Month: January 2013


Jan
2013

Tornado Alley

categories: See Jane Write

Things have been moving at the speed of light these days at work, in my personal life, and extracurricular activities. I am not complaining – staying busy keeps my mind engaged, especially when I’m working with the creative talents behind the Jefferson Shelby County Chapter of the American Red Cross‘ Paint the Town Red event scheduled for April 20th right here in downtown Birmingham. I went to my first meeting last night – I’m volunteering as part of the Social Media team – and let me just tell you, they are planning AMAZING art for Birmingham. I cannot wait to go to this!

I have been busy with meetings and meet ups with See Jane Write, Theatre Downtown, Paint the Town Red, Magic City Post, the next Birmingham Dance Walk, and working my my goals and fitness thanks to Iron Tribe, losing weight, and seeing my man! Whew – I’m tired just thinking about the past few weeks and the weeks coming up. But they are worth it – these are some great organizations that do so much for our community.

The past two days of challenges for 31 Days to a Better Blog have been to 1) be more engaging on Facebook and Twitter and b) sign up for a blogging conference or seminar. Well, I’ve already blown #1 out of the park apparently as my sister, who I adore, posted on Facebook that I was updating too much and she was a little tired of it. lol! There are worse things, but it does tell me that I’m engaged. I loved Javacia’s tip today on posting more quality and not just quantity on social media – you can read her post here. And I’m also attending the See Jane Write event tonight: Blogging and the Future of Community Journalism. So I’ve got those two covered. I am still working on a new header, as well as whether I want to change my URL, title or platform. We shall see, but they are great tips in the series.

More tomorrow, lovelies! Until then….

Love yourself.
Find peace inside.
Share happiness.


Jan
2013

Weight Lost Wednesday #1

categories: Birmingham, goals, weight

I’ve decided to call these ‘Weight Lost Wednesdays’ because, taking a lead from my goal setting workshop last night at Iron Tribe, I WILL have lost weight every week so NAH! (I have to visualize it to help make it real.) And yes, I’m aware that the new year started on Wednesday, January 2, but I like to be fashionably late. I’m kidding. I didn’t start last week because even though I had decided to lose 100 pounds this year on January 1, I hadn’t formulated a plan or timeline yet (at that time) so didn’t weigh in last Wednesday. So, I’m a week behind, but I’m in it now! Here we go:

Beginning Weight: 287.5 (1/5/2013)
Current Weight: 287 (1/9/2013)
Gain/Loss: -.5 lbs

Not a great loss, but I’ll take it!

Iron Tribe Fitness Transformation Challenge

Not a great loss, but I’ll take it. I’m gearing up for the next Iron Tribe Fitness Transformation Challenge that starts Monday. That will consist of 40 days of workouts, paleo eating, and lots and lots of water. I’m participating in the Weight Loss Division so hopefully this will be a nice kick start to my weight loss goals.

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I’m also planning the next Birmingham Dance Walk. It’s set for February 2nd – Groundhog Day – at 2:00 p.m. in the Loft District. You can find out more about it and RSVP here. We’re meeting on the corner of 2nd and 24th Street North, in front of Erdreich Architecture. We’ll dance walk down 2nd Avenue North so be sure to let your friends at Urban Standard, Rogue Tavern, Charm, Pale Eddie’s, What’s on Second, Jim Reed Books, and Sojourns know to look for us as we round the block. And EVERYONE is welcome; the more, the merrier. If you’re not familiar with dance walking, check out the video that started it all here. And we have heard rumors that Madge, the Magic City Dragon, may make an appearance.

Love yourself.
Find peace inside.
Share happiness.


Jan
2013

Keep Breathing

categories: Life

I’m cheating a bit tonight as I am in a state where I can’t really visualize what I want to say right now. Nothing bad, just overwhelmed. So, here is today’s post – the lyrics to one of my favorite songs to listen to when I’m having a rough time.

“Keep Breathing”
by Ingrid Michaelson

The storm is coming but I don’t mind
People are dying, I close my blinds

All that I know is I’m breathing now

I want to change the world
Instead I sleep
I want to believe in more than you and me

But all that I know is I’m breathing
All I can do is keep breathing
All we can do is keep breathing now

All that I know is I’m breathing
All I can do is keep breathing.
All we can do is keep breathing

All we can do is keep breathing
All we can do is keep breathing
All we can do is keep breathing
All we can do is keep breathing
All we can do is keep breathing now

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Jan
2013

It’s a Major Award!

categories: award, blog
http://www.flickr.com/photos/table4five/2167379626/
Image by
By Elizabeth/Table4Five via Flickr/Creative Commons

I recently received an amazing gift from my friend, Jennifer of Stellar Fashion and Fitness. She gave me an Inspiring Blog Award. This is such an honor as I am a huge huge huge fan of Jennifer’s – her blog, her attitude, her perseverance, her candor. She is funny, beautiful, ambitious, talented, and inspiring in so many aspects of life. Thank you, Jennifer, for the recognition and sentiment.

inspiringblogawardSo, to give back to the blogging community, receipt of this award comes with the following tasks:

  • Display the award image on your blog.
  • Link back to the person who nominated you.
  • State 7 things about yourself.
  • Nominate 15 other bloggers and link to their sites.
  • Notify the bloggers that they have been nominated and link to the post.

