Loss....again...

I lost another 3.4

for a total of 9.8 lbs...
i am 1/2 way to my 10% goal!!!!

I LOST!!!

...AND you can add another 1.2 pounds LOST to that meter below!!
A total loss so far of 6.4!!!! (as of today! :)

ECSTATIC!

My FAT ticker...

Just cute....

Week 3 of WW.

I am in my 3rd week with Weight Watchers, and 5.2 lbs lighter...hopefully more

I am amazed at how much I am learning daily. The eTools Weight Watchers online is AMAZINGLY easy and helpful. I am so glad I decided to pay a little extra to get that! I spent about an hour today just printing out recipies that looked SO good. *I was a bit hungry at the time!* So I ate some soup and my search for recipes slowed to a snails pace. haha! Funny how that works.

This past week has been kinda hard for some reason. I have had major cravings for things like soda, peanut butter and even crescent rolls. So far I have fought the soda urge well, actually I have fought all of them. I am just not sure why these cravings have popped up so suddenly.

Cory is being really great about everything too. Helping me figure out my points so I can track them and just being overall a good sport...cause I am finding that I am blabbing about my points constantly...haha. It seems to be all that's on my mind...maybe that is why I have the cravings...hmmm, ha!

I have successfully added exercise into my weight loss program...that has been fine. Last night I finally did 1.75 miles. That is good for me. I don't jog the entire time, cause my knees still can't really take it. I am hoping that by this time next year I can jog/run a 5K!

Well, besides all of the above...life is trucking along. Hope everyone out there is enjoying 2008 so far as much as me!

A :)

Thursday blues...

Thursday blues...
There is such a thing! And I have it.
Allow my PESSIMIST to come out and give some reasons why:
1. After my GREAT first week with weight watchers, in which I lost 3.8 pounds I hung my feet off the wagon (I didn't completely fall off now...) and I ate a bowl of cereal last night at 10:00 pm. When I should have just had a glass of water to fight off the hunger pains. (I had eaten dinner at 5:00 pm a little to early I guess.) Well that bowl of cereal cost me 5 points of my bonus points. Which is, in all honesty, why they are there. But I hadn't planned on using them especially my first day into the second week! Boo. :(
2. I got dropped as a Stampin Up demonstrator January 1st. There were a series of miscommunication that lead up to this, and now to be reinstated I have to place a $199 starter kit order. So...somehow I have to make that work. Cause I have ladies who buy from me that are depending on it, and I ENJOY doing it!! Plus it is my goal to have SU as a part time job after I have kids...so I need to get back to it. Somehow...but I am still ANNOYED. :(
3. It's just gloomy outside, and that never helps. :(

Oh well...now the OPTIMIST comes out. Ways it could look up in the days ahead:
1. I have done REALLY well today and I already have a great dinner lined up that leaves me with some later evening snack points if needed. So...that's good.
2. I can just save up for the starter kit in the next three months and enjoy the time just scrapbooking with my ladies, with no worries of collecting orders.
3. The sun'll come out...TOMORROW!

We shall see :)

2008 Goals.

Well. it's officially 2008...so as everyone does...I find it fitting to list some goals, as well as things I want in the new year!! Here goes:

GOALS (In no particular order)
1. Lose 30-60 pounds (at least)
2. Pay off/down debt
3. Travel with my husband
4. Get Pregnant (hopefully after I lose some weight, teehee)
5. Put $ into Savings
6. Catch up on Scrapbooking
7. Finish downstairs Bathroom, Laundry Room and Craft Room remodel (at least.)
8. Eat out LESS - better my homecooking skills
9. Walk or Run a 5K.
10. Completely Organize my home
11. Sew a Dress/Make a purse
12. Grow an herb garden
13. Advertise and do more with my Business (Heartscape Designs)
14. Learn Sign Language
15. Learn the Piano (again)

THINGS I WANT (In no particular order)
1. New Vera Bradley - Either any type Raspberry Fizz, Daisy Daisy or Java Blue luggage.
2. New COACH - I love the Hamptons Signature Medium Carryall in Silver/Khaki/Mahogany (ahhh gorgeous)
3. At-home Picture Printer (I think I want this, I TRULY am torn)
4. New Living Room couches (but first we have to sell our couch)
5. a Little Black Dress...(gotta shed some weight first)
6. My craft room IKEA cabinets
7. New plants for my planters (cory hates my front butterfly bushes)
8. New Camera - (that does color select and is a bit more compact)
9. A bike
10. New Dishes

I mean, a girl can wish right?????

