"Cruisin' is Made for Love"

Last March, my hubby and I celebrated our ten year anniversary. We were planning on going somewhere to celebrate. Alas, someone, namely me, was quite large and pregnant. So needless to say, the only place we went was to home in Cairo, Georgia. Not quite the romantic getaway we had been dreaming about. Although, I would not have changed it for the world.

So since the arrival of Lady A, aka Alden, in May we have been looking to go somewhere. If only for just a few days, so we can sleep completely through the night and catch up on our zzzzzz's. Every time Groupon sends out their getaway e-mails, we comb through the deals trying to decide which deal will get us the most bang for our buck.

We were looking at all inclusive places in a tropical location. The thought of going to a place where everything is paid for is extremely appealing. However, neither one of us drink a whole lot, so we were unsure if we would really get our money's worth. Plus, then you have to add the cost of plane tickets. And lets not forget, the whole thought of flying, which is petrifying for both of us.

After much thought, we starting looking at cruises. I don't even really remember how it came about. I have never been on a cruise and the last time Brian went was on his senior cruise in high school. It is something we have been talking about even before we had children but have just never done.

So last weekend, we perused every cruise deal available. We decided the week before Christmas was best because of babysitters and school and, most importantly, cost. It is one of the cheapest time to cruise. We were extremely overwhelmed with all of our choices: boats, cruise lines, destinations, activities, amenities, ports, cost...it was a lot!

We settled on a Royal Caribbean cruise going to Grand Cayman and Cozumel, Mexico. I am super excited!! I have wanted to go to Grand Cayman ever since first watching The Firm (isn't it funny how movies can do that to you!). I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve. Every time I think about it I get butterflies in my stomach.

We have not been anywhere by ourselves since out honeymoon. We need this! We deserve this!

After all in the words of Smokey Robinson:
Your gonna fly away, glad your going my way
I love it when we're cruisin' together
The music is playing for love
Cruisin' is made for love
I love it when we're cruisin' together!

Boomeranging

So it is Weigh In Wednesday again, and I am trying to keep true to my word and post when I am supposed to, which is on...duh...Wednesday. I am also trying to post whether I lose weight or not. However, I must admit I am much more apt to post when I have lost weight. Which is of course the reason I am posting today;)

It was with great trepidation that I stepped on the scale this morning. Of course, I made sure that I was completely naked (no need to have pounds added for my clothes), had not eaten (no need to add anything extra), and that I breathed all my air out (Hey! I know the saying "Light as Air" but I think that's BS...air weighs something!). I was delighted to see that I had lost 4 pounds from when I weighed on Friday.

Now before I got all excited, I did remind myself that this is a 4 pound loss after boomeranging when I had gained 5 pounds a month ago when I was sick and unable to exercise. So in the grand scheme of things, I haven't really lost any more weight seeing as I went backwards a wee bit! But, still, it makes me feel better. Especially since I have been working my tail off the last 2 weeks.

Seriously, in the last 2 weeks I have exercised all but 3 days. What, you may ask, has got me (a person who absolutely despises exercise and

thinks anyone who LOVES to do it is INSANE IN THE MEMBRANE) exercising this much? One word...ZUMBA!!!

I absolutely love, love, LOVE Zumba. It is so much fun! Of course, I don't love it when my arms are aching to the point that they feel as if they are going to fall off or when my clumsy self falls to the floor as my feet get tangled up when Sambaing, but I have never, I repeat never had this much fun exercising!

People kept saying how much fun it was, but I have always been of the opinion that nothing that is hard enough to make you sweat like a mule and get out of breath is fun unless it involves someone of the opposite sex;) But those Zumba crazed people are right! I was hooked at the first class I took. I even bought Zumba for the Wii so that I can do it on the days when I can't get to a class.And the competition of getting points drives me to shake my hips like there is not tomorrow!

Anyway, maybe now that I have found exercise that I actually enjoy doing I will stop boomeranging and start on the downward slide to a fitter and thinner me. Now bring on the Zumba party!

Seafood Medey

What's for dinner? One of my family's favorites: Seafood Medley

Ingredients
1 lb. shrimp
1 lb crab meat (I use imitation)
1lb bay scallops
2 cans of Cream of Celery soup
2 soup cans of milk
2 T of butter
1 tsp Old Bay Seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

In slow cooker, layer shrimp, crab, and scallops. Combine soup and milk and pour over seafood. Mix together melted butter and spices and pour over top. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours. Serve over rice or cooked noodles.

*This makes enough that we can eat for 2 nights. It is also a really good meal to cook for guests. I did it for Christmas Eve dinner last year with a strawberry spinach salad, and a french loaf with dipping sauce. It was a welcomed change from the traditional Christmas meal and a huge success!