Sunday, June 6, 2010

Little Miss Bachlorette


(Moi and my 5 bridesmaids)

My bachelorette party was last night. It was fabulous - and also a mess. There were drinks, games, flair, glitter, tears, vomit, strip clubs, passing out, and a few hurt feelings. Essentially it was a typical night with a group of girlfriends together!





More pictures to come soon!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Things You May Or May Not Know About Me

In leiu of a "real post" since I seem to be perpetually blocked lately - I thought I would share with you as many random things about myself that I can think of within the length of a 10 minute break.

So here goes:

1. Unless its the dead of winter and FREEZING outside I use my AC when driving in the car. I hate the whistling noise having windows down on the highway makes and I can't stand feeling like I'm getting no air!

2. When I order a burger I order EVERYTHING on the side or completely plain. Always have - the main reason- I hate warm condiments. I love ketchup but as soon as its warm it makes me yack- and don't even get me started on yellow mustard

3. I have nearly infinite patience with the residents at my job- but when it comes to people on the outside world- forget it.

4. I always have my fingernails done but often times my toe nails look like crap.

5. I get a Venti Green Iced Tea Unsweetened and add 4 Splendas to it every morning from Starbucks- all the girls know my order and pretty much have it waiting for me when I arrive each day!

6. I recently bought the new Candice Bushnell YA novel The Carrie Diaries but haven't quite started reading it yet. Even though its for young adults how could you not read it if your a SATC fan? Also I have read several books by Candace Bushnell and actually think she's a pretty awful writer....but like I said...how could you not?

7. I just found out today I am the lowest paid of any of the other coordinators at my work and the ONLY one with a Bachelors degree. Can we say- not getting paid what I am worth?

8. I make the bed before getting in every night- if its not already made from the morning

9. I watch re-runs of Boy Meets World and Sabrina the Teenage Witch when getting ready for work in the morning

10. I am a magazine junky. I will buy almost any magazine that looks remotely interesting- sometimes I read them and sometimes I don't. Sometimes I choose which magazine to purchase based on how I think people will view me when I carry it around - depends on how snooty I'm feeling!

11. If ever I had the right body/look I would pose naked for Playboy without so much as batting an eyelash!

12. My casual china pattern is Lenox Butterfly Meadow and my dream kitchen would be painted buttercup yellow and have retro pink appliances

13. I love cottage cheese!

14. I think I have the smallest bladder of any person ever!

15. I wear a 7-7.5 shoe

16. I buy something new to wear almost every single time I have any type of anything coming up - and I try to theme the outfit to the location/event/etc.

17. I subconsciously match the color of my panties to the color of my outfit

18. My favorite part of losing weight has been rediscovering my collar bone

19. I have freakishly neat hand writing

20. I like Hello Kitty

21. I play The Sims

22. I use Loreal Everstrong shampoo and conditioner currently and highly recommend it!

23. I like going to the tanning bed- more than any person should!

24. Some people say that I talk like I'm from NYC some people say I talk like I'm from Tennessee...everyone says that I talk really fast!

25. I sing opera...and I sing it pretty well...matter of fact I sing pretty well in general .. not to toot my own horn but toot toot!

Times up...that's all I've got for now- but at least its another post in the same week!

I'm looking forward to a hair apt. that I have tonight- the humidity is killing my hair lately and I actually have it all back in a head band right now - yikes!

Sigh. Yep an evening of beauty is just what the dr. ordered!

Happy Hump Day All!

Much Love,

Miss Amber Lane

Monday, May 17, 2010

A Letter To My Readers, Followers, Lurkers, and Lovers

Dear Friends,



I miss you all dearly - I really do. Driving home the other day I was thinking about a multitude of things: wedding related, work related, Ben's "unemployment" related, and then somehow my thoughts landed on blogger- and how it has been quite some time since I have blogged or read any blogs- and how much I miss reading about Miss Dew's baby bump, and Bitch Cakes biking, and Real Fats weight loss, and Amber Tidd Murphy's TMI Thursdays. So I knew it was time to come back and at the very least write a little update- especially since I kind of left everyone with a cliff hanger about Ben's potential job a few weeks ago - so I guess I will start there.



Ben did not get the job he wanted and he was crushed. I'm talking tears and frustration and the whole nine yards. It was a pretty bleak couple of days.



Then- Ben got motivated. He applied EVERYWHERE and 5 days after he found out he didn't get that job- he was offered a different job. We were geeked...ARE geeked- only drawback is now that he has completed his initial paperwork they are saying it could be two weeks or better before someone gets back to him to get him started. At this point its been about a week since we have heard anything so we are starting to get nervous. Its a national company so its not like its fly-by-night or anything but it has a tendancy to make ya nervous when all of a sudden there is silence.

