Where Have I Been You Ask??

I just realized it has been a while since I have written a post on my blog!  Shame on me!!

This is a hint as to what I have been up to:

MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW!!!!!!!!!!

Book Review - Indivisible

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Summary:
An inseparable bond.

An insatiable force.

Battling his own personal demons, Police Chief Jonah Westfall knows the dark side of life and has committed himself to eradicating it. When a pair of raccoons are found mutilated in Redford, Colorado, Jonah investigates the gruesome act, knowing the strange event could escalate and destroy the tranquility of his small mountain town. With a rising drug threat and never-ending conflict with Tia Manning, a formidable childhood friend with whom he has more than a passing history, Jonah fights for answers—and his fragile sobriety.

But he can’t penetrate every wound or secret—especially one fueled by a love and guilt teetering on madness.

 

My Thoughts:

This book was not my favorite book to read.  I really struggled with trying to get through it.  The storyline was really confusing and there was so much going on that I just couldn't seem to keep it all straight and caught up.  Too many questions left unanswered.  I hate doing a negative review but I do want to be honest.  I personally would not recommend this book.  So sorry.

If you would like to read an excerpt of the book go here.

Workout/Weigh-In Update!!

Well, it has officially been a month (actually a few days over) since I started working out with a personal trainer at a local gym.  I must say when I did the weigh-in and measurements on June 1, I wasn't very happy!!! 

May 1 - weigh in & measurements
June 1 - measurements - lost fat
             weigh in - gained 5 lbs!!!  WHAT!!!!!!!???????

Yes, you read that right!   No typo!!  I know when you work out you're going to gain muscle but 5 lbs worth?!?!?!  What in the world?!

Don't be down!!   I have good news to report today!!!  When I saw the 5 lb weight gain, I put my lifestyle into hyper drive!!  I decided I couldn't stand the number on the scale so, I revamped my diet to an EXTREME!!  AND I went to the nutrition store and bought things they suggested.  Soooo, without further ado...

Monday - Friday, I am eating EXTREMELY different than usual:
Breakfast - Protein shake (after workout) and a banana
Lunch - Salad with grilled chicken and light dressing
Supper - Grilled chicken breast, a vegetable (broccoli usually) and a small salad with light dressing
Snacks - Include:  peanut butter crackers, sugar-free jello pudding and/or peaches with cottage cheese
AND, I cut out ALL pop & caffeinated drinks!!!  BOO!

I decided that I was going to do this M-F and on the weekends, I would do whatever.  I'm definitely not going to gorge on the weekends but I'm just not gonna worry so much about keeping with the menu.  Along with all of this, I am drinking a pre-workout energy drink and taking a pill that was suggested by my nutrition store.

I am happy to announce today that after 3 days on this program, I lost 4 LBS!!!!!!  YES, YES, YES!!!  3 days...4 lbs!!  That gave me the boost I needed to continue my new gameplan!

How is your weight loss/workout plan going?  Would love to hear some other successful ideas.

Memorial Day Weekend

This is how we spent our Memorial Day Weekend!!  HOW MUCH FUN IS THAT!!!  We have such a wonderful group of friends!

How did you spend your holiday weekend?

Thank you to all of the those who have served or are serving to keep freedom ringing!!

Day 7 - Facial Laser

MUCH BETTER!!!!!  All of the peeling is done.  I just have some red spots from where I helped along the peeling skin....bad Tamara!!  Other than that, the skin has no blemishes or brown spots on it at all!!  Can't wait to not have the red anymore!  I actually went to church today and didn't wear any makeup.  I did put some translucent powder on just to keep the shine down.  I am soooo happy that I did this!!  I am going to stop doing a daily post on the laser now.  I'll try to put something up on a weekly basis so you can see the continuing lightening and tightening.  They say I should still see/feel difference up to 6 months after having the procedure done.  YAY!!

Day 6 - Facial Laser

Day 6!!  WOOHOO!!  It's getting better!!!!

I attempted going to a concert last night and wore some makeup to cover the redness.  It's amazing how tight my skin is when I do not put the ointment on.  As you can see from these pictures, it's clearing up rather well.  I'm beginning to get a few breakouts on my chin and in the crease of my nose.  I'm sure it's because of all of the ointment I am having to rub on my face.  I did not realize how ridiculous my hair looked until I started this post.  Sorry!!  Please try to ignore the pom pom of hair on the top of my head!

