From one birthday to another-almost there!

I will turn 30 three weeks from today. While that thought freaks me out just a bit, I know it is coming whether or not I'm ready for the new decade.

One thing that will make me feel and look better (and maybe younger too!) is definitely losing weight, and I want to lose a lot of it!

On July 4 (see photo), I weighed 178.2 pounds, and now, my weight is down to 165.2 pounds. Since the beginning, I've dropped 13 pounds (7.3 percent of my total weight).

I'll have a huge number this week because I didn't exercise much last week. If I add in a bunch of exercise (even if it is just walking for 60 minutes each day) to my plan of eating right, I should see awesome results!!!

Going back to school!!!

The Beloit College Mindset List looks at pop culture events that have shaped the lives of incoming college freshmen.

I took an extra interest in this year's list because I'm now taking four classes at Lincoln Land Community College!!!

I'd been hoping to go back to school for a while, but it was never the right time. Getting laid off from my second job in a row made me realize I needed this.

If all goes according to plan, I'll be a Registered Nurse specializing in Labor and Delivery no later than June 2014.

But, I'm far from the typical college freshman. In the year 1992, when most of this year's college freshmen were born, I was starting 7th Grade. That's a little depressing and scary.

In doing this, I realize I'm setting a great example for Dominic. Education is vitally important, and it is NEVER too late to go back.

From one birthday to another-four weeks left!

As you've seen in some of my other recent blog posts, this has been a crazy time for me. I'm actually kind of surprised I lost any weight at all! :)

Three weeks ago, my weight was 169.6 pounds. Today, I'm "tipping the scales" at 166.4 pounds, which means a loss of 3.2 pounds.

Since I began (see July 4 photo), I have lost 11.8 pounds or 6.6 percent of my starting weight.

I'm slowly starting to realize that, while every pound counts, the really important thing is learning to live a healthier life and be a better example for my amazing son!

2010: My Summer of Books-goal interrupted...

At this rate, my word's not going to mean much before long. This summer has been a season of goal-setting, and now, I have to change yet another deadline! :)

I'll be taking books #22-38 and reading them in a "Book of the Week" format.

But, first things first! Book #21 was "Secrets" by Danielle Steel. This book, first published back in 1985, focuses on the making of hit prime time soap opera "Manhattan."

Maybe it's because this book reminds me of the soap opera-watching days of my childhood, but I really liked it. Steel did a great job of character development with Sabina, Jane, Zack, Gabrielle and Bill, and really made me care about what happened to everyone.

Just like the stars of "Manhattan," I have a secret of my own. You'll all be seeing a big announcement from me here in the next few days!!!

From one birthday to another-not so fast!

When it comes to my weight loss and especially my "From one birthday to another" swimsuit challenge, I sometimes think the whole world is against me.

I was supposed to have a weigh-in today, but as luck has it, I got a visit from my least favorite Aunt. As you ladies know, that basically means I'll have some extra water weight for the next five days.

So, I'm postponing my weigh-in to NEXT Sunday, August 22. In order to keep the number of weigh-ins the same, I'll also be weighing-in the Sunday after that, August 29.

Thank you for being patient. I won't disappoint you!

2010: My Summer of Books-over the hump!

Whew! 20 books down and 18 left! I finally made it over halfway, and it feels good.

Danielle Steel's "Sisters" was book #18. It immediately appealed to me because there are four girls (and no boys) in my family, and Steel's book follows the four successful Adams sisters. Girl Power!!!!

Lawyer Sabrina, TV producer Tammy, Italy-based artist Annie, and international supermodel Candy cope with an unthinkable family tragedy by living together in New York City for a year.

Steel creates a touching story of family pulling together to create beauty out of something so heartbreaking, and I absolutely loved it!

For book #19, I read Jay Asher's "Thirteen Reasons Why," which follows good-guy Clay Jensen and tortured soul Hannah Baker, speaking from the grave.

Clay is one of 13 people to receive a mysterious package containing cassette tapes with messages from Hannah. Each person listening to the tapes is in some way, according to Hannah, responsible for her suicide.

Asher's storytelling is unique, mesmerizing and sad, and it reminds all of us of a critically important message: learn the potential warning signs a person may be suicidal and don't be afraid to act if you see them.

With book #20, I got to check out "Look Again" by Lisa Scottoline, and this one hit especially close to home for two reasons: I'm a mother of a young son, and my college degree is in print journalism.

"Look Again" focuses on Philadelphia newspaper reporter and single mom Ellen Gleeson, who gets the shock of a lifetime when she thinks she recognizes the face of her adopted son Will on a "Have You Seen This Child?" flyer she gets in the mail. The journalist and mother in Ellen won't let her ignore the flyer, so she decides to investigate.

My heart was in my throat the entire time because I cannot even imagine how horrible my life would be if I ever had my son taken away from me. Scottoline's story felt so real to me, and I can tell you that, by the end, I was practically cheering out loud.

On to book #21..."Secrets" by Danielle Steel.

Dominic's got his sea legs!

This past Saturday, we had fun on Lake Springfield and quickly found out that Dominic has absolutely no fear of water. He would have walked right off the edge of the boat if we had let him.

2010: My Summer of Books-a reading exercise!

I've combined my two Summer goals by taking a novel on my daily walks. I'm "killing two birds with one stone" and tricking my body into forgetting I'm exercising.

With book #15, "The Compound" by S.A. Bodeen, I read a fascinating story of what happens after a nuclear attack. Nine-year-old Eli Yanakakis' life is turned upside down when his family is forced into an underground compound for the next 15 years.

Things really get scary when Eli starts to wonder if a nuclear bomb was even dropped in the first place. Will he be able to escape the total isolation of the compound, or are he and his family stuck there forever?

If you only read a few books in your lifetime, you need to seriously consider making Randy Pausch's "The Last Lecture" (my book #16) one of your choices.

Pausch, a Carnegie Mellon professor, died of pancreatic cancer on July 25, 2008, but he never let cancer defeat him. He said, "If I don't seem as depressed or morose as I should be, sorry to disappoint you."

Everyone in the world can benefit in one way or another from Pausch's words of wisdom on dreaming big, working well with others and making the most of every day you have on Earth.

For book #17, I read "Dead Air" by Mary Kennedy. Kennedy's story follows radio psychologist Maggie Walsh, a Manhattan transplant who trades in the craziness of New York City for a calmer existence in small town Cypress Grove, Florida.

As it turns out, small town living can be just as crazy. Maggie is thrown into a murder investigation after hot shot New Age author Sanjay Gingii is killed shortly after appearing as a guest on her radio show.

I give this murder mystery an enthusiastic two thumbs up. Kennedy introduces many different characters, and yet, I never felt lost. Her descriptions were crisp and clear, and she kept me guessing right until the end.

It's time for book #18, "Sisters" by Danielle Steel.

From one birthday to another-three times a lady!

I've turned another calendar page, and Aug. 1 is here. It's time for my third weigh-in during my "From one birthday to another" swimsuit challenge.

My current weight is (drumroll please)...169.6 pounds! Ok, so maybe I shouldn't put an exclamation point after that, but any loss is really a step in the right direction.

I've lost 4.4 pounds in the last two weeks. Since I began my weight-loss challenge (see starting photo at left), I've lost 8.6 pounds (or 4.83 percent of my starting weight).

On Aug. 15, my scale will say 164 pounds. To get there, I'll walk every day and drink lots of water.