So Sorry Whitney Houston~ You Will Be Missed

I will ALWAYS LOVE YOU Whitney! 

It's Not Right but It's Okay Whitney~ We understand this was not your fault!


I was in shock yesterday when I opened my Facebook page at 4pm on Sat Feb 11th to see yet another SUPERSTAR died.  They were sure quiet about WHY/HOW but I think we all knew why!  Hopefully, when the ME reports come back it will tell us something else besides drugs.  I'm not going to talk bad or look down on her because I think we all take a wrong road in our lives and some just get plain LOST! My heart goes out to her family and to everyone who loves this special woman!  

Mommy Blogger Weight Loss Day 10

Today I weighed myself and guess what I LOST 3 lbs (in 10 days) and I like that!  I feel so much better and turning down treats isn't bothering me anymore.  Water is still my #1 DRINK- no sodas and only 2 cups of coffee- compared to 4-5 cups.  I might not be the mommy blogger with the highest in points but I am trying and not giving up! 

I didn't exercise today because I work from 7am- 3pm and I'm on my feet pretty much that whole time running back and forth so my ole body is TIRED when I get home.  

Also I found out today it is totally hard to work at yummy breakfast cafe while on a diet.  Oh my did I want some blueberry pancakes and some bacon.  I had oatmeal for breakfast and sliced chicken-black beans-corn tortillas for lunch.  I felt very proud turning down the pastries that co-workers wanted to share with me.  I feel so good and I'm sure the exercise, change in food habits, and drinking the H20 has a lot to do with it!  

I really appreciate all the support from all the other mom's in this life changing opportunity.  

Plus I'm reading Dustin Maher "Fit Moms for Life" book and I'm learning so much.  I'll be posting a review/giveaway NEXT WEEK!  If your interested in weight loss you will need to read this book.  It has given me such a different out look on how to go about it.  I loved reading about other MOMS who did the program.  

Want to know more:

http://www.dustinmaherfitness.com and http://www.fitmomsforlife.com,

Also you can follow us on the #21MBC hashtag on twitter

Please visit  www.mommybloggerweightlosschallenge.com- if you are interested in JOINING March's Mommy Blogger Weight Loss Challenge- email me (pamallen68@gmail.com) and I can send you info.  

I love "The Voice" show!

This show has me in TEARS when I watch- tears of joy though!  The VOICES are just amazing and so is their stories on how they got there!  I love the fact the judges can't see what they look like until they turn around or hit the buzzer to be on their TEAM.  Then the contestants get to pick from who buzzed what team they want to be on. Such a feel good show!  Next Monday is Blind Audition #3 so I will have my DVR set (hubby doesn't like shows like that.).

So far these are my TOP PICKS:
http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/artists/gwen-sebastian/
http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/artists/lindsey-pavao/
http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/artists/kim-yarbrough/

LOVED HIM and so happy he got with CeeLoo!
http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/artists/jamar-rogers/

Also this guy was a former Mickey Mouse Club star and Christina didn't recognize him until after he was done singing and Adam picked him: http://www.nbc.com/the-voice/artists/tony-lucca/

Mommy Blogger Weight Loss Challenge Feb 8th

Today I did the Wii Fit- 45 minutes!  Dustin's workout is AWESOME but I can't do that everyday.  I haven't been on the Wii Fit for about 2 years- lovely huh!  So it told me I gained 31 lbs and my Wii age is 59- WOW really Pam!

I forgot how much I enjoy the Wii Fit.  I first did the strength training then aerobics (love hula hoop) and finished off with yoga.  Some of the strength exercises I did very well in but aerobics I sucked!  I just need to get into that routine again.

Water is my #1 drink of choice these days.  Hubby just called and asked if I wanted McD's for lunch- Really?  I said no thank you and my Lean Cuisine pasta will do me just fine today.  I did forget breakfast today though.  Had some cleaning to do plus some computer work so went right back into my regular routine but I won't let that happen tomorrow!

I'm still at no GOODIES- which let me tell you is hard but I feel good about it.  Last night Hubby made cookies and brought them into the bedroom then asked if I wanted one.  I shook my head- no thank you and gave that WTF look.  He said he was sorry, sat right down and ate 6 cookies.

My kids are my biggest cheerleaders!

Tonight's dinner is fish, red potatoes and salad.

Read more about this challenge at : http://mommybloggerweightlosschallenge.com/   Dustin Maher is the sponsor for this wonderful workout, book, meal plan I was offered to be part of this challenge.

Also check out: http://fitmomsforlife.com/

There will be a NEW challenge in March!  Get to it!

1st Time in over 12 Years I Couldn't PAY My Rent

Wow...now I know I'm living in some hard times.  What a big slap in the face to us plus my landlord.  Ugh... I hate disappointing people too.  In all my years RENT is paid first and everything else is 2nd but this month everyone will be paid late!  Just depressing but my hubby won't let me get down and says PRAY ( if anyone else would like to pray for us- please do).

