Adios and Bring It On

It's NYE my friends and I LOVE IT. I can't wait to say SEE YA LATER to 2012. Not to say that some stellar things didn't happen.... A few of my favorites were:

MO Cowbell Half - Marathon
Elle's First Concert - Justin Bieber
Wes's Golden Birthday - Mustache Bash (sorry no post) but you can see his 1st Bee B-day HERE
Cardinals in general - LOL... even if we did lose. Love them boys.
Philadelphia trip and buying a size 6.
Meeting up with some great Blogger gals for the 1st time. Love making new friends.
Running the GLO Run with my bestie.
Eric had some good things happen at his job:)
Wes has grown leaps and bounds this year.
2 of my great friends got pregnant despite many years of infertility.

There are more - but these stand out for 2012. On the other hand, there were a TON of "not so great" things that happened in 2012 ~ so on that note, I can't wait to put this year past me and move on to 2013.

In 2013 I am looking forward to a few changes in myself. I can't wait to look back at this post in December 2013 and see if ANY were kept:

Start to let my "guard" down or my "wall". I keep a guard up at all times, because I don't like disappointment at ALL. I don't like being let down, so I always think the "worst" and if it works out then great and if not, then I can go with "told ya so". Yes I need to work on this.

Stop being so hard on myself. I am my WORST critic - for real I am terrible. I have to let some of that go and actually be my BEST supporter. This I will work on.

Stand up to others. You wouldn't think it, but I back down often (from certain people), because it is easier to just "let it go". This year I will work on standing my ground - even if it reeks havoc;)

Internalize more. I am a HUGE extrovert. I love being around others, near others, talking to others, etc... I think in 2013 I need to focus more internally. Now, don't get me wrong I am not letting go of my true self, but I need to figure some shiz out  ~ this year I will do that. 

Yes I will work on all those things - also I posted my 5 Wishes For the New Year. I WILL be working on those, as well.

Alrighty...boy, I got a little deep there for a bit;) In addition - I can't wait for NYE tonight. I had my girl come over last night. She did my hair, spray tanned, and did my make-up and actually wrote down how I am supposed to do it. AGH!!!! It looked GREAT - now lets see if I can re-create.

I basically have a New Years resolution for tonight and the year and it goes a little something like this:

Have A Safe & Happy New Years Eve

What are you going to work on in 2013? Eye make-up genius? Vodka or Tequila?

Yep stole this...

Well here it is Saturday again and I am a posting.. YIPPERS. I saw that Kim, Lora, and KellyAnne were doing this here little ditty - so I am doing it too. HAHAHA - no I love reading the "get to know you" posts ~ so I am going do to ANOTHER one. LOL... 

A. Age: 32 BABY! I am a Leo if you didn't know that...
B. Bed size: Queen - I would love a King but E won't have it (he is sick snuggler - barf)
C. Chore you hate: Folding the laundry... 
D. Dogs: 1 Asti - she is 7 years old - yorkie/maltese mix.
E. Essential start to your day: Brush and floss my teeth - I am obsessed with teeth.
F. Favorite color: Gold or Silver - mostly Gold. 
G. Gold or Silver: Well then, didn't see that coming - GOLD
H. Height: 5'5 
I. Instruments you play: I could get dirty here BUT I am going with NONE.
J. Job Title: FTWM - System Administrator
K. Kids: 2 - Elle she is 5 and Wesley he is 2 1/2
L. Live: St. Louis, Missouri. 
M. Married: May 14, 2005
N. Nicknames: Mel, MJ, Spit fire, trouble;)
O. Overnight hospital stays: Just to have my kids. Never been in otherwise.
P. Pet peeve: Using double negatives in sentences - COME ON!!!!
Q. Quote: "The World Is Your Stage"  
R. Righty or Lefty: Righty.
S. Siblings: 1 brother he is 30. 2 step-sisters (Step-Dad side) and 1 step-sister (Step-Mom side) 
T. Time you wake up:  EARLY. 4 a.m. if I am getting a run/workout in - if not 5:30 a.m.
U. University attended: Central Missouri State University 
V. Vegetables you dislike: Cooked Peas and Cooked Carrots - I like them raw though.
W. What makes you run late: Kids and/or my hair is not co-operating;)
X. X-rays you've had: Dental ones and ultrasounds when I was preggo.
Y. Yummy food: SWEETS. Swedish Fish, Kit Kat Bars, Rolos, Gummy Bears, Twix, you get the point...
Z. Zoo animal favorite: PUFFINS... don't know what they are - google. They are adorable.

