Deep Cleaning: Part 2

Subject: THE OVEN

Link: How to Clean Your Oven Naturally

Products: Baking Soda, Soap, Vinegar

Method: Mix paste. Apply. Let sit for 8 hours. Scrub. Rinse. Done.

I have never cleaned an oven in my life and I had my work cut out for me when I started cleaning this beast. Just look:

See how black the oven light is!

There's wording on there but you can't read it.

Overall...nasty!

Applying the paste was a little tricky. It was like spreading paint, when it's 100 degrees and it's dripping everywhere. I started with the top and I'm glad I did because a majority of it dripped to the bottom anyway. I used my hands to spread the mixture, which is probably a no-no but I didn't have a brush as suggested. I'll definitely be investing in one for next time. 

I applied the paste around 11:30am and came back at 9:00pm to do a quick clean and be done. There was nothing quick about it. The oven door became a major obstacle in being able to scrub the oven properly. Finally, I decided to say the heck with it and just rinse out all the paste. 

With each wipe of the oven, I only created more bubbles and soapiness. I soon realized that it was going to take me all night to rinse it out. I didn't have that kind of time. So I did the only thing I could think of. I grabbed a bucket, filled it with water and literally threw the water into the oven. Terrible, I know. But I had no idea how I was going to get the paste out without wasting a ton of water and using fifty washcloths in the process.

My little "trick" worked but unfortunately, yes, it did get water all over the floor. So I grabbed some towels to soak it up. I pulled the oven away from the wall to ensure I got all of the water off the floor. My oven does not sit flush with the counter so this is a simple task. But it's what I found when I pulled the oven away that made this story even better. 

Sitting behind my oven was a packaged black mass and the label read "French Bread". I'm sure, at one time, it resembled that but "bread" had long since expired. I've lived in this house for eight months now and I've never bought french bread. I repeat, this is not my bread! Not only that, the house was vacant for quite some time before I moved in. Who knows how long that bread has been there? Eww. 

YUM!

The following day, my parents stopped by on my lunch break and I was telling them my tale. My dad walked over to the oven and opened the door. He then proceeded to pull the oven door off with ease. We started cracking up laughing. I hadn't even thought to see if the door came off. The biggest obstacle in cleaning my oven didn't have to be an obstacle at all! I felt so silly. 

Since I hadn't been able to clean the oven the best, I decided to wash it out a little better later that evening. This time I took the door off and holy cow, it was so much easier! The finished product still needs a lot of work but this will have to do until I have the chance to clean it better.

Look, the light's not black anymore!

Now you can actually read what the door says. Very useful information!

TA-DA!

Subject: OVEN RACKS

Link: How to Clean Your Oven Racks

Products: Soap, Dryer Sheets

Method: Put oven racks in tub full of water with soap and dryer sheets. Let sit 8 hours. Scrub. Rinse. Done.

After the oven debacle, I still had to scrub my oven racks, which I had put in the shower with some dryer sheets and soap. Odd combination, I know, but it totally works.

I was too exhausted at this point to do any more decent scrubbing but I tried my best and wow, I used the dryer sheets and they took the gunk right off! Had it not been 10:30 at night, I would have scrubbed harder and I'm sure they'd be sparkling. 

 Didn't take before and afters of the racks but here you go.

After the success of cleaning the sink and oven burners, cleaning the oven itself was a bit of a let down. There is still a lot of work to be done on it but I know it looks way better. The process was tiring and trying but I definitely learned a lot from my day of deep cleaning. Next time, I'll be a pro. ;o)

Deep Cleaning: Part 1

This weekend I went on a deep cleaning frenzy in my home. Okay...maybe not a frenzy but given my track record, deep cleaning even one thing in my home is worth bragging about. It was quite the experience and I learned some lessons in the art of scrubbing.

First up: THE KITCHEN SINK
Link: How to Clean a Porcelain Sink
Products: Baking Soda, Hydrogen Peroxide, Bar Keeper's Friend Soft Cleanser
Method: First, half an hour of dishes due to pile up. I'm only human. Second, scrub with baking soda. Scrub some more with peroxide. Rinse. Scrub with cleanser. Rinse. Done.

My sink takes a beating washing dishes since I don't have a dishwasher. Here's the before pictures:

Baking soda is a phenominal scrubber. I've tried to use soap to clean this sink many times. It removed the basic spots, but the sink still looked gross and it was NOT clean. Baking soda worked it's magic and scrubbed off what regular soap couldn't, which was pretty much everything. It erased the black marks that were so generously spread throughout my porcelain sink. I didn't think those marks would ever come off. Boy, was I wrong!

