Hello to all my myspace pals! I know it's been awhile since I've blogged about anything--there are 2 reasons for that!! For one, life has been pretty average...no news is good news, right? Secondly, my main blogs on here were always about my struggle with weight, and I have since started blogging about that elsewhere.  I wanted a blog entirely dedicated just to my weight loss journey, and wanted my myspace page just to be fun and silly. Since a lot of my blogs are really like personal journal entries, they can sometimes get really serious and frank, so I wanted to keep things light-hearted here on my page, but still wanted to have a place to be 100% open and honest about my journey.

So, to those myspace friends who've been following my journey who might be interested in reading my weight loss blog, "The (gradually) Shrinking Violet," I'd encourage you to do so!! Here's the addy:

http://graduallyshrinkingviolet.blogspot.com

Feel free to stop in for a visit, or to subscribe so you can know whenever I blog! Thanks to all who have supported me on this forum!

With love,

Abby

I just had to create a heart-felt, from-the-heart, one-of-a-kind Christmas card to send to my friends and family this year. I searched the internet high and low, and decided that the best way to send a little Christmas cheer would be to include all the wonderful men in my life: my husband, my dad, my little brother, my brother in law, and my father in law....so I'd like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, with the warmest regards...

LMAO!!!

I normally like to keep my personal blog and my business blog separate from one another, but today I have a fun announcement that I wanted all of my friends to know about, not just those few on my Simply Charming myspace page! So if you've already read this over there, just ignore this blog. If not, GUESS WHAT!!?!

In case you've missed recent blogs, either here or there, I recently joined the SC Street Team for Etsy sellers. On our forum, there are weekly contests in which the moderators choose a theme, and each seller can choose one item from their shop that follows along with that theme to enter.  A few weeks ago, the theme was "Leaves," and I entered my "Garden Party Earrings," seen below:

And much to my surprise and delight, I won!!  With the victory comes a delightful interview with our fearless team leader, Ashley, and a feature on our team blog!  I'm so excited to invite all my friends to read the article at http://scstreetteam.blogspot.com! 

This is a small victory for my little shop that could, and I'm truly jazzed about it! Thanks to all for your continued support!

PS: If you're a blogger fan, feel free to also add my personal blog to your bloglist.  http://simplycharmingsc.blogspot.com

For those of you who know me, you know that I get excited over lots of little things....

Like craft time...

My first Thanksgiving cooking for the family...

New short hair...

New Kids on the Block...

My husband...

Sometimes, I'm just excited to be alive...

But today....today I discovered a new kind of excitement.  One I've never experienced before....I exercised my right to vote!

Yes, I stood in line for over three hours.  Yes, it was rainy and cold. Yes, there were people complaining about the lines, and the way everything was being handled. Yes, there was even a mean little lady running around shouting at people for not having their voter registration cards ready!!!

But it was totally worth it. TOTALLY. And I would do it all over again right now if I had to. Why? Because it's just that important.

Did you vote today? If you did, you are helping make history.

If you haven't yet, get out there and do it! Don't let anyone else speak for you!!  Whether you vote for the same guy I did or not doesn't matter to me---I just want to know that your voice is being heard!!!  I've never been one to cram my beliefs down someone else's throat, so I'm not going to tell you that if you're not going to vote for my candidate, not to bother going. GO. VOTE. It's a right that people fought for, lost their lives for, so don't just sit at home! DO IT!!! And if you want, you can send me a picture of YOU with your "I Voted" sticker, and I'll photoshop you in front of the flag, or the White House, or whatever else you'd like!!!!!!!!!!!

go vote!!!!!!!

Hello everyone! I just wanted you all to know that, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, and my Mom, I have launched my own line of breast cancer awareness jewelry on my etsy site! I've only got 4 pieces up so far, but I'll be putting up more soon!

I'll be donating 50% of the proceeds I make from the sale of these items directly to the Susan B. Komen foundation!!

That's right, I said FIFTY PERCENT!!

If you're interested in reading a little bit more about what I have to offer, you can read my latest blog at my Simply Charming myspace page:

www.myspace.com/simplycharmingsc

Or, you can just go directly to my online shop and see if there's anything you like!

www.simplycharmingsc.etsy.com

I will be leaving these items up long after October, but I'm hoping they'll all be sold by then! If you're looking for the perfect birthday gift, or even an early Christmas gift, for someone you know who's been touched by cancer, these little tokens are the perfect things! Shop Now!!!

