Are You Ready For Some Football??

It's true.

I am a football nut.

I love the game ...

I love the atmosphere ...

I love the beer ...

Growing up, I rebelled against it.  Just as I had rebelled against pink ... country music ... and other things that I felt were "uncool".  What a silly preteen I was!

Now, I love watching football on Sunday's with the family.  We don't have cable at the moment, but I am seriously contemplating getting basic HD back.  It's a terrible time, considering that my husband just got laid off.  Yet I know how much we both miss watching football on Sunday.  I am almost thinking about making it Josh's birthday present this year (ha, ha).

This year, I choose to do something new.  I was invited to participate in two fantasy football leagues this year!  As I write this even, I am in the midst of my 2nd draft.  I went in a little less prepared than I wanted to - yet my good friend Michelle helped me out with the hook up on a great research forum.  Plus, the help of my hubby & even the drafting sites themselves (I have one league that is using www.fantasy.nfl.com & the other is using espn.com).

Both drafts were snake style, with my 1st league allowing 90 seconds and my 2nd league allowing 60 seconds for each pick.  I felt I got lucky with my first draft, having 14th pick (out of 14 people).  So my picks were back to back!  The 2nd league, I also did pretty well with my luck!  I ended up with 2nd pick (out of 12) so I got one of the first picks, and my picks are pretty close together.

Each draft, had the same #2 pick: Seattle Defense.  I was lucky enough to snag them for my 2nd league - my original game plan was go get my top RB.  After I saw how quickly the D was picked up in the 1st league though, I didn't want to take any chances and I snatched them when I got the chance!

My 1st league is with my co-workers.  The name of my team is "Jalapeno Business!"

"What does a nosey pepper do?  It gets Jalapeno Business!"

This joke served as the inspiration for my team name.

 

The smack talk was running around, but it was in all good fun (when you're playing with your boss, gotta refrain a little!)  Here are the top picks for my draft in the 1st league:

 

1. Drew Brees, NO-QB
2. Seattle Seahawks Defense, SEA-DEF 

3. Adrian Peterson, MIN-RB

4. Russell Wilson, SEA-QB
5. Marshawn Lynch, SEA-RB

6. Adrian Foster, HOS-RB

7. Ray Rice, BAL-RB
8. Doug Martin, TB-RB

9. Andrew Luck, IND-QB
10. C.J. Spiller, BUF-RB
11. Jamaal Charles, KC-RB
12. Aaron Rogers, GB-QB
13. LeSean McCoy, PHI-RB
14. Reggie Bush, DET-RB **My pick

Reggie Bush wasn't my my top choice, but he was in the top 5.  So I went with it - random choice, in a way.  Considering he wasn't even in the top 5 for the nfl.com top picks.  Yet I felt he was going to be awesome this year.  So I went with my research, and my gut!  I think going with my gut/feelings is half the fun of this, anyway!

The rest of my team for "Jalapeno Business" is:

QB - Jay Cutler (CHI)
RB - Mark Ingram (NO)

RB - Reggie Bush (DET)
WR - Golden Tate (SEA)

WR - Greg Jennings (MIN)
TE - Jermaine Gresham (CIN)

W/R - Denarius Moore (OAK)

K - Josh Brown (NYG)

DEF - Chicago Bears

BN - Jake Locker, (QB - TEN)

BN - Jonathan Stewart (RB - CAR) *He is on the D/L right now ... doh!

BN - Darrius Heyward-Bey (WR - IND)

BN - Rob Gronkowski (TE-NE)

BN - Adam Vinatieri (K - IND)

BN - San Diego Chargers (DEF)

Most of my choices I felt great about - except for my Jonathan Steward pick.  Doh!

The 2nd league I'm playing with is with my south end friends (including my best friend, Tricia!)  The name of this team ..............

Yup.
I went there (ha, ha, ha)!!

This group of friends and family is a pretty open minded, so my team name fits quite well!  They should be a hoot to play with.

Here was the top picks for this league's draft:

1. Adrian Peterson, MIN-RB      
2. Seattle Seahawks Defense, SEA-DEF  **My pick

3. Marshawn Lynch, SEA-RB

4. Adrian Foster, HOS-RB
5. Aaron Rogers, GB-QB

6. Drew Brees, NO-QB

7. Golden Tate, SEA-WR         
8. Doug Martin, TB-RB

9. Ray Rice, BAL-RB
10. Jamaal Charles, KC-RB

11. Alfred Morris, WSH-RB
12. C.J. Spiller, BUF-RB

It didn't surprise me that a lot of the same players were in the 1st round for both leagues.