The combination of baking soda and peroxide took care of the black marks but there were some stubborn marks in the corners of the sink and the bottom was still yellow. A few drops of the cleanser later and kiss them goodbye! This stuff is amazing. If you don't already have it, you need to get some. Now.

Next up: STOVE BURNERS

Link: Clean Stove Burners

Products: Baking Soda, Hydrogen Peroxide

Method: Mix paste. Apply to burners. Let sit. Scrub. Rinse. Done.

Next, I took on the stove top. In the link, it doesn't tell you to let the paste sit but I did for good measure. I had let the peroxide sit for 15 minutes in the sink. Figured it couldn't hurt to do the same here. Again, baking soda wielded it's magic powers and my burners are now significantly less disgusting to look at.

The bottom right one was the most disgusting. Out of the four, it gets the most use. Sure, it's not perfect but it looks way better! I tried the cleanser on these as well after the mixture but didn't notice much of a difference. I'd stick with just the baking soda and peroxide for this job.

And now for part 2: Deep Cleaning: Part 2

The Girl Who's Pants Are Falling Off

Today marks six months into the longest weight loss journey I've ever been on. In that time, I've lost 46 pounds. I didn't do any special diet or weight loss program. I didn't spend any extra money. I simply started something and didn't quit. I'm not a fan of diet and exercise. I'm a fan of staying in pajamas as long as possible and eating Oreos like they are being discontinued but somehow I found something that works for me and I wanted to share with you what I've learned along the way.

1. I don't beat myself up over eating too much or not working out.

To be honest, my diet hasn't changed very much. I still eat chocolate and french fries from time to time. I don't eat those things a lot but they remain on the menu. Also, if I'm hungry, I eat. I don't starve myself because that only makes me prone to overeating. If I miss a day of working out, I don't dwell on it. I used to start exercising and as soon as I missed a day, I quit working out entirely. This time around, I stopped feeling guilty about missing a workout. Life happens and some days I can't fit fitness into my schedule so I move on and exercise the next day.  

2. Gaining weight when you are trying to lose it is not the end of the world.

I don't obsess over the scale and weigh myself only once a week. There have been times when I step on and my number goes up but I don't let those weeks get to me. I let them teach me to be more conscious of my choices the next week. Some of those increases weren't due to fat but muscle and a majority of those gains would be followed by a week when I lost twice as much weight. I would gain a pound and a half one week and lose three the next. It can be discouraging to see the scale go up but I think it's better to have set backs because it reminds you that it's not going to be easy and you have to work hard for every pound you lose.

3. Losing weight slowly is better for the body long term.

During my weight loss journey, I've averaged about 1.2 pounds lost per week, which is considered slow weight loss. However, we live in a quick-fix society, which convinces us to seek rapid weight loss and immediate results. The problem with this thinking is that it doesn't last. What good is losing 10 pounds in two weeks if you'll only gain twenty in the next couple of months? I lost 30 pounds back in high school, gained it all back and another 50 throughout college. I got tired of spending money on programs that only produced temporary changes. Quick-fix diets don't teach you how to maintain healthy choices for life. Being healthy is not something you do for three months on and nine months off. It's continuous and never-ending. Slow weight loss allows you to make gradual changes to your diet and fitness regimens. If you adjust slowly, you are more likely to stick with these changes long-term. A great article on aboutgastro.com explains another great advantage to losing weight slowly:
     "As the weight is coming off, the body can repair damages that were caused with all that additional weight without having to deal with everything all at once if weight is lost slowly and steadily.  In addition to this, the skin will have a chance to shrink as the body does.  All that extra skin that is seen in people who lose weight really quickly is virtually non-existent on a person who allows the skin to adjust slowly.  The body is incredibly adaptive if given enough time to figure out what is going on, and it is more likely to assist a person during the weight loss journey and beyond if the extra pounds come off slowly enough."

4. Not every day is a good day.

I still feel the effects of being overweight. I am becoming healthier but I still have a long way to go. It's not an overnight miracle. When I'm in the middle of my workout and I'm struggling to make it through, I think back to six months ago and what it felt like to not be able to catch my breath or do simple tasks like tying my shoes. I know I don't ever want to feel like that again and instantly, I find all the motivation I need to finish my workout. You will have set backs but you decide whether they stop you or motivate you.  