When was the last time you grabbed your own boobs?

I'm not asking because I'm a pervert or anything, I'm asking because I care.

October is here, and as most of you probably know, it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month! I've recently made a ton of changes to my myspace page in support of this month, and to honor my mom, who is a breast cancer survivor. (And my hero, by the way.)

Breast cancer doesn't just appear in my family history once, though. In fact, cancer cells are probably swimming through my veins as we speak, just waiting for the right (or wrong) opportunity to attach themselves and start to grow. My aunt Myra was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after my Mom, and she ended up having a double mastectomy. My grandmother had a lump removed many years ago. My great grandmother died of breast cancer. This disease doesn't just affect women, it affects entire families.

So as a friend, it is my responsibility to remind you to get your boobies squished.

And as my friend, I'm hoping you'll wear pink whenever possible this month, or donate to your favorite foundation that supports breast cancer research, or participate in your local rally or walk.

Because when and if my time comes that my doctor has to tell me that I have breast cancer, I want to know that we've finally found a cure.

Interested in learning more about some of my favorite foundations? Here are some links to help:

Susan G. Komen for the Cure:  http://cms.komen.org/komen/index.htm
NBCC: http://www.stopbreastcancer.org
The Breast Cancer Store:  http://www.thebreastcancersite.com

 

The time has come. Welcome, my friends, to my "Blog of Shame."

Two weeks ago, my friend Heather called me up and said, "Hey, Abby, I really need to lose some weight. How would you like to team up on this? Help support each other long distance? Keep each other accountable? I can commit to 30 minutes of exercise a day. How about you?"

I said, "Sure thing." Out loud.

In my head, I was screaming, "NO! I'M NOT READY FOR THIS! I CAN'T DO IT AGAIN! LEAVE ME WITH MY CHOCOLATE!! I CAN'T FAIL AGAIN!"

But I'd told her yes, even though I hadn't worked out in months, even though my eating was horrendous, even though I knew, without stepping on the scale, that I'd done more damage in the 5 months I'd been off plan that I was ready to admit to.

I'd told her yes, so I had to figure out a way to keep my promise.

It took me a week to get used to the idea. It took me another week to put together a meal plan, find my tennis shoes and the courage, to start all over, from scratch.

Last night we went grocery shopping and bought a week's worth of healthy food. Clean eating, lean proteins, lots of fruits and veggies. No plan, no counting, just healthy food. Food---check.

Before I went to bed last night I set my alarm clock for 7:45 a.m. I set my workout clothes, sports bra, and tennis shoes in the middle bedroom near my elliptical so I wouldn't have any excuses. I made sure my iPod was charged up with the New Kids on deck. Workout---check.

This morning, when my alarm went off, I actually got up, got dressed and worked out. Granted, I only got 18 minutes on the elliptical, and 5 minutes with handweights before I was ready to collapse, but still, it was something. Somewhat proud of myself, I stepped in the shower, prepared for my day.

Finally, the moment of truth. The scale was staring at me, and I was staring back. I started trying to talk myself out of getting on it..."You don't need to know your number just now. If you do it, you'll psych yourself out. Just leave it alone, you're just trying to be healthier!" Then I found myself trying to convince myself to get on the stupid thing..."You'll just keep being curious until you know for sure how much you've gained. You need to know what you're facing! Maybe it'll kick you into gear!"

Deep breath. Step on. Beep. Look down. Holy shit.

In the last 5 months of being off plan, of eating garbage and being lazy, I have managed to gain back every single pound of the 37 pounds I lost in 2007.

E-V-E-R-Y S-I-N-G-L-E P-O-U-N-D.

With the number "244" glaring back at me in that hateful red scale-color, I could barely get my breath. That explains it, that explains everything. The aching back, the sore knees, the headaches, the need for contant sleep....

Here I am, lecturing my father about sleep apnea, my mother about diabetes, and I'm right behind them, killing myself.

Slowly killing myself.

Suicide by chocolate.

The fear is creeping in. This isn't about vanity, about a size 10, about feeling sexy again. Granted, those are all perks, but that's not what this is about right now.

I'm in the fight for my life, and it just hit me today. With breast cancer, diabetes, heart disease all looming in my family history, how could I have let myself become the statistic? I'm at a greater risk now than ever before. And I think I'm going to get pregnant??? Have a baby???? In THIS BODY??? HA! It's sad that it's laughable.