Big Crumbs...

Cory and I just happened upon this GREAT site where you can earn CASH back from shopping online at tons if GREAT retailers like: Target, Walmart, Gap, Best Buy and even eBay.
CHECK it OUT...
We signed up as "CrumbEarners" to earn more on referrals and purchases!!
Make sure to list
April Eslick
as your referrer!


Click on the logo, it will take you to the homepage and you can read all about it, and HOPEFULLY sign up too!!!

Weight Watchers

Weight Watchers...Take 2

Well, I guess this is technically Weight Watchers take 18...haha! But I OFFICIALLY signed up on Wednesday. Weighed in, attended the meeting and all.
So far so good. I have only had ONE soda...since Wednesday am. (That is a FEAT for me!) And I already feel lighter, not so much like weight-wise...but just overall..like not all that greasy-heavy-food bloated. I am doing well too...not hungry. Well Wednesday night I was READY for dinner...but I haven't been craving food just because I can't have it. And drinking all the water has helped too.

I used to think of DIET...in the following way:

But I am trying to have a better outlook!! I gotta start thinking of it like this:

The next weigh in is Wednesday the 9th. So we shall see how I do. I am sticking to it this time I tell ya. Something has just clicked for me this time around. Between watching the Biggest Loser to not being able to find a cute dress for a New Years wedding in my size...I am just over being BIG. And I KNOW that I don't have to be this way.
So here I go.
I PROMISE to keep you posted!!

Olive's in the tub...

We heard that Olive liked the water...see for yourself.

OH SO wonderful...GOOD TIMES...

And ONE MORE...this seriously had me DYING!!!

It's DECEMBER????

April writing...
So after much commenting from Cory that he now had officially blogged more than me this month, I figured it would be time to check in!!!
So December, WOW! I mean talk about coming fast!!! I was hit with December like a two-by-four across my noggin! I was NOT prepared for Christmas shopping this year..unless years past when my goal is to be complete by the end of November. In fact, as I sit here typing on December 21st...I have ONE person completely done. ONE! Out of 1, 2, 3, 4....9 people!!! Not good. So, needless to say Cory and I will be SHOPPING this weekend. DARN IT...and with all those other NUTTY last minute people too! MAN! This is why I try to avoid it and get done early!
The month started off pretty well...I went to Lisa's (A friend from church) Annual Tea. Exchanged ornaments and had brunch with some wonderful ladies!! That night (the 8th) was SUPPOSED to be out Cookie Exchange (Me, Tammy and Cristy...Sis and Mom in law) but all our ladies, with the exception of 4 of them (out of 16) couldn't make it. So we canceled. It was sad, who wants to miss out on 18 dozen DIFFERENT cookies?!?!
Cory and I went to the RAVENS game on the 9th...you can read more about our after game experience below in Cory's entry from that date. It was COLD but we had a blast together, as always!
On the 14th we had our Annual Gingerbread House night...it was a TON of fun. Cory and I made a double-decker house...SKILL huh?!?! I will post some pictures when I get home from work later. (Yes I am at work, and yes I realize I should be working, but I am about to leave in 10 minutes for the holiday...so in my mind I am already off! :) ) Anywho...it was great. John and Cristy (my in laws) took home top honors in our Award categories that night. Check back for pictures!!!
On the 15th we had our Young Adult Christmas party...it was a ton of fun. We played Pop Cranium, which...if you haven't played...you must. It has grown to be a group favorite and BOY do we get competitive!!!
On the 16th, Cory and I brought home a new puppy. Her name is Olive and she too is a Jack Russell Terrier like our other pup, Pickle. She is about 18 months old and Pickle is now about 4 and a half. This past week we have been working to make sure they get along...and now they do. There are a few snarls here and there, but for the most part they are getting along great. Even taking naps by each other. I will ADD pics!!!
Last night, the 20th...our church hosted a "Spike the Ball" party for the church staff and leadership and Elders. It was really nice. We just gathered together to fellowship and discuss the GOOD STUFF that God has done for our church and how we have touched and helped so many lives. Two members shared their stories and they greatly touched me. One was of a single mother who at a low point in her life truly learned to depend on God for him to take care of her and send people into her life and he did. The other was a gentlemen whom, on the verge or retirement adopted his nephew into his family out of an alcoholic environment and is not raising him with is wife. He talked about feeling bitter about not getting recognition from his family for postponing retirement to take care of the little on, when in actuality he was doing what God desired and taking care of him through his new son. ("When I was hungry, you fed me. When I was thirsty, you gave me a drink...") It was just an overall good morale booster and Cory and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Which brings us back to now...I am heading out to take Olive to the vet for a checkup, help out a friend set up her Webcam so she and her family can have Christmas with a friend overseas and to go Christmas shopping.
Cory and I both wish you and yours a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Talk to you soon! And remember...check back for photos!!!!! We have LOTS to share!!!