5. I'm not making excuses anymore. 

I used to come up with many reasons why I didn't have the time or resources to be healthy. Now, instead of making excuses, I make the time. I'll be brutely honest with anybody who wants to lose weight. Either you make it a priority in your life or you don't. Simple as that. Guess what? We're all busy but there are 24 hours in a day and we all get the same amount. It doesn't fluctuate. What you do with those 24 hours is up to you. 

6. I enjoy cooking now.

I'm not switching my career to chef anytime soon but I've discovered that cooking a meal actually feels and tastes very satisfying. Cooking used to seem like a chore to me but now it's soothing. I'm learning it's not that difficult to make a healthy meal. Plus, you have better energy to workout when you eat good food.

7. Sweating feels good.

I will walk up a flight of stairs and start sweating or barely move at work and it's dripping down my face but I've stopped caring about it. I read something online once that said the healthier your body becomes, the more you sweat because your body is working more efficiently. Fit people start to sweat a lot sooner when exercising as well. I've definitely grown to appreciate sweating because as my workout video instructor says, "it means that my body got the movement it needed".

8. It becomes a habit.

I get mad when I don't work out. I enjoy how I feel after exercising so much that I don't want to skip. It's as much a part of my day as eating or sleeping. I don't have to force myself to do it and I actually look forward to it because it's relaxing and energizing. Once, I had a bad headache. I started my workout and struggled through the first 20 minutes or so but by the time I was done, my headache was gone. This is powerful magic we're dealing with. I'm one of the laziest people on planet earth and I'm addicted to exercising. What is happening to me? 

9. Buying workout clothes can make you want to work out and it's okay.

I discovered Fabletics, which is co-founded by Kate Hudson, around the time I started working out. I was amazed to find they carried anything bigger than a large. Usually any clothing created by models or actresses never carries anything in my size but I found something and decided to order. The outfit I purchased was super cute and I tried it on right away when it arrived. It was depressing to find out that it didn't fit. I could pull it on but it was extremely uncomfortable. There was no way I could work out in it so I put it on a hanger and hung it in my bedroom where I could see it and made it my goal to fit into it. I'm proud to say that I now fit in and work out in it just fine. I started buying more outfits and it motivated me to keep exercising so I could fit into them. You can give me crap for buying workout clothes to motivate me but I enjoy wearing Fabletics and if it encourages me to work out and actually use the clothing for it's intended purpose, then why not? Haven't heard of them? Check them out here: Fabletics

10. Posting gym selfies doesn't make you fit.

I've been very personal about this journey from the very beginning. It took awhile for me to even tell my close friends and family and they are the only ones I talk to about it. I like to work out alone and I don't feel the need to share it because it's about me doing something for myself, not for other people. I'm a firm believer that you should spend less time taking pictures of you working out and more time actually working out. I'm only sharing this story now because it might help motivate someone else. I know what it's like to be unhealthy and I know that if I can do this, anybody can.

Lace up those shoes and get started but more importantly, keep going. Soon you will be six months down the road, feeling pretty darn good about yourself.

Sincerely,
That Girl Who's Pants Are Falling Off

Ten Totally Legitimate Reasons Why Losing Weight Is Hard

I’ve been losing and gaining pounds for years, mostly the latter but I've come up with a valid list of explanations as to why it is so dang difficult to get skinny.

1. Because cookies.

Sweet cookie Gods! They taste. So. Good. Just 7 more, and then I promise I’ll go for a walk…to the fridge to get some milk to go with these cookies.

2. Going to the gym is scary.

Sweaty me is a me that nobody needs to see. There are parts of me that wiggle and jiggle and I’m doing others a service really by keeping my jiggly self at home. Also, it’s better not to pretend like you know how to use that weight-lifting equipment.  What do you mean this leg machine isn’t for arm curls? 

3. Healthy food is expensive.

Yes, I’d love to have that in gluten-free but not for $2 more. Do you know what I could do with that $2? That’s right, buy french fries.

4. Man made Netflix.

Curse every episode and movie on this site. All I ever want to do now is curl up in an over-sized sweater with hot Starbucks and watch Daryl Dixon shoot his crossbow over and over.  

5. Smoothies aren’t really that awesome.

Once, I made a smoothie with spinach, peanut butter and banana and it took me two weeks to drink all 16 ounces of that vomit-colored nastiness. It was so potent; I could only handle it in small increments. Pardon me while I erase ‘body building champion’ off my bucket list.