Have a Great Weekend

Friday Fun

So it is Friday, I am still not feeling 100% - but I do feel better. I have been dosing myself with Mucinex and drinking tons of fluid - so hopefully that helps. On the other hand, I do have a massive headache today (could be the day 3 no carbs headache too). Ugh.. Advil here I come.

Last Night I met my girl Laura for sushi and we had a blast - we exchanged gifts with one another and I am LOVING my new Cardinals bracelet. She also gave me some awesome Buxom (Bare Minerals) lip gloss and GOLD.. yes GOLD my friends... mascara for new years eve. Oh yeah... BLING eyes all the way!

So this morning I woke up at 8 am, the longest I have slept in YEARS. The kids slept in until 9:00 a.m. and it was fabulous. So I caught up on some reading. I am re-reading the Crossfire Series by Sylvia Day. I swear you guys -  Gideon Cross is THE MAN... He is BEYOND fanfreakintastic. If you like naughty novels - pick these up - MUCH better than 50 Shades (or at least to me).

Kids woke up, made breakfast, worked out - YES I DID... it felt good to sweat - got ready and met my girl Kim on my way to work. Her brother hooked me up with a new Garmin Forerunner 10 and I am so stoked to use it. THANK YOU KIM... I am going to use it tomorrow for SURE.

I wanted this SOOOOOOOOO bad this morning - Day 3 No Carbs.  AGH!!!

So that is the fun that is today. I am meeting some AWESOME people after work for Mexican. Yes you all know me - if it isn't sushi it is Mexican. LOL... My favs. I also told E that all this running around after work will stop after the holidays - maybe/maybe not? No it will - these parties and get togethers were crazy this year. I need to slow my roll and start working on the fat rolls - #OperationRedBikini baby...

Oh.. one more thing - you know Hannah the American Doll, the new addition to our family - Elle is in LOVE. For real, this is the best present EVER. She NEVER puts her down. SCORE...

Happy Friday 

American Doll stories? No carbing it? Gold mascara?

Not So Great Thursday

Hey people - it's Thursday. I am happy to report I got my strength training in last night and much needed dance session in my basement to some "Britney Bit**". Fully intended to wake up at 4 am and run this morning, BUT... I still feel "not so hot" - so I slept in. Tonight I am having Sushi at Tani with my girl Laura (after work), so looks like I will be running with raw fish rumbling around in my belly when I get home. Fanfreakintastic...

Anways - not feeling so well today - so that is all she wrote. I will be back tomorrow. Peace.

Merry Detox Day...

It's Wednesday and Christmas 2012 is officially O.V.E.R. for me... We had a great one. The kids received everything they wanted minus the snow-cone machine (Elle has now been talking about since the big man didn't bring it - I will be going out today to get it), my house now needs an additional playroom, and we are about 5 lbs heavier. HOORAH! Here are some pics from Christmas Day - coming STRAIGHT at ya...

We did manage to get in a few runs and workouts over Christmas Eve and even on Christmas day, while the kids played in the play room with all their new toys... It felt really, really, really good - then I blew it by shoveling about 7 rice krispy treats down my face after dinner - eh... I love those things...

I kind of wanted to die on Christmas Eve - I pushed out 6 miles BUT good music helps. Nice to be hanging with some G and Troy. Reminds me of the Star Bar in college, after the bar would close my girl Jess and I would have the DJ (her husband now) play our favorite jams (yes I just used that word) and these were always on the list. The bouncers were cleaning up and we would be on the dance floor shaking our groove thang;)

Okay enough reminiscing... It is freaking DETOX day and this girl right here is doing NO CARBS until New Years eve... why you ask? remember that cream dress - yeah, it came on Monday and I have to fit into it WITHOUT spillage (SPANX you very much). So I MAY be a bia this week - so get ready... Here is to meat, water, veggies, more meat, cheese, water, even more meat.. AGH!!!!!!! I am already sad... Ugh... Oh well... on NYE I will be rocking the new digs and dancing my booty off - I have decided that my NYE song is going to be "Scream & Shout" by will.i.am & Britney Spears - yep... CALLED IT!! LOL...