We remain optomistic. The job will pay a few bucks less than what he was previously making but we will get one of our utilities for free, Ben will get a company vehicle to use, and as much over time as he wants- so the perks actually make it so that it pays more. I choose not to go into any more details of the job its self for obvious reasons.

*****



The wedding is coming along. I can't believe that we are less than 6 weeks out - there is so much to do- yet so much is coming together suddenly- its surreal. I'm really looking forward to it -yet I'm also looking forward to being able to look back at it and say- that was lovely- glad its over! There is so much that has happened in regards to the wedding since last we spoke I don't even know how to fill you in. The best I've got is fast forward mode: Invitations went out, first and second wedding showers were had, wedding bands are purchased and in the hand, pinwheels are 75% complete, Wedding dress went from being 2 (or more) sizes too small this time last year, to fitting just right, to now being too loose - I have had 4 fittings thus far - the dress remains at the seamstress for another few weeks so that we can do a final fitting - as I have apparantly become the incredible shrinking woman! Etc. etc. etc. I would love to say that I will jump back on the Wedding Wednesday posts but I have to be honest - I am just so busy right now that I can guarantee nothing! I of course have tons of shower pictures to show you all - its just a matter of finding the time (while at home) to upload the mess of photos!

Work life is fine. Assistant returns from maternity Wednesday - I can't believe its been 6 weeks already!

Weight loss is still going well. I am still losing and plan to write a post very soon with actual numbers and pictures and things. After almost 6 months of actively persuing weight loss I am very satisfied with the results and can honestly say I have made a change to my lifestyle. I truly get annoyed when people tell me that my "diet" is working. I am not on a diet. I am not hungry, I'm not irritable (no more than normal anyway) I am not counting down the days until I hit a "magic" number and I can "start eating however I chose again. This is why it is not diet and why I also know that the lbs that I've lost, will stay missing!

That being said; every routine needs to be shaken up after awhile. So this week marks the jump start of a lack luster past couple of weeks. Remember a few posts back how I mentioned that I had reached my initial goal and I wasn't sure where to go? Well I've set another goal....

To lose 2lbs a week from now until the wedding (my seamstress is screaming into her sewing machine right now! lol!). In order to do this I am once again being strict about journaling my foods (not counting calories - just keeping accountable) limiting my pre-packaged meal intake and diet soda consumption, and revamping my work outs. I will still use my dvds and weights but more often than not I am hitting the walking path at our local park. Its 1.7 miles around and I've been doing 2 laps on average when I go. I am alternating between a brisk walk and a jog. Another mini goal I have set for myself is to be able to jog 1 full lap in 6 weeks. I've NEVER been a runner (I think has to do with my ample chest- my girls are out of control) but I'm trying to break into it just for leisure- nothing serious. Guess I better get a better bra huh? Lol.

Ok ladies. I've enjoyed recounting the latest goings on in my world. I know that I'm detail shy but I've got to start somewhere! I really hope to begin utilizing scheduled posting soon- but as I keep saying- I make no promises!

Hope all is well with you all!

Love!

Miss Amber Lane

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Prayers Needed!

This is not something I normally do - but I am asking those of you who regularly pray- to say a little one for Ben and I today, tomorrow, and the rest of this week.

As those who read us regularly know - Ben was laid off exactly three days after he proposed back in February of last year. We were devastated and obviously very discouraged but by the grace of God - have managed to get along pretty well with my salary and what Ben has been bringing home on un-employement.

For over a year now Ben has been applying for jobs and sending out resumes- with no results.... until last week when we learned that his old company is beginning to look at re-hiring and more specifically looking at HIM to re-hire for a position that is actually better than where he was before being laid off. At first I thought it was a bunch of smoke and mirrors ( we were faced with a similar scenario about 6 months ago to no avail) but Ben just called me to tell me that he received a call from the hiring supervisor and he asked him to come in TOMORROW for a face to face chat!

This is the furthest Ben has gotten in all this time in regards to getting a job and we are so excited we're bursting! My heart is literally aching though. Its exciting and of course I am thinking nothing but good thoughts for him- but if for some reason this doesn't come to fruition I will be devestated for him. I want this so bad not just for us and our future but for him- because after this year and all the ups and downs with un-employment he needs a success. I know he wants to help provide better for us and that he doesn't want to be home all day every day - he wants to work again and he wants to work for his former company again.

This is why I am asking you all to pray for us - not neccessarily to pray that Ben gets the job - but more that God will guide us and begin to open things up for us so that even if this is not where Ben is supposed to be - that soon we will get there.

On a more selfish note: it is completely terrifying to know we're getting married in June and that in July it is very possible that his unemployment will expire for good. I mean of course Ben would get any job at that point - even if its McDonalds but he would have to work like 3 of those jobs to bring home what he was- I think that would be a very scary mountain to climb as newly weds. But if that's our path- then climb we will.