My team line up turned out like so:

QB - Robert Griffin III, aka RGIII (WSH)
RB - Reggie Bush (DET)

RB - Darren McFadden (OAK)
WR - Sidney Rice (SEA)

WR - Cecil Shorts (JAC)
TE - Kyle Rudolph (MIN)

W/R - Miles Austin (DAL)

K - Josh Brown (NYG)

DEF - Seattle Seahawks

BN - Jake Locker, (QB - TEN)

BN - Mark Ingram (RB - NO)

BN - Denarius Moore (WR - OAK)

BN - Heath Miller (TE-PIT)

BN - Julius Thomas (DEN)

BN - Garrett Hartley (K - NO)

BN - Baltimore Ravens (DEF)

RGIII was a risky choice.  I feel that he's got something to prove, and that he's going to come out swinging this year (pun totally intended!)  I hope he follow through.  If not, Washingtonian Jakey boy better step up (he's on both of my team's back up ...)

Overall, I feel that my team in my work league is a little more balanced ... but I like the risks I've taken with my 2nd league.  I will keep everyone posted as each week passes.

Do you participate in a fantasy football league?  Do you have any strategies ...  good luck charms ... traditions?

I look forward to reading your comments!

GO SEAHAWKS!!!!!!

Nikki
"Be The Thermostat - Not The Thermometer"

September Preview

I thought I was going to bed ... but a clear mind comes with many ideas running rampant!

So to hopefully help shut off my brain for the night - I wanted to give you (my amazing readers) a preview of what to expect in the month of September:

Vegas

Not going to try to hide it.

But I am FLIPPING excited for this trip.

My first "adult" trip to Vegas was 2011, when my husband turned 30.  We had SUCH an amazing time, that I knew I wanted to go back for mine.  I had dreams almost nightly of Vegas when I was pregnant with my son ... I knew it had to happen.  However, my 30th was in January.  I didn't find it too appealing to go to Vegas in January.  So we opted to wait until the same time we went in 2011.  The weather was near perfection (for me anyway, ha ha).  The pools were still open.  It was awesome.  I cannot wait to go back, and create new memories in Las Vegas.

 College

This quarter should prove to be interesting.  Not because of what I'm taking ... but just how much I'm taking.

I was awarded a grant, and I wanted to make sure I took full advantage of what was given to me.  Therefore, I choose to up my credits from 10 to 15.  The good news is, if I can maintain 15 fall & winter quarter, I can scale back to 10 if needed in the Spring ... and hopefully graduate Summer (or possibly Fall quarter of next school year).  It's hard to say though - as I need to revisit my career path with my counselor after fall quarter.  Until then, I'm sure I'll be blogging a time or two in September about getting ready for this upcoming quarter.

Relay For Life

My husband shook his head at me earlier today, as I sat in the car on the way home (it was a long drive, considering traffic and the pit stops) talking about all the things for Relay I wanted to get started in the next week.  He laughed, smiled and just kindly said "Summer break went by way too quick."  It's true, though.  I promised him no major Relay commitments (i.e. meetings, etc) until "summer was over".  This was early June when I made this promise.
Where.  Did.  Our.  Summer.  GO!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

My passion for Relay is quite large.  I am almost positive there will be many posts about it in my blog as I become more involved again.

 

 

My youngest, J.J.

My handsome little man is turning 1.  I actually am tearing up as I type it ... because it seems like only yesterday we were snuggling together in the hospital room.  He has always been a snuggler.  That will always be the memory I go back to.  It's the same one I do for Rachel as well.  That first day, husband leaves to talk with friends and family who are visiting ... I nurse my baby ... and we fall asleep.  Skin to skin, cuddling as mother and child.  Now here I am, 11 1/2 months later, about to throw him his first birthday party.  He's growing up every day in front of my eyes ... I just got to remember not to blink so fast.

 

 

Bubble Run 5K

The first race in my mini-series kicks off September 21st!  I am excited, as it'll be a "fun run" more than competitive.  I am allowed to push strollers, and am debating getting Rachel to "run" with me ... we'll see!  Nevertheless, I am thrilled about this kick off to what I hope is a positive lifestyle change.

