See ya, 2013.

End of the year post and reviews are my favourite posts to read. They never get old and I lurve looking back on everyone's year and remembering when such and such happened. 

For me and my family, 2013 was much better than 2012. I hope it continues that way. 

In January, my mom started radiation for her breast cancer. We were glad Chemo was over but nervous what radiation would do. Alex and I celebrated 6 months of dating. It's amazing-we thought we had our relationship at that time down pat, and really knew each other---growing is good. 

February, with it being cold was tough. This is when my Grandpa Hannon's health went down hill. Just couldn't kick a bacterial infection and he was in and out of the hospital for a good 3 months. Add in thinking he was going to go, the second month of 2013 wasn't good to us.  I also ran my 2nd half marathon in 2:07! 

In March, I turned 21 which felt great. And the weather turned nice--finally! I hit another running rut (again) (they happen) 

April was amazing--month of vacations  Karen and I went to Punta Cana for a week and Alex and I went away to Niagara Falls on our first trip away together. And I finished my 2nd year of school. 2 down 2 together. 

The year of weddings started in May, my brother childhood best friend and his girlfriend of 6 years got married. That was sweet. After looking at vacation pictures I got depressed with how I let my body and weight get.  I also got into golf during May---thanks to Alex. 

In June-we thought we were going to lose Grandpa Hannon. I was called home from school to say my good bye's, thankfully he made it and hasn't been in the hospital since. In the middle of the month, cancer had been around for a year. To make June happier, I did Colour Me Rad run (everyone should do it!) 

Best part of July was celebrating 1 year with Alex! 

August taught me life lessons about true friendships. I realized who was true and who is fake around me and people who bring toxins into my life. 

Summer was over and 3rd year started in September. It was also the time I shared my own fears about my mom heading back to work and the cancer.  Best part-Karen got engaged! 

October was a fun month, pumpkin patches and a 1:57 half marathon and joining the YMCA.

November was stressful! School was no joke and I felt that I had way to much on my hands/on the go. 

Lastly, December brought food changes as I joined the Paleo diet and started cooking more healthy meals.

I can't wait for 2014. So excited for things that are coming up and things we don't know about at this moment. 

Fluff

Happy October. I'm so looking forward to Thanksgiving this month and going to the pumpkin patch! Fall is the best. 

~

I danced my shoes off (literally, as my feet were killing me) at a wedding on Saturday. Alex's childhood friend got hitched, knowing both the bride and groom made the wedding such a blast. 

I'm super sad the 2013 weddings are done. I wonder who'll get married next year? *cough* the bestie *cough*

~

On a sadder note, while I was dancing on Saturday Alcohol took my estranged Aunt passed away. We're all really sad for my cousins who now don't have a mom at all and sad that this substance took her from this earth.   Please keep my Uncle and his children in your prayers as they deal with this loss. 

The best friend is engaged!

Saturday Alex and I went to a co-workers of his wedding at his work, it was a blast and I couldn't stop smiling all night because earlier in the day Karen called me to say that she's ENGAGED! 

Matthias popped the question in the sweetest way and gave her a stunning ring. It's beautiful and so her. 

I can't wait for this wedding!

Points

Happy Canada Day! 146 years young. 

Saturday turned out a really nice day which was great since my parents and I went to a wedding at Scarboro Golf and Country Club. The bride's family is close friends of ours and the mother of the bride actually taught me Grade 5. Ashley was a beautiful bride. 

I'm running a half-marathon (this one will be my 4th) in October...which reminds me I need to register! And I  decided to train with the Beaches Running Room store. I run 4x a week with a few days of cross training so it's manageable. Yesterday we ran 11k, really slowly. Slow is good! 

I love having a support system in place. And having friends to talk to during the runs make the kilometres fly by! 

Last Weekend in Pictures

Even though it is Friday, I'm finally getting around to blogging about the family-friend wedding my family went to last Saturday. The groom, is my brothers childhood best friend and was the best man at his wedding last year. Sofia and Jesse are high school sweethearts so it's been a long time coming. 

It's no secret that I love weddings. From the romantic ceremonies to the party afterwards, I love weddings! 

