Weekend-ing.

I apologize for not telling you about part two of my NOLA trip yet,

but I want to be able to really sit down and go into detail.

Ghost stories next week, folks.

I am currently an hour away from getting in my car and driving to the MS Gulf Coast.

I packed up [like this girl above] this morning

and I am ready. to. go.

The boss of our company is allowing us to leave at 2 pm today. Love her.

I feel like the last 3 weeks I have been living out of my suitcase

and I semi have - considering I don't like to unpack.

Plans include relaxing this weekend and playing with a 1 year old while loving on her mom (who is due with a baby boy in July)

Much love, food and laughter to spread around this *memorial day* weekend.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend and I am still praying for any of you affected by the tornado that hit specific parts of Oklahoma. 



Workout Wednesday

Just so you know, Advocare Spark is what's get me going every morning.

Even Natalie wanted some and she wasn't even 5 months old in this picture.

She's a smart girl, I tell ya.

I have updated my site through Advocare and if you want any products, 

feel free to click here. 

_________________________

My workout wednesday post is quite possibly the most influential Instagram person I follow.

Her name is Brittney Shae and her instagram name is: BSHAEFIT.

I have been following her for a few months now and each day she uploads a photo to show her progress.

Her determination is so inspiring. 

She doesn't have a personal trainer or someone teaching her.

It is all her - such a wonderful inspiration to me.

She shows me daily how you are capable of doing great things.

She constantly puts up positive posts and writes her followers back when she can.

Has a full time job and usually works out twice a day.

Such an inspiration to me.

If you need extra motivation (like I've been for the past 3 weeks) - 

this is the girl to follow.
She also just started a 10 day clean eating challenge - I started doing it yesterday.


I woke up at 147.4 this morning.
(this was my 'fat' weight in high school - exciting)

I was so wanting her to win the entire competition and guess what? 

SHE DID!! 

Not sure if Bshaefit will ever read this but if she does, 

I hope she knows how much of a role model she is for me.

If she does decide to compete at Worlds in August,

I will be here in MS cheering her on. 

#nolafor26

Didn't know it also meant that I would only have 26 dollars in my bank account.

But I had a wonderful weekend away with my bff. 

She teased my hair and kept me calm in traffic.

Our day/nights were calm and relaxing. 

The ghost/vampire tour and being poolside were the highlights of the trip.

As I always say, I can't wait to go back.

But for now, I'm glad to be home. 

I feel like I have so much to catch y'all up on. 

Anything you wanna know about NOLA, please feel free to ask me.

Here are some photos from the first night/next morning:

a hat I felt super gangster in.

didn't buy it. 

Brooke really is the best when it comes to hair.

Our neighbor in the back that didn't think shirts were necessary to drink coffee. 

So much fun at the pool.

Now back to reality with my bathing suit body. 

My first mid-ring.

6.00 at Urban Outfitters.

If I leave it on for more than 45 minutes, my hand turns green.

Worth it. 

Ghost tour will be in another post. 

I have some pretty scary things to tell you about.

#nolafor26

You may remember this picture from a year ago.

This was my going out attire for my birthday last year in NOLA.

Tomorrow, I am headed back down to The Big Easy with my bff.

Yes, just two of us so we are taking a can of pepper spray.

We have some major plans on the agenda and lots of time to just relax.

Hello room service and the outdoor pool.

I will be taking my box fan.

If you would like to follow along on my #birthdaymonth adventures,

just find the hashtag #nolafor26

or

follow me @alwaysablogsmaid on Instagram.

P.S. I promise to be a better blogger....next week.

Friday's Five

1.  New Orleans in one week.

 

2.  The best surprise from my birthday twin, Shae!! 

I cannot thank you enough for this gift. 

It literally surprised me and I love it!

3.  My birthday surprise on Sunday from Brooke.

Margarita glasses painting on Cinco De Mayo.

4.  This quote when I was feeling semi-lonely this week.

Didn't help that I saw Honey Boo Boo's mom get married and put it on Instagram.

 

And last but not least: 

5. The Good Lord knowing I can't run 6.2 miles yet;

so my race packet for the GumTree 10k in Tupelo is going to stay at the pickup place.

However, I am still headed to Tupelo to spend time with my North MS family.

Lots of laughs, food, and a baby dedication on Sunday should remind me that I am blessed even though I am not yet.....a runner. 

Have a great weekend
and Happy Mother's day to all the mommies out there!! 

Workout Wednesday

I woke up in a really great mood on my birthday. 

Then I took this photo and I have no clue what I'm doing with my arm.

Awkward. 

Not much progress.

 

I don't feel like my body has changed much/gotten smaller at all, 

but getting on the scale that morning made it the happiest birthday of all:

I am officially out of the 150's!!!!

I haven't been doing anything differently except adding more water to my daily intake.

I tried drinking 2 gallons of water a day and let me tell you,
that was not an easy task.
It was highly unlikely for me to ever accomplish. 
I did a gallon every 2 days.

But peeing every 20 minutes: consider it done.

_______________

Went to yoga last night.
Work has been crazy hectic since one of our coworkers got promoted to another department so I'm running around like woah.
So...meditating and stretching is exactly what I needed.


 

What exercises/habits have you done recently that is helping you see/feel changes???

#birthdaymonth part TWO.

Typically, I like to plan my own birthday dinners.

But not this year, this year I wanted to be surprised.

Yeah, that is me.  

Handcuffed. 

Blindfolded.

And all smiles.

___________________

Dinner was fabulous and I was so blessed by who showed up to celebrate my birthday at O'Charley's.

I also loved that Ryan was my server.  

He has been my friend for years. 

I ordered some new dish and it wasn't good,
but all I really wanted to eat was more chocolate cake.

No surprise there.
  

The food was good, the cake - even better - but you know what was the best?  

The love and friendship that I felt all through the day/night.

Okay, okay...and the presents. jk. 

From top to bottom:  Mr. Mike; Nikki and Kara and I looking at the wrong camera; Kristin and Cobie; Aubree; Ashley; Me with all my goodies; My sugar pie Brooke; and Kara with her really legit wedges. 

I cannot begin to express how much that surprise birthday dinner meant to me.

I have a really great support system who does not mind wearing Princess crowns.