On the workout front - here is how the rest of my week up until NYE looks:
Wednesday (Today) - strength train
Thursday - 5 miles
Friday - strength train
Saturday - 7 miles
Sunday - 3 miles and strength train
Monday - strength train

Hitting it hard - isn't it crazy that when you ACTUALLY have somewhere to go and something to do, you are all "OKAY I AM DOING THIS". I need this motivation ALL the time... Hopefully this will jump start it.

Wednesday OUT...

NYE plans? Like Lil Troy? No carbs?

Guilt, Gluttony, and Pictures...

Merry Christmas Eve - Mr. Claus comes tonight. Bring mama something in a nice little light blue box - ppppplease... You know what song I love "Santa Baby" - for real that song makes me so happy AND guess who sings it now with me - ELLE! Awwww that child... Oh here are some pics from yesterday's Christmas fun at my mom's house. Oh, btw... I ate like crapola and didn't feel bad about it until I woke up this morning with swollen salt face... BOO...

Green Beans with Bacon - only way to roll AND Reuben Dip (recipe HERE)

Elle loves Bieber - her mama loves his lips and hips. BAH!

Elle, Wes, and my nephew Jake

So of course we went home immediately and put up the poster AND I put away all the presents, because I am anal and everything in my house has to have a place!

My house

Oh yeah - looking good there Biebs...

Good times I tell ya...

On another note, the Waterkotte's took pictures for E's G-ma this Christmas - here are a few...

Elle, my nephew Will, and Wesley 

Back - Stacy (Eric's younger sister), Dan (Eric's older brother), Steve (Eric's younger brother and Stacy's twin), and E
Front - Kyle (Eric's cousin) and Derrick (Eric's cousin and brother of Kyle)

Here we ALL are - Back my SIL Lauren married to Dan / Front my SIL Maghen married to Steve
and me... this was after my Santa Run and I didn't even put make-up on. Sorry G-ma this girl was tired.

My babies - I love them so much...

And finally the GUILT part. For Elle and Wes's school, their classrooms usually collect money for the Christmas gifts for the teachers. Well I contributed to Elle's class and had it all together - wrote my check, got it to school in time, etc... then I walked in to drop them off on Friday and guess what - I HAVE ANOTHER CHILD... and his name is Wesley!!! AND... his teachers got NOTHING from me. Where is my head people - for real? I felt TERRIBLE.... so if any of you Rainbow Room teachers read this - you will get your gift after the Holidays and I apologize. I guess since no-one collected moolah in that class - I totally just FORGOT! I am a bad Goddard mom - but I will make up for it. Yep... we forget sometimes - or at least I do...

Well I haven't ran or worked out since last Sunday - FAIL... but I fully intend to jump on the treadmill this evening and push out 6 miles or so. I miss working out, running, and eating right. These Holidays KILL me ~ but I will get back on track.

Since the world didn't end over the weekend - looks like I will be getting drunk on Christmas, listening to people tell the same story 50 times, hearing about how Wes looks just like E and PaPa Rocky, and kicking every one's a** in Candyland. BOOYA!!!

Merry Christmas

Forget stuff? Candyland champion? German girl like me (Reuben dip)?

What What What?

You no like me to blog?  Now I will blog MORE. MWAH HA HA HA!!!! Yep it's Saturday and here I am.

My STRAIGHT crazy and loud girl Kim - has tagged me in a "5 wishes for the New Year" post. So since, if we ever do meet in person, we will most likely get kicked out of the place because of the volume of our conversations - here ya go....

1. Run a marathon - yes, I run another half in April, but I am REALLY shooting for a girls trip to Chicago to run my FIRST full on October 13, 2013. Any takers? Run, shop, get into trouble - good times I tell ya...

2. Wear a bikini - have my a** in a bikini on the beach in San Diego in May, and feel GOOD about it.

3. Take the kids on a vacation - whether it be solo or as a family. They need to get out of St. Louis and see the world. I grew up going on MANY vacations throughout the year and E did NOT... so my kids are lacking in this, it is TIME to branch out and make some memories. Missouri is so "meh" - there is so much MORE.