Please think of us ladies & pray for the best!

Much Love Always

Miss Amber Lane

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

So Close!



Almost there!

Have a Happy Tuesday Ya'll! (It's my Monday FYI - and I am GROUCHY!)

Oh Well!

Much Love Always!

Miss Amber Lane

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Just 71 Short Days....

I know that you all are probably sick of my apologies for being a blogger absentee...but alas here I am once again with an apology for my lack of posts.



I really AM sorry....but I'm a working girl, planning a wedding, maintaining a job, shedding lbs, and trying to maintain some sort of a personal life- so as you might be able to notice- I'm a little stretched right now!



The good news though? I'm in very high spirits! Wedding plans are taking off and day by day I'm crossing things off my to-do list and entering them on my to-done list! I'm breezing through my assistant's maternity leave and am about to enter into week 3 sans assistant.



I'm working so hard at there not being a noticable difference without her that I'm actually

AHEAD of the things that need to be done and find myself with more time to sit and interact with the residents instead of hiding out behind a desk planning and creating calendars!



My new boss started about a months ago ............. the jury is still out.



That's all I'm going to say about that!



As for all the wedding things I've gotten done lately.... in fast forward: first dress fitting, second dress fitting (MY TOO SMALL DRESS IS TOO BIG NOW!) 1/2 ceremony decor, my jewlery has been purchased, my bridesmaids gifts have been ordered (minus a few small surprises I have in store for them) my veil is in process (my mom is hand making it) I bought all the mirrors for the center pieces, our photography contract has been signed and sealed ( finally!) our 90 day meeting is scheduled (even though it will take place a mere 50 days before the wedding) I found and bought my reception dress, I've scheduled all of my hair appointments for the next 2 months, the invites have been delivered for my bridal shower ( a week from Saturday!) Invitations have been printed and we now have them in our posession!


Whew! Still so much to do but getting so close I can taste it!



I am so excited for the shower next week- I bought a super cute new dress and everything! Also very much excited for my bestie Rachel to arrive from Louisiana 1 week from today for all the shower fun!



This wedding has finally crept up and I'm finally re-excited about all the kick-ass things to come!



I of course am also feeling pretty darn good about myself and all the physical changes I've made. Someone at work came up to me today and told me that I'm a shadow of my former self. That she literally saw me from the side and didn't recognize me at first! Score!



To be honest I've sort of hit a plataeu which is very frustrating considering how easily the first 30 came off - the last 5 of my goal are just hanging on for dear life though.



My weights are really odd. For example I got on the scale this morning and a number came up that would have me 1 lb BELOW my goal but after it flashed on the screen for a few moments - ERR came up and the number went away. So I got off- got back on and it had my weight like 2.2 lbs heavier, so I stepped off and tried again and only the heavier number would come up ) :



Maybe its time for a new scale huh?



That will also teach me to get on the scale twice in one day!



So I'm still working very hard at it and hoping that by the time my next girly time is finished (due to start any day now) that I will be at or below goal.



But like I said- I can't complain- I feel awesome!



Well- that's really all that's going on in Amber Lane world. I have really been lacking at keeping up with each of your posts and I would like to say that I will catch up soon but that probably won't happen until after the wedding- let me be honest. I catch little glimpses here and there - so I know a bit about what's going on in your lives! I promise- in three months I'll be back to normal!

Otherwise...

Much Love Always!

Miss Amber Lane

Friday, March 26, 2010

Rock Out!



Just over 4 lbs to go before I hit my goal!

So...... wierd. I've never set a weight loss goal for myself and realistically followed it through. I am so darn proud of myself its ridiculous.

And I gotta be honest- though I've never really suffered from low self esteem - I feel awesome! Awesome-er than usual.

I'm not shying away from full body shot photos, I find that I am super confident, and I gotta be honest its not been so bad for my budoir life either. It feels...I feel pretty f*n good.

Now the big question stands to be posed: how much do I want to lose in total?

????

The BMI charts tell me that I should weigh something like 118 - which is never gonna happen- I would be a twig if I weighed that and lets be honest- I like being a touch curvy. So I can't go off the BMI who-ha.

What I can go off of is how I feel and I know that I'm not going to be completely satisfied with 35 lbs lost. So at least as my preliminary thoughts on the matter is that my next goal will be 15 lbs- which will bring my to an even 50 lbs lost. Again, there will be no time frame to lose that I will force myself into I'll just keep making it a part of my life to eat healthy and exercise - I mean its worked this far!

But I'm not going to put the cart before the horse- I still have 4 lbs to lose before I hit my first goal - so be thinking of me- I plan to hit it BEFORE I say, "I Do"....

in 89 days!!

Much Love Always!

Miss Amber Lane