REWIND - Girls Gone Wild

September 5, 2011

Some people don't complain, I am not one of those. One of my favorite quotes ever is "If you can't say anything nice, come sit by me." I don't mind a good venting just for the sake of release.

I am a very hard-working mom that needs a release sometimes. A good old-fashioned girls night out is always just the ticket for me. Whether I am crafting, tubing down the river or eating at hip cafe, my taste buds for a female cackle fest are always satiated when I have been with a few loud estrogen emanaters.

Back in September, my neighbors and besties, concocted a plan to devour a Thai pizza at the California Pizza kitchen as a last chance meal before starting a Biggest Loser Challenge. Then we planned to stroll around the mall for a few uninterrupted hours. The food must be good and the shopping a success so we went safe. We ate dessert crepes at the mall, pizza and each of us came home with one more accessory to add to our wardrobe.

September 6th, 2011

When my friend Jen and I started our second round of Biggest Loser, we both agreed to treat ourselves to a full day away shopping for new jeans as a reward for 10-weeks of misery. So we weighed in and started our journey, vowing to finish what we started. Just 10 days later, my life came to a screeching halt as I found out there would be no need to lose the weight...I found out I was pregnant. Ironic thing: I was pregnant before I even signed up for the BL challenge but didn't know it. After much turmoil, going back and forth about quitting or finishing what I started, I gave extra support to my team and stuck it out so that I could say I didn't quit. I was taken off the weigh loss list but I still earned every exercise and nutrition point possible. I won't lie and say it was easy. It was hard to find the motivation to compete when the end goal is nothing but the prize money....if we even win at all.

So, my team really came through, we worked really hard, lots of drama ensued and by a miracle, we won by a mere few points. My physical goals were not met but I won $100. That was my second win at this challenge. My white team pulled through with a landslide victory back in May, and I lost 29 pounds and then the brown team won by a slim margin on November 14, and I gained 6. Life isn't the way you plan sometimes.

December 12, 2011

I decided that our girls day off was still "just the ticket" even though I wouldn't be shopping for those designer jeans but for stretchy pants instead. We left right after breakfast and had a glorious day to ourselves. Being the thrifty shoppers that we are, we hit every Goodwill within a 20 mile radius, dug through piles of dusty treasures and ate at funky venues. We got some much needed Christmas shopping done and I somehow came home with 3 scarves. When you can't dress to the nines, at least accessorize.

We finished off the night at a trendy little joint called Joey's at Southcenter and then we watched vampires take their shirts off in the latest Twilight movie while indulging in smuggled-in frozen yogurt. Although that little sum-up doesn't do the day justice, we found new treasures, great hot-spots and a deeper friendship.

So, to those who can't say anything nice...let's get together sometime and raise a ruckus. I am game for a good old-fashioned girls day off anytime!!