse for the I don't know 50 millionth time. Pretty soon I hope he will just stop throwing me off.
Sat. I got my kiln. It is beautiful and I keep going into the garage to check it out and admire it. I am a total ceramics dork. I am excited because I got a great deal on it. Now the only problem I have is plugging it in. It is a 220v. plug and the only 220 we have is by the dryer. I am going to go to home depot and see what I can do about it today.
What else. We hung out and did alot of nothing yesterday. Shawn was not feeling well all weekend so he just loft around yesteray in an attemt to feel better today. He is doing much better. This week I am going to be cleaning, organizing, and getting some work done on my ceramics.
I weighed in this morning at 159.4 I told you I did terrible. We went to our favorite mexican place on Fri. and then Sat we went to a party where I had hot cocoa, a few bites of cake, and yummy potato salad. Dinner we went back to the same mexican food again. Yesterday we ordered pizza for dinner. I over did it in all kinds of ways. I am going to do my start up week of my diet with lots of lean protein, salad, and eggs to get back to eating right again.
Have a good Mon.
Ali

UPDATE-
I GOT A B- IN MY ART HISTORY CLASS!!!! I AM GOING TO DANCE AROUND AND THROW UP NOW. I AM SO EXCITED....

Dec. 7, 2007

Without even realizing it I decided to add up how many days I have been dieting. I started on July 7 -7/7/07 can you tell I love 7. SO that would make today my 5 month mark. 5 months I have been doing this and I didn't even know it. I go back to school in 1 month on Jan 7 This will be my 6 mo mark and I would love to be at like 75 lost by then. 14 pounds in a month can be done. Hoping Christmas doesn't mess with me too much. Also another wierd fact is that my 30th birthday will be on 2/7 and it will be my 7 month mark. Gotta love the 7.

I made it through my first quarter as a college Junior. I can't believe it went by so fast. Yesterday was my ceramics final which went awesome. My professor liked my bowl sculpture so much she thinks if I go into a masters program I should use it and make a bunch of the same thing in different styles and colors. I put a pic up top because it is so not an Ali piece. I love it but it is wierd and not normal for me. Maybe that is why it is so awesome. I got an A on the piece and an A in the class. The piece is all made up of cut and reshaped bouncy hand balls that I made replicas out of clay. Also my professor Alison pulled me aside yesterday and told me she would like to set me up with a lady she knows who owns a bead shop in Claremont. The woman is looking for someone to make stuff for her to use and sell in her shop. My professor was wearing one of my necklaces at the time and the woman really loved it. I am going to make up some necklaces and then take them over and meet her in the next few weeks. Seems like this whole pendant thing is coming together.

My night class went really well also. I posted the pics a few days ago. I got an A on the project and another A in that class. It is always a great feeling when someone appreciated your work and tells you why. I had a great semester and will miss all of the new people I have met but one month off will be fantastic.

I had a tough day yesterday. I did not get a free second to eat until 4pm. By this time I was dying. I went to El Pollo Loco and got an all chicken burrito with salsa. After my burrito I went to class that was a Pizza party. I was so good and didn't have any pizza. My good friend did make cookies and 2 happened to make it into my mouth. Then I got home and Shawn and I split an super yummy piece of Butterfinger Cheesecake. Talk about good. I weighd in this morning at 155.2 again so no gain after a tuff day is so nice.

Well enough writing today. Have a good weekend.

Ali

Dec. 6, 2007
Yesterday I actually got all the house clean and the laundry done in 1 day. I have not been able to get everything done in 1 day in weeks. On top of that I made dinner without hating that I had to. It is sad when life is so busy you hate all the stuff you usually don't mind doing.
I pick my kiln up on Sat. I am so excited I didn't sleep last night I just kept running things through my head. I know I am a dork.
I have my last 2 finals today. My ceramics is easy I just show up and tell about this bowl thing I made. My night final is a pizza party and turn in the pictures that I painted over the weekend. Should go well. I am just thankful to be done. Next semester I am going to be taking advanced ceramics, photography, and health and human ecology. I will be there 8am to 8pm T and Th. It will be cool to just be in different classes.
I did so good yesterday. I cleaned like a mad woman. I ate only good stuff except for 1/2 of an avocado. I weighed in this morning at 155.2 another pound gone. 61 pounds gone now. Odd thing is I weigh in the 150's and I keep writing 190 and 170 is my weigh in book I guess the mind is still stuck in the past. I am also excited to be in vacation from school becasue I will have the chance to focus on my weight loss and make it a priority again for awhile. I have still been losing but not with the foods and things I want to be in.
Ok well I am off to my fianls.
Ali

Dec. 5, 2007
I reached 60 pound lost today. I can't believe I have lost 60 pounds. Sad part is I had 60 to lose in the first place. I like to compare so lets see what we can compare to today. I have lost 12 bags of sugar. I am 8 pounds from losing an entire garrett.
Ok now the best news of the day. I am buying a Kiln. Yeah, I know most of you don't understand what that means but to a ceramics person it is the ability to do ceramics in my home and not have to drive to school on the weekend. There is an older woman near my house who is getting rid of one becasue she is moving into an apt. and there is no room for a kiln. I am more excited then anything because I can do ceramics over winter break and summer vacation. I am hoping to have it up and running in the next week or so. Yeah again. She is also selling it to me for like 1/2 of the amound she could sell it for. I cannot wait.
Today I am doing house upkeep that has been put off for awhile because of school. I am actually looking forward to being a stay at home mom for a month. No school. It's a great feeling.
Ali

Dec. 4, 2007
I am done with European art history. Yeah. Now hopefully I pass the class and dont have to take it again. I have no idea how I did for a few weeks. I have finals on Thur. fo rmy other 2 classes but I just have to turn stuff in that I am already done with. WHoo.
Today after my final I had the opportunity to go to a lunch with my mother in law at the pacific palms hotel. My mother in law works for the chamber of commerce and I was able to meet some of her co workers who follow the blog. It is always nice to meet my fans. Just kidding. It is nice to meet people who know about me and what I have been going through. We had a wonderful lunch and the Mt. Sac choir sang Christmas songs, they were fantastic. I had a very fun afternoon.
Now I am sitting here doing homework with the boys and enjoying the idea of not studying tonight. I am so glad I am done.
I weighed in this morning at 157.2 again. I was good yesterday but had taco's for dinner from Del Taco. I had studied up to my eyeballs and couldn't think about cooking. Today I did really well at the luncheon and ate less then 1/2 of my food. I did however eat 1/2 of my dessert which was egg nog mousse. It was good but very sweet. Hopefully tomorrow the scale moves down even with my bump.
Have a great evening and I will talk again tomorrow.
Ali

Dec. 3, 2006

What a weekend. I told you from the beginning that I was going to be honest with you. So here it goes. I did terrible this weekend. Terrible. The worst I have been in 5 mo. of dieting. I weighed in this morning at 157.2 Friday was our going to get Christmas tree and Pizza night. 2 slices of pizza and a salad. Then I came home and made an ice cream sunday. I ate a few bites and it was so sweet I had to throw it out. The looks from Shawn like what are you eating didn't help either. Sat. I woke up and had a yogurt even though Shawn had made whole made hashbrowns, eggs, and bacon, I was very proud. I got caught up in finishing some art homework and didn't eat anything the rest of the afternoon but a string cheese. We went to our nieces party at Chuck e Cheese and I had a piece of cheese pizza and a mini cupcake. On the way home we stopped at our favorite Mexican food place and Shawn and I split a carne asada burrito, a shrimp burrito, and a huge order of chips with cheese and guacamole. Yum, I am glad we don't live close to that place anymore. Well after we ate all that food Ali went into the cabinet and pulled out the chocolate squares that have been starring at me since Thanksgiving. I had 3 of those, they are small but still a no no for me. Sun. Cody was sick so we did nothing and hung out at home eating. I didn't eat breakfast, lunch was a huge fastfood burger with lots of swiss cheese, and about half a box of french fries, then Shawn had 2 fried cheese sticks that made their way into my mouth as well. I also had a few margaritas through the day. Let see if we can top it off. I also ate the last 2 chocolates that were left from the night before. Last we ordered pizza for dinner so i ate 1 piece of stuffed crust cheese pizza and 1 extra crust. Oh and Pj found the whipped cream in the fridge and while spraying some in his mouth I had a few mouthfuls as well. How embaressing once you write it all down. I can honestly say I feel gross this morning, fat, and yucky. Good thing is I am back 100% today.

