Tag: goals


Jan
2013

Picture Pages and My Birthday Wish!

categories: birthday, goals

Today’s post is a smattering of pictures from the past few weeks and Click my birthday wish at the bottom. 🙂 Enjoy!

Rearranged my bedroom and made a new "sanctuary" in the corner for reading and writing. I am in love with it!
Rearranged my bedroom and made a new “sanctuary” in the corner for reading and writing. I am in love with it!
My sweetie's birthday - dinner at Los Amigos followed by games and Moscow Mules at 41st Street Pub & Aircraft Sales topped off with karaoke at Bourbon Street
My sweetie’s birthday – dinner at Los Amigos followed by games and Moscow Mules at 41st Street Pub & Aircraft Sales topped off with karaoke at Bourbon Street
Loft Warming party at Sarah's. Beautiful loft for a beautiful girl!
Loft Warming party at Sarah’s. Beautiful loft for a beautiful girl!
Birthday party at Parkside Cafe for the talented and gorgeous Clair
Birthday party at Parkside Cafe for the talented and gorgeous Clair
Snow falling during Alabama Bloggers lunch at Silvertron Cafe
Snow falling during Alabama Bloggers lunch at Silvertron Cafe
"Unchained" tour coming through Birmingham.
“Unchained” tour coming through Birmingham.
Christmas broom
My beautiful handmade broom that was a Christmas present from one of my most favorite gals on the planet. The corn straw is dyed in vats, hand wrapped and sewn, and the handle is hand-turned, glazed, embedded with marbles by hand. And it’s purple! Check out this amazing artist here.
Millie in blanket
Where’s Millie?
Birthday Bike
What I want for my birthday and 2013 Goal #3

So there you have it. Pictures from the past few weeks and my birthday wish.

As you may know, one of my goals for 2013 is to ride a bike again. Well, I’ve realized that it would be a tremendous asset to me if I actually OWNED a bike in order to reach that goal. I have found a wonderful bike already ready sitting at Cahaba Cycles. It’s a 7-speed purple (yay!) Electra Townie with a basket and bell already added. All it’s missing is purple handlebar streamers. 😉 This is perfect for those days when Millie and I want to cruise down to the park with our blanket, notebooks, music, and fruit. You all are welcome to join us any time!

This beautiful bike is a little out of my price range at $650. That is a lot, I know, but it seems to be around the norm for a good bike (I had no idea). My 38th birthday is coming up in a few weeks – February 8th. I am asking friends and family to consider donating to the cost of the bike in lieu of presents or parties. For those of you who donate, I will thank you publicly in the sidebar of this here blog, link to yours, repay you in hugs, and make something homemade for you.

I am really focused on my fitness this year. I want to lose 100 lbs, ride a bike again, work out more, etc. I’ve enrolled in 2 weight loss challenges already this year and this bike would help greatly with all of those goals..once I learn how to get back on the saddle again. It has been over 20 years – probably closer to 30 – since I rode a bike. It’s going to take some practice, some scraped knees (again), and a lot of determination. I have it. Now I need the hardware to execute it.

If you would like to help me reach this goal and contribute to the bike, please visit my fundraising page here: http://www.youcaring.com/help-a-neighbor/Birthday-Wish-A-Bike-/39870

Thank you so much for your help! As always,

Love yourself.
Find peace inside.
Share happiness.


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

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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Jan
2013

The Hardest Post I’ve Ever Written

categories: health, weight

Today’s 31 Days to a Better Blog challenge was to revamp the ‘About’ page of our blog. I am going to do that, but not today.

I have been struggling internally with a post for some time now, going back and forth on should I or shouldn’t I. During our #bloglikecrazy challenge in November, one of the tasks was to write a risky post. At the time I couldn’t think of anything that important to me that wasn’t already out there – I’m a pretty open person. Well, I finally figured it out. While I did write about my body issues that day, I didn’t divulge my actual weight. I know as soon as my dad reads this he’s going to call me up and talk to me 1) about my weight and b) putting it out there. He loves me to pieces but has no idea. I’m doing this for myself. If I’m seriously going to work on my weight loss goal, there has to be accountability to myself and to my readers, many of who are dear friends that help and coach me. There are about 3 people on the planet who know my weight and my doctor is one of them. Daniel is another. I’ve realized, the more I blog and put myself out there and the more I talk with other Janes about their insecurities, that it’s not nearly as big a deal as it is in my head. I actually told a friend my weight recently – she had just caught me coming from Iron Tribe and I told her one of my goals was to lose 100 pounds this year – and she balked at me both when she heard I wanted to lose 100 pounds and then at my current weight. She had no idea I weighed that much and was kind enough to tell me I carry it well. I appreciate those words more than she knows, but I still need to lose it for my health. So, in the footsteps of some incredibly inspiring friends before me – Jen West, Stephen Vinson, Jennifer Dome – I’m pledging to weigh in weekly on Wednesdays starting this week. Just to kick things off and give everyone a chance to shoot milk out of their nose, I currently weigh 287.5 lbs. There you have it, folks. I’ve lost my mind. And dad, I love you more than anything, but please don’t call me about this post. It was hard enough to write it…I don’t want to talk about it. lol! I love you.

Love yourself.
Find peace inside.
Share happiness.