 

 

The Nikki Fu Experiment 

I don't want to give anything away - but I think over the weekend I had a light bulb go off on what my first blog series should be.

Considering I have never tackled a series before, I was pretty excited when the idea came to me.  I need to do some research and planning before I can share it with you.  I'm hopeful that by the end of the month, my series will be underway!  (Spoiler alert: It's a little predictable in concept, but I feel my approach will separate me from others).

There is a few other little things to that I'm sure will be popping up this month ... but this covers the big subjects.  I am calling it now - I'm going to blink my eyes, and it's going to be Thanksgiving.

 

 XO -

Nikki
"Be The Thermostat - Not The Thermometer"

Back To Reality

For the long weekend, we packed up both kids and met up with my Aunt & Uncle for a long weekend at the Ocean.

Needless to say, it was amazing.

A "head clearing, releaxing, intoxicating, silly, loving, awesome" kind of amazing.

The weather was perfect ... the company was fantastic.

I never wanted to leave this fantasy world.

Alas, life crept up to me too soon and pulled me back in.  While I am not thrilled with confronting the bills, arrangments for Josh's layoff and more ... having this break on the coast was an unexpected necessity.

Leaving was hard, but I walked away with a clear head and a rejuvenated spirit.
I felt like I could take on the world again.  Something I feel we lose from time to time.  Especially as life gets busier and harder.  In the next upcoming weeks, I need to remember this feeling of calm and peace as I face new and bigger obstacles.

Co-Chair for my local Relay For Life.
Working Full Time.
School Full Time.
Family.
Husband.
Life.

I knew it was never going to be easy - but it will be worth it.

Next week we leave to go to Vegas ... if I feel 1/2 as great coming home from it as I did from the Ocean, I think I'm going to do all right in the next few months.

XO -
Nikki
"Be The Thermostat - Not The Thermometer"

Goals

I went to this seminar thing a few years back with my company.

Joe Montana was there ... so was Laura Bush ... even Bill Cosby.

Oh Bill - Crazy Old Man.  We Love You.

There was also a guy there who talked about goal setting.  I feel terrible that I don't remember his name, but his speech stuck with me.  While this was a business setting (and yes, they pitched stock management and property like it was going out of style ... sigh ...) the message behind what he was saying could be applied to ALL aspects of life.

It was simple: Any goal is obtainable.  A dream can become reality, you just have to make it happen.

Ultimately, he had us all write down our goals.  Then take those goals, and break it down even further.  Like anything, you need to work at it to be better at it.  So say, your goal was to learn a new language.  You can break it down to say that in 6 months you hope to hold a 1 minute conversation with someone.  Break it down even further - daily, commit to do something to help you get towards your goal.  Perhaps this is learn a new word in that language.  Then, once a week form a sentence with the words you've learned.  And so forth.

By breaking it down, and doing something daily/weekly to help you achieve your goals, it feels obtainable!

Back in my freshman blog, I wrote a goal post (you can see it here).  It is so interesting to me, that my goals are not too different now than they were then.  While I'm not going to go back over what I had then (feel free to read the old post), I wanted to write down my new goals.  With life about to get a heck of a lot crazier again, I felt it would help me focus.  Later on I may elaborate more on my goals.  For now, this is just an overview ...

1 - Weight

Seems to always be #1 on my goal list.  Probably because it's always been my #1 problem.  I feel like if I can get the weight off, I can get a lot more done ... things would come together better ...
I recognize this isn't entirely true.  There are emotional things I will need to work out before I can truly shed all the "weight" off.
HOWEVER, I do wish to get down to a weight that I am comfortable with!  This is so I can keep up with my two beautiful children (they are constantly on the go!), fit better in clothes and just *feel* better.

2 - Education

This is something that I have been working on, and am proud to say that I have completed 2 full quarters (plus a light summer quarter) so far!  I will revisit everything with a counselor in a few months - but my goal is to be done with my 2 year degree by Spring or Summer 2014.  The ULTIMATE goal ... is to apply and go to Washington State University.  They have a Business Management Bachelor's program out of the University Center in Everett, WA.  I feel it in my BONES that the prophecy will be fulfilled ... and I can officially be a Cougar Graduate.

GO COUGS!!!!!!

3 - Family

This is my foundation.

My ridiculously gorgeous daughter ... my handsome little man ... and my supportive husband.