I had some paintings to do for my night class. I had to design an album cover for a band that already exists so I did Goo Goo dolls Iris, and Great Northern a new band that is awesome there album is something like swapping daylight for twilight. What do you think of the final product? I thing they are ok, I hope the teacher thinks so to. Good thing is I am almost done.

Today the plan is to cram in a ton of studying and getting ready for my final tomorrow morning. Yuck. Oh and to not eat like a maniac too.
Have a good day.

Ali

Dec. 1st 2007
Whoo hoo we got Garth Brooks tickets. We got up and on the computers and got tickets to go to the Sat. night concert. We are going with Matt and Scotty J. Shawn is so excited. We had Matt and the two of us on the website trying to get tickets and Matt got them for all of us.
Last night we went and got our Christmas tree. We went to Lowes and got the biggest tree ever. It is huge. It was in the 6-7 ft area but it is about 8 ft tall and very full and round. HUGE! We also went to pixxa at Round Table for tradition sake. I had a salad and 2 pieces of pizza, yummy, the pizza there wins me over everytime.
Let see I did not weigh in this morning yet because I ran downstairs to get the Garth tickets. Thanks Matt! So I will let you know on Monday how I am doing. Have a great weekend. We are decorating a tree. The older 2 boys are sick so we are hoping they are feeling better by this afternoon for our Nieces birthday party.
Ali

Nov. 30, 2007
I got my art history paper back yesterday. Lets just say that I was really on the wrong track. I got a 58.5% or an F. My first college F. I would be more upset but the highest grade was a C so I am about average with the class who all did bad. I know now that I just have to do really well on my final.
Shawn had company over last night to watch football. Matt and John were here when I got home from school. You should have seen my kitchen when I got home. They made steak and had about 30 spices out on the counter. Fun clean up for me.
I weighed in this morning at 156.6 which is 1/2 pound away from 60 lost. I feel like I am getting closer to the 140 then 160. I had girl in one of my classes ask me last night if I have lost weight since starting school becasue I look thinner then when she met me. I said yes and then added it up in my head. I started school 10 weeks ago and have lost 19 pounds. I love reality checks like that. I still know I am on track. I was saying last night for the first time I feel like I am going to succeed. I don't think I can fail. I have done so many diets before going in with the idea of failure and failing. This time I knew I wanted to succeed and I feel like I have. Yeah to me.
Have a great Friday. TGIF
Ali

Nov. 29, 2007
Big night in our house tonight. Green Bay plays Dallas tonight. Matt is coming over and I am going to try to get home to see some of the game.
Yesterday I finished my Shawn shopping for Christmas. I was able to get a ton of stuff from his list, I love sales.
I have school today and finals next week. Busy, busy. I have reviews in all my classes today for next week. I get my paper back today for art history. A few people have gotten theirs back with d and f grades. I am hoping for the best but not expecting much. Yuck.
I weighed in this morning at 158.0 which is 58.2 pounds lost. 58.2 pounds seems like so much. Where was I hiding all that? I will go with butt and boobs. ok not, but a girl can dream.
Anything else, let me see. Garrett is going to be trying out for Peter Pan at his school he wasn't to be a star like the twinkle kind, it has the least lines. Cody is studying lines for a Christmas play at school as well. I have no idea what Cody's is just that he says Seven Days, is that what the middle candle holder is for.
I guess my life is kind of boring today. Normal mom stuff.
Have a good day,
Ali

Nov. 28, 2007
Good morning everyone.
I had a great time yesterday. My necklaces sold really well. I had 50 that made it to the table once my professor took a few and I owed people a few in exchange for helping me make them. Out of the 50 30 of them sold. We were in a very low traffic area hidden in the art building. I would say just about every person who came by looked at or bought some. The prices were lower then I had hoped but I just wanted to sell as many as I could to get my name out there. I sold them for 10-24 depending on the size and quality. All of the ones for 24 sold. The ones left are all the ones I just put out there to see what would happen. The ugly ones I guess you could say. I have a few people who liked them so much they have asked me to make them certain designs. One girl wants a nautical star, another a brand from a cow on a necklace. I guess there is a need for personalized stuff out there. All in all I say it went good. After paying the clay club %20 for letting me set my stuff up and paying Shawn back for the supplies to make the necklaces I pocketed 140.00 not bad for my first time. I was happy with the results. Now I know also which ones went first and which not to make again.
Ok so no more necklace talk.
I weighed in this morning at 158.6 so 57 pounds and change. I am taking the slow road now. I am figuring out how to live this way and kep the weight down. I am loving being thinner. I was talking woth Shawn last night and I cannot believe how different I feel now. I also see how differently I am treated and accepted by outsiders. It is like on the Tv shows when they put the person in the fat suit for a day and see how they are treated. Now I am the skinny girl again that appreciates people alot more for more then just looks. Ok enough sappy talk.
I am off to study for a final.
Ali

Launched my web site. Check it out.
www.alibeedesignz.com

Nov. 26, 2007
Can I just tell you how happy I am that this holiday weekend is over. I love my family, and seeing everyone. I love thinking about all that we are blessed to have. I love all of it. I hate the food. This weekend was a challange. The stuffing won more then once in my battle to get healthy and thin. I will not eat anymore leftovers. I wont do it!!!
This weekend was crazy in my student life as well. I spent half the day Friday over at school getting a bunch of final projects wrapped up and finished and working on my necklaces. Those necklaces will be the death of me. I was back at school yesterday the whole day 10 am to 10 pm. Good news is I got 56 necklaces done and ready for the sale. I never have to see them again. I also got my final project done. So if you add all that up I am done with my class, all I have to do is show up 3 more times and I am on Christmas break. Next week is finals so I will be studying like a maniac for that.
I think Thanksgving went really well for my diet. I didn't gain anything. I was really careful and only had like 4 bites of pie. I woke up on Friday and the scale didn't move. For dinner I had stuffing, Sat. dinner was stuffing. Sun I had a cheeseburger at a school bbq. I am so THANKFUL it is over. I woke up this morning 1/2 a pound up from where I was on Thursday morning. I did much better weigh wise then I thought I was going to. I worked my butt off this weekend so I think the activity being up helped a ton in not gaining. I am 2-3 weeks behind in all my tv shows, I plan the first week I have off from school being a couch potato and having marathons of Greys Anatomy, Ghost whisperer, and all the other junk I try to keep up on.
Well I hope you all had a great holiday. Check out my pics below of the final necklaces and let me know what you think, or if there is one you really would love to have.
Ali

Well here they are a few pics of my final necklaces. What do ya think. I will let you know how they do at the sale.

