Something that will bug me for...

...probably the rest of my life....for many different reasons.

Have you ever felt this way?

I know that I sure have.

These thoughts that would wander through my head is what eventually started my journey to losing weight and getting healthy.

In fact, all the things listed in the photo above are things that I have dealt with throughout my life. I still struggle with a few from time to time... but what is most important is that these things no longer dominate my life.

We always feel as though we have to be perfect. The thinnest, the best looking, the coolest to be around, the smartest, the most talented.

Perfection is non existent. What is the definition of perfection anyway? Who gets to define that?

I don't see my life in comparison to others anymore. I don't see my life as "not perfect" anymore... because no one's is. I don't look in the mirror anymore wishing that I was perfect.

I like to think that I look in the mirror and smile at all that I have accomplished. Because..well... I do look in the mirror and think that. I am proud of that. I am happy where I am.

I like to see the reflection of imperfection. I'm an imperfect girl, with dreams, with issues, with goals, with emotions. I have imperfections. I have scars both inside and out. Freckles where I really don't want any... and big dancer thighs that I used to wish would disappear.

But all those things, good and bad... make me who I am. And that's okay with me.

I've learned to love me.

Do you love you?

Have a great weekend!

Scott and I put photos in a photo contest at a local fair where we first met one year ago tomorrow. He one third place for this photo...

And I got honorable mentions for these...

more pics...

Keep Smiling,

Karla =)

Looking back, I like where I'm at.

You know those little booklets that you might have had when you were little. What were they called... flip books?

Those books that had what seemed like 1 million pages. They were tiny. Each page had a small cartoon drawing on the bottom right hand corner. Each image was slightly different than the one before it and you had to skim through the pages real quick to see each cartoon dance? And in what seemed like 2 seconds, you had flipped through the whole book and you were done with it.

Well...

That's kind of what I feel my life has been like since I started this blog. I started this blog on a journey to a healthier, leaner me. Then, when I reached that goal, I changed the blog to... a journey to a better me...

...and I like where I've ended up.

..so far.

There is much more to my story that I have not unraveled yet... there is much more to all of our stories that we all have not unraveled yet. Bridges we haven't crossed, I's we haven't dotted, and T's we haven't crossed. It's all waiting for us up ahead... on this beautiful journey of life.

Get excited. =)

I am.

below.... pictures of my gorgeous ring. Done by Marisa Pellerin Photography. =)

Keep Smiling,

Karla =)

Crazy Crazy Crazy

Today, Thursday September 9th, at this very second...1:30pm... is the very first time that I have been able to sit down and do something for me...besides maybe going to the bathroom...but who counts that as "me" time?

Yes, I have been non-stop for days.

School started and my weeks are hectic. I wake up around 4:30/5am ... get dressed, eat breakfast, and head out the door to be at work at 6:15am. I then stay at work til noon... and go to school there after until 6pm on some days, 4pm on other days. Then its cooking dinner, cleaning the house, washing dishes, doing laundry... and running errands that takes up most of my evening time. I go to bed around 9pm... which is so different for me because I was a night owl all summer long. Then... well... a new day begins, and I start all over.

Some changes in my life have occurred... especially in my eating habits. I am eating 5-6 times a day. I eat in small portions. I eat a cereal bar for breakfast with some mini muffins about 2 hours later. I'll have cheerios with my kids at the daycare about an hour later... I also eat an apple 3 times a day... sometimes more. I eat a ton of fiber and always make healthy meals for dinner that are usually packed with protein and vegetables. This way, I am more alert and awake for class when I get out of work. These eating habits keep me focused, and keep my stomach from constantly grumbling as well.

I have the day off from school today because of the Jewish holiday, which has been real nice for me. I have caught up on laundry and housework, as well as homework and ... sleep!!

I have decided to put some pictures into a photo contest at a fair nearby where Scott and I live. Scott is putting some of his pictures into the contest as well. We are both real excited about it.

Scott and I actually met about a year ago at this particular fair that we are putting our photos into. The fair is in 2 weeks. I can't wait!

We are actually going to a fair this weekend, which I also can't wait for... I think I will allow myself to indulge in some fair food! That's what fall is all about! =)

Dance class starts next week. I wish it started tonight. One more week... ughhhh...

Saturday, Scott, and my maid of honor and I are going to check out a venue that I had in mind for the wedding reception. It should be a nice morning. We are getting a tour of the whole place. I am excited, yet nervous. I hope I'm not too overwhelmed.

That is the news for now, for all of you who still read this blog. I would love to be able to have the time to update it more often. Hopefully I will find more time to squeeze in to do just that. I miss the blog world.

Keep Smiling,

Karla =)