Couple's Night Out...

Cory Writing......

On Tuesday December 18, 2007 My wife and I went with two of our favorite couples (Jason and Brittany Harris, Andrew and Terri Peters) out to dinner (Goldenwest Cafe) and then we went to 34th street in Hampden to see the lights.

The restaurant was a very interesting place. When you first walked in on the counter there was this very zin like asian goddess statue and then right behind that on the back wall was a stuffed mounted moose head. Very strange combination if I say so myself and I do say so. The waitresses were very strange also. I will give you a story that will tell you how strange they were. Andrew asked the waitress if she would like to split the check now or wait until the end of the meal to split the check. The waitress with a straight face said, "I don't know what you mean?" What waitress in the world doesn't know what splitting the check is all about especially when there is clearly three couples sitting at the table. We had great conversations with our friends. The conversation was so good that we didn't even notice we waited 45 minutes for our food to arrive. Now that is getting lost in conversation.

Then it was off to see the lights hun. We walked about four or five blocks in the beautiful city of Baltimore (know by the thugs as bloodamore). What a great city to walk in. I love the city life, but don't ever want to live in the city, just like to visit. We arrived at 34th street to see the one block of lights. It was very pretty, but I expected so much more. Oh well it was good times had by all couples. Thank you Andrew and Terri for taking us on an adventure that we have wanted to do for a long time. You are truly great friends. We love you and look forward to many years of once a month dinners together.

Old Man Fights Young Man and WINS!

CORY WRITING.......

My wife, James Yao, and I went to the Indianapolis Colts vs. Baltimore Ravens football game Sunday night December 9, 2007. The game itself was horrible. The Baltimore Ravens forgot to show up for the game, it was kind of cold, and it started to rain. Overall sucky night, but a couple good things happened.

The first good thing was actually a great thing. I got to spend quality time with my wife. We (I) have been so busy lately we just haven't had that quality Cory and April time that we love so much. One of our favorite things to do is to people watch and what better place to do this than at a Baltimore Ravens game. There are great people in Baltimore Hun.

The second good thing was we spent a few minutes hanging with our friends James, Dan, and Brandy because they were all at the game also.

The funniest thing that happened and the basic reason I am blogging this happened on the way home. To get to the Ravens game and to get home we rode the Light Rail. (for those who don't know the light rail is a train that runs from the city to the outskirt counties). So on our way home we were sitting on the train just kind of zoning out because we were cold and very tired. While zoning out there were several young kids and a couple older people standing at the front of the train talking and cussing and acting like a bunch of drunk idiots.