Nov. 24, 2007
Saturday
We went to play flag football this morning with some of our family and friends. We had fun and the boys got to go ice blocking for the first time ever. They enjoyed themselves and are excited to tell their friends.
Thanksgiving went fantastically. Everyone had a good time and I did really well in my eating. I woke up on friday and was the same weight I was on Wed. Morning. The only bad part was we had leftovers. Ali did not do so well in turning down leftover stuffing, green bean cassarole, and turkey. I have had leftover for dinner two nights now. The scale has gone up but I will tell you the final number for the holiday weekend after it is over.
I went to school on Friday for a few hours like I had planned and got a ton done. I got there at 9 am and I had campus police let me into the ceramics studio. One I was in the room I was alone for about 3 hours before someone showed up. It was scarry in that I am not used to the noises and all that but awesome in that I had to figure it all out on my own. I have learned alot. My necklaces will all be done tomorrow so I am going to pick them up and finish them tomorrow night. I got all the necklaces and gift boxes for them. Now all I have to do is sell them. Hope it goes well.
Ok well I am off to relax since the kids are going to bed. See ya on Monday.
Ali

Nov. 21, 2007
Whoo hoo I am in the 150's. Ok not by much but I am still there. I weighed in this morning at 159.8 Yeah again.
So I am taking the day to get ready for Thanksgiving. I have so much to do. With school being so out of control I have not done anything to prepare. I do have most of the food. I need to make one more trip today for all the little stuff. My house is a mess. Not to bad but toys, laundry, all the stuff you do for company. Shaould be a fun and busy day. I am going to have help. My Mom is coming over from 10-4 to help get everything in order. Gotta love Mom's.
I also did not get my necklaces finished so I am at school for a few hours on Fri and half the day on Sun. Hey I guess I have to put some effort in if I am going to see these things. I sold my first one yesterday. I have a new friend at school from N.Y. who saw one and wanted it before she even saw the finished product. I will post a few pics of them on here as soon as I get some done.
I got my midterm grade for ceramics and I have an A. I was excited. I guess it is pretty hard to get an A so I was even more excited when I heard that. I am finally loving school. I may not love the classes but I look forward to seeing the people and spending time doing my art. I love ceramics and I am so glad after all these years I am finally going to make it my career.
Ok off to clean and all that fun stuff.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Ali

Nov. 20, 2007
I got my paper done again and it is turned in so I am officially free of school for a few days. What does this mean? This means that I have 1 day to get everything ready for Thanksgiving. I have done nothing at all to get ready. I have not even gotten all of the food yet. Wed. should be a fun day. Best part is we have the entire weekend free to do whatever we feel like. I love those kind of weekends. I will have to sneak to school long enought to do a little work in ceramics but hey thats only part of the 3 days.
I am at school actually typing this while I am supposed to be taking notes. Gotta love internet at school.
Ok so I weighed in this morning at 161.0. I am once again so close to the 150's. I am hoping tomake it before Thanksgiving even if it is only for 1 day. I have decided to eat alot of turkey and a little of the sides I love. I may even use a smaller plate.
Ok off to really take notes.
Ali

Nov. 19, 2007
What a fun weekend we had.
Sat. we went to a Kings hockey game and got to sit in a suite. We went with Kevin, Tera and family. Everyone thought we were there for Marcus's b-day, he got to ride the Zambonee. It was a great time and got even better when Kevin Proposed to Tera and she of course said yes. I love engagments. We are jsut thrilled that our Kevin has found someone special to spend his life with.
After the hockey game we went to our nephews b-day party. We got there kind of late but the party was still going strong. I did eat a few thing that I shouldn't have. You have to understand one thing about their parties you wlk in the door and a plate is put in your hand. Eat, eat, eat. I love Ms. Paggao but she is hard to tell no.
Sun. I woke up dead sick. I was a little sick starting Thursday but yesterday it knocked me on my butt. I tookk airbourne which my Mom swares by but I guess I started taking it too late. So yesterday I slept 90% of the day and ate the other 10% I felt like crap but was still hungry. Oh well.
So today I am feeling a little bit better. I don't feel like an elephant is sitting on my head anymore. Now it feels more like a smaller farm animal.
Ok so here is the bad news I had another gaining weekend. I seem to be stuck between 163-160 I work all week to get down to 160 and then all weekend to go back up to 162.? I wouldn't say it is a plateu becasue if I didn't have a bad weekend I would be down. I guess I just need to get stronger. Should be a fun week with Thanksgiving. Strength is what I am praying for this week.
Oh I weighed in at 162.8 again....
Have a great Monday. I am rewriting a paper and Registering for school. BUSY again.

oh check out these pic I got from Megan of this years beach trip. I was so glad I got to look at this when I no longer looked like this. I thought I looked cute. AHHHH moment. Yuck. Shawn actually saw this and thanked me for losing weight. He would have never told me then but now he actually said he is glad I can wear cute stuff and look cute. he said that even when I tried to look cute he didn't always find me attractive. Honest but oh man I had no idea how bad I looked. I look pregnant and sorry to say this but my A** looks huge. I look at these and I feel like I am looking at someone else. So glad I dont look like that anymore. So if you have any fat pics of me from beach or other events I would love you to email them to me so I can see or post them here. Sounds strange but they really are a big help for me.
Ali

Nov. 17, 2007
THE SATURDAY EDITION
Ok since I left you out in the cold all week I decided to do a Sat. catch up. First and formost I owe you all a big apology. I ask for your help and support and then I fail you.
I am really sorry.
School is coming to an end in a few weeks so it seems like all of the classes have gone into overload. My classes are suddenly more demnading then what I was expecting. Shawn has said maybe I should cut down next quarter. I say I can handle it. This week the house stayed fairly clean, the laundry was done and the kids fed. Mostly by Shawn but hey who's keeping track.
My paper that I thought was done I showed to my teacher and I was way off on what she wanted so Mon. I am redoing the entire thing. Ceramics is having a sale in a few weeks so I am pulling all my stuff together and trying to figure out what to sell as well asmaking as many necjlaces as I can to sell for a little extra dough to buy Shawn something for Christmas. He wants and Ipod so I am doing all I can to get him one. My night drawing class is going well next week is a self portrait. All my pics are fat pics so I will have to go on a photo shoot to get a good now shot.
Life in general is just busy. We are getting ready for Thanksgiving this week. Cleaning, organizing, and planning. I am looking forward to finals in a afew weeks and then a little bit of downtime with the family before we do it all again. I must say that I am thankful to have my kids to ground me. If I was single or married with no kids I would be at school all of the time. It is so easy for the day to pass by there. I always seem to have a million things to do there. I come home and I am still student but mostly Mom and wife.
I was pretty good this week in not eating bad stuff my only problems is I didn't have time to eat real meals so did snacky stuff alot. Cheese, yogurt, veggies, and lots of caffine. I think I slowed my metabolism down by not eating like I should so I lost but not much. I am 160.8 this morning. Still so close to the 150's I can taste it.
Today we are going to a kings game it should be fun.
So I am trying to come up with a catchy buisness name for selling my ceramics under. Any ideas???? I am making buisness cards to attach to my work at the caramics sale. So far I was thinking CaliAli Designs or AliBee DesignZ. What do you think? I am open for suggestions. ANything!!!!
I will be better at writing next week. I know that this is one of my priorities. I will make time for all of you.
Ali

Nov. 15, 2007
I am at school today again . Yesterday I wrote my research paper. Yeah I have a free weekend of no school work.
I weighed in this morning at 161.2 55 pounds gone. Yeah again.
Well I am off to become a great artist...
Ali

Nov. 14, 2007
Here I am...School has kicked me in the butt the last few days. I had a big drawing project that I put off and had to do, I have a 10 page paper due and I have not started, and I have a ceramics sale for school in a few weeks that I am trying to throw some stuff together for to make some money off of my art. mostly just to afford my clay habit.
Lets see what have I been up to. Sat. we went to my sis in laws graduation party she got her B.A. Yeah Roxanna. Then Sat night we went to Shawn's boss's 40th b-day party at a bar and Ali was not the designated driver that night. I kinda over did it. I had alot of fun though. Sun. was football and company. Jim came into town and stayed with us all weekend and then My sis, Dirk, and Megs came over and hung out. It was fun. I still think it is crazy how big Megan is.
So I had no idea that my blog was going to be so popular. I have friends from a few states that read, and a few friends who I have not see or talked to in years who check in on me but i got a few comments from other people who I don't even know who that are reading my blog. I have a person in Az. and one in Canada I have gone international. I guess I am an insperation even though I am just going for a journey. I am just glad if I can make one person feel better about
themselves.
I weighed in this morning at 161.4 trying to get back down again.
Well I am off to actually start my paper.
Ali