My hubby is getting garnished for the past couple months and WOW it SUCKS.  For a family who goes from pay check to check and when they take out $600-$900 a month that is a big hit for this family.  The only good thing that is coming out of this is an old bill from before we were married is almost paid off!

I picked up my check from work today and for some strange reason I was expecting more ( I think it was more wishful thinking than anything) but hey it is what it is.  I need to pick up more days or find another job.

This is a time I wish we had credit cards to help us through hard times like this but we don't because we feel if we don't have the money we don't need it.  But guess what we need a roof over our head so maybe we might want  reevaluate the "no credit card" policy.

We will be OK in a couple weeks- thanks to TAX REFUND! It will be a our little shot in the arm we need.

Now let's hope PG&E, Cable, and Car Note people understand this domino effect that is happening in our house.  Times like this I really need appreciate what we have and what we can loose.

I'm not trying to be a Debbie Downer- just expressing what the heck is going on at the Allen's and this is why I love my blog.  It helps me process what is happening and do better.

I still have my smile and I'm not going to let this get me down....I promise!

Mommy Blogger Weight Loss Challenge Feb 7th

I had a bit of a detour but I'm back on track! I went through some health issues that caused me to be in bed for a few days so no exercising at all. However, I kept eating healthy and drinking my water. I didn't want to give up because of this minor setback.  I've stayed away from goodies and sodas! That is a big accomplishment for me so I'm patting myself on the back for that!

PROUD OF:

• I'm eating healthy
• Bought batteries for Wii so I can also do the Wii Fit 
• Not giving in to temptation of goodies even when they are in my face 
• Drinking water 
• Writing in a journal 
• Not giving up

NOT PROUD OF:

• Health issue
• Lack of energy to exercise
• Not keeping track of my points

Usually I would just give up since I didn't exercise for a couple days HOWEVER I'm not going to let myself to do that this time so I'm going to pick myself up and CONTINUE!   I'm going to finish this challenge no matter what!  Also not beating myself up emotionally helps a lot! 

Found this on Pinterest today: 

Stay tuned to see how I do! 

Other Blogs Doing the Challenge:

I'm Feeling HUMAN Again!

Wow, I was pretty much out of commission for 3 days! This might be a TMI post because I'm going to talk about FEMALE ISSUES- that's what I call it, LOL! As I get older my female issues get worse. One month I won't even know it is coming and it will be all good then the next month I'll be a bit bitchy (more than usual)but there is one month it takes over my body and I can't function! I'll be in consistent pain and it feels like I'm in a fricken black bubble of misery! This month it took me down for 3 days. I had to work as a waitress for 2 of those days and let me tell you it was hard not to bite off every single persons head I work with- btw they are all men so man that was super duper hard to keep my cool. It was like I transferred myself to another character (Pam the Super Waitress) but as soon as work was over please let me go home so I can crawl into bed and CRY! Hubby and kids are great during these months- they have been through enough to know I'm not joking I'M IN PAIN LEAVE ME ALONE! I try my hardest not to be mean or cry too much around them though. My hubby yesterday came to me and told me whatever it takes I need to go to the DR! He is worried something is wrong and I'm sure he is right. A big part of me is soooooo scared to learn something bad is wrong so I don't want to go to the doctor but I need to be around for my family so I need to go ASAP! I'm not a young chicken anymore so this is very important and I need to suck it up and just go! Can you tell I'm trying to talk myself into it! I have never been a big fan of DR's due to an incident that happen when I was young. Being out of commission is HORRIBLE because I fall behind on EVERYTHING! The house, laundry, blogging, and the other 100 things I'm doing get pushed to the side and boy its hard to catch up. Today is my catch up day! One blog post down and many more things to do! But hey I feel better and I won't be laying in bed all day so already a good day!

Howard B Wigglebottom REVIEW/BOOK GIVEAWAY

Wow this book came in handy at our house the other night!  When we got the book my daughter was so excited and read it over and over again.  Well last night she was almost ready to hit her brother and I said "What would Howard B Wigglebottom do?"  she felt her tummy and stepped back!  That is what Howard taught her!  This is GREAT book for kids and love the LESSONS that are taught in the book.  Both my kids said they could relate with Howard.  We have read this book every night this week so I know it's a hit.  We plan to bring it to school next week because I'm sure some of my daughter's classmates would like it too.  I give this book a double thumb up!

Also on the website:http://www.wedolisten.org/index.html they have lesson plans, games, free books online, color and print your own book, also stop bullying info! I would love to have every book in the Howard B Wigglebottom series. The sportsmanship book is something my son could use.

