Here we go!!!

Today marks a big day, I have FINALLY, after much back and forth, gone to the next level with my sweet little blog.  I have bravely branched out to join the Facebook world!  I am still a stumbling mess as far as my tech skills go, but I am getting there little by little.  Stop by and check out the new page at: https://www.facebook.com/waitsandmeasurements and let me know what you think!This has been a HUGE decision for me for some reason.  Is it strange that when it comes to the ups and downs of how I feel about how I look, it's easier for me to share here with a community of people who understand what I am going through then with the people I love and surround myself with everyday?  Any of you feel that way?

Well, along with my general excitement about adding my blog to Facebook, I am also SUPER excited to announce that I found a dress to wear to the wedding.  Some of you may recall back in June I blogged about trying to find something to wear to my fiends wedding this month.  I am bad at shopping for myself for two reasons:
1) I hate spending money on myself
2) I hate shopping in general as it always feels like nothing fits properly

So Monday was (another) yucky, rainy night and the girls and I were on our own as Dadoo had to work.  So we decided to check out the Painted Penguin at the mall, my big girl has been wanting to go for awhile and it seemed like the right kind of night to do it.  I mean what could be more fun for a GNO then painting ceramics and eating mall food!!  So, after we finished painting and having dinner, the girls decide I should play fashion show and try and find a dress for the wedding.  Before I had a chance to moan and complain and make up excuses, my oldest says to me " Let's find something beautiful for our beautiful mom" <insert tears of joy here>.

busy painting away at the Painted Penguin

So we were off, they had a mission.  We went to a few different stores before I actually let them talk me into a dressing room and as I was putting on dresses it dawned on me that this was a great moment with my daughters and also a chance to teach them (and myself) something.  I gave in and embraced the shopping frenzy and we just had fun.  No criticizing eyes with them, everything was beautiful to them, which in turn made me start to look at myself in a less harsh light.  I have my flaws and trouble spots, don't we all.  It's embracing ourselves as the ever changing work of art that we are that makes life better...and I am happy to say I bought a dress for the wedding (pics to come) as well as the cute little number I am wearing as a type this blog! 

On your mark...get set

It begins today.  I have been scanning recipes, many thanks to some of you, and have put together my grocery list.  I think I have found a few good ones that have cross over ingredients that will help stretch my budget some too (very exciting).  Tonight, after picking up the little one from pre-school...we are have to the races with Operation Chef.  I like to grocery shop with the wee one because its fun to her.  She helps pick out what fruits and veggies she wants, we get a special treat to enjoy through the store...

love the juice box style and the healthy benefits

She helps load the cart, entertains other customers, usually earns a free slice of deli ham and makes my heart happy.  It's a win-win to me.  I will keep you posted on the Daring to Dream tab of this fine little blog with what I come up with.  A few recipes I have grabbed are: baked chicken strips, beef, cheese and noodle bake, crispy fish, zucchini bites...and you will have to come back and see what else.  I already feel proud in the fact that I searched healthy low cal recipes...and I also have enough kitchen smarts to know some of the substitutions I can make to bring the health level up another notch.  Wish me luck...and keep the recipe suggestions coming folks...I am loving them!

Shopping and shopping

     I have always made it known in my house how much I hate grocery shopping.  It's one of those activities where you know you are going to spend WAY more money than you want to, but you can't NOT do it.  That being said, I will now admit that I have spent the better part of the afternoon looking up recipes that I want to try over the next few days so that I could, get this, MAKE A GROCERY LIST!  Crazy, right?!?!  I am actually looking forward to going to the store after work to buy things to make specific meals.  Usually when I venture out for my turn at the store, I go through all the basics that I know we always get and just see what needs restocked.  Every once in a while (a great while my husband would I'm sure agree) I will have decided on 1 particular meal that I want to make and buy the required pieces and parts.  Today, however, I am armed with no fewer than 5 dinners I want to try, all of which are low calorie recipes.  There are some standards that I have made before (meatloaf and tortellini soup) but they are healthier versions of those meals.  I've also include a few new ones to try...this should be an interesting few days. 
     I thought this would be a good time to try since the hubs has to work all weekend.  I have a play date tomorrow with my BFF and out girls, but smart girl that I am, I found a fairly easy (and yes, once again low cal) crock pot recipe that I am going to attempt.  I never thought the day would come where I would be excited to grocery shop.  This could be a whole new world for me and my hubby...what will he do if this all pans out. :)