We had so much fun at the mostly all Greek ceremony and dancing to traditional Greek and Italian music after. Yes, we were those English people who tried to copy the foot counts and failed. At least we tried, right. 

Alex and I have a wedding in late September and we are so pumped already!

Enjoy the long weekend!

Ryan's wedding.

The Bride and Groom aka my sister in law and Brother

myself and my Grandparents walking in.

1) Being introduced, 2) Waiting for dinner 3) My mom and Ryan dancing 4) Dancing the night away

My beautiful family

Ryan and the girls. 

My Gramma and her girls. 

The "boy" pose.

Saturday was my brothers wedding and it was perfect. Not a cloud in sight but still cool.

Danielle made such a beautiful bride and her dress was so pretty.

I bawled like a baby walking down the aisle and when my brother said his vows. I couldn't help it!

My speech went off like a hit. Of course, I teared up a bit when I got all mushy but that made it sweeter.

Can't believe I have a sister-in-law!

I won't be around much...

....Because  today, I'm leaving to get ready for this couples wedding.

Yup, the day is almost here. 

On Saturday, my brother will be marrying his love, Danielle. 

And I will have a sister-in-law! 

Gramma and Grandpa Hannon with R+D

I'm sure next week weeks blog posts will be wedding re-caps!

Bullets

Hope everyone is having a great monday...

• ...I am, because today is the first day I'm off school. This morning I caught up on about two weeks of tv, stayed in my pj's and enjoy some tea.

• I start summer school tomorrow. Kinda bummed but it's only one class and I'll be done in the middle of june so really I can't complain.

• Friday, I went out with some friends from high school. Sort of celebrating being DONE! These people are the best ever and it makes me excited to go out more this summer.

• Saturday, was Danielle's bachloette party. It was tons of fun. I took pictures but by accident left it at D's parents house so I can't show you. Bum-er

• 12 days till the wedding! Super pumped.

• Since the wedding is so!soon! I'm doing this 7 day Ab challenge and Summer Arms Challenge by Skinny Ms. Hope I can tone these arms by then!

Jack and Jill-March 24th 2012.

My brother and Danielle. That's D's brother in the background. 

I'm finally sitting down after being on my feet since 2pm yesterday. No lie.

Yesterday was Ryan's (bro-ham) and Danielle's (future SIL) Jack and Jill shower. It's basically a night of drinking, games and raising money to give to the couple. It was so much work but so worth it.

It was the best night and pretty sure we raised a couple grand for them.

There were door prizes, raffles and a toonie toss to win a bottle of grey goose which I would have won but someone on D's side beat me. I do say, people were so shocked that I came in second!

There was a push up competition which If you ask me, Ryan totally won.      

I loved the clean trash talking between the Toronoians and the Peterbroughians.

Us girls made t-shirts that said Team Donnelly and Team Hannon on them. I got one of each because even though I'm a bridesmaids, I'll always been Team Hannon.

Such a great night. So much fun!

Picture Fail

Remember back in the new year how I wrote that one of my goals for 2012 was to take more pictures? To be that annoying family member that has the camera out all the time? Well I fail at that this weekend.

You see, on Saturday my mom and I hosted a lovely bridal shower for my future SIL. And I didn't take a single picture. Not even a picture of the tulips that cost $37.54 to buy.

Not a single picture of me and Danielle.

Or one of my mom and her best friend that she's known since grade 6.

Or of the cheesy decorations.

When everyone left and the clean up started only then did I realize that I didn't take a picture.

In my defence, I was running around like a mad women taking coats, pouring wine for myself for the guests, introducing people to my SIL and explaining to others that no I'm not still 14 years old like I was the last time I saw you and yes, I am 10 days away from turing 20.

It was such a nice shower. So nice to catch up with those I haven't seen since I was 12 and so nice to shower my SIL with love and gifts.

So I promise. No, I pinky swear, for the Jack and Jill I will take loads of pictures.

Friday Randoms

How about some randoms from Sarah's head to start your morning? Grab a cup of coffee and sit back :)

• This time next week I'll be on reading week! Thank goodness for a week off. I plan to start my many assignments that are due in march and I'm going to placement on the wednesday!