4. Get a new car - I need one, BAD. My Altima (Pearl - that is her name) is a 2005 and has about 160,000 miles on her. She runs good and has treated me well, but it is time to move on over to a crossover. Acura RDX, YOU are looking mighty fine.

5.  Be happy - yes this one is true. I wish to just "be happy" - with whatever that means and wherever that leads me. Happiness is a GOOD thing.

Well there you have it... I think I am supposed to tag a few people for this as well - not sure who has been tagged or has not - so here are a few... If anyone else wants to join - feel free to do so....

Erin at Homemade Happenings
Shelly at Shelly No Belly
Meredith at Is This Thing On?
Veronica at V Watts' Thoughts

Have a Wonderful Weekend

What Would Eazy do? Run a Half...

Well I am back. Ha.. Didn't take me long on that one. I woke up and thought "What would Eazy E do?" so I decided to "Mother F Dre, Mother F Snoop, Mother F Death Row... yo...and here comes my left blow, cuz I am the E-A-Z-Y-E and this is the season to let the real Mother Fin G's in". Yep... there you have it... Marcy, Lindsey, and Megan - you should be so proud of me today...;)

Thank you all who commented yesterday - it really helped me to get out of the "funk" and to just MOVE on. OVER IT!!!

So with all that being said. I can't believe it, but it is almost time again to start training for my next half-marathon. AGH!!!!!!! It is the GO St. Louis and it is on April 7th. I don't follow the Hal Higdon training schedule. I trained for the Cowbell by using this one - HERE. I like the flexibility of this schedule better and it suited my lifestyle. Plus the run was GREAT and I vowed to use it again. So I am going with that one. Since the schedule is set for a 12 week period, my training begins on January 13th. BOOYA!!! I can't wait to get back in the "groove" again. I have to admit I LOVE training for these runs. I really do. I can't wait to knock it out and beat my 2 hr 9 min pace. I am hoping for right at 2 hrs or if I could push it (maybe unattainable goal) under 2 hrs. I am REALLY giving my all this time around and WILL be shaving off minutes - no doubt about it!

In between, I have a few fun runs coming up - a 4 miler in January with the lovely Kim and the St. Patrick's day 5 miler. I love this one - you run, then booze all afternoon while watching the parade. One of my favorite days of the year;)

Also I will be posting some RESOLUTIONS next week... I keep them about 2.6% of the time. At least I write them down, right?

This is going out to all you studio gangstas

Any upcoming runs? Operation Red Bikini in order? E fan?

Not All Rainbows... 2nd Post Thursday and for Friday

Happy Thursday - yes... I am posting AGAIN today, BUT for a good reason. I need to discuss. You all know I am usually rainbows, sunshine, smiles, sugary, etc... today I am confused - yes I know, I look confused MOST of my life.

I don't normally vent or get sucked into all that "he said, she said" stuff - because, honestly, I don't like to exhaust my energy on negativity - GAWD knows I have enough of that elsewhere in my life. I am a firm believer in YOU make the choices in your life and I choose to steer clear of negative energy, people, places, etc...

With all that being said, I don't get people/situations sometimes. I TRY to always put myself in other people's shoes and NOT judge a person because I am NOT them and do not know the whole story. If something makes a person happy - so be it... that is them. For instance, I HATE the wilderness and outdoorsy trail hikes, camping, etc... but would I knock you for doing it? NO NO NO... Have at it - do as you wish/please. I just choose to hang out in a hotel with a pool. No-one is right - no-one is wrong - we are just DIFFERENT. You like to listen to Country music - yay for you... I am just NOT a fan - but does that make me NOT like you or think otherwise of you - NOPE!!!! I will raise my SOLO cup (that is a song right?) to you and say "I have friends in low places" (another song right?) while Biggie blares in the background at my house.

