August Blog Challenge: Day 19

*Nicknames you have; why do you have them*

Paga- This is the nickname most people know me as....it was originally Paga de Paga. I was named this from Aaron, the assistant manager at Einstein's Bagels when I worked there my senior year of high school. He gave us all plays on our names.  It became long lasting when I worked at YMCA Camp Lakewood every summer I was in college. Counselors and staff did not go by their own names, but rather nicknames.  I have so many friends that for the life of me don't know real names....only camp names.

Mackey-- this one is obvious

Maccaroni-- again, this is a play on my last name that my good buddy Sweeny calls me...even still after getting married.

Hot Rock-- this is what my Daddy always called me as a kid....I love when he still calls me this

August Blog Challenge: Day 17

***Note to readers, doing this one out of order due to lack of baby pics on my work computer*****


Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why??

This was another toughy for me...how fun would it be to switch places with one of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills?  I love Kyle. She is a very good mother, has a great handsome, supportive husband, has great clothes and throws big charity parties. I think I would love hosting charity events.  I think I would love living as money isn't a real issue and how much from each paycheck do I have to save and not shop.  I also admire her realationship with her husband. They are very cute together and I do not think it is just for the cameras.  They are able to communicate well with each other and that is something I wish I was better at in my current life.  I just think living "the lifestyle of the rich and famous" for a day would be so fun!

August Blog Challenge: Day 16

*Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play*

1. If You're Gonna Leave-- Emerson Hart
2. Thunderstruck-- AC/DC  (Mama would be so proud!)
3. Here Comes Goodbye-- Rascal Flatts
4. Here I Go Again-- White Snake  (wow seems like a theme here)
5. Fallout-- Sofi Bonde
6. Best Days of Your Life-- Kellie Pickler
7. Champagne-- Cavo
8. From Yesterday-- 30 Seconds to Mars
9. Simple Man-- Lynyrd Skynyrd
10. Dixieland Delight-- Alabama

So, looks like I turn to music during rough times in my life, like break ups viewing from these 10 random songs.  Also to note, 2 of these songs were featured at my wedding. Thunderstruck, was our entrance to to the reception with kazoos mind you.  And Simple Man was what Jay and his mother danced to....

I promise I have some good rap and hip hop, even pop....but they were not featured in this list.

August Blog Challenge: Day 15

*A picture of you and your family*

Mike, Allisom, Jay, Peyton, Me, Daddy, and Mama

The Blair's first boat ride of the season

My Daddy and I

My mother in law and my Mama singing to Bon Jovi

and we can't forget Charlie....after a hair cut

August Blog Challenge: Day 14

*A letter to someone who has hurt you recently*

I thought about this one for a long time....however, at this moment today, I don't really have some one to write this letter to.  I think the things that have hurt me in the past, I have blogged about some of them. However, I have made peace with these incidents and really do not want to rehash them.  I promise that I will be more open in my blogging and when something bothers me, I will write about it. 

August Blog Challenge: Day 13

*Your Blog Story (who you are as a blogger, how long you've been blogging, where your name came from, etc.).*

Honestly, I think this is the 3rd blog I have started.  When I first started blogging, a lot of my entries were about my crazy dating life. The ups and downs of being in my late 20s traveling for work and trying to maintain some sort of a normal dating life or relationship.  I have kept many "journals" on paper, mainly when I was hurt by someone and I basically was writting them a letter. That way, I got what I needed to say out of my head, but I didn't ever really talk to them about it.  I started this present blog, when I got engaged and planned on writing about planning our wedding.  However, I wasn't great a really writing posts.  I have tried this year to be better about documenting things in my life.  I think I have done somewhat better this year in trying to write more. 

I was never a great writer....my mind is all over the place, I talk this way also....just ask my husband. It drives him nuts.  I hope that by blogging, I will write better and smoother than I have in the past.  I also think it is fun to look back on archieved posts and see what was going on in my life at any given moment.

August Blog Challemge: Day 12

*Someone you would like to meet*

Like my BFF, this was a toughy for me. I mean, obviously, I would like to meet Channing Tatum, but let's be honest.....I would just like to jump his bones! It didn't say whether or not the person had to be living today, so I am chosing someone who died before I was in the picture.  My grandmother, my Dad's mom, died a year after my parents were married.  My dad has one sister, who never had kids.  My dad was closer to his mom and my Aunt Pam was closer to their dad.  Because of this dynamic, we just don't know a whole lot about my dad growing up (except stories he tells, which is rare.)  My mother knows so much about her side of the family and now as I get older, I think it would have been nice to know more about my Dad's family history.  I'd love to know how my dad was as a kid....I know he wasn't as perfect as he tells us!

