Me Monday's & Blog Link-Up - Recaps, Trivia & Pay It Forward Initiative

So as it is each Monday, this is a blog link-up, you can link your blog at the bottom of this post. 


So I decided to do something a little different today: *  A pay-it-forward initiative.
*  A short re-cap on my past week, and goal progress.
*  Then I have a fun blog trivia game, that I came up with, but I will mention I did get the idea from some of my other great blogger friends who have done something similar:)

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First, to start this year off in a loving way, I'm participating in this Pay-it-forward initiative:  The first 3 people who comment on my blog post today with the status "I'm IN" at the beginning of their post.  Will receive a surprise from me at some point in this calendar year - anything from a book, gift card, post card, absolutely any surprise!  There will be no warning and it will happen when the mood comes over me and I find something that I believe would suit you and make you happy.

These 3 people MUST make the same offer on their on blog status!
COPY THIS TEXT into one of your posts.  Let's do more nice and loving things for each other in 2014, without any reason other than to make each other smile and to show that we think of each other.  Here's to a more enjoyable, more friendly and love-filled year!!!!!!!
(Additionally, if your IN please leave me a link to your blog or email, so I can contact you to get your address, to surprise you sometime this year.  Do not leave your address in the blog post!)

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As for an update on one of my goals.  As some of you know I am working really hard on a weight loss goal right now.  You can see my progress to date, to the right.
I've changed my diet drastically, and I am happy to say, I have pretty much eliminated drinking Pepsi on a daily basis.  I allow myself one cheat day in case I want one, but other than that I am no longer drinking it!
A few new things I have added to my daily routine:

I picked up some ab workout DVD's from the library. Everything from Jillian Michaels to some older stuff:)  My goal is to do a hard core 10 minute a day ab workout (I started a few days ago).  I plan to do this everyday for the next 7 weeks.  I'm hoping this will help me drop a few inches on my waist before I step on the cruise and dawn daily swimsuit attire:)

I also have some arm light weight workout DVD's I've gotten as well.  I plan to do 20 minutes of power arm workouts every other day, for the next 7 weeks as well.

As for the work injury, I don't have any drastic progress to report.  But I am working on walking a mile each day, and hope to increase that a little over the next week.  I'd like to work up to 3 miles, and then go from there.  I am also doing a little leg strengthening, but no cardio because I don't want to risk all the progress I've been making on the injury recovery front!

Ironically, tomorrow January 28th is the last day I was able to run last year pain free.  The work injury began to take it's toll the days following it.  Can't believe it's been a year not to mention a year of not being able to run a single race!

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Okay, now for a little fun:   I've seen these Fun Self Surveys done on other blogs, so I thought it would be fun to come up with my own.  Feel free to answer any of these yourself too:)

Do you wish you were someplace else right now?
Hawaii would probably be my top pick right now!

If you could go back in time, where would you go?
This is tough because I love history!  But I think if I could only pick one.  I would love to go back to the Indian day's probably around the 1850's and see the millions of buffalo roaming the plains!  Maybe even chase them by taming a wild mustang and riding bareback and participate in a real buffalo hunt.

Where was the last place you went shopping?
Grocery store - I was watching my niece and nephew and as the duty of the favorite aunt I wanted to make sure I brought a yummy treat, mini cupcakes:)

What are you listening to right now?
I'm actually watching a cute romantic comedy on the Hallmark channel while I write this.

Do you have any guilty pleasures?
I like to watch General Hospital, love that soap (most of the time!)

How many pairs of shoes do you own?
I honestly have no idea, and I'm not even a shoe person.  So to change this to running shoes, how many pairs currently sit in my closet both used and unused?  12 pairs.

Do you believe in Karma?
Yes - Which is why I always think its important to try to do the right thing and be kind to others!

Are you a doer or a dreamer?
Both, I have many dreams, realistic and some unrealistic, but I don't care.  I also act on things I want too, rather than just dream about them.  But if I am having a rotten day, I can easily escape in the great dream world of a good book, or just in my mind:)

Is there anyone you wish would just fall off the planet?
Yes, but because I try to keep politics out of my blog, I'll keep my opinion to myself:)

What superstitions do you believe, or participate in?
I still like to wish on the first star I see at night, and I always blink 3 times after.  Not sure why, but somewhere in my childhood I remember wishes come true if you blink 3 times after making one:)

What's the stupidest thing you've ever done with your cell phone?
I drop it all the time, but the other day I was at my sisters hanging out in the hot tub with my 3 year old niece, and she picked up my phone I had sitting at the side, and said "Here Kristy" and tossed it right into the water to me.  Thank goodness for Ziploc bags, otherwise it would have been ruined!

Favorite place you have ever traveled to?
I've been to a lot of places I have loved.  But the one that seems to always top my charts is Alaska, I'd spend every June there if I could!  Though one day I'd like to go see the Northern Lights in the winter there!

What famous person do you or others think you resemble?
I personally don't see it, but I get told all the time I resemble Sandra Bullock

If a song could perfectly describe your life right now, what is it?
Only because I'm going through an Injury: Rodney Atkins If Your Going Through Hell.  One because going through an injury that keeps a runner from running is a bit like hell.  But the other because it has a surprisingly hopeful vibe behind it, that their are others who can help you get past it, and if you can get through it there are brighter times ahead.

Would you rather die in a blaze of glory or die in your sleep.
That's tough, because I think if it was my time to go and I knew it was coming I'd pick blaze of glory, but if I am not aware its coming maybe in my sleep is the better route.

What is your best physical feature?
My fingernails.  I have natural nails that look better than most peoples fake or gel nails.

What is your most annoying habit?
When I get bored I bite on the inside of my bottom lip, I have unsuccessfully been trying to quit for years.

What are your superpowers?
I shouldn't admit this, but it's manipulating others.  I am a wedding planner, it's my job to take what a bride think she wants and then talk her into what she will really want, that will look much better than what she is asking, I've been told I have quite a talent in this, but shhhhh don't tell the brides. LOL.
I use it other times, but I am saving my Mad Skills (haha) in it for when I finally make it on the T.V. show Survivor!  I get on that show, and I am so winning!!!

Do you talk to yourself?
Yes, If I am working on plans for a brides wedding and getting packed, I frequently catch myself talking out loud.  You can also catch me talking to myself when driving, especially if there are lots of idiots on the road:) And anytime I am ticked off, you can hear me mumbling.

Do you have a great accomplishment?
I have many, but each marathon I run and finish I always consider a great accomplishment.  However, the fall of 2012 I ran 3 full marathons in 15 days, and followed up with a 4th less than 2 weeks later.  I still can't believe I pulled that stunt off, but it still makes me smile every time I think about it.  I dwell on my past running successes quite a bit right now while I am going through injury recovery!

What are your plans for tomorrow?
I saved this one for last for a reason.  Tomorrow is actually my Birthday.  I have never worked a birthday yet, and I have zero plans to start now.  So I plan on sleeping in, relaxing, eating good food and cake, and partying with the family in the evening!  (Yeah, healthy diet set aside for tomorrow only!  Happy Birthday to me!!!)

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That's it, if you have a minute to comment, feel free to answer some or all of these yourself:)  

Don't forget, if you have a blog and have a post about your life's going on's... to link up!  If you can, visit other blogs in the link up.  But as always, anyone who links up, I promise I will come and visit your blog too!