6. They make advertisements.

It never fails. I’m in the middle of eating my turkey, veggie, complex carb cuisine and a commercial for Sonic’s 25 ice cream shake flavors comes on. ½ price after 8pm! Drizzling chocolate syrup over a fluffy bed of whipped cream topped with a juicy cherry. Wait, what was I doing? Oh yeah, getting my car keys. Don’t worry Sonic, I won’t let you down.

7. We want quick results.

What do you mean I can’t get a defined abdomen in three days!? I only lost 1 pound this week!? AAAARRRGGGHHH! In a world where we can ship that cute pair of shoes overnight, why can’t I express ship me some biceps? Now that I might consider paying extra for.

8. Dining out is easier than cooking.

All I want for Christmas is a personal chef. I’ve come to the conclusion that it doesn’t matter how many times I try, I’ll never be able to properly chop tomatoes. Screw it. Subway chops them perfectly!

9. Commitment is tough.

I’ll start after this weekend…I say every Saturday. Picking a starting point is easy. Actually surviving a week of your diet/exercise routine without devouring your refrigerator? Not so simple. All it takes is a whiff of bread to make me forget how to pronounce the word salad.

10. There’s a snooze button on alarms.

And it is significantly larger and more convenient than groping your alarm to find the off switch, so it just makes sense to push snooze first. I need the extra sleep anyway. Dieting has me beat.

Being Single, Being Okay, and Pigs

I am 23. I've never been on a date. I've never had a boyfriend. I am okay with that.

To be honest, I’m not sure that I’d know what having a boyfriend entails. Do you have to hang out with them all the time? How do you plan all these activities to do? When do you kiss? When do you hold hands? When do you say I love you? How are you supposed to act in front of his friends? His family? Should you cook for him?

This is all really stressful stuff to think about. For me, it’s easier not to have a boyfriend.

I remember a time, when I liked a guy. I decided to go bowling with him and some friends. I spent the whole day prepping for the occasion. It was prom all over again. I washed. I shaved. I applied. I curled. It was a four or five hour routine so I could roll an eleven-pound ball down a slick wooden runway. I was shaking. I was sweating. It wasn't a date but that didn't stop it from feeling like one. I tried to relax but couldn't. I remember buying a beer at the bowling alley, hoping it would calm my nerves. It didn't. We went out for pizza afterwards. I wanted to eat seventeen pieces but I settled for one. Didn't want to look like a pig in front of my crush. We drove home and ended up drinking at my house but soon, everyone got tired and I headed to bed. My crush stayed the night (in the living room FYI) but left the next morning before I woke up. Great story huh?

It was ridiculous to be so stressed about the situation but if dating someone is even remotely similar to the scenario above, count me out. When you've spent your entire life being single, it’s hard to see yourself as anything but. You get used to being alone. The day was fun but it was also torture.

Guys, in general, scare the crap out of me. If I find one even slightly attractive, I want to get away from him as quickly as possible. How many girls do you know who think that way? None, because most girls are out there looking for guys like it’s the end of the world and we’re running out of Twinkies. We all know what happened when they stopped making Twinkies for five seconds.

Personally, I never really liked Twinkies all that much and being single doesn't bother me that much. I've watched people younger than me get married, move into apartments, get pregnant and start down the same road many couples have traveled. I've also seen couples get married and then divorce a year later because they didn't take the time to get to know each other. I've known girls who got pregnant when they were still kids themselves. I've met people who will live their entire life in the same place and never question what else is out there.

That is not me.

I am not going to marry the first guy who comes along and shows interest in me. I’m not going to give up my dream of moving to the city or finding a career I’m passionate about. I’m not going to stop traveling and seeing the world. I’m not going to go broke racking up debt for things I can’t afford. I’m not going to settle.

I’m going to share something for anyone willing to listen: Getting married and/or having children does not make you an adult. Though, a lot of people think it does. I am an adult because I have earned the title by being responsible but sometimes I mess up when it comes to taking care of me. That is how I know I’m not ready to be responsible for someone else. That is what marriage and a family is about. It’s being responsible for someone other than just you. When you get married, it’s not about you anymore. It’s about you and your spouse. You become one and every decision you make should be about what is best for both of you. It continues on like this until you have children. After that, it’s not about you and your spouse anymore; it’s about your children and what is best for them.

That is the cycle. Step 1: Stop being selfish so you can be a good spouse. Step 2: Stop being selfish to be a good parent. Bonus Step 3: You should never reverse the cycle. Take your time with these steps as they are not accomplished overnight.  Instead, we believe there is some pattern we have to follow in a certain amount of time. We must not fall behind. We must not let anyone get ahead of us. Somewhere in that logic, the foundation for building a strong marriage and having a family is lost.