August Blog Challenge: Day 11

I'm tackling 2 days in 1 today......how ambitious!  FYI, this was really hard. Just like picking out songs to play at your wedding.

Songs you listen to when you are......

Happy: Seperate Ways by Journey, Yeah by Usher,

Sad: depends on the situation.....but A Little Bit Stronger by Sara Evans, and a lot of country

Bored: Loving Call Me Maybe still, and Tonight with Pitbull

Hyped; I interpret this to be my running songs: Bodies by Drowning Pool, Burn it to the Ground by Nickelback

Mad: Break Stuff by Limp Bizkit


My mood music changes regularly

August blog Challenge: Day 10

*Something you are proud of*

St. Louis University, Grad School Core Class, August 2002

I wanted to post a picture of what I am proud of, but I am in Oklahoma City and only have recent pictures with me.  I guess, the thing that sticks out to me as something I am proud of, is losing 60ish pounds since 2002 and gaining Lifetime membership status at Weight Watchers.  It is no secret that I have always struggled with weight and body images. I'd love to tell you that I do not anymore because that would be a lie.

I did not gain the typical "Freshman 15" in my first year in college....I gained like 40 pounds. I went from being a very active person on the dance team who ate pretty healthy, to late night eating and drinking high calorie alcoholic drinks with hardly any time working out.  I don't even know how I didn't notice the weight coming on, until the spring time when I went to put on some clothes from the year before and they didn't fit at all. I evenly gained the weight which maybe made it harder for me to tell.  I did lose about 10 pounds over the summer and then another 10 throughout the other 3 years of college. 



When I moved to St. Loius to start grad school in August of 2002, I made a decieion to join weight watchers.  It was a long battle and I was able to reach goal in March of 2005.  I am happy to say I have done my best to keep of the weight.  My job definitely makes it hard....with all the travel.  In some ways I am way more focused on my image now than I was 60 pounds ago.  I am proud of where I have come, but I still have a ways to go.  I know the number on the scale shouldn't matter, however, it still bothers me when I am up 5 pounds.  Luckily I am learning to rely more on how I feel and how my clothes feel, but I guess I am a work in progress, but I am so happy as to how far I have come.

St. Thomas, October 2011

August Blog Challenge: Day 9

*A picture somewhere that has the biggest impact on you.*

I know you all are probably tired of hearing and seeing wedding pictures by now, but hell, I haven't even been married a year yet, so I feel that I can keep showering yall with them post after post.  Becoming a wife and a step mom has had the biggest impact on me, since landing a job in the sales world and graduating with my masters.  I think the fact that J and I have weathered a few storms together (losing 2 jobs in 8 months for me and his quitting drinking and smoking) has affected me. 

I entered my 30s with a bang and as I write today, I am still the same fun time Paige I once was....she is just debt free and more responsible.  I can't say whether or not I would have come this far without both J and Peyton.  I do not sweat the small stuff. Wait, let me rephrase that...I do not freak out all the time as I would before when things aren't going the way I want them to.  J and I balance each other out.  He is soooo easy going and I am sooo not.  Hello, I am the person that has to plan to be spontaneous.  I don't  do well with change.  However, J has made me realize, it won't kill me to be flexible and relequish some control over situations that I couldn't control if I wanted to.  Peyton makes me excited to have a child full time.  (not at this time)  He is just so easy to love and I love that he likes me.  I am just a work in progress but I am so happy to have these 2 to experience life with.

So grown up

Yesterday, Peyton started his first day of 3rd grade. And yes, I know he is not my biological son, I feel that we have come so for in the almost 3 years I have been in his life to be in awe of such a change from when I first met him.  Of course there are the physical differences, he is much taller now (funny how kids grow1) He could not read or spell and now he can. He has opinions and is very quick witted.  For example, a few weeks ago he thanked me for the slushie I bought at J's softball game. I told him you are most welcome and it was only because he was my favorite kid.  Without skipping a beat he replied, "Paige, I'm your only kid!"

He has become so independent, except when it comes to making the bed.  We are going to have to work on him making his bed at our house!  We have fun together and I just can't believe this kid I met in kindergardern is now learning cursive and long division in third grade.

Supercross, 4-17-2010











Summer 2012 at the Boathouse



August Blog Challenge: Day 8

*Your favorite superhero and why*

I must say, this one has me a little stumped.  I was never really into superheros, unless you count my little ponies or the carebears.  I honestly, can not remember ever really wanting to watch the Batman, Superman, Wonderwoman, X men type movies or cartoons.  Oh, I was She-ra, 2 years in a row for Halloween....so maybe her.  I can not for the life of me tell you why I wanted to be She-ra, but I am sure it had to do with the fact that I could wear a dance leotard and leg warmers and the "costume" was really just a mask, arm cuffs, a shield, and a glow in the dark sword.  That sword made appearances in many things, post She-ra life.