Nov. 13, 2007
Super busy weekend and week so far. I will post more tomorrow. I just didn't want you all to think I was ditching you.
Ali

Nov. 9, 2007
I got to go to this amazing ceramics collection in the Claremont colleges yesterday. There was a man who was a teacher and to help students would buy students work for them to buy clay or live. When he passed away he donated his collection to the colleges. When he passed away he had about 1500 pieces in his collection. They do not have the funds to set it up properly so for now it is all on open shelves and in file cabinet drawers. You are able to pick up and touch everything. I was like a kid in a candy store. It was amazing. The craziest part is some of the artists who's work he bought ended up being really famous in the ceramics world. Awesome time.
I got a killer headache yesterday and ended up in bed early. It was one of those headaches that light, sound, smells everything just hurts. I feel much better today.
I weighed in this morning at 159.4 and was so excited to see the number I weighed in again and this time it was 161.4 so I weighed a few more times and it was 161.4 again all the other times. What a bummer. Awesome part is I am so close to being in the 150's. I cannot wait.
I am off to clean and get ready for a weekend of guests, parties, and football. I sound like a man. Oh well.
Ali

Nov. 8, 2007
I am short and sweet today, or at least my blog is going to be. We ordered pizza last nigth and I didn't eat any, not even one bite. I made a salad instead. I am going to a ceramics museum today for school. Should be fun. I weighed in at 162.0 again. We made christmas lists last night and for the first time I was not embarresed to tell Shawn what size I wore. I used to tell him to get gift cards so I wouldn't have to tell him. Should be fun to see what he ends up with.
Ali

Nov. 7, 2007
What a day I had yesterday. I got my midterm back and I got a C. Yuck. I have some ideas of what I did wrong but still feel lost in the class. As long as I get a c or better for my final grade in the class I am fine. I also turned in some drawings for my drawing class and I got another A so I have an A in the class. Yeah.
i am feeling like a failure of a Mom today. Cody gave me a paper like a month ago for a project we are supposed to do. I put it on top if the fridge and forget about it. it was due on Monday and I forgot. It makes my heart hurt because I let him down. Now we have 2 days to do the whole thing before hos grade is affected. I will be working my butt off to help him get it done. What an ass I feel like.
I weighed in this morning at 162.0 I love when the scale moves. I am 1/2 a pound away from 55 pounds lost. To put my weight loss into perspective I like to compare it to something I can see and feel. Cody weighs 54 pounds. If you think about it I have lost an entire Cody. Where was I storing all of that? Goodness it seems huge when you look at it like that.
Ali

Nov. 6, 2007
Well I have a new partner in weight loss. I am not sure if I should say names but I am thrilled to have a new person to share this with. The best part is this person is doing a form of the same diet I am and so far is doing really well. I think it is really cool to have someone to talk to and share the experiance with.
Yesterday I had a ton of homework and spent the day drawing. I am not a drawing fan. I actually don't enjoy it much at all. I think that the only drawing class that I have to take is the one I am currently taking which is great. I got my new schedule of classes and need to sit down and figure my next quarter out.
I ran on the treadmill yesterday and had a great day of smart eating. I have already packed my lunch for today. Garrett really wants me to get to 54 pounds lost because his name is on the sheet for 54. I am at 51.8 so I am getting really close. He is keeping a close watch on me. If I keep losing I have a ton of sponsors coming up every few pounds there is a name. I think some people signed up for high numbers thinking I wouldn't get there now I am almost there. Yeah to me. So I weighed in this morning at 164.4 so 2 pounds down from yesterday. Gotta love the treadmill.
Tomorrow is my 4 month mark on the diet. I cannot believe it;s been 4 mo already.
Ali

Nov. 5, 2007
Thanksgiving is coming faster then we think. With Thanksgiving at our house we have reasons to finish all the projects we keep putting off. I purchased fabric about 3 months ago to make curtains for the fish room and it has been staring at me daily. I took this weekend to make the curtains. Once I got those ones done I decided to make ones for the garage, dining room, boys room, and bathroom. I had a sewing weekend. So now all my windows look finished. Yeah.
Shawn went to his parents and picked up an air hockey table and ping pong table they were getting rid of. I also bought a dart board and the garage is now a fun room. We had like 6 boys over all weekend playing. Should be useful in the future.
So we had a fun weekend of getting the house in order. To think that all we wanted was a house and now we are in it. Gotta love it.
So this weekend I had a freebe weekend of whatever I wanted to eat. I am restarting again today. I am thinking of changing to a more longterm diet like weight watchers because I think it will be easier to do in my daily life. I still am not sure if I am ready or if I should wait until I get lower in weight. I weighed in this morning at 166.4. I ran on the treadmill this morning and am restarting my diet from scratch so that I can remember what is ok and what is not. I kind of got to the point that I forgot what I should be eating and my weight loss has slowed way down.
Have a great Monday.
***Hey if you ever want to comment on what I have written there is a little thing below each post to do so. So drop me a note once in awhile so I know what your thinking. Just click on the link that says how many comments and it will bring you to a new screen where you can write a note and you don't have to give your email or anything.
Ali

This post is more for me then you guys. It is a reminder to me of how different I look. I don't feel thinner. Mentally I am still heavy. My clothes fit better and that part I know. Thanks for the support everyone.

Nov. 2, 2007
I made it throught this crazy week. I think I did ok on my midterm, I get it back on Tuesday. I am tired and need a day off. This week was more then I wanted to handle. I honestly don't feel like posting today. I really want to go sit on the couch and take the day off. I am going to drink my coffee with a blanket and watch the shows I have tivo'd and have to catch up ok. It is going to be a good day of nothing.
Have a great weekend. I don't know my weight this morning, I forgot to get on the scale. I.m telling you, I am mentally toast today.

A few funny comments I have gotten lately. I went to the market and happened to buy some beer. I had garrett with me and the lady asked for id. When she saw my age she though I was like 21-22 and garrett was my brother. Someone else told me that I look so small. My Mom told me that the skinnier I get the littler I look, when I said thanks she explained that she meant as I get skinnier I look short and petite aparently she had forgotten how short I was. So I guess weight ages you is what I got out of all of these and makes you look taller. Why can't I be small and tall. Oh well Ill take what I can get.
Ali

Oct. 31, 1007
Happy Halloween
I woke up this morning and got my skeleton and bat off to school. They woke me up to paint their faces and get them ready 1 1/2 hours before they had to leave and then they sit there sad because they are ready to early. kids! They turned out so cute. I will post a picture of all 3 tommorrow.
I have to study all day today for a midterm that I have tomorrow. it was supposed to be an open note test but the teacher told us yesterday that she changed her mind and now it is no notes. I have so much studying to do it is crazy. So if you know anything on the Napoleonic Era and it's art or romanticism give me a call. I need all the help I can get.
I had a tough diet day yesterday. One of my classes met at an art history luncheon so free lunch. That is always hard becasue you don't know what they are going to feed you. I actually got a comment on how little of an amount I was eating. It was free whyy didn't I take a bunch of desserts. I was good and had a salad and bowl of broth that was supposed to be chicken noodle and I just ate the liquid. Dinner I was starving so I got a pollo bowl and ate half of it and then I got home and ate 1/2 of a beef and cheese burrito. Oops. Sounded good until the end.
I weighed in this morning at 164.6
Have a great evening of fun everyone.
ALi

Oct. 30, 2007
It is 6 am and I am awake because we had an earthquake and it woke me up. Everyone else slept right through it. The news says it was a 2.6 but is was about 2 miles from our house. So it is dark and I am brewing my coffee as I write.
I go back to school today. I have a luncheon for my art history class where my teacher is the speaker. I get to see if any of my ceramics that I was working on made it through the last week or if they are all trash. Last class should be fun since I went to bed late and got up 2 hours early. I think caffine is going to get me through the day.
I weighed in this morning at 165.2. This seems to g a popular number on my scale. Hopefully after the luncheaon today it doesn't move up.
Have a good one.
Ali