You search for someone to marry, not someone to love. Then when you feel unloved, you have a child, hoping to fill the void. A few years down the road and a few kids later, the bills are piled high and the void has only grown. You couldn't afford kids and yet, you had them. You spend all your time fighting with your spouse and can’t handle it so you get a divorce but divorce isn't what’s best for your children. It's what's best for you. Ask any kid whose parents got divorced. You start to be selfish and it reverses the whole cycle and you've already forgotten step 3. 

Being selfish isn't always bad. It’s a basic human instinct but when you decide you are old enough to be married and have children, you give up your right to always put yourself first. Don’t like the sound of that? Then you are not ready for the commitment.  

I’m single. I do whatever I want, when I want. In the last year alone, I've paid off my college loan and bought a brand new car that yes, I can actually afford. I got to be there for the birth of my first nephew. I've saved up money and I’m crossing a trip to New York City off my bucket list soon. At the end of the summer, I’m going to see one of my favorite artists in concert. 

Sometimes, I go to the movie alone. It’s cheaper. If I don’t want to do something, I don’t do it. I get to be completely selfish and I don’t feel any guilt for that. I’m not out making bad choices or ruining my life. I’m just trying to enjoy it. Sometimes I get bored or lonely but then I remind myself that once I go down that road, there is no going back. I know it will be a beautiful road to travel someday but not yet. I’m not ready to give up my carefree life and I refuse to let anyone make me feel like I'm behind, even myself. I’m often asked if there are any prospects in my life, meaning men. No, there aren't but that doesn't make me sad. It makes me feel strong to know that my happiness doesn't depend on anyone else but me. On the plus side, I can eat as many pieces of pizza as I want and not care if I look like a pig. Pigs can be happy creatures.

Until I find my pig soulmate,

Leslie    

No Man, No Children, NO HURRY!

I did a little research. By research, I mean I Binged the question “What is the average age of marriage in the US?”

I stumbled upon this lovely list on The Huffington Post titled “5 Good Reasons to Get Married While You're Young”. I might have adlibbed a bit and added the word “not” in the title somewhere.

1.       It could make you happier.

       So could chocolate. Never underestimate the power of it. It’s kind of yummy. Just ask this baby:

Spend time with friends or family. Take a trip. Watch your favorite movie. Exercise. Treat yourself to something new. Be merry, not married.

2.       You’ll make more money.

Consider counterfeiting. I’m kidding. Don’t do that, it’s illegal. How about working towards a promotion? Go to college and get a degree or go again. Work two jobs instead of one. There are a lot of ways to make more money. *Here’s a hint: Don’t have children. They cost money. If you are making it by okay on the salary you currently have but there isn’t much wiggle room, then for goodness sakes, DON’T PUT ANY BUNS IN ANY OVEN! Put a chastity belt on that oven. If you need more income, there is a really obvious solution and it involves putting on “real” pants, not taking them off.

3.       You’ll have more sex.

Go out clubbing/bar hopping/partying on a Friday or Saturday evening. My guess is that with a little inebriation, the end result will bring you #3 if that’s what you’re after. But don’t forget about number 2 while you’re at it. Number 3 could ruin your chances at achieving number 2.

4.       You’ll drink less alcohol.

That’s a nice thought. But you might need a little alcohol every now and then because you’re married.

5.       There’s nothing to be gained from waiting—if you think you’re ready.

Uhh…except for your own independence. As a girl, I can say that there is a huge advantage to having a man in your life, especially when you don’t want to find out why the sink isn’t draining. Being alone forces you to figure out how to take care of yourself. We live in a world of convenience today and I think it’s making us spoiled. Maybe you’ll break something if you try to repair the sink but maybe you’ll find out that there was a minor clog and it’s a simple fix. I am no exterminator but killing a spider and being able to get rid of it is not such a bad skill to have.

Once you are married, there is no going back. There are no days off from marriage. It’s not a job. The older you are, the more of life you’ve experienced so you will know when you are ready to get married. You will know why that relationship with that particular person is different from any other you’ve had before.  It’s a big decision and it’s as the vows say, “‘til death”. I don’t say that to scare you. I say it so you’ll think it through. It's more than a walk down the isle in a pretty dress. It's more than decorations and rings and pictures. Don’t say that if it doesn’t work out you can always get a divorce. The word divorce shouldn’t be on your mind if you are getting married.

