The Biggest Loser

On the days that I don't want to drive to the gym... which is pretty much every day... I bought "The Biggest Loser Cardio Max" workout video. It's no Paula Abdul, "Get up and Dance" which is my favorite, but it's a good workout. My first crack at it was last week and, in the midst of the video, I'm thinking "This isn't too hard." The next two days however, my behind/legs/back hurt so badly I couldn't walk normally or sit comfortably. That was Level 1. Today, in about two minutes, I must attempt level two. I am blogging about this video for two reasons:

1. So that people hold me accountable of working out. It's about my health, my heart, my endorphins, my energy level, etc.

2. So that people know why I'm walking funny.

Pudge and Ellie do NOT like the workout video. They sit between me and the television, and sometimes they start licking my ankles and getting anxious. Hopefully this is just a phase until they realize that I'm not hurting myself intentionally.

Until next time....

Kelsey

You light up my life...

I've been searching for the perfect yellow bedding since we moved in last June. We had a seriously cute blue and brown comforter that was soothing and wonderful, but it was becoming dingy and dirty due to our perfectly cute puppies.

I found this amazing set on wrapables.com but didn't want to spend the money. However, after searching for a year, I bit the bullet and bought this beauty (like my alliteration?). Walking into our bedroom makes me feel instant happiness.

We completed the look with the wall squares from Uppercase Living. My Aunt Nancy is a distributor, so let me know if you want to see a catalog. They go PERFECTLY with the bedding and with the entire room. On the opposite wall, we hung beautiful art from Ikea. We also bought long, chocolate brown panels for both sides of the window. I love it! We just need lamps and we're set!

Dine to Donate

Come help Eric's hockey team raise money! They are having a Dine to Donate night at the 4609 E. Chandler Blvd. Applebee's on Wednesday, September 24th (Happy Birthday Summer!) from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. All you have to do is hand the above flyer to your waitress, and Applebee's will donate 10% of the bill to the team. Tell your friends and family!

San Francisco

Tess and Britt jumping in front of the houses from Full House... we decided the blue one was Kimmy Gibbler's house and the yellow was the Tanner residence.
Amber and I near the Golden Gate Bridge

In a cute neighborhood... the five of us (Me, Tessa, Emily, Brittany, Amber)

On the Pier

Hanging on the Trolley (Amber, me, Emily)

Britt on the trolley... so cute

Britt and I... apparently it was windy or something went terribly wrong with my hair

On the Golden Gate Bridge


Eric and I flew to San Jose for his hockey tournament, and I met my Point Loma girls in San Francisco for a fun-filled Labor Day weekend. Brittany and I took the "Baby Bullet" train from San Jose to San Fran and decided we should walk to the hotel. It was a LONG walk. And we were pulling suitcases. We stayed positive and were only slightly frazzled upon arrival.

It was so refreshing to be able to spend time with Brittany, Tessa, Emily, and Amber and to catch up on everything. Tessa is heading back to Paris, so it was kind of sad not knowing when I'd be able to see her again. She was my roomie at PLNU for the year-and-a-half that I spent there. Sometimes I get really sad that I didn't finish my college experience at Point Loma, but last weekend made me realize how blessed I was to have been there for even a short time. They are all hilarious, loving, generous, and one-of-a-kind girls.

San Francisco is awesome because it's such a great workout to walk around everywhere. My calves were sore! Time to get back to the gym! We took some fun pictures. I even enjoyed the cranky, hungry, need a shot of espresso, I can't believe how small the portion is for the price, annoyed with the music selection moments. It was my first time in San Fran, and I loved it. Enjoy!


I am going to post individual shots later. Tessa took some cool ones.

Hannah's Visit

My cousin Hannah... actually she's my cousin Stacey's daughter... so she's my first cousin once removed or something of the sort... ANYWAYS, my cousin Hannah came from Kansas to visit us in Phoenix. She stayed with my parents. It was a little warmish when she was here, but it stormed, so she was able to experience a monsoon. Not quite like a Tornado, but it cooled it off for a little bit. We had SOOOO much fun with her. She learned to put Eric in his place when he was being a weirdo. It was hilarious. You can tell she has brothers.

Hannah is turning into a beautiful young lady, and I was thinking about how I was in computer lab in middle school when I found out she had been born. It was seriously one of the most exciting days of my life. I waited in anticipation for her arrival into the world, and she did not disappoint. She is an incredible and fun girl. Hannah and her family are extra special to me. I miss them so much it hurts!

We did so many fun things when she was here. We ate at TGI Friday's at the Diamondbacks game... best seats ever! She stayed at a resort with my parents and we took all of the dogs. She and my mom shopped 'til they dropped. We had pedicures and manicures, Melissa cut Hannah's hair, and Emily did a photo shoot with her. AMAZING pictures. She is extremely photogenic. I had to hold back tears when I had to tell her goodbye, but I knew that she had the coolest family ever waiting for her back in Kansas :) Here are a few pictures from her visit. I will post a video that we took at the baseball game on my phone once I figure out how to do it.

Our pretty toes

At the D-Backs game! Thanks for the sweet seats, Mom!

Eric and Hannah playing games at the restaurant

Hannah had about 20 people a day commenting on her amazing eyes (watch out for boys, Stacey and Mark).

From three jobs to two...

I officially gave notice that I am resigning from my position at Moors & Cabot. I am really going to miss having Starbucks downstairs and my daily conversations with Andee. She taught me a lot about the business; but alas, I must strike out on my own and dedicate my time to Flossy Stylish Design, my invitation business AND to In Awe Weddings and Events with my mama. I am so excited for my new endeavor, so keep me in mind for Christmas cards, wedding invites, marketing materials, baby announcements, shower invitations, birthday parties... you get it.

My business website is under construction, but I will post more about that soon (hopefully). My last day at Moors & Cabot is supposed to be August 28th... then I'm off to San Fran for a girls weekend with my Point Loma ladies for Labor Day. Then I am coming home to work really hard at doing something that I love. I am extremely thankful to have a husband and a family who believe in me and support my endeavors.

I wouldn't say a "Blog Hog"

She isn't a blog hog. Much to her dismay I have three other blogs that I post to...

1. www.emurriettalending.blogspot.com
2. www.10adaycampaign.blogspot.com
3. http://activerain.com/blogs/emurrietta

All of which have various slants. Well the 1st and 3rd are definitely business related but the second is a little social experiment I am trying.

To daily stuff...Kelsey makes a mean chicken stuffed ricotta. Okay Trader Joe's made it but Kelsey can heat food up with the best of them. I do enjoy when she makes dinner, probably the highlight of most weeknights because I love food and especially anything she makes.

My goal is to improve this little blog so I think my next purchase will be a Flip Cam . I hope to start posting fun home videos here and then professional tips of the day. Should be exciting...at least that is the idea.

Thought for the day: Remember when you were a kid and 8:30 was such an early time to go to bed...Oh how I long for an 8:30 bed time. I don't think it will happen in the near future.