Without my foundation in place, I am lost.

My goal is to maintain healthy relationships with my husband, daughter and son.  Whether we do family dates all together ... one on one time with the kids (i.e. Rachel & I go grocery shopping just the two of us) ... and date nights.

4 - Finances

It's true.  I am kind of a freak of nature.

I enjoy budgeting.
I enjoy tracking expenses ... making financial goals ... and typing out pretty excel spreadsheets.

We have had our financial boat ROCKED HARD this last year.  The extra kiddo plus me working part time/school definitely put a strain on our pocketbook.  It also didn't help, that my husband got laid off.  Luckily, we saw that one coming.  So I went back to work full time a few months ago.

It is my goal to regroup and restructure our budget.  Josh and I both want to be out of this house, and in our "forever home" in the next few years.  We also have some other major plans we want to accomplish.

5 - Relay For Life

To say that I have a passion for The American Cancer Society's Relay For Life now ... is a big understatement.

Last year was my first Relay For Life.  I was inspired to start a team thanks to Dawn, centered in the center in orange.  And Briana, also in the center, in grey.  These ladies are some of my closest and dearest friends.  They are both also cancer survivors.  Cancer is a terrible and devastating thing and I wish it upon no one - not even my worse enemy.
In my family alone, my Grandma ... Grandpa ... and Aunt are survivors.  On top of my close friends, pictured here, I have many more friends and their loved ones whose lives have been affected by cancer.

What drew me into the ACS RFL, was because of what it gave back to our local community.  Along with top research, the ACS doesn't focus on just one cancer.  I liked this, and wanted to be apart of Relay.  This was Dawn's second year, and she was asked to be Team Development.  Dawn asked me to come out to an early meeting to meet everyone, and I was hooked.  I took the position of Entertainment and Publicity, and ran with it.  So much, that I was asked to be Co-Event chair for this upcoming year.  I am so honored and blessed that I can help organize and throw such an amazing event ... Celebrating Our Survivors ~ Remembering Those We've Lost ~ And Fighting Back So No One Will Have To Go Through Cancer.

6 - Running

I signed up to do the Warrior Dash this last summer for my friend's dirty 30 (who in turned inspired another dirty 30 ... and so on!)

While it wasn't a complete success (my close friends, Briana *the survivor I mention above in the RFL paragraph* broke her foot/ankle in 4 places.  It was a devastating break, to say the least).
My victory crossing the finish line was bitter sweet.

After the guilt and sadness passed, though, a rush came over me.  I did it.  I f-ing did it.  Me, somewhat out of shape (work in progress, folks) overweight young thing here made it through a 5K that had walls to climb ... mud to crawl through ... and fire to jump over.
I.  Did.  It.
And I loved it.  The rush of running, the way my body had grown.  It inspired me that day.  I walked away from the Warrior going "I want to keep running."
And I've been trying to.  I have signed up for a few fun 5Ks in the area, and I cannot wait to compete (spoiler alert: I'm going to be posting about those quite a bit, ha ha).

There are other goals in mind ... I feel as if I can focus/work on these though, the others will fall into place.

I still want to have a Nikki Empire ... but that is put on the back burner, as I need a clear vision of what kind of Empire I want ...

"This is not the Empire you're looking for"

What kind of goals do you have?
Are they big and long term - or short and sweet?

I'd love to hear what you're working towards!

Thanks for checking my blog out - have a great evening (or morning, depending on how you look at it ...)

~ Be The Thermostat, Not The Thermometer ~

Nikki

Dear Food - Why Can't I Quit You?

The obvious answer is: "Duh, you'd die with me".
I get it, food.  Without you, my body would eventually die.

What I have always struggled with, is my relationship with food.

As a pre-teen, I turned to food for comfort when I was teased relentlessly in 5th grade.  I turned to food when I was happy.  When I was mad.  Sad.  And so on ...

Now, since having children, I find myself more of a stress eater than I ever was before.  This could also be a direct coralation between quitting smoking and replacing one bad habit with another.

This is another problem I face: I KNOW what I'm doing wrong.  I know what I should be eating (1500 calories a day, since I work out, made up of complex carbs ... healthy fats ... protein ... etc.).  I know I should avoid sugar, empty foods, etc.  I preach this to everyone I know.  People come to me for advice about it.  It's not to say I'm losing weight, it's just slow as frack thanks to my constant set-backs.