Oct 29, 2007
What a busy weekend. We spent the weekend cleaning and redoing the garage. There was some shelving but not enough and on the wrong wall. Shawn built shelves down one whole side of the garage and I got to clean, trash, and organize all the junk we own and can't get rid of.
We took the kids to a pumpkin patch and carved pumpkins which is always a fun and messy job. They turned out to cute. Cody carved a puppy, Garrett a ghost, and Pj a happy face with Mommy's help that he now is calling Jack. He keeps walking over to it and giving it kisses and saying Hi Jack. I will feel bad when the pumpkin rots.
We clean up the back and front yards, layed new bark, and planted some new plants.
The Boys for Halloween decided that they wanted to make their own costumes. Garrett a skeleton and Cody a bat. We also made both of their costumes. For Cody we took a black sweat suit and sewed an old umbrella's material on the back so it looks like wings. We also sewed ears on a beenie for a hat. Garrett's was a little harder, we printed up picks of skeletons and my Bro drew some examples and we copied them with paint onto a black sweat suit as well. They turned out better then I thought they would and I spent less then $20 for both costumes.
I did really well this weekend. I am at the same weight that I started the weekend at. 165.2 and 51 pounds lost.
Have a great day everyone. Oh, and we got George Strait tickets this weekend. Our annual trip with Matt and Scott Jones. Vegas Baby!!!
Ali

Oct. 26, 2007
Shawn owed me a 41 pound gift and was waiting for me to figure out what I wanted. I had forgotten and the other night he asked again. He asked if I needed clothes which I did so he gave me money to go shopping. I spent the day yesterday shopping for me. I actually found clothes. I am so used to stuff not fitting and getting all upset when I shop. I actually had a good time. I am not wearing a size 12, it fits perfectly not snug of anything. I also can fit into a medium top. Yeah. I have a pair of jeans that I have not worn in like 9 years. I got them on yesterday and they fit. Yet another yeah.
I have an issue. After you have c-sections your muscles never quite go back to normal in your stomach because they cut through them. When I put pants on I actually have to tuck my stomach in to my pants. It is just skin now. The most exciting part is a few years ago Shawn asked if I ever lost the weight would I want plastic surgery to fit all my c-section damage. At first I was not big on the idea but the more I lose the more I am excited that he is willing to pay for the surgery that I now really want. When I get to my goal I am going to have some fix up surgery.
I weighed in this morning at 165.2 again. Yesterday I met Shawn for lunch and had a big salad with peperoni and ranch which are both no no's and last night we split a burrito from our favorite Mexican joint. Was not a bad day, I just didn't lose.
Have a great weekend. I am going to making 2 costumes :)
Ali

Oct. 25, 2007
We started our Christmas shopping this week for the boys. Usually we wait until Dec. but we are getting an early start this time so that we can actually find the stuff they want. I have spent the last 2 days looking at toys, clothes, all the fun stuff. Shawn put in his request last night, he wants his own IPOD. He uses mine all the time(especially when doing yard work) but doesn't like my music so he wants his own. Normally we don't get gifts for each other but I think I have enough time to get it for him.
Today Pj is going to the sitter even though I don't have school. She is prepaid so I might as well use the time. I am going to the library and then to lunch with Shawn. Should be fun. We never quite know how to act without the kids around.
I did really good again on my diet yesterday. Lots of salads. People ask what I eat and there you go. Lots of salads. You can put anything on lettace. Lunch was tuna salas with avocado and dinner was taco fixins and a little bit of rice on lettace. I am not tired of them yet. Today I am in the mood for chicken and cheese on lettace.
I weighed in this morning at 165.2 51 pounds lost now. I cannot believe that I weigh 165 pounds. That number seems normal. A year ago I would have killed to be 165 now I am here and I feel great. I just can't wait to lose some more.
Ali

Oct. 24, 2007
So right after I posted yesterday a fire broke out a few miles from our house. We were all ashy all day. Luckily the wind blew it but not to much. We were a little worried becasue it is all empty field with old grape vines so if it jumped Cherry ave. it would have been right in the field behind our house. Our house has ash inside and out. It smells aweful. It looks much better today and our fire is out. Yeah...
So Ali has no school this week. My school is a mess becasue of the winds and fire. They cannot let us into the classrooms because the air in the classrooms is unhealthy. The air outside is like breathing pure ash. I had a test for Thur. but now I have all weekend to study which I really needed.
I weighed in this morning at 166.2 which puts me at 50 pounds lost. I lost another 1.2 pounds since yesterday. Shawn called yesterday and asked if I would make him his favorite pasta dish of course I said yes. I went to the market and as soon as I realized that I was spending over $60.00 I put everything back and went and bought the actual dish from Macaroni Grill, I got a yummy salad with scallops, cheese, panchetta, I actually went out and got something good for me. I am getting closer to my goal.

Oct. 23, 2007
Can you believe thse fires. Yesterday at 9:30 I was doing dishes and looking out the kitchen window when I saw smoke start rising. I knew it was a fire but didn't know where. It was the start of the Arrowhead area fires. So our house smells and is ashy. I was going to take a pic for you guys but forgot. Near all our windows there are piles of ash that has made it's way in the house. The one near the back door was huge and covered the the whole dining room floor. Fun cleaing that up. It is still extremely windy today. I guess it is supposed to last through this evening.
My campus is closed today so I get to stay home and watch the news. My campus sits right at the base of the mountain near the green valley lake fire. They also had a bunch of power lines fall because of the wind and cannot fix them until the wind clears up. Yeah for me.
I had a great day yesterday of no cheating. I stuck to my salad, yogurt, string cheese, all the stuff I know I can eat. I weighed in this morning at 167.4 which is over 3 pounds in one day. I know I am dehydrated and this is part of why it is so low. Drinin my water today.
Have a safe day and stay inside.
Ali

Oct. 22, 2007
I'm back......
So after a 10 day period of cheating, sickness, and more cheating I am back to normal. Yeah. I am renewing the diet starting today. I have been terrible the last 10 days. I have been lazy, and eaten just about anything I wanted. I did think about the cheating before each bite but still ate it. I am done with the antibiotics that made me feel hungry all the time so today I am starting over again. I pulled out my folder from when I first started and I am going to look at my journals to remind me of what I was eating.
I wish that I could tell you how windy it is at our house. We woke up in the middle of the night from Sat. to Sun with strong winds. We get stronger winds over here because we live below the Cajon pass and it acts like a funnel dropping the wind in our area. Last night I hardly slept. i thought for sure that I was going to have a broken window when I got up for the day. We had sustained winds at 65 mph and gusts up to 110. I say it was just damn windy and faster then 65 like the news said.
So I weighed in this morning at 170.6 I gained like 4 pounds over my fun week. So today I am going to eat right and try to get on the treadmill while Pj is taking his afternoon nap. Wish me luck.
Ali

Oct. 18, 2007
So I was hoping for a day of rest yesterday and it did not happen. Garrett got sent home from school with pink eye. We happen to have medication for it becasue it went around our house about a year ago. The worst part is I am still not feeling well. Garrett doesn't feel sick so he is all over the place. He is home again today and says he just wants to go wherever I go today. I am in the mood to sleep and be by myself so today should be a day of fun. I still have swollen toncills and a head ache that just won't go away. I am actually going to miss school today becasue I am sick not the kids I don't know if I have done that in the last 10 years.
With not feeling well. I took another day off my diet. it may be crazy but I need the food to help me get better. I am not going to disappoint you guys and not go back on, it will just be a few days. I am going to try to stick with it today. I weighed in at 169.8 as long as I don't go over this I am ok for now. I would hate to be back up 10 pounds because of a bad week. So I am still working through this no diet phase.
Ali

Oct. 17, 2007
I don't feel good. I woke up yesterday with a little bit of a sore throat and by last night it was bad. I now have toncelitis. I used to get it all the time as a kid but have not had it in a few years. I was lucky to have some left over antibiotics. I started taking the meds last night. I just feel yucky. I have no choice but to go to the market today so I will do that and then chill on the couch the rest of the day.
I had a bad diet day yesterday. When I don't feel good I want to be full. Ali hit the taco bell for dinner. I guess the only good part is that up until dinner I had not had time to eat so it just went downhill from there. After dinner I had an ice cream sundae in hopes that the cool would help my throat. Nope but it was good. I also had some left over apple dip that we had this weekend. I am not sure why but I am having a hard time getting back onto the diet after a fun weekend of eating whatever I wanted. I am going to mentally work it out. I am trying to convince myself that I only have 30 or so pounds to go.
After my evening of eating I weighed in at 169 again. I know why I am stuck, it's called bad food choices. So today I am hoping to feel better and maybe get on the treadmill.
Ali

Oct. 16, 2007
I am at school today so once again a quick blog today. I spent the whole day yesterday in pajamas. It was fantastic. Pj supported me and wore his all day to. I guess it was the weather.

