Empowered

I coupon. I'm a couponer. Every sunday I have 4 sunday papers delivered to my front door. Am I really that obsessive about the going ons around me? No. All I'm interested in are the ads found in the middle.

My sister-in-law got me into it. I had heard about it before and, I'm not going to lie, clipping coupons didn't sound like my idea of a good time, but Brittney kept coming home with all these AMAZING shopping trips where she saved these enormous sums of money, got things free or was even PAID to go shopping! Plus her food storage was actually becoming something noteworthy, unlike mine which was doing well if I had a couple of extra cans of chilli and/or tuna fish "filling" up the shelf. I've always wanted to be one of those women who always had everything basically on hand. I was a boyscout for 4 years and the whole "Always be Prepared" thing was engrained into my soul. So...despite my leeriness of clipping coupons for the rest of my life...I turned to Brittney and said "Okay, I give. Teach me how, Yoda."

She made it super simple, and then Brittney, being the craftyminded woman she is, decided to really convert me and show me how it's done. After lesson one, she took me shopping, I ended up spending $37 and saving $42. More than 50% of my bill and getting twice the amount of groceries than I normally would have??? Okay. SOLD.

There's something empowering about going to a store, and feeling like your working the system. Something rewarding about watching your total diminish right in front of your eyes as they scan in the coupons and add the discounts.

I had a very empowering moment yesterday at Kohl's. And I feel like one of these commercials. I can do anything now. My total bill was $87.34 and at the bottom of my reciept, circled in a beautiful shade of red was my savings: $208.47.

I got 5 shirts, one pair of capris, a dress, leggins, earrings, sunglasses, and a pair of shoes. AND my husband wasn't even mad. In fact, he was impressed, and we went back to buy him some things too. and ended up saving another $82.00 and spending $50.

Here's to couponing.

Jillian

I'd like to introduce you to my personal trainer. Jillian. That's right, every morning at 6:00 a.m. she comes directly to my living room via my husbands "42 inches of pure bliss" to whip my sorry *ahem* into shape.

Now...I've worked with Jillian before. I become very much acquainted with her last summer as she kicked my butt through a 30 Day Shred. However, I've been on a fairly lengthy hiatus for a few months since I've been slightly consumed with other trivial things like...Christmas and getting married...stuff like that.

Not going to lie...Jillian was less than happy with me for choosing to ditch out on her for so long. And she let me know it. First day back...she made me cry. And the pain lasted a couple of days. But I'm getting back into the swing of it.

I started out...once again...with the 30 Day Shred. It's only a 20 minute workout. I figured...I can do it. But...the woman is GOOD at what she does. On this DVD there are 3 different levels. Level 1, 2, and -yup you guessed it- 3. Each level has 3 segments with 3 minutes of strength training, 2 minutes of cardio, and 1 minute of abs. 20 minute workout. And let me just tell you...it works. And it works well.

My first go around with the 30 Day Shred...Level 1 made me cry...but after about a week and 1/2 I got the hang of it. So I decided..."Sure...I can do level 2." Level 2...level 2 made me almost throw up. Who would have thought it would have been SO much harder?!?! My husband used to tease me about how much I hurt after I worked out for 20 minutes with sissy 3-5lb weights. But one day...when he needed a break from studying and it was too cold to go running...he plugged in Jillian with the notion that he MIGHT get his heart rate up a bit. Feeling a little cocky he opted to do Level 2 and skip Level 1. Yeah. He couldn't even FINISH level 2. He doesn't mock me any more.

Level 2 is rough...so rough in fact that by the time I was supposed to advance to level 3...I was terrified to do it. Once I finally got the guts...to give it a try...I realized...I had every right to be afraid of it. But I did it. And I will tell you what...it made me feel like an absolute POWER HOUSE when I finished. Seriously...if you're diligent...and you meet with Jillian every day...she will make you TOTALLY Shredded.

But...I started to get a little bored with the same old workout, albeit effective...I needed something different. SO...I went and got DVD #2. Banish Fat Boost Metabolism. I've only done it twice...and I've yet to actually DO the ENTIRE workout...I've about made it to 90%. The women practically maimed me in a 20 minute segment before...This one...this one is 40 min. She pushes you to inches of wanting to take your own life just to make it stop. I LOVE IT! That sounds a little masochistic, I know, but I feel like I actually got something out of my workout! I hate it when I work out for an hour and...feel like I have NOTHING to show for it. I LOVE feeling like I'm being pushed. I love feeling the burn. I love walking away from it...barely being able to walk! Because I feel like I actually GOT SOMETHING OUT OF MY EFFORTS!