It's up to me to save my own life.

And that's the scary part. There's no lifeguard to throw me a life raft as I'm drowning in my own fat. It's up to ME to break the cycle, and for those who might not have noticed, my track record's not so great.

I'm not going to make any promises, or set any goals. I'm not going to write here that I'm back on my feet, that I'm excited about weight loss this time, that I can do it, I can do it, I can do it.

The truth is, I'm fighting for my life this go around. And it's scary to me that I've let it get this far out of hand again.

You know, in hind sight, maybe I do have a lifeguard of sorts. Heather, way down in Louisiana, who cares enough about me to offer me a hand. It's not like I didn't know I was fat, or that I needed to get back on plan. But it was Heather that gave me the nudge. So thanks for being my lifeguard, Heather.

You'll never know how much I needed it.

I'm so excited to announce that my online jewelry business, Simply Charming, has been launched!! If you or a loved one is a collector of artisan jewelry, or you're just interested to see what I do in my spare time, you can check it out at:

www.simplycharmingsc.etsy.com

I am so thrilled to be able to share this with you!! I've also launched a myspace page to help promote my business, it is located at:

www.myspace.com/simplycharmingsc

So feel free to add me, and then send me to all your friends!! I've only got like 15 items up for sale right now, but I'm constantly creating new ones, and my site will be updated frequently!!!

You have no idea how much this project means to me. I've always been a collector of artisan jewelry--I bought my first piece in college. It was a beautiful tiger's eye ring set in sterling silver. I loved it. And it got me interested in unique, one of a kind jewelry. Since then my collection has grown--a gorgeous real turquoise ring I picked up in Vegas, shiny pink drop earrings as a gift from Aunt Tina, my new favorite citrine drops I purchased from dear old friend and fellow etsy seller, Trish---and the list goes on. I guess it was only natural before my creative path took me to making my own! So I'm thrilled to be able to share my designs with you, and I hope, even if you don't buy anything, that you just like looking at them. LOL! 

Spread the word!! Remember, Christmas will be here before you know it, people---order now!   

In the last hour  and a half I have:

Folded and put away 2 loads of laundry
Started a 3rd load of laundry
Unloaded a completely full dishwasher
Filled it back up (partly)
Scrubbed my counters and sink
Made my hubby Koolaid
Baked my hubby blueberry muffins
Changed the tin-foil underneath the eyes on my stove
Cleaned my stove
Swept and mopped my kitchen floor
Vacuumed my living room and both bedrooms
Taken out the trash
Cleaned out the mail tray
Straightened the living room
Written this blog

And all it took was a glass and a half of chilled Lambrusco, a revolution and a half of the New Kids new album, The Block, (turned up to volume 14), and a little elbow grease.

The keys here being the wine and the music.

That, my dear friends, is how you become a domestic goddess.

That's right, it's September 2nd. For some, it may just be the day we all return to work after the Labor Day holiday. For others, it may just be a regular old Tuesday.

But for those of us who are die hard New Kids on the Block fans...(you know who you are---you had the buttons and the pins and the pillow cases and the posters and the dolls and the watches and the earrings and the tee shirts and the shoes with matching socks and the albums on vinyl, cassette AND cd....you know all the words to every song from all the albums, including their first self titled album, which flopped at first and was re-released after the success that came with "Hangin' Tough....," you're also someone who has followed their solo careers from Joey on Dancing with the Stars to Donnie on The Sixth Sense and all the solo albums in between....)....for us, September 2nd means one thing, and one thing only...

The release of NKOTB's first album in 15 years----THE BLOCK!!!!

Don't be silly, of course I already have mine...and it's the deluxe edition from Target...

YAY! I've said it before, but the whole thing really does make me feel like an 8 year old all over again. It's not just the new music and seeing the guys all grown up (and sexier than ever, for those who might've missed it). But there's something nostalgic about the New Kids and their music that just makes me smile. I don't get to listen to Step by Step and run around in my back yard, flipping around on my swing set and pretending I'm in concert with them anymore. But I do get to listen to their new music in my car on the way to Wal Mart, or pumping it loud while I'm doing the dishes, and still get to enjoy the "5 hardest working kids in show business" all over again. Thanks to Donnie, Danny, Jordan, Joe and Jon for making this album----the rabid fans like me are so grateful!!!!!!!!