Well, the fun banter and teasing turned really serious and they started yelling obscenities at each other. The train then came to a stop at the Baltimore Highlands stop and the older individuals wanted to get off. One male told the loudest young man to move and get off the train so people could get off, but the young person didn't move. The older gentleman started to get really upset and yell at this kid and the kid started yelling. This is where it got ugly. The older gentleman (late 50's) pushed the younger kid (early 20s) off the train and started to pound on this kid because he called his wife a B*@$&. So the older guy tore this younger kid up and then pushed him back on the train and told him. "Now shut your mouth and go home." The young kid yelled a little more and the train doors shut. The train went down the tracks. The young man kept his mouth shut and his knuckles were bloody from scrapping them on the ground.

Just before the final stop the young guy's friends started to feel tough and were talking about all the things they should of done to this old guy, but I would like to note that none of these guys helped their buddy in the heat of the battle.

I know some of you are asking, "Well Cory what did you do." The only thing I did was jump up and watch. I didn't get involved at all because sometimes people just need to have consequences for running their mouth.

You gotta love riding the train. There is always an adventure facing you when you ride the light rail especially with a bunch of drunk upset Baltimore Raven fans.

Well, that is all for now..... Until the next adventure arises.

Cory signing out

Out

Basement shots..

This is right as you come down the basement stairs.

Close-Up of the same angle.

Inside the bathroom standing in the doorway.

Zoomed out from the doorway. Standing in the laundry room.

Right as you come downstairs this is what you see. Down the hallway to the left is the laundry room, the the right in the scrapbooking room.

We wish you a Merry Christmas!

NLEOMF Plate drive...and house work.

Ok..... lets see the last time I blogged I was in the process of working on an Organizational plate for the National Law Enforcement Museum. Well, I am still in that process. The paperwork was submitted and it passed the committee. Now it is at the license plate creator and he should be getting the example back to me for approval, then it will go into production. I can't wait.

On the other hand I have been spending my time framing in the half bath downstairs in the basement. I am doing everything by myself, but I am being supervised by my father who is a well diverse construction brain. I have also spent some time here and there at my parents house trying to get there renovation project done. I have been doing that for two reasons... one to get there house done, but second because the quicker there house gets done the more time dad has to spend at my house.

Back to the bathroom. I have it all framed in and all the electric ran. Now I am hanging drywall and running the water lines. Hopefully I will have all the water lines ran and all the drywall hung by Christmas. We are trying to be good with our budget with these projects. We are only doing as much as we have money for, so we have paid cash for everything. It is sweeter when you don't go into dept to finish projects around the house, but it does take longer to finish.

Well, that is all I have for now. I will try to put pictures of the bathroom up, so that you can see the progress. Thank you for taking the time to stay up to date with our lives. We love you all and hope that you have a great holiday season. Just remember it is not YOUR Birthday it is JESUS'. If you want to know what I am talking about go to http://www.heritagecommchurch.org/ and go to the audio file and listen to the sermon. It was delivered by Steve Hall (lead pastor) in December.

It's MY business :)

http://HeartscapeDesigns.googlepages.com/
Well, I just updated my Custom Scrapbooking business site. It still seems cheesy to me, but I guess that is the best I am going to get until I can afford to pay to host my my own domain and maybe get some nice software to make a nice page...until then, this will have to do.
Business on the CS (Custom Scrapbooks) end is kinda slow. I have a project in the works with a friend of mine that got married about six months ago. It should be a fun, different project. We will be using Black and White pictures with an Asian theme throughout. Blacks, Red, Golds, etc. So I am excited. I just bought a bunch of paper for her project...that was fun. To me, scrapbook shopping to me is probably like clothes shopping is for other girls. I LOVE deals and I LOVE when you find the perfect fit for your page!!!
Here is a little slideshow I made of a few of my scrapbooking examples.

Make a Free Flash Slideshow

Nice huh? There are just the neatest programs on the internet to make all this neat stuff with! Anywho...