• I am getting so excited for my brother's wedding in may! Our invitation came on wednesday and most of my family has gotten theirs too.

• My mom and I are having a bridal shower for Danielle on March 10th. The theme is spring and our colours are pink and coral. We are so excited!

• I'm running another 5k race on sunday. I want to finish in under 28 minutes. That is do-able for me but I'm getting nervous because the weather is supposed to be really cold with 1-3cm of snow!

• Can I tell you how much I love thursday evenings? Getting home by 5pm and watching grey's anatomy at 9pm is something I look forward to every week. A good change from rushing to work and watch grey's the next day.

• I went to Starbucks after my first class yesterday to study and grab a Vanilla Rooibus Latte, and I  didn't get those new valentines day cups! Talk about a sad Sarah.

• My mom got facebook over the weekend. Yes, the women who at least once a week bashes it saying people should talk face to face or facebook is stupid. 5 days in and she already hates it. And if she's anything like my dad on facebook then I won't be accepting her anytime soon. The man comments on everything!

• Wish me luck on my race! Please pray to the snow gods that it doesn't snow or be cold!

weight loss update. and link up.

I know I talk a lot about my weight on here. It's something that I've always struggled with. I remember being in grade 9 and being so down about my weight, being so angry at other girls who were able to eat fast food for lunch and look amazing. Naturally, since my grandma works for weight watchers, I joined. Yup, I was in grade 9, 15 years old when I went on a "diet."

I call it a diet because I was looking for a fast-fix. I didn't put in the work at.all. Needless to say, on and off for the next 3 years  I failed. I tracked only the "healthy" foods, because if you don't track the unhealthy foods it didn't happen would forget to track dinner and yet couldn't figure out why I wasn't losing weight. I would sit in meetings and pout when other people got to their goal weight. I did have times where I gave up. Quit going. Then I would see myself in pictures or the mirror and would start tracking.

I dropped 8 pounds in those years. 8 little pounds. It was so embarrassing when the topic of  me and weight watchers came up in conversation. I hated when people asked how much I've lost and would dread saying 8 pounds (or less when I say gaining.) The looks of surprise hurt. I know people were thinking I was going to say a bigger number.

And I know what someone might say "8 pounds is 8 pounds." or "at least it's going down."

True. But 8 pounds over 3+ years? Absolutely horrible to me.

Over the summer I didn't lose anything. Maybe it was the pizza we ordered or my mindset of "oh hey I biked 4.5k to work so I can have 3 slices of pizza, a pop and chicken wings." I still weighed-in but wasn't happy with the results.

Aug 14,2011.

Then in october something happened. Call it what you will but I "saw the light." I was going to weight watchers meetings every saturday, tracking and doing "well." But the only time I would lose on the scale was when I wore a lighter pair of pants or didn't have a big dinner the night before. I was seriously thinking of quitting again. This time for good. I started thinking about school and how I couldn't take 3 hours out of my saturdays to get up, have breakfast, shower, do hair/make up, drive to weight watchers, actually weigh in, listen to the the meeting and go home.

As I was telling my mom my plan I remembered that Susan and Katie and great results doing weight watchers on-line. I looked into it and on October 29, 2011 I joined ww online.

So far I have lost 13.4 pounds! I have started running like crazy. Since November 23,2012 I have ran 103km (plus a few more from when I was training for my 5k in October) and not stopping.

I've also lost 3.5ish inches from my waist and hips. The jeans are getting loose and I have to wear a belt everytime I wear jeans. My family has noticed changes aswell. Like my uncle on Christmas eve. I was standing across the room and he yells out "hey sarah, you losing weight, thought so, your face looks smaller"

Favourite uncle right there.

I do have to say this. Yes, I do have weeks where I only lose 0.2. I do have weeks that I don't lose at all (happened over Christmas, which is fine!) I do have weeks were I gain 1.8.

It happens. Life happens. Again, it's a lifestyle change. Not a let's lose and gain it all back...and more.

