The Wedding Trailer...

Without further ado.... Brian's first wedding trailer!

Monica and Jeff - March 20, 2010 from The Benne Productions on Vimeo.

Please let us know what you think.

I can see my biceps...

That's right folks, when I lift my arm, my bicep sticks out. What's going on?

Oh, it's probably the weight lifting and protein shakes.

I didn't do as well as normal last week but I have been doing great this week.

Well, life has been crazy busy as of late.

Last weekend, Brian filmed my coworkers wedding

and I was his assistant for the grand event.

It was the first wedding he has done.

He is working on a trailer for it and

he is going to post it on here tomorrow.

It is turning out great!!!!

Running outside is harder than running on the treadmill.

I am super nervous for the race on Saturday.

I hope I don't die.

We are doing a big weigh in on Friday

and I will post our pounds lost then.

I will give you a hint though...

I have gone almost 2 pant sizes!

Workout it out...

I am back again! Here is the scoop: Brian and I are in our own version of the biggest loser but we are not competing and we won't win a lot of money if we were. We started our new life plan the first week of January. It was a cold and hunger filled day when we first stepped into the Anytime Fitness gym. I was intimidated by the loud music and sweaty people but now it is like a home away from home. Brian made friends with a man from Vancouver and they bonded over his maple leaf tattoo. (shown below)

I made an enemy by wearing a Red Wings shirt in the Blackhawks zone. And we also got our first glimpse of the man we lovingly call "Jeans." Why do we call him jeans? Because he wears tapered, stone washed jeans with an extremely tight wife beater to the gym to work out. And all he does are pull ups and lunges. We think he is on the prowl....good thing I am taken.

Okay, back to the plan. We started out running little bits and and using the elliptical. It was tough. We were both really out of shape but now our heart is in the correct range and we don't huff and puff as much. After around 2 months, we both were able to increase our running up to be able to run a 5k (3.1 miles). Don't get me wrong, it is not easy and sometimes I feel like my muscles are ripping and my bones are shattering and I might die. I started out just running like .75 of a mile and slowly increased it and mixed it with other workouts. The plan is for us to run a 5k on March 27th. Both my sisters are coming into town and my brother and cousins are running it too. We are excited but nervous for it. We still have to make the transition from treadmill to outside running. YIKES!

But now it is late, and I need to soak my legs in the bathtub before I go to bed. It is the only thing that works for me to be able to move comfortably tomorrow. Oh, by the way, it was like a bowl full of ice cream to look tonight and see all those comments! Keep it up...

And get ready for some future posts: books we love and how much weight we have lost.... let the anticipation commence!

We are back!!!

Phew, it has been a long time. But I am back! I decided to do a little bit of a blog remodel. But before I go into that, let me just say that it feels good to be back and here is a list of some updates in Brian and my life:

1. Weight loss: This is a big one and where my mind is focused on a whole lot during the day. I think to myself, "No, self, you cannot have that delicious looking bagel, cupcake, etc..." In theory weight loss is easy, and to some people it is. But it is hard, honestly it is one of the hardest things EVER. I feel like I am in constant, muscle-achy pain, growling stomach, mixed with extreme jealousy at those people who are "naturally" thin. But, Brian and I will succeed in this and I will get into more details of our plan later. Hint, it has something to do with the blog remake.

2. Illinois: Hello, Land of Lincoln! Last time this blog had been updated, we were moving to IL. Well, we have been in IL since October now. I can't believe it has been so long. We are still living with my brother and have been getting along famously! It is really fun and he has a clapper and makes us chicken tacos. We are not sure of the future or how long we will be staying with him but for now we are content.

3. My job: At the end of January, I switched campuses. I now work 10 minutes away from home and I LOVE not having the long commute but I miss my coworkers from Chicago. Also, my schedule changed and I work normal hours on Monday and Wednesday, long hours on Tuesday and Thursday and I have off on Fridays. I don't think I can't express how much I love having Fridays off. It is awesome!

4. Brian's unemployment: He is still looking but had some promising interviews last week. Keep him in your prayers.

5. Books: We both have been reading a lot. And we will get more into that in a future post. And yes, there will be future posts.... That's a promise.

6. TV: I highly recommend the show Community for anyone who likes to laugh and likes slightly inappropriate jokes. It is hilarious, I can't even explain how good it it. Thinking about it puts a smile on my face.

7. Shoes: Above is pictured my new, amazing, sultry shoes. I run in them. (Yes, I do run now) I wanted the blue color but with my monster feet they only had the purple color. They were one of the most expensive purchases I have made in a very long time. Is it bad to be in love with a pair of shoes?

So for today, I have to say goodnight, but don't you worry..... I will be back tomorrow!

Things are happening, fast.

We decided that we are moving to Aurora, IL, yesterday.

It just makes sense b/c we won't have to pay rent

and be able to live off unemployment if we have to.

Today, I was offered for the position I interviewed for in Chicago.

YES!

I will be a financial aid counselor for a university,

pays pretty good, good benefits,

good hours and I will be getting off at 3:30 on Fridays.

What a relief, let me tell you!

We have mixed feelings about everything.

We love being this close to Erin and Timmy

but we will also love being close to my family when we move.

Well, I should go and pack.

Suffering from a severe case of the sniffles and stress right now.

A lot to do in the next few days: Brian takes the GRE on thursday, we are packing up the truck on thursday and driving to IL on Friday. Just in time to see my brother run the marathon on Sunday. So excited for him. Please keep praying for us, we need all you've got.

I am back from a fun but super exhausting trip to IL.

The job interview went well,

I should hear something soon.

And then plans will be forged.

And I will let you know.

Until then, my face is broken out, my stomach hurts, can't sleep and am super anxious. For someone who likes to make plans, this not knowing thing really....(excuse my language) sucks.

On a side note,

I didn't tell you, my blog, that I dyed my hair brown. I realize that I tend to dye my hair around every two years and following in that pattern, I dyed it. It is a nice change. Although, I am already considering some highlights (is that bad?).

Also, I was just thinking about a lunch that I made Brian and I the other day. I thought it was a little funny, so I will post it here. Things in our lunch:

1 string cheese

2 half sandwiches (one peanut butter and banana, the other was peanut butter and jelly)

3 dill pickle snackers

4 slices of apple

5 carrots

6 green olives

7 pretzels

I am the count? Anyways, the numbers got a little off because we actually had two number ones (if you include diet cokes).

Well, I should head off to the grocery store and then over to the Timmy and Erin's for some football and some sewing of a dog bed for Potter. Maybe I will post a picture when it is done, maybe...

Hello blog. I know that it has been a LONG time. Probably the longest ever. A friend, named Timmy, reminded me that I should update this and so here I am.

A lot has happened since I last updated.

Well, I am still unemployed and as of yesterday, Brian is too.

Very bad.

Very, very bad.

We are weighing our options right now.

Brian had a second interview for a job yesterday and should soon find out about it.

I am uber frustrated b/c I have been applying to around 8-10 jobs on average daily.

It is so frustrating.

On that note, we are coming up with a plan B and a plan C.

Plan B, move to Illinois.

I applied to a couple jobs there

and also a family friend has given me hope of a job of a financial aid advisor in Chicago.

I applied and am planning a trip for an interview.

We would live at my brother's house until we get back on our feet.

Plan C, a possible move to MI.

Due to the economy, this option is doubtful.

So besides that, we are okay.

Living.

Any prayers would be appreciated.

I'll update this when we know what is happening.

Until then, I hope I don't have a panic attack.