August Blog Challenge: Day 7

*A picture of somewhere you have been*

J and I went to St. Thomas for our honeymoon.  This picture is taken at Maegan's Bay on St. Thomas. It is the number 10 rated beach in the world.  Can't you see why??? It was beautiful. Crystal blue water that you could see the floor of the ocean on.  The sand was white and so pretty.  While we were on Maegan's Bay, we saw numerous huge jelly fish.  I was amused by the number of people that saw these jelly fish and proceeded to get close, and yes, stung.  I mean, did they not think that they jelly fish would do what jelly fish were known to do?  We also saw a few shark fish swimming and like their name, they really did look like baby sharks swimming around. I really hope that we will get back to St. Thomas again.  It really was an amazing honeymoon.

August Blog Challenge: Day 6

*Something you are looking forward to*

Oh, there are so many things coming up that are exciting and that I am looking forward to....my first anniversary, Christmas in Texas, my BFF's wedding, getting to be in a wedding of 2 good friends with my husband, Puerto Rico for my sales meeting....but I would guess the thing I am most looking forward to is become a for real mommy.  NO, I AM NOT PREGNANT!!!  I have said that I have wanted to be married for a year and at my current job for a year before even thinking about trying to have a baby, and I am for the most part sticking to that plan. However, I am more open to discussing pregnancy and getting my body in the best shape for pregnancy.

I think having Peyton for half the summer really opened my eyes to being a parent. I have said it in previous posts, but I am blessed to have a step child that has accepted me so easily  We have a great time together, but I do want a child of my own.  Our family went to a BBQ on saturday night with some friends, most of the couples had at least 1 kid and 2 of the families had babies 3 months and 9 weeks old.  Yes, my focus of fun has definitely switched to drinking and hanging at bars all night to loving sitting on a patio, grilling, talking, and watching kids play. So maybe in the next few years, we will add a baby Blair, and I couldn't be more excited.

August Blog Challenge: Day 5

*A picture of you and your friends*

My wedding 10-9-11

I have so many great friends, but this is a picture from J and my's wedding in October. These are all of my buddies from Arkansas plus my husband.  We have our differences, but in the end we all are able to come together to be there for each other.  I was the only girl of the group for the longest time until Jen came into our group by marrying Hott. It is nice to have another girl to keep the boys in line! It is rare that all of us can be in the same place at once, so this picture is very special to me because everyone was present for my wedding.

August Blog Challenge: Day 4

*A habit that you wish you didn't have. *

Diet Coke. I have never been a coffee drinker, and my caffine of choice is diet coke.  I have one in the morning as most normal people drink their coffee.  I love diet coke from a can instead of the 20oz bottle, to me it tastes better.  I also love making a diet cherry coke at Quick Trip.  I am not so much a fan of diet pepsi though. I will drink it if it is what restaraunts have on tap, but I need a lime with it.  I know my avid soda drinking is not a good thing.  I am trying really hard to cut back and drink more water or crystal light. But it seems the more I think about cutting back, the more I want a diet coke.  I am going to have major issues if and when I ever get preggers.  I definitely do not want to give birth to a caffeine addicted baby.  When we first started dating, I remember J calling me when I was traveling. Appartenly, I was cranky and he asked me if I had had my diet coke yet.  I had not. He told me to go drink one and call him back.  I have a problem, I think!

August Blog Challenge: Day 3

*Why are you doing this 30 day challenge?*

Honestly, I am doing this challenge to get me back into writing about our adventures as well as the mundane every day things.  Also, I am hoping that if I keep writing, I will become better at expressing myself with words and not so many damn hand gestures when I talk!  I have never been that great of a writer. My brain is more math and science oriented, so I apologize if I have sentences punctuated not correctly and my thoughts flow from here to there.  I also wanted to have a place that I could go to let out some of my feelings on certain situations that I really do not want to post on the other social medias like facebook or twitter. My blog is my blog and my thoughts and feelings are my thoughts and feelings.  I have always had a hard time opening up, and I have found that the times I kept a journal, I was most honest.

That being said, I am so glad it is almost Friday. This week has worn me out.