These books normally are $15 (hardback) but are now on SALE for $6!  Now that is a DEAL!  I even shared this deal with my school community.

If you want to BUY the Books: https://www.wedolisten.org/shop/

If you want to WIN: Enter BELOW!! And GOOD LUCK- they are worth it!

My 1st Day of the 21 Day Weight Loss Challenge

Wow yesterday was a hard day to start a Weight loss Program but I did what knew I could without stressing myself out even more than I was.  School Drama~ I won't bore ya with all the gory details.  

I've been gearing up for this Mommy Blog Weight loss Challenge for a couple weeks now so I was super excited about FEB 1st! I went grocery shopping and it felt GREAT to buy healthy foods.  I didn't know what the food program was going to be but I did some research online for healthy meals and rolled with that.  I'm a picky eater ( way worse than my kids- its just sad) but I manged to pull some meals together.  I talked to my kids and they are on board!  My hubby is on board but he is SNACKER so I informed him that all his goodies (chips, cookies, cake, candy he will have to buy) and he was OK with that.  BTW he can snack day and night and never gain a pound- hate him (JUST KIDDING)! 

Also I wasn't prepared to give up coffee (quite yet) but I promised (to myself) that I will do 2 cups not 4 a day.  So yes I will get 2 minus points but I'm OK with that.  I did eat healthy and actually had breakfast (oatmeal and a banana), first time in a LONG TIME!  I drank water yesterday- big ol bottle went everywhere with me.  I didn't break when I was in a stressful meeting and DOUGHNUTS (all kinds) were right in front of me!  Usually at this meeting I would have had chocolate sprinkle and a cup of coffee but I sat there with my bottle water- big kudos to me!!!

I took the kids to the park- so I got outside but a friend was there so I ended up sitting down talking to her instead of walking around- bad!  But hey its okay I had a wonderful talk with someone I haven't seen in long time.  Bad News~ I wasn't able to work in a workout but it's OK because I'm going to work extra hard today!  

I did take BEFORE PICS- (ugh do you know how hard it is to post these!!!!) 

Did do my measurements:

Arms: 15/14

Legs: 18/18

Thigh: 27/26

Waist: 42

Chest: 43

Hips: 46

So my 1st day was somewhat of a bust but I didn't give up and continued what I could and I feel really good about that!!  I did 82 points!

On to Day 2- Today!!!!   

If you are interested in Joining please email me at pamallen68@gmail.com and send me a link to your blog (have to be a blogger) and I can send you a code to get in for free!  You can start now or NEXT MONTH March 1st!  

Check out Crystal’s Transformation it is AMAZING! 

http://www.dustinmaherfitness.com and http://www.fitmomsforlife.com,

Also you can follow us on the #21MBC hashtag on twitter

 Please visit  www.mommybloggerweightlosschallenge.com for more info!  

*Disclaimer - I received a copy of the book for review purposes only. I did not receive any other compensation and all opinions are my own.

Last Week's Problogger’s 31 Days to Build a Better Blog Homework

Day 4: {Intermediate} Use a Magazine to Improve Your Blog: 
I did this with only magazine I have at home~ Family Circle and I actually got a few ideas for blog post and FONT ideas.  Also let me read my magazine which I do maybe 1 or 2 months down the road.  I will be using this tip from now on when I need some blog ideas! 

Day 5: {Intermediate}: Monitor Statistics on Your Blog Need to start tracking : 
I need to keep track of: Overall Visitors, Most Popular Posts, Referral Stats, Bounce Rates, Daily/Weekly Trends, and Exit Pages. I set up a Google Spreadsheet. 
How to make at Stat Book: http://www.kludgymom.com/creating-a-statbook-tutorial-b2sb2b-week-5/  this how I set up my Goggle Spreadsheet.

Day 6: {Intermediate} Make Your Blog Mobile Friendly 

I have to work on Apple Icons and  Meta Viewpoint Tag  Go to http://marketing.grader.com/ and it will let you know what you need to work on!  LOVE IT!

Day 7: {Intermediate} Create/Update a Sneeze Page for Your Blog


This one was hard but I did a couple: http://pinkmamasplace.blogspot.com/p/about.html and http://pinkmamasplace.blogspot.com/p/giveaways.html.  
Down the road I plan to do a sneeze page for:
*Market Mondays
*Tip Tuesdays
*Win It Wednesday


Day 8: Hunt for Dead Links Day 9: {Intermediate} Interlinking Blog Posts

This post helped me a lot!   I took out some old buttons, widgets, and just silly stuff that wasn't needed on the sidebar:  http://www.kludgymom.com/the-11-point-blog-inspection/


I'm working on my labels/categories and will go in and add to posts I never added the labels too.  If I do one a day I will get caught up soon.  I have a lot of categories and I need to narrow them down.