I weighed in this morning at 168.2 so I am going back down .

Ill catch you again tomorrow.

Ali

Oct. 15, 2007
What a weekend. We were so busy.
Friday I weighed in at 49 pounds and got my 49 pound gift from Connie. She got my 2 beautiful candles in a mosaic candle holder that looks like stained glass. Thanks connie I love them . Friday I spent the day getting ready for the weekend. Brandy and Justin came over and watched the kids Friday night and Shawn and I had date night. We went to Taps in Brea. It is a nice place with good food but the bill grew really quickly. I am not sure if we will go again but the food and atmosphere was fun for a date night. We had to be up early the next morning so we were back at the hotel and asleep by 10. Sad I know. We got to the golf tournement at 6 am. We had yummy food and fun all day. It was raining so it made it not quite as fun as it could have been but we still had fun. We played with Shawn's coworker and his fiance who are about as good at golf as we are so it was more about fun then skill. They had a prize drawing at the end of the day and Shawn won a new cordless phone and I got a cool new golf bag that I badly wanted. Yeah for me. We came home and my Mom and Bob were here watching the kids. We got BBQ for dinner and hung out and talked. It was gun becasue we don't know Bob that well. Shawn and him have movies as a like in common so they talked all night. It was alot of fun getting to know him.
Sun our first friend turned 30. We went to Matt and Scott's house to celebrate jessica Defriends 30th. We had fun and saw alot of people that we don't get to see as much as we would like to. We ate, hung out, and watched football.
I weighed in this morning at 169.8 so I am up. I feel like crap from all the junk I ate. You think I would learn but no I keep doing this and then having to recooperate. So this week is about getting back to where I was. Fun Stuff.
Ali

Oct. 11, 2007
Quick one today.
have to get to school early so I am off to get ready.
I was 168.0 this morning so 48.2 pounds. I am almost to 50 lost. Whoo hoo again.
Ali

Oct. 10, 2007
Today is going to be a great day. Shawn is going to be ok and that is all the good news I need.
We went to his Dr. appt. yesterday and he did no damage to his ligaments. The MRI shows he broke his leg by his knee but they are not going to cast becasue it is already healing in a good position. He is going to need physical therapy for his arm and leg in the near future 3 times a week for about 6 weeks. We are thrilled that he is not going to need surgery and will be just fine with time.
School yesterday went really well. I made my second teapot which is the ugliest thing you have ever seen but that was on purpose. I also had time to start a few of my own things. I had a critique for my night class which was nothing but good comments from the students as well as the teacher. I am finally getting to know people and feel like I am fitting in a little better then I was. I did a paper the first week of class on an artist named Andy Goldsworthy. For some reason my teacher kept reffering to me as Andy Goldsworthy and looking at me so I thought maybe he is using that becasue he doesn't know Ali yet. I went to him last night to get my grade so far and in the grade book he had me down as Andy Goldsworthy, he had no idea that was not my name. He has all my grades and everything under that name. He felt pretty stupid when I told him I was Ali Brenner not Andy. He laughed and told me he thought Ali had dropped the class becasue he hadn't seen her in class. Only me Andy. So all is fixed now and I am Ali again. In this crazy process I found out that I have an A on both of my projects that I have turned in so far. Works for me.
I weighed in this morning at 168.8 I am at 47.4 pounds gone. Whoo hoo I am back below 170.
have a great day.
Ali or Andy

Oct.9, 2007
We I told someone that i might not admit this on my blog but I have to, I tell you guys everything. Yesterday I went to Old Navy becasue I heard they had good deals on some shirts right now. I did pretty good in the pants dept. I am not in a 12. From a 20 to a 12 is fabulous. I am thrilled with it. In the shirt dept I did not do as well. The shirts revealed all the rolls and work I still have to do. I in a moment of self pity stopped by Taco Bell and got a burrito to make myself feel better. I still have things too work on obviously. Does it make and sense to go eat if you are unhappy that you need to lose more weight? Retarded way if thinking. I also had a mini scoop ice cream sundae last night. I had a day of weekness to say the least. Today is a new day and I am back on track. Oops is what we will call yesterday. Just another road bump.
I weighed in at 170.0 this morning so up a little from yesterday. Sad part is I was so excited to be out of the 170's and here I find myself again. Come on Ali you can do it. Ok well I am off to Shawn's dr. appt and then school for the day.
Ali

oct. 8, 2007
Good morning. Shawn comes home today. I am excited like a little kid everytime I know I get to see him after he has been gone a few days. Today is getting the house in order and maybe getting him a welcome home gift like a cd or something small.
I went to The Brenner's yesterday. I had a great time. It is hard to get myself excited when SHawn is not there and I know I am going to have all 3 boys by myself, a drive at night but I really had alot of fun. I also got my 49 pound gift sitting on my fireplace, No idea what it is but it smells good. I also got my 45 pound gift this weekend from Ali. I got these super cute yankee candle holders for haloween with yummy candles, a kitchen set with soap and lotion in pumkin spice smell, some cool pencils, and a day planner notebook. I love pumpkin spice this time of year, it makes it seem like fall. Thanks Ali.
We had yummy chicken last night with a cranberry sauce over it. I was glad because this is the first time I have gone to someones house since starting the diet and everything they served I could eat. It was fantastic. I even had a few bites of pumpkin pie becasue I did so good on dinner.
I weighed in this morning at 169.4 whoohoo I am in the 160's. Yeah for me. Seemed like before the diet I would have killed to be in the 160 range and now I am here. Thrilling day. Ok enough of that. Have a great week people.
Shawn has him MRI results tomorrow so Ill let you know on Wed. what is going on.
Ali

Oct. 6, 2007
Well it is 6:30 in the morning and I am up. One of those mornings where you know if you go back to sleep it is going to be hard to wake up.
Yesterday Cody found a dog running around the streets. It is a small chihuahua. Cody and Garrett walked around looking for an owner for 2 hours yesterday. We posted signs all over the neighborhood. What a pain. It is a male and unnutered so it is peeing on everything. Lucky for me the dog is pretty dumb and can't figure out the doggy door so I can leave it opened for our dogs and he stays outside. If we don't get a phone call by Monday he is going to the pound. I am not a dog person, it took me months to like our dogs. I am not going to be stuck with a rat dog.
Other then that we had a kick back day. The weather is cold so all I want to do is drink coffee. I think I had like 5-6 big cups of coffee yesterday. I was flying high. I stopped drinking coffee and moved onto tea in the evening so I wouldn't sleep awful.
Well I didn't weigh in this morning because I didn't want to wake up Shawn with all the noise. I will let you know on Mon how I am doing.
Ali

Oct. 5, 2007
Good morning y'all.
I made a teapot yesterday. My first project for ceramics is half done. I made a normal looking teapot but I carved daisy's all over it (go figure) I think I have a flower obsession. It turned out totally cute. I can't wait to get it done and show you all. My second teapot is going to be all square so I am still working on ideas for how I am going to pull it off. If you have any requests let me know. No guar. that it will look like what you want but I can try to do a few thing between projects. They have a sale in Dec. where I can sell my stuff to fellow students but I would rather make things for you and charge you the cost for me to make it. Most likely less then $10 a piece depending on what you want. Ok enough advertisment of my stuff.
I weighed in today at 170.2 which is the same as yesterday. I think I forgot to put it yesterday. 45 pounds gone. My ultimate goal is to be at my goal weight by my 30th b-day. That gives me 5 months to lose 40 more pounds. I think I can do it or get pretty close to it. If I lose 2 pounds a week I am there.
Shawn is off to Tennesse for the weekend. I am excited for him and Matt. It sounds like they have a packed weekend of fun stuff. Pray for safe travels.
Ali

Oct. 4, 2007

Happy Birthday to Crystal....