My movie date

This is Peyton's last week of summer vacation, and he has the pleasure of spending it with us.  It is a hard balance for me.  First off, this is the first summer we have done the one week on, one week off summer schedule. I have tried very hard to make sure that I am in town for the weeks that we have Peyton.  It makes it easier on J (since he can not drive Peyton) and also it is good for us to be a complete family.  J has been doing all the cleaning himself lately, which leaves me home with Peyton.  I am very fortunate that I am able to do most of my work from home, but I feel totally guilty if he watches TV or plays XBox too long, so this afternoon we had some errands to run.  Peyton is so good and so easy going. We had to go to Bed Bath and Beyond and order a wedding present, I had to return a dress to the Loft, we had Qdoba for lunch (at Peyton's request)....and then....we saw "Diary of a Wimpy Kid!"  Peyton was so excited and chose snow caps as his movie treat. (I am a sucker and he is so cute that he get's just about anything he wants from me.....hopefully this is just a step mom thing and I out grow this if and when I have my own.)  The movie was so funny....Peyton thanked me over and over and said he had the best day....which of course melts my heart.  I really think we have a great relationhip and he is more and more comfortable with spending the day with me.  I have told Peyton we have to watch the other 2 movies so I can see it from the beginning.  I snapped a cute picture at the theater before the movie started.

August Challenge: Day 2

Short term goals for this month and why

I have a few goals that I seem to always be short term goals, maybe putting them out there will help keep me accountable.

• Regular exercise- I can't say that I love going to the gym, but I do love how I feel when I leave the gym. I am in a better mood, I have more energy, and I sleep better at night.  Being a part time stay at home mom this summer has been hard on my gym routine. Add in all the travel I do and it has become next to impossible.  For those that know me, early mornings are not my thing. However, I am getting up at 7am on my own as opposed to rolling out of bed at 8:30.  There is just something about getting up before 6am and driving to the gym which just makes me roll over and reset my alarm for 7:30.  I am prepping for Warrior Dash in September and need to move forward from week 2 of Couch to 5K.
• Healthy eating- Once again, something I am always and forever working on.  I am trying this month to cut out fried food and eat more veggies.  It is super duper hard on the road to make sure I eat healthy. I think this is why I eat at more of the boring chain restaraunts instead of trying new fun places in the cities I go.  When you go new places, you want to try what their special is and I do not need to eat my way around Kansas City, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
• House projects- If you know me, you know I am a total math and science person mold. I am not creative and I am not an good writer, decorator, or just plain crafty in general. However, I have a few things I would like to do to spruce up our home.  I still need to frame wedding pictures and hang them. I want to add some things to Peyton's room to make it more his than just our spare bed room and other closet.
• Save money- This is a short term as well as long term goal.  I am happy to report that I am credit card debt free!  I only have our house payment and J's car payment.  I would like to say I am saving more and more each month, but that is not the case.  We are savng slowly but at least there is money in savings where as at this time last year, I was using up savings because I had just lost my job.  (Well August 16th, but close enough.)  It is not in the cards right now to sell my townhome.  Our next door neighbors had theirs on the market and only got one, very low ball, offer. However, they had people fighting over renting it. So I guess we are looking into renting a bigger house as well as renting out the town home.

August Blog Challenge: Day 1

A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself

The Blair family at the Rangers game in June 2012

1. I am horrible at cleaning, and ironically my husband owns a commerical and residential cleaning company. I can dust for hours and it looks like I never removed any dust.

2. Right now I crave BBQ....all the time.

3. In the last 3 week, two of my really good friends got enagaged and will have weddings for us to fly to!

4. I think I really could be a stay at home mom.....just during the summer.

5. I own way too many clothes from Ann Taylor. (side note....saturday was my 6 year Ann-iversary at Ann!)

6. I never dreamed that I would ever live in Missouri.

7. I have a major obsession with popcorn.

8. I love folding laundry.

9. One new year's resolution we have stuck with is going to church on Sundays.

10. I love pretty much every show on Bravo

11. I have never been to Mexico.

12. I always wished I was more creative, especially when it comes to decorating and planning parties.

13. I do sing in my car and car dance if a song moves me.

14. I sleep better in hotel rooms than I do at my own house

15. I recently discovered Moose Tracks ice cream.....where was this flavor hidding??

Pardon Me!

Wow, I can not believe it has been over a month since I last posted. I blame the Lettet Challenge, stuck on the letter U, but alas I can only blame myself.  We have had a crazy busy summer, filled with weeks with Peyton, baseball camps, baseball tournements, boating on the river, trying to be on zero spending, work, and just life in general.

This is our last week with Peyton before he goes back to school next week. I, for one, can not believe the summer is over.  It has been extremely hot and humid, with little to no rain, but as a lot of my friends are looking forward to Fall, I am not.  Do not get me wrong, I love sweaters and boots, and the pumpkin spice smell....I just HATE winter and Fall means winter is here. I love summer....I love being a dark golden tan from the sun. I love being out on our boat.  Winter means staying inside, which means I have no excuses to doing all the housework I need to in order to spruce this place up.  I am full of ideas.....lack of motivation implementing them is where I fall short. 

I think I am done with the Alphabet challenge....and will start the 30 day challenge my BFF is doing....it seems more fun right now!