Here goes!

  1. I wanted to be an entomologist for most of my childhood. I LOVED bugs!
  2. I got caught skipping school my senior year when my Biology teacher called my dad. That was not a good day. Kids, don’t skip school. It’s not worth it. lol.
  3. I was boy crazy growing up. I have this wooden lap board that a dear friend gave me when I was younger. She painted me as a cheerleader on it (I was a Pee Wee and a Termite cheerleader in grade school). As I got older and used the board more often for doing homework on my bed, I started writing the names of boys I liked on it or went out with. I still have that board and it is COVERED in names. I wrote many over and over, but it’s hilarious to read them now and remember my teenage years.
  4. I cannot live without Cherry Chapstick, lotion, or Wet Ones.
  5. I used to work at the Executive Office of the President.
  6. I have had pets my entire life. All dogs and one cat that was a terror and we gave it away. My favorite pup was a Chihuahua named Perky.
  7. I had very bushy hair all through school. Think of awesome Afros in the 70s. My aunt would give me perm after perm. My friends called them “Poodle Perms.” I loved them!

And now, for the 15 blogs that I find inspirational:

  1. The Writeous Babe Project
  2. Redhot Writing Hood
  3. To Be Continued…
  4. Ben Franklin Follies
  5. E is for Erin
  6. Magic City Made
  7. All In Stride
  8. The Jen West Quest
  9. Who Ate My Blog?
  10. The Dreamist
  11. Carol A. Marks
  12. Marie Sutton Writes
  13. Write Claire, write!
  14. Karri Is So Very
  15. My Small Web Page

There are definitely others, but there’s a start. Happy blogging and I hope you find some inspiration. I sure did! Thank you again to Jennifer for the wonderful award.


Jan
2013

The Beginning of the End

categories: 2013, goals, weight

First of all, I cannot thank you all enough for your comments, e-mails, texts, and phone calls yesterday after I revealed my biggest skeleton. The outpouring of support and love that I received throughout the day brought me to tears more than once. I am, however, a total sap so it wasn’t a long trip. I have realized that I’m full of love that I want to share with everyone. And yesterday showed me that you all are exactly the same and your words meant the world to me. I carried them with me all night and am still thinking about them. I am forever touched by your kindness and encouragement. I have the greatest team of friends and family behind me and I can’t wait to get started. I want to show you all, but more importantly myself, that I CAN do anything and I will. I hope you will join me for this ride. It will be bumpy and there will be bad days and setbacks, but there will be far more happy days and success stories.

Secondly, yesterday we were to revamp our ‘About’ page on our blog as part of See Jane Write’s 31 Days to a Better Blog challenge. I have done just that and you can find my new page here. Please let me know what you think and if you have any input, ideas, or edits, I welcome them. I love feedback and it helps me learn.

Lastly, we were to redesign our header image. That’s going to take me a bit longer as I am still thinking about it…deciding what should be reflected in my new image..my new me. We are changing everyday – hopefully for the better – and growing inside our skin. I am not the person I was at 18, 25, or even 35 (two years ago). I’ve evolved so much in the past few years thanks to reflection, hurdles, love, and friends that guide me through thick and thin. This is the beginning of the end of my old self. As many of you noted in yesterday’s comments, we are not defined by a number, but rather what’s inside. I will always be me on the inside – goofy, youthful, intellectual, talented, loving, happy – but I assure you that the outside is changing. And so I’m letting it go….the end of old Sherri’s limitations. I am going for it – everything I’ve ever wanted. I am going to lose the weight, I am going to start a business or non-profit in Birmingham to help the city I love so much, I am going to get as involved as humanly possible with people, events, fitness, writing, charities…everything this city has to offer. As my dear friend Sarah said to me yesterday, “We got this!” She’s never been more right (and she’s right a lot). 😉

Tomorrow is the start of my first planned week of 4+ work out days at Iron Tribe Fitness. Wish me luck! And I’m sending lot of luck and love out to you with your new slate.  Let me know how you’re doing with your goals…writing, fitness, professional, whatever you’re working toward. Keep me updated on your progress and share your strengths and weaknesses. We are in this together and I’m here to help you with yours just as I know you’re here to help me with mine.

We got this!

Love yourself.
Find peace inside.
Share happiness.

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