I had a light bulb go off the other day ...

It doesn't take a scientist to figure it out - but our bodies are like machines.
We feed it crap - it runs like crap.
With this mentality, I need to view FUELING my body versus just EATING my feelings.

Again, not rocket science here.  Yet, it felt like my "aha" moment I needed.
Have I magically turned things around since this moment.  NO.  However, before anything goes into my mouth, I ask "Food or Fuel?"

Sometimes my emotions/stress still wins ... but the battle is getting easier.

I really can't wait until after my Vegas vacation in two weeks.  I plan on jolting my body with the jump-start it needs (no serious fasting or anything crazy like that - just a restricted diet for a few days to get the crap out that I'm sure will be floating around from Vegas!)

What struggles do you have with your eating and diet?  Are you an emotional eater or a stress eater?
I have also promised not to beat myself as hard anymore when I do slip ... this helps me not become so emotional, and thus restart the cycle of bad food decision making.


I look forward to hearing from you, my lovely readers, your thoughts.

~ Be The Thermostat, Not The Thermometer ~

Nikki

Introductions: "Third times a charm!"

As I sit here on this humid Sunday evening, I find myself wondering how to begin this blog.

For most people, starting a blog usually includes an introduction post.  Bringing its readers up to speed on their past and current life situations.  The author may even indulge on what they'd like to see in the future.

Truth is - this is my 3rd stab at (personal) blogging.  I feel like I'm a broken record by doing the proper introduction.  Sure, it's not fair to my readers now that aren't my friends (or weren't following me in the past).  I just feel almost like I didn't accomplish or follow through on my previous goals by seeing out the life of my blogs.

I also have to remind myself - that each time I let a blog ride of into the sunset, a chapter of my life was beginning.

My first personal blog was well done.  I was still trying to find what direction to head in with it, but I was happy with it.  I had my baby girl ... my loving husband ... and my little life.  My last post was even about me falling off the band wagon, and losing weight.  I probably would have followed through on it, being that in January I got a fresh fire lit under my toosh.  Then, on January 17th 2012 during a huge snow storm that kept me home for a week ...

It came as a surprise.  My husband and I were wanting to have kids 2 to 2 1/2 years apart.  It took us about 6 months to conceive my daughter.  So it only made sense I go off my birth control in December.  Being the fact I was induced at 39 weeks on September 24th ... that would mean baby's due date would have been early October.  You do the math ...

Brown Chicken Brown Cowwwwwwwww

 

The next 9 months was about changing life plans and preparing for a full house.  Of course now, I wouldn't want my life any other way!  However, my little blog was push to the back burner (along with any major physical transformation) and it fizzled.  When I was ready to begin blogging again, I created my second blog.  Same idea as the first one, but I focused a lot more on articles I wanted to share regarding home spa ideas and losing weight.  The idea was great, but I think since it wasn't as personal to me as I wanted my blog to be, it feel to the wayside of priorities.  That, and these two beautiful children of mine needed extra love and attention as we all learned how to balance life with each other.

My daughter & son, March 2013

So here I am.

Same goals.  Same challenges.

New life.  New family.

 

And most importantly, new outlook.

 

I almost feel like this blog was meant to be.  That the first two were stepping stones for where I'm at now.

 

I want you to come along with me as I try to continuously figure out this thing called life!  I have a very full, but fulfilling life.  Filled with work, school, family, fitness, friends, Relay and more.

 

My goals for this blog is to let you into some of those moments I think we all have.  The moments where you want to quit and break down.  The moments where you are so flipping excited, and want to high five everyone you see.

 

Moments when you want to cry ... laugh ... or just have a drink in silence.

Or a few drinks ... then silence!

 

And if I can touch just one person in any way ... that they read a post and go "yes, YES, that is exactly how I feel.  Thank GOD I'm not alone" ... I feel that this blog has accomplished it's mission.

 

I will also be very "Nikki" and share my favorite blogs ... articles ... workouts ... and more!  My blog will resemble life - it won't always be Sunshine and Rainbows.  I do, however, promise a good read.

 

Spoiler Alert: My Daughter loves Sesame Street.  Expect a lot of S.S. references.

 

I look forward to sharing more with you - but alas, my bed calls my name.  And I will answer the call! 

 

Thanks for checking my blog out.

 

 

 

Nikki

"Be the Thermostat - Not the Thermometer"