This weekend. I don't think Cory and I are doing much. We have a Core Leaders meeting at Jason and Brittany's house tonight (The Youth Pastor and his wife...our good friends.) I hope that goes well. We are going to be talking about "Clarifying a Win" in the youth department. So basically setting small but specific goals for making things "happen" in the youth department! I have pretty much been bored out of my mind at work this week, so I took lots of "extra" time to read our required reading and prepare for the meeting. I typed up all my notes, came up with lots of ideas and made lots of points...I'm such a kiss-up! haha!

Saturday, I think we are hanging around the house for the cable guy. Don't even get CORY started on that whole situation. Let's just say that before it was all said and done we have a discount on each bill for $10 for our "trouble." SWEET! haha! Who doesn't like a discount!? We will probably also hang more drywall in the bathroom downstairs and head towards finally finishing that half bath project! I will be so excited then!!

Sunday will of course be church...Cory and I have H401...it's the last of 4 of our membership classes at church. I know, I know...we have each been at the church OVER 12 years...me almost 18 years haha! But these are to solidify the "salubrious" nature that our church is moving into. (Salubrious means "An environment of health and well being.) So basically, these classes are so that we are all on the "same page." At least that is how I look at them. And this is our LAST one :) yeah! :) Then I think that is all we have for the day!!! Rest and Relaxation and some of our favorite shows!! Maybe we can watch them on our new TV in the bedroom. Yep, we did it. We bought a 32" LCD flatscreen to replace the other MONSTER we had in there. Cory was supposed to be spending today hanging it, we shall see how that went when I get home from work!! :)

OK....that's enough babbling for one night...so maybe CORY will update next!!! Have a great day, talk to you soon!!!

Turkey and Shaved arms...

Turkey Day is all over now. It was a nice time with the family and friends. I hope that each of you enjoyed your days as well!!!
This has been a slow weekend and beginning of the week. I am sure it will fly by, after all it is the holidays...before we know it, it will be MARCH!!! ahh! Craziness!
Random fact - I shaved my arms today. I have been wanting to do it for a while now...I think my arms are too hairy and it bugged me for the last time! They are SO soft. I know it seems a bit crazy...but I am cool with it so far!!!
I know this seems to be a rather boring entry...don't have much to say really. I actually should be going to bed, cause I stayed up too late last night watching "Mr Brooks." It was really weird, you had to really pay attention to the movie. I would recomment it! It was a Decent mind-bending thriller type movie. (I feel like an advertizement!) ha!
OK, no more typing...I am going to take my advice...BED TIME!

HAPPY TURKEY DAY!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!





















Well, just like years past, Cory and I will be getting together with My side of the family, His side of the family, and two other families (friends) + some local church Mission kids for Thanksgiving. It should be a good time! It usually is!

I pray that everyone has a BLESSED holiday with either with family or not. Remember to count your blessings!!

Love,
Cory & April :)

Cory's a NEWBIE!

Hello All,

This is my first time doing this blog thing so bear with me as I learn to navigate this new thing. I am a little frustrated right now because I have so much I want to accomplish today, but I can't sleep. I work the midnight shift which is 11 pm to 730 am, so I am normally up at this time, but I am off right now so I try to sleep at night so that I can be a normal human during the day. This doesn't seem to be working very well.

The plans for today are to go to my Chiropractors appointment and then I will go to my parents house to help my father with an electrical problem he is having. Then I am planning to come home and work on my bathroom downstairs. I am framing in a new bathroom downstairs and I am finding that I really enjoy doing construction projects.

I am also hoping that the artist that is working on the artwork for an Organizational License plate I am creating for Maryland calls me and tells me that he is done. If he calls me then I will be making a trip to the Motor Vehicle Administration to kick off the creation of this license plate. So excited about this adventure.



I will fill you guys in on this adventure next time. So until next time Adios.
Cory signing out.

Out.

Wedding Slideshow

Enjoy some pictures from Sarah's Wedding. (My little Sister)