Lets see, Shawn and I actually got to see each other last night. It was a shock to me as well. We talked alot about the upcoming golf weekend. Now I am even more excited. We are staying at a hotel close to the course because we have to be there at 6am and it is like an hour drive away. We are going to go to dinner a movie and then hit a bar for a drink and dessert. Please don't expect me not to lose weight. Goof thing is I will be working out all day on Sat. so it shouldn't be to bad.

I have the busiest weekend coming up. My Aunt, Uncle, and cousins are all in town and I have not seen them in 5 plus years. We are going to my Mom's after we drop SHawn off at the airport to hang out with them for the evening. Sun is The Brenner family b-day parties for Oct. and I will be taking the boys over there to hang out. I am looking forward to hanging out and gabbing.

What happened to me yesterday, not to much. I did dig through some old pics and found what Shawn and I are calling Fat Ali pic. I was shocked at this one. People you are supposed to tell me I am fat.... So here it is for your enjoyment.It was taken in June 06 at the boys bday party. Best part is those shorts are huge now, they fall off without me even wiggling to get them off. I love this diet.

I am off to school.

Ali

Oct. 3, 2007
Yesterday I get to school a little early becasue I had purchased clay over the weekend that I needed to get into the ceramics studio before class. There are 2 parking spots near the studio and I was hoping one would be open. Nope. I had to carry a 50 lbs box of clay half way across campus. I finally got there and I literilly had lost feeling in my arms. I had 2 boxes but the other one is going to have to wait. The best part was about 2/3 through my walk I realized that I am really close to 50 pounds lost. This crazy amount of weight that I hardly made it across campus with is the same amount as what was on my body dragging me down a few months ago. What an awesome feeling.
We need a little prayer for Shawn. I told you guys yesterday that we would get his MRI results in the end of Oct. Well the Doc. called Shawn yesterday and said that he wants to see him on Tuesday instead. Shawn was 1/2 asleep when he told me but I think he said the doc doesn't want to wait that long. It doesn't sound good if they are pushing his appt. up to next week. best part is Shawn is having a crazy work week and Matt and Shawn are going to Tennessee for the weekend so I don't think he will be thinking of it to much. Someone asked how he was doing and I thought I haven't told you in awhile. His arm is usable, he writes and can do daily stuff but his elbow is still in pain and he cannot extend his arm all the way out even if he tries, I guess this is where physical therapy comes in. His knee is still in constant pain. He limps all the time. He comments how it is still just as bad as when he did it. We figured something was wrong we just hope it is easily fixed and won't bother him the rest of his life. He still has this weird thing where his knee will buckel and casue him extreme pain. He does this mostly when he is waking down stairs or forgets and squats down. So please be thinking and praying for him. I know he is worried even if he doesn't talk about it.
I weighed in this morning at 170.8. I actually am going to be in the 160's very soon. Yeah for me. Watch out people I have alot of sponsors coming up again.
I am so excited. Shawn and I are going golfing. Mpm is going to a golf tourney in a few weeks and I get to play. Shawn gets the itch to go fishing, I now get the itch to go golfing. Wish we could do it more. I guess we might be one of those old couples that golf alot. That would be awesome.
Have a great day.
Ali

Oct. 2, 2007
Quick blog today. I have school but need to finish laundry, unload the dishwasher, and make sure the house is in order before I get Porter in the bath and me ready for school all in the next hour. Fun mornings.
Shawn's mri went well. He gets the results back in the end of Oct. like the 25th.
Weighed in this morning at 171.8. Wroks for me. I am going to pack my lunch and be a good girl today. I found the one vending machine in the art dept. and it is all sodas which for me is just fine. I think diet coke will be my new best friend.
Have a good Tuesday,
Ali

Oct. 1, 2007
Happy monday.
We had a fun relaxing weekend of nothing. I was able to get some homework done. For the most part we were couch potatoes. Sat. we rented We are Marshall. It is the true story of an entire college football team who is killed in a plane crash and how the school and people react after. It was sad but good. It had Matthew Mconehey so eye candy even if the movie was sad. I would watch it again.
Sun we watched football, hung out, and ate.
I weighed in this morning at 173.0 I am sad that I let food get the best of me this weekend but back on track today. Sat we had Burritoes yum my favorite. Dinner was turkey sandwiches. Sun was taco bell, corn nuts, and homemade blueberry pancakes for dinner. We had a fun munching weekend. As long as I get back on track I don't mind the bumps in the road.
Shawn went this morning to get an MRI of his knee. I am not sure how long until we hear the results but I will let you all know as soon as I know.
Ali

Sept. 29, 2007
Good Sat. to everyone.
Shawn had to go to work for a while today so I thought I would post on a Sat. Yesterday I went on a trip to Chino and went shopping at a ceramics warehouse. I had a ton of fun looking at all the junk they sell. $100 later and I have a few tools and 100 lbs of clay to show for it. I got all kinds of tools I have wanted but never have purchased.
Last night we rented Knocked up. Very rude young movie with lots of foul language and not at all appropriate but if you liked Anchor Man, 40 year old, Old School, you will like this movie. Not recommended for young kids, or Our Parents. Sorry Connie and Mom. At the end of the DVD if you go to the special features page don't click on anything and just watch the guys go on dropout for a few times. I laughed so hard I started to cry. Stupid funny.
My Dad got out of the hospital yesterday. They still never found out what was causing him to be there but he started to feel better on his own. He is now home and resting.
I weighed in this morning at 171.0 Gotta love that fairy. I am now at 45.2 pounds lost. Today is also 12 weeks of my diet done. 45 pounds in 3 mo. is ok to me. I told Shawn that I am going to cheat my butt off at Thanksgiving. I am going to eat nothing but stuffing. An entire plate of stuffing. Ok most likely not but that would be so yummy. First I have to make it through Halloween candy. Maybe this year I will be one of those people who pass out apples, or hard boiled eggs J/K. Well have a good weekend.
Ali

Sept. 28, 2007
I am so glad that it is Friday. Yippee.
Yesterday was school. I have joined the clay club on campus. All that means is at the end of the quarter I can sell my art and get 80% of the cost. I feel like it also may be a good way to get to know people in my major. I am finding that to get to know people all you have to do is talk about art or cly and they can go on for hours. It is a nice instant bond with people.
I turned in my personal logo yesterday and did my 5 min critique. I did not get any negative feedback at all only positive and everyone seemed to really like the concept and ideas of what it stood for. The the teacher said I did an amazing job and he wouldn't change a thing. I am going to try to scan it in and put it on here if I can. I love the feeling of seeing my art in comparison to others. I actually feel like I can compete at their level. Shawn's first question was were you one of the worst, best, or middle of the road? I told him I am not the best or worst but I am definitly up there with the middle of the road people. Feel good to know they know my level now.
Shawn is doing really well taking my roll over on the nights I am at school. I came home last night to a dusted house with spagetti dinner on the stove. He is trying so hard to make sure that I come home with it in the same order I left it in if not better. He is an awesome guy.
I weighed in thismorning at 172.8 so I am still trying to get back down to 44 lost. I was going to try to not use my Ipod until I got back down to 44 lost again but i can't that thing is awesome. I did make it through 1 class without it yesterday. Oh well. By the way tomorrow is my 12 week mark for the diet can you believe it has been 12 weeks already? Wow, doesn't feel like it.
Another weekend and I am just trying to go down and not up again. Talk again on Monday.
Ali

