Zumba Anyone?!?!?

So, a neighbor of mine and I happened to both be getting out of our vehicles at the same time earlier today. She was carrying a gym bag and looked like she just had a work out from hell. Mind you, she’s older than I am, by maybe 10 years or better, but I always see her either coming or going to the gym.

Today, I asked her if she had a great work out, and she said “Yes, I did ~ two hours of non stop Zumba”. She opened her jacket and showed me her shirt which said “ZUMBA” on it in bright colors. She then proceeded to tell me that she’s a Zumba Instructor at a local In-Shape City gym. Wow.

We got to talking for a bit, and she invited me to join them this Saturday for a “Master Class” where there will be 5 different instructors. Are you serious?!? Can I actually do this? I’m so un-coordinated, it’s pathetic!!! I’ve always wanted to try it because I’ve heard it’s a lot of fun and a great work out. But seriously, me?!? In front of others? Zumba? Do you think I can do it?

I have exactly 60 days before we leave for the wedding of my life. I need to get rid of my poochy stomach, (although, I fit in my dress perfectly as I did back when we purchased it in July). Most say I don’t have a “pooch”, but I do…I see it.

So, it’s clearly a matter of whether or not I have the ability to throw caution to the wind and just do it, or let my self-consciousness get the best of me and chicken out. Ugh!!!

So many decisions to make these days!!!

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On another note.... today was the last day for all guests who are cruising with us to have their cabins paid in full. And guess what?!?

Each and every cabin is booked! Yay!! Another step closer to reality!! Yikes!!

The next 'major' thing I need to do is get the seating arrangement figured out and give it to Carnival by March 5th. Carnival will keep our group together, however they have tables for 4, 6, 8 or 10 people. I figured we'd do the tables of 8. So, in our case, we have 34 people in our group, so we'd have to do three tables of 8 and one table of 10. This seating assignment is only for Dinner, and it's for all four nights of the cruise.

At least I have several weeks to come up with a plan that everyone will be comfortable with.

Hope you all had an AMAZING Tuesday!

Being Eco-Friendly

unPaper Towels

I am slowly but surely trying my best to get my household more Eco-Friendly. One of the first things I have done is to use more environmentally safe cleaners around the house. I am a HUGE fan of Vinegar & Baking Soda so I use these products hand in hand, together for a number of household things.

Here's a very inspiring "Ode to Vinegar & Baking Soda" Blog post from author Jaye, from Eco-Friendly & Frugal. The Eco-Friendly & Frugal Blog is very informative. Not only does Jaye share with her readers some awesome ways to become Eco-Friendly, she also combines tips on how you can be frugal in doing so!

It's thru Jaye that I learned about 'family cloth' and unPaperTowels. I've read different articles and such on what exactly unPaperTowels are, but in all honesty, to me, they're just dish cloths. Don't get me wrong, I think they are WONDERFUL. As a matter of fact, I purchased some from Jaye's Eco-Friendly & Frugal Etsy Shop!

The photo at the top of this post is the unPaperTowels that I purchased from her Etsy Shop. I am going to use them in my kitchen as a dish towel. Wiping up spills, wiping down the counter, as a napkin during meals, etc. They will be put to good use, that's for sure. And, the best part of it is that I don't have to throw it away! I can just throw them in the laundry! Love it!

On another note, yesterday, I made some Chocolate Starfish and Sea Shells. I was 'practicing' for when I make my cake for the Receptions. I've made Chocolate Candies before, however I just purchased these particular molds a couple of weeks ago and I wanted to test them out.

I'm satisfied with the way they turned out, but I want to play around with the colors a little. I'm wanting to see the Starfish a little more 'natural' looking. For the most part, I think they all came out okay!

And.........FINALLY......... I've finished the Cruise Cabin Door Hangers!! Well, actually, I only completed ONE of them, but that's the 'model' one now. I purchased all of the supplies needed (ha ha, just ribbon) and will ensure that all 18 of them are completed by the end of the day today!

I like the ribbon way better than the door knob hole! I think I'll maybe add a littl 'flair' to them somehow, but not too sure. I don't want to overwhelm it you know?

Let's switch gears here one more time. I am starting (or re-starting I should say) my weight loss efforts. I am going to start today since it's the beginning of the week, and also because it's the beginning of a new month. (Just about, at least). With that being said, here's a list of my newfound goals for this adventure:

• Journal my starting weight


• Journal my measurements of my hips, stomach area and thighs and re-measure weekly
• Walk on the treadmill for 30 minutes a day
  
• Shred with Jillian every day
  
• Prepare and eat healthy meals

Wish me luck my bloggy friends! I do need to squeeze my tushie into my already purchased wedding dress! I know if I keep myself disiplined enough, I can achieve my goals! I've been inspired by a fellow DW Bride who got married last September ~ Sarah ~ and here's the post on her blog, It's the Bergmans!! that really made me aware of the fact that I CAN DO IT!!!

In fact, here's her before and after 3 the weeks picture:

Tell me this is not MOTIVATIONAL! After three weeks of waking up every morning doing the 30 day shred with Jillian Michaels made a HUGE difference.

With that being said.... off I go to have a field day with Ms. Jillian! Wish me luck!

Hope you all have an amazing Sunday!

T - Minus Two Months and Twenty Two Days

Just a quick little blog post sharing with all of my bloggosphere family and friends that I am seriously starting to freak out. Just a tad.

I have SO MANY wedding related tasks that I need to do, and it seems like TIME is my arch nemisis every.single.day. My first and number one priority SHOULD BE working out everyday.

I have this little "pooch" in my tummy that I want to get rid of before going to have my dress fitted/altered. My days are numbered so I need to find the motivation to do what I need to do to get rid of said "pooch" and feel comfortable enough. I suppose the first step (clearly you would think this is a no brainer) is to make an appointment to get fitted. That way I have a goal... a date in which I need to work toward. So, today is the day I do just that! I'm going to find an alterations shop and make an appointment with a seamstress. Quite honestly, the only thing that really needs to be 'altered' per se is the hem of my dress. 100% because of the fact that I'm short. However, if it were that easy, I'd do it myself. Unfortunately, the hem of my dress is beautiful! Here's a picture of the bottom of my dress:

And, to refresh your memory, here's a full shot photo of me and my dress when I tried it on at David's Bridal:

Yes, yes, yes... I know that I have football, linebacker shoulder and arms, but there is absolutely NOTHING I can do about that. :) I can, of course, work on losing that gut.

So on that note, I'm going to head out for a fun Saturday of shopping at Michaels. More DIY supplies are needed for several of my DIY projects!

Happy Saturday friends!! It's the last Saturday of January, 2010!!