Back on the wagon

So, I have decided to work out again. I recently brought a groupon for $15 for 5 Zumba classes. I told my friend Leah about it and she said she wanted one and so did her friend at work. So I bought 3, and we started going to Zumba on August 2nd. About a week later, Leah said she decided so sign up for Fit for her (a 24 hour, all women gym) and she thought we should sign up too....So we did! This past Tuesday, we added a total body sculpting class. Wednesday we were so sore. That evening we did Zumba and it was painful! On Thursday, we felt even worse and by Thursday night, we found ourselves back at the total body sculpting class. I thought I would be really sore on Friday, but I was wrong. No soreness for me. It's felt good to work out for the last few weeks. I hope this time I stay on the wagon and don't fall off. I think having 2 other people to work out with and hold me accountable is really  helpful. Once our Zumba passes are used up, we will do more classes at fit for her. My goal for working out is to lose about 10 pounds and gain muscle strength and to also be in shape and healthy!

Colorado trip

While Jeremy was on his motorcycle trip the first part of the month, I headed to Colorado to see my family. Friday night I got in about 7:15 and my mom and I hit the mall. we went to New York & Company, one our favorite stores. We did some damage there and then headed home. We were going to go out that night, but we were both so exhausted that we just went home and relaxed and went to bed.
The next morning, we woke up early and went to get pedicures and manicures, we went to Kohl's ( I was on a mission to find a new swim suit), the outlet mall (to check out the Coach store), Lunch, JC Penny's, Casino, Dinner at Casino, then home. I didn't find a swim suit at Kohl's, but I did find 2 really cute shirts. At Coach, they were giving away 20% off coupons when you walked in the door, and it was good for all purchases. So, mom and I splurged and each bought a Coach bag. Mine was only $75. Expensive for a purse, but a great deal for a Coach bag. Then we had lunch, yummy gluten free pizza! Then we went to JC Penny, and I found 2 new bathing suits. It was nice, as I haven't bought a new one in a few years. Our trip to the casino was very eventful, we missed the turn on the way there, but quickly got back on track. We played the slot machines and after losing some money on them, we went to the craps table and watched. Mom used to play back in the day, but she was trying to remember all the rules as we sat there watching. We decided it was time to eat, so we put our name on the list for the buffet (all you can eat crab legs) and then watched some more craps. After we ate dinner, we went back to the craps table. Mom ended up playing some, while I just watched. I got carded 3 times while in the casino (flattering, but annoying).We then headed home, but on the way we stopped and had a drink at Ralph's (her boyfriend). We ended up laughing about something that happened earlier in the day, and we were both laughing so hard, we were crying.

Mom on the phone (what she does best)

Me, on our way home!

On Sunday, we had plans to go to lake Dillion with Ralph's family. They rented a pontoon boat for all 10 of us and we had it for about 4 hours. We got up, and got ready to head to Ralph's

We are ready to go in TBOW (the box on wheels)

All packed up and ready to go, we head to Ralph's house. His family arrives shortly after us and we follow Ralph into the mountains. Once we arrive, they get us situated on the boat and we head out for some fun on the lake

Mom & Ralph

Ashleigh & Austin

Austin & Me

The weather was cool, but the view was amazing!!

So Beautiful

After a day on the lake, we stopped in a small town for some dinner. Dinner wasn't that great, but we did treat ourselves to homemade ice cream afterwards. What a long day!

Monday morning I went and got my hair done and then went to lunch with mom, Adam & Austin. After lunch, we went back to the house to relax. Even the dogs were exhausted

Foxy!!

I headed to the airport for my flight (which was delayed due to weather). We were supposed to leave about 8:45, but didn't end up leaving until 9:45 and landed about 12:15. By the time I got my bags, car and back home, it was about 1am. Bed time came about 2 and I was up again at 6:45. Not a lot of sleep for me!
All in all, I had a great time with my family. I hope to make another trip soon!!

Going to Colorado

I'm going to Colorado this weekend!! I can't wait to have a fun filled weekend with my mom and family. I really need it after the crazy week I've had.

Hopefully I'll get some good pictures and posts done while I'm away!

The Results are in.....

I did not pass the first time.

But, the good news is I can take it again in about 45 days! So, there is hope for the 2nd time around.

I'm sad, but I knew after Monday's test that I didn't pass.

I can do this and I will pass the 2nd time.

I'm very fortunate to have a wonderful support system of family and friends.

NCLEX

Today I took my NCLEX exam for licensure and I have no idea how I did. I will find out on Wednesday. It took me 4 hours and I had the maximum number of questions possible. No fun!!!! So, come Wednesday, I will either be super happy or really sad. AGGGHHHHHHHH! This is so nerve wracking!! I hate waiting.

Hopefully I will be able to keep my mind occupied for the next 2 days. Tonight I am going to Zumba with my friend. Tomorrow I work and then I might go to knit night at the local yarn store. I need to do something to keep my mind occupied.

Green Thumb

Well, I now have 5 tomatoes on my tomato plant. 1 is almost ripe (I think) not sure how to tell yet, but they are all getting big.

Tomatoes 1 and 2

Tomatoes 3 & 4

Tomato 5

Pretty soon, I'll have some good, ripe tomatoes!

Last of the vacation posts

OK, so better late than never, but here are the last of the pics and details of our vacation!

Day 4 we drove up to the redwood forest. We drove across the golden gate bridge and up the redwood highway. I have never seen so many trees in my entire life, it was beautiful. We stopped at this place called Chandler Tree, a big ole tree that you can drive through.

We acutally drove through this tree

These trees are really tall

 After this stop, we got back on the highway and we headed further north. We came across the pacific ocean on the way. This was my first time seeing the pacific ocean so Jeremy captured the moment for me!

Don't let these pictures fool you, it was really cold there! I can only imagine what it is like there in the winter months!

Redwood Trees

These trees are amazing, as you drive the highway, this is all you see. It seems that the trees are endless and that they touch the sky.
We then came across this place called fern canyon. At first, you start walking down this little path and then you come to this stream. After that you are walking on little stepping stones and logs that zig zag back and forth across the stream of water. The sigh was absolutely beautiful!

Having fun!

Day 5 we woke up and drove down the costal highway back to Napa. This was the best and most amazing part of the trip. The road signs said "Curves ahead 25 miles" and there were mountains on one side and ocean on the other! So amazing!

This is the view you see in the movies

I Love it here!

We drove for about 5 or 6 hours and finally made it to our hotel in the Napa Valley. The Marriott Spa. So beautiful. We changed and got freshened up and enjoyed a free wine tasting at the hotel. We walked around the grounds as well

We found a cozy swing to enjoy our wine on

After this, we headed to the Domaine Chandon Winery and ate at Etoile. We enjoyed a very expensive and amazing dinner! It was so delicious.

The next morning, we woke up and headed to 2 places for wine tasting. We had breakfast, then went to Jessup Cellars and tried some delicious wine. Afterwards, we headed to Artesia winery and had some not so good wine, but enjoyed the beautiful view!

After this wine tasting, we headed to the airport. We were very sad to be going home but at the same time, very excited to get back home. This was the best anniversary trip ever (well the only one we've been on). I think we decided if we ever go to San Francisco again, we would only stay there for 2 days and then make Napa the longer stay. There are so many wineries and so much to do there, that we didn't have enough time to do it all in 1 day.