Day 5 - Facial Laser

Day 5 has proven to be even better than Day 4 - hahaha!!!

Can you see the difference this laser is making?  My skin is so tight that it feels like I had a facelift. (not that I would know what that felt like...just assuming!)  The skin is still pink but as I look close up in the mirror, I notice there are no brown spots anywhere, no sun damage to be seen and no melasma!!!  YIPPEE!!

Next week should be a drastic difference.  Tonight we are going to the Brooks & Dunn farewell tour concert and my Dr. has told me I could wear some makeup to cover up the pinkness.  I can't wait!!

Book Review - The Bridegrooms

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Summary: 

Tragedy hits the Allenhouse family on a hot summer night in Ohio when a mother of four vanished. Eight-year-old Vada virtually grew up overnight and raised her three younger sisters while her father lost himself in his medical practice in the basement of their home.

Now, Vada is a grown woman, still making her home with her father and sisters. Her days are spent serving as an errand girl for Cleveland’s fledgling amateur orchestra; her evenings with Garrison Walker, her devoted, if passionless, beau.

Dizzying change occurs the day the Brooklyn Bridegrooms come to town to play the Cleveland Spiders and a line drive wallops the head of a spectator. The fan is whisked to the Allenhouse parlor, and questions swirl about the anonymous, unconscious man.

Suddenly, the subdued house is filled with visitors, from a flirtatious, would-be sports writer to the Bridegrooms’ handsome star hitter to the guilt-ridden ballplayer who should have caught the stray shot. The medical case brings Dr. Allenhouse a frustration and helplessness he hasn’t felt since his wife’s disappearance. Vada’s sisters are giddy at the bevy of possible suitors. And Vada’s life is awakened amid the super-charged atmosphere of romantic opportunity.

My Thoughts:

I must say that this book was such a sweet story of young romance and sisterly love in the 1800's.  There are so many great twists and turns in this book.  You think when you start reading this book that you know how it's all going to go.  Well, that's not always the way it goes. 

These sisters are so funny to read about and it seems that you've known them for many years once you dive in and start your journey with this family.  This is a quick and easy read and such a feel good story.  I highly suggest anyone to read this book!


About The Author:


Allison Pittman is the author of Stealing Home, the Crossroads of Grace series, and her nonfiction debut, Saturdays With Stella. A former high-school English teacher, she serves as director of the theater arts group at her church. Allison makes her home in Texas with her husband and their three boys. Learn more about the author at http://www.allisonpittman.com/

GIVEAWAY ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!

I have one book (courtesy of http://www.randomhouse.com/waterbrook/bloggingforbooks/) to give away to one lucky reader of my blog. Can't wait to see who wins!

To earn an entry into the drawing:

1 - leave a comment

2 - follow my blog

3 - invite a friend to follow my blog

Please let me know if you started following or have a friend that started following so I will know how many entries you get!!  Good Luck!

Day 4 - Facial Laser

Well, it's day 4 and the peeling and ITCHING has begun!!!!  I have been waking up in the middle of the night for the past two nights with such itching that I have to get up, wipe my face off, wash it with cetaphil and reapply the aquaphor.  Then I can go back to sleep and rest with no itching....until a few hours later!  It's all worth it right????!!  You'll see!!!

As you can see it's looking much better!!  It's only day 4...imagine what two weeks from now will be!!  CAN'T WAIT!!!

SHOES, GLORIOUS SHOES!!!

Two posts in one day...What in the world??? 

That just means that I got a package today from...dah-dah-dah-dah (trumpets sounding) SHOE DAZZLE!!!  If you've never heard of this, go to shoedazzle.com and check it out.  It's a club that you join and pay a monthly fee of $39.95.  You do not pay that fee until you make your first selection. 

Here's what I got today!!!

First of all, they come packaged BEAUTIFULLLY!!!  With a pink dust bag included on top of the perfectly wrapped up shoes.

Unwrapping the lovelies one at a time!!

*Trumpet blast*  dah-dah-dah-dah!!!

Just makes you smile, doesn't it??

I can not wait to wear these lovelies!!!

Seriously, if you have a shoe problem like myself, check out shoedazzle.com!!  It's worth it!!