So getting to my point... If you don't like my blog, instagram, keek, twitter, etc... just STOP going to it. Don't click on my blogs URL, my name on the apps, or the link on my FB page. That is YOUR choice to make. This world makes me HAPPY. I love to write non-sense, make new friends, find fun things to do, learn about other people, encourage others, play dress up, swap recipes, post pics of myself and the kids, follow others shenanigans and families, swap stories, laugh hysterically at others funny comments, etc... This is MY hobby and MY outlet - I don't golf, hang out at the bars often, scrapbook, make sweaters/hats, collect precious moments, etc... I find motivation and inspiration in the people I have fallen in love with, right here in the blog world. We might not hang out, face to face, every day - but we CARE about one another, even if you CAN'T understand that. We ALL still have our REAL lives with friends and family - that is of UTMOST importance - but this is a "family" too.

I am also a firm believer in communication and communication with the actual person whom you are questioning. So if you are wondering about me, this world I am in, and what it all means, etc... please ask ME... no-one can explain it better than the person who is LIVING it. Please feel free to direct questions to ME - not around me. I will answer them to the best of my ability, I will listen to your opinion with an open-mind, and I will NOT judge you for not understanding what I do.

I could go on and on - but I am going to stop here. Thank you all for listening to my rant - I need to get it out NOW. For those who may have questions - you have my phone number.... and for others, my email is missmel_joy@yahoo.com - if you want we can exchange verses via phone as well. For all those who DO understand - THANK YOU for being apart of my life - you mean the WORLD to me.

I will NOT be posting tomorrow - I am processing...

Have a Great Weekend...

Sarah and Heather's Holiday Link-up

Good morning - I had a rough night post-partying after the "HJ Awards" show - so today I thought a nice little link up with Sarah and Heather would be fitting. It's about the Holidays and since Christmas is less than a week away - here we go...

The questions are:

What's your favorite holiday movie? - ELF by far... or the old school "Grinch"

Do you have any special traditions? - Elf on the Shelf. Christmas Eve is spent at our house with our immediate family, opening one gift and reading the story of "Baby Jesus".  

What's your favorite ornament or decoration? - Favorite decoration would be the Nativity Scene from E's g-ma. However it is glass and I am too scared to put it out while the kids are little;) So it looks nice in the box that is in the basement.

Best gift you've ever received? - My Dad gave me a pendant one year when I was about 7 - it says "Daddy's Little Girl". Still have it and love it.

Worst gift you've ever received? - A green Tommy Hilfilger sweater that looked like it was for a boy. HATED IT... or these hideous CUBS boxers. First off - HATE boxers (yes people I am a GIRL) and second I LOATHE the Cubs.

Favorite winter accessory? - Scarves and Boots are you kidding me? I am all about them.

Real tree or fake? - FAKE... I am allergic to wood... no for real.. Can't do camp fires, bonfires, etc... Probably a blessing because I HATE camping or anything that has to do with being out in the wilderness.

When and how did you find out that Santa was not real? - Not sure - I think I was probably 9 or so.. and I think my mom told me... but don't quote me on that. 

So link-up, check it out, vlog it, blog it, whatever you gotta do. Click the button above. Have a great Thursday. I would of vlogged but my voice is GONE. Uh OH!!! Happy Holidays to me...

I would like to thank the little people...

Hello all... I want to first preface this post by saying yesterday I had NYE shopping SUCCESS. If you don't follow me on instagram - this will all be new to you:) So... I bought a dress, shoes, and the girls at Bare Minerals have convinced me that slutty red lips is the way to go with my skin tone and hair color. Once I get to the awards - you will understand all this non-sense.

I have been waiting all week to see the nominees for "The Hubbies" and honestly I couldn't wait to LMAO and Chris delivered, as usual. I was rolling the whole way to work and am still... So when I opened the page and saw that THIS GIRL RIGHT HERE was nominated I was like "oh yeah" and then I was a wee bit embarrassed to see my category. BUT... he is right - no shame in the game, right Chris... LOL? For real - click the link below and check out the winners - EPIC!

Shameless Selfie's coming at ya: (NYE outfit and lips...)

Yesterday, I also went home with these Nine West Killers... Sorry I couldn't pass these up.

First... thank you to all who actually care about my non-sense, who think that my style is suitable for a 32 year old (HA), who adore the cuteness that is my kids, and who actually LOOK at the million pictures I post a day.. LOVE YOU ALL...

Happy Wednesday

Your reaction when you won? Any great new shoes I should know about? Red lips - yay or nay?