Marriage is not about what you want. It’s about what you both want. “You” becomes “us”. No do-overs or take-backs. You put someone else’s needs before your own. That is love. This is not me saying to never get married! I want to get married someday, I do. My brother is married with a child and another kid on the way. Two of my younger cousins are already ahead of me, one engaged, one going to be a father. One of my best friends is married and expecting her first bundle of joy. Old classmates of mine are married and having children and buying houses.

I’m happy for all of them. Sometimes I’m jealous. Sometimes I feel like I have to catch up but then I remind myself that I AM NOT BEHIND. Today’s culture wants you to believe that you need to follow a pattern and it all needs to start about the time you reach college age. Going through the motions (dating, engagement, marriage, new house, baby) doesn’t make you happy.  

Wanting something because other people have it is not the right reason to want anything. Want it because you are ready and because it will make you happy.

Most importantly, it is okay to be merry without being married. So if you are reading this and you are already married, Congratulations! I hope you are enjoying a strong, faithful, passionate relationship with your spouse. If you are reading this and you aren’t married, Congratulations! Let’s hang out and travel to Europe. I have a craving for some Italian pasta and wine.

Spend the $12.99

Have you listened to any of the songs from Lea Michele's debut album, Louder?

I am a fan of Glee but I'm an even bigger fan of Lea Michele. Her voice is phenomenal and powerful.

I let myself listen to one of those minute-long previews of the single "Cannonball" on iTunes but I found myself bored after a couple of measures. I think I previewed it again a few weeks later and still wasn't impressed. It had a catchy chorus but I just...expected more. This was my idol and I was a little disappointed that I couldn't even get hooked on her first single.

Then, upon a spontaneous trip to Target, I coughed up $12.99 and went out to the car and popped the CD in. I listened to it on the drive home and I didn't like it. I freakin' loved it. In particular at this moment in my life, I'm obsessed with track number one: "Cannonball". I'm laughing at myself because the very song that I was so disappointed in a couple months ago is now the song I'm clinging to as I take the first step in my weight-loss journey.

I've decided to do the AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge. After reading about it on my Facebook wall for the last year, I start tomorrow. I'm scared as hell because I'm not sure if I'll be able to commit to the next 24 days that lay ahead of me. Doing this AdvoCare thing is a lot like buying that album. I don't know if this will work because I've never done anything like it. I am hesitant but I'm doing it anyway.

I'm listening to this song and I can't get over how closely the lyrics seem to describe what my mind is going through right now:

I was scared to death I was losing my mind
I couldn’t close my eyes I was pacing all night, oh, no,
I think I found the light at the end of the tunnel (and my doubts)
I couldn’t find the truth I was going under

But I won’t hide inside
I gotta get out, gotta get out, gotta get out, gotta get out
Lonely inside and light the fuse
Light it now, light it now, light it now

And now I will start living today, today, today
I close the door
I got this new beginning and I will fly
I’ll fly like a cannonball, like a cannonball, like a cannonball
I’ll fly, I’ll fly, I’ll fly like a cannonball

I did not like this song and now I can't get it (or the entire album) out of my head. I don't like to diet or exercise but maybe that is something I can learn to like. 

So for me and anyone out there who is trying to lose weight or just trying to make a change in your life, close the door behind you and start living the life you want. Whatever it is, whatever you want. Now is the time to do it and screw anybody who thinks you can't have everything you want. 

 Seriously though, just spend the $12.99. You might be pleasantly surprised.

The Two Most Hated Words

There's a picture of me, in case you feel the need to put a face to the name.

It's Leslie by the way.

I'm 23. I live in the middle of nowhere.

The nearest Wal-Mart is 79.9 miles from my house and 1 hour, 22 minutes. 

The nearest Starbucks? 99.1 miles and 1 hour, 42 minutes.

When I say I live in the middle of nowhere, I'm not exaggerating.

I've always wanted to blog religiously but I fought myself on it; as if I need another reason to sit on my ass, stare at a computer screen, accomplish nothing, and procrastinate life. 

(Thank you Facebook/Pinterest/every clothing website ever/YouTube/Bing homepage news stories)

The truth is that I like to write and I'm embarking on a journey and it might be the two most hated words:  

Losing Weight. 

But wait. 

This blog isn't just going to be about that because my life does NOT revolve around losing weight. 

There are plenty of other things going on and I'd love to write about them if you're willing to read. 

Now, I'd like to say a giant HELLO! 

Take a seat.

Do nothing.

Stop feeling guilty.

Read and enjoy.