Sept. 27, 2007
I spent the entire day yesterday doing homework. I did some great work though. For my personal logo I did an irish tree of life for the Brenner which is also wood for my maiden name. There are 3 hungry birds in the tree, all the leaves are hearts, on the trunk where the hole would normally be I put 2 wedding rings in an infinity sign, last the tree has really large strong roots to show our family strength. I think it turned out pretty cool but I guess I will find out tonight when I turn it in.
I think I forgot to tell you all about my Taco Bell mishap the other day. I was at school during dinner and I had forgotten to put an ice pack in my lunch. My food did not look eatable. I thought what healthy food could I go get. All of the sudden I am in the drive thru at taco bell ordering a burrito. Opps. In case you do not know taco bell is my favorite fast food. Isn't that sad. Before my diet I ate there at least once a week. I can say that it was yummy but I have been paying for it the last 2 days.
i weighed in this morning at 173.0 so I am up .8 from Tuesday morning. I am still at 43.2 pounds lost in less then 12 weeks.
I am off to school again.
Ali

Sept. 26, 2007
I have had a crazy last few days. I have been stressed, out of place, sad, worried.
I got a phone call on Monday that my Dad had been rushed to the hospital and was in CCU. Shawn came home from worka nd I spend the rest of the day in Arcadia at the hospital. It is hard to see anyone sick but when they are someone you have so much unresolved stuff with it makes it seem so important to go there and show them you do love them and care for them. His blood pressure got really low and he is not absorbing any fluids so he is really dehidrated. He spent alot of Mon. and Tues. getting tests done. I am going to call today to get the newest updates. Please keep him in your prayers.
Yesterday I had school. By the end of the day I had to drive home with the music off in the car because my brain literally stopped functioning and I could not take anymore. I got home and Shawn was doing laundy and had the house clean. We spent the hour before bed just talking which is always nice.
I have at least 4 days of homework to do in 1 day. I have several papers, projects, and a ton of reading to do before tomorrow. I guess I am in the big time now. I have to make a personal logo in only black and white and give a 5 min. explenation of what it represents. I have to make alter ego teapots for ceramics where I make 2 that are complete opposites but represent the 2 side to my personality. I have to draw up plans and answer a bunch of questions for that today. I also have to read like 30 pages for my art history class.
I have had the week from H--- so far I am just hoping it gets better. I know there are a few people who have left messages for me and I will call you back as soon as life slows down a bit.
So here is my funny story for the day. Yesterday in ceramics was a just mess around on the wheel day and see what you can make. I got my clay on and got going and I had the hardest time figuring out where my hands went and what I was doing something did not feel right. I tried 4 times. I woul get the clay centered and start to make something and then I kept ripping it right off the wheel . I was getting so upset that I finally told my teacher that today I was going to go draw becasue I just couldn't get the wheel to do anything. She comes over and after 3 hours of torture in my part tells me that for some reason my wheel is going backwards and that is my problem. So one flick of a switch and all fixed. I felt like a total idiot. I knew something was wrong but had no idea the wheels go different directions. I guess you learn something new everyday.
The absolute best part of the last few days is that I hit 44 pounds lost and got to open my 44 pound gift from Matt. It made my week when I got to open it. I am now the proud owner of a little green ipod shuffle. I was just telling Shawn that I really wanted one for school. Thanks a ton Matty. I love it.
Well off to homework .
Ali

Sept.24, 2007
So this weeknd was a hang out weekend. Sat. Shawn was gone most of the day so I got a girl movie called Georgia rule. It was ok but when it was over I felt kind of sad and depressed. Needless to day I don't recommend it. The boys and I watched a movie for them called Unaccompenied Minors. They really enjoyed it. For an adult it was cute.
So this week I am looking forward to all my favorite shows coming back for the season. Shawn and I watch Heroes and I watch Grey's Anatomy. I am also going to tivo the new one called Chuck and the one with Addison from Grey's Anatomy. I am also watching biggeat loser. I love tivo becasue I watch 1 maybe 2 a day and I get to enjoy a little me time each day.
I have so much reading to do today. I have 81 pages for 1 class and 30 for another. I am putting it off but I have no choice but to do it today. I also have to take my car in to the dealership. The drivers handle to open the door broke so everytime you have to open it you either have to leave the window down and reach in or do throught the back door to open it. Looks great.
I weighed in this morning at 175 even so I stayed the same over the weekend. Yeah that I did not go up. Well have a good Monday.
Ali

Sept. 22, 2007
I normally don't post over the weekend but I had to this morning. I weighed in at 175 even which is the weight it says on my drivers license. Funny thing is I lied about my weight then so it is a real accomplishment. Maybe it is not a guy thing but you girls understand. Well have a good one.
Ali

Sept. 21, 2007
I am feeling a little unsure this morning. I went to my last class and wow the supplies list is an entire page long. 90% of the supply list I don't even know what it is. My first project is to make a self logo. I am taking this class to learn how to draw so we shall see what I threw myself into. I feel like maybe I picked the wrong major but I know that as soon as I see that I am just as good as the others in my class I will be just fine. I do this everytime I take an art class but it makes sense when you are puting your own creations out there for people to critique. A few more weeks and I'll fit right in.
In college classes they always make you introduce yourself in a weird sort of way to everyone in the class. My professor had us do 2 truths and a lie. You tell the class 2 true things about yourself and 1 lie and see if they can guess which one is the lie. Mine were I am a biology major, I have 3 boys, and I have been married more then 10 years. Apparently I look young becasue no one can believe that I have been married for as long as I have and apparently it is nearly impossible to have 3 boys. One person even commented that if I had 3 boys I wouldn't look like a girl or be in school. Interesting. I think they have a whole different image of me now like I am a worrior or something.
Funny story for the week-
Our downstairs toilet has been clogged for over a month. We have used plungers, toilet snake, really strong liquids that are guarenteed to unclog it and nothing worked. I took the whole toilet off of the ground a few days ago flipped it over and still couldn't fix it. Yesterday morning I went into the bathroom and here was a white thing in the toilet. I reached down and there was a plastic bottle of contact solution in the toilet. About a month ago Pj had gotten ahold of the solution and we couldn't find it anywhere. I guess now we know where he put it. I was so thrilled I called Shawn just to tell him. It was big news in our house all day and we can actually go to the bathroom downstairs again. Yeah fo us.
I weighed in this morning at 176.8 this morning. SLowly the weight is still going down. This diet is becoming a habit now so it is getting so much easier to eat the way I am supposed to. My weaknesses are still ice cream and sweets. Maybe a burger and fries once in awhile.
Have a great weekend everyone.
Ali

Sept. 20, 2007
I am officially a University student. I am sitting in the Art building right now using my schools internet. My first class went well. I am a little nervous becasue it is art histury and she expects us to know some history already. Like did youknow that in old pictures if a man has one hand tucked into his robe it shows he is a thinker and not a worker or what is neo classicism? Yeah I don't know either. I am a little lost but the 80 plus pages a week of reading should help. My second class is ceramics. There are a total of 12 students in the class. I am so thrilled that there is amazing equiptment to work with and my teacher Allison seems like the is going to be fun. I am waiting now for my 3rd class to start. I will update you tomorrow on that one.
I packed my lunch so I knew I would eat healthy. Tuna, string cheese, yogurt, and cottage cheese, seems like I am on a soft foods diet. I am happy that I have a 1 hr break in all this craziness of school to eat and then take a campus walk.
I weighed in this morning at 177.2 so 39 pounds again. I have not ran all week becasue I will admit I am lazy. I know that if I do it will drop faster so I will be on the treadmill first thing tomorrow after the kids leave for school.
I am off to my last class. Talk again tomorrow.
Ali