I cancelled my gym membership...which was collecting dust anyway. I am saving myself $60/mon. AND for a mere $10/ea. I went to Target/Walmart and bought myself a personal trainer who brings results! She's one of the meanest, scariest, and most motivational trainers out there...and I'm hoping she will scare me right into a size 8!

New Year...New Leaf

So...I was reading a friend of mines blog, a very TALENTED friend of mine, and she wrote this piece which...really made me think. I LOVED it...and I just HAD to share it. SO...Lindsey Maughan, I hope you don't mind...but you so eloquently brought to light something that has been on my mind for weeks.

http://abridgetobrooklyn.com/ "You are X here."

CHANDACE

Hey Everyone! We've got a new blog! Well...we may just keep this one...I may turn it into my DIY page for decorating my house and such...BUT for all updates on me and my bunny...go to http://chandacehatch.blogspot.com/ Lots of love! MWAH

Wedding Gala

Just in case we miss anyone, I wanted to make sure you knew that you were invited. We've had some troubles with the people who are printing our invites, which is why you haven't seen them yet, but you will. But I wanted to give you all a heads up to a time and place so you can mark it on your calendars and hopefully come and celebrate with us! It's going to be quite the party and it'd be that much better if you were there! Here is an electronic version of our invite! My amazing friend Lou designed them for us! 2 more weeks!!! We're so excited!

One Month to Go!

So life is getting pretty crazy! I mean...you always hear the rumors of how busy people get once they get engaged...but I've come to realize that you never really fully understand until you're there yourself. And then...it's like...cats and dogs living together...mass hysteria.
Back in September I put an offer down on a house, that I was going to buy. It was panning out pretty well...and then...last minute...it all fell through. Unfortunately...it fell through AFTER I gave my 30 day notice at my other apartment and so I've been homeless for the past couple of weeks.

Being homeless is quite the adventure. My car has been transformed into my closet and everything else I own is currently filling up my future in-laws garage to full capacity. I've been staying here and there trying to not bother anyone too bad. But it's getting pretty old living out of a box/bag/car/garage. ALTHOUGH...I have to say...this is the second time around that I've done this...not for this long...but I've been in this position before. Last time I was freakin' out...this time...I'm fine. I feel like it's all going to pan out the way it's supposed to and I'll be fine. I'm homeless...big deal. Homeless happens. I've got great things ahead of me.
One of the greatest of all...I get to marry one of THE most amazing people on this planet! Woot Woot! Chad is my rock. He's amazing! And just when I think he's topped out...he turns around and does something even MORE amazing. I love it! The day before I moved out, it was a friday, and Chad only works 4 days a week, so he has fridays off. Well he got a key to my old apartment without telling me and while I was at work he went in and packed up my entire kitched, cleaned out all the cupboards, cleaned the stove, cleaned the oven, cleaned all of my bathrooms, AND did my laundry! Now ladies...I ask you...how many girls can say they've found a catch like that! SERIOUSLY! It's like I've struck Gold, and trust me...I'm well aware of my fortune. WOW I love him!
We went and got our engagement pictures the other day. Wanted to share some of them with you. Enjoy!

Anxiously ENGAGED

I'm ENGAGED! I was trying to come up with some witty and fun way of announcing it...but...I'm too excited to be creative! Last night I was expecting just another night out with my boy, he had had a long day and had asked we go out for a detox when he got done with his study group. He came, he picked me up and took me to Dairy Queen and bought me a Strawberry Cheesecake Blizzard, and then drove me up to our "seceret spot". You see, when we were first dating we would go out on "Detox Sessions". Where we would just vent and re-group and relax and just escape all the crap that was going on in our lives. It's just what we do. So I wasn't thinking ANYTHING of it when he drove me up there. We were having a nice little conversation about this, that and the other- Nothing really life altering- and then we started talking about our first detox session and how everything just snow balled from there. We were sitting in his car, reminicing about how great it's been getting to know one another and all the drama that encircled our courtship and then he turned to me and said "You are my favorite person ever, and I love you more than anything, and I want you to have this." He handed me the box and then said "And I want you to marry me." :D

I was completely caught off gaurd! I had NO clue! The man is AMAZING with surprises, and this one took the cake. He had a dozen roses for me and everything and it was...perfect. He's perfect. For me he is. Even with all his imperfections...which only make him more loveable. He's amazing to me! I've never in my life felt more loved and adorned and completely blessed.

He picked out the ring himself and he did a GOOD job!

I'm Getting MARRIED to the most incredible man I've ever met!!!! November 19th in the Bountiful Temple! And I couldn't be more excited about it! I choose my love and I love my choice!