LOOK! I have a waist :)
*this morning*

As we enter a new year, I don't want to stop with this life-style change. My one and only sibling is getting married in May and I want to look hot! It would be so nice for my SIL to set me up with one of her 37 first cousins!

My action plan:

• continue with watchers online.
• keep kicking runnings butt
• run many races this year, starting with...
• a 5k in Febuary, a 10k on april 22 and an another 10k on may 5
• add in weight training once a week.

I do have a goal weight and goal measurements  When I get to my goal(s) I will share with y'all. *hopefully it's before may 12, 2012*

Pinned here.

I'm sure you're dying to know.

I've seen this cute little post around the blog world lately from Katie and Rachel.

Guilty pleasure?

Starbucks Skinny Peppermint Mocha. Only 100 calories or 2 points on Weight Watchers!

MMM :) 

Recent splurge?

Even though the I have go into Eaton Center go get home, I stay away from it becasuse a) I'll spend all my money and  b) christmas is a'coming. I did spend almost $50 at Trade Secrets when I treated myself to OPI Muffets :) And we all agree how pretty they are. 

from here

In bulk, I buy?

Nutella. Enough said. 

My go-to flower?

I love peonies. I've already decided that those are my flowers for my wedding. You know, to my guy I haven't met..yet :) 

                                                                                                   

Comfort food?
Pizza, pizza and oh ya...pizza.  

For breakfast?

Smoothies.  Banana, some sort of berries, OJ and source yog. Sometimes I'll do a piece of toast. 

For dinner? 

Pasta and salads :)

Love/hate relationship with?
School work. I love school, love knowing that I'm working towards a great degree but sometimes? I want to be lazy. December 5th can't come fast enough!

from here

Can't stop watching?
To be honest. I don't have time to sit around watching mind-less tv right this second. I do watch my favourites though. You know, HIMYM, Teen Mom/16 & Preggy, Glee, The office, Grey's. 



Dreaming about?
December 5th at 3pm when I'll begin my 5 weeks off :) Oh and Christmas Specials

here

My favourite one!

Crushing on?

I love him. 

Every girl should have?

Pretty Nail polish. A great night sleep. 

My style in five words?
Preppy.Girly. Sophisticated.




I love wearing?

Right now? My roots sweats and an old camp shirt. hot eh?!

This is what I want to wear to my Brother's reception dinner in May. To bad the only stores are in Europe and Florida. Guess I'll be making a road trip to sunny Florida :)

Dream job?

A grade 1 teacher. 

I dream about the day that I'll have 20, 7 year olds calling me Ms. Hannon. 

What I'm loving Wednesday-My bridesmaids dress :)

I'm loving the bridemaid dress my future SIL choose for her girls. So in love with it. 
I didn't know when I saw my brother and SIL that day that I was trying it on so I a) didn't shave my legs and b) bring the proper bra. Because of this, I don't have pictures of me wearing it, but the good ole' internet does!


So this is the dress!

This was the default colour but the next picture is what Danielle picked. 

Number 1668 is it :) The colour is called "cognac." 
Danielle was creative and knew that her sister who has blue eyes and super pale skin wouldn't look good in this colour so since she's the MOH, she is in a coral. Her other sister who is the second MOH is in a lighter "cognac" colour and me and the three other bridesmaids are in cognac. 


I love it so much. Can't wait for May 12, 2012 to wear it! 


Surprisingly, it made my waist look so tiny. I still want to lose 15 more pounds just to look extra fab :)
~


I ask my lovely readers go to pop over and visit Veronica today. One year a go while 6 months pregnant with her third child, she lost her husband Jeremy at the age of 31. He was hunting when he suffered a heart attack. I met Jeremy when he and his Christian acapella group came back to his former high school's youth rally to sing in 2008. His passing has been such a shock for hundreds. For those pray warriors out there, please keep Vee and her three beautiful babies in your prayers today. 


Go link up with Jaime :)

Cutest wedding.

I've been told a billion times I look like my momma here.

The beautiful Bride and the Groom

On Saturday, Karen and I were invited to Immanuel's and Jocelyn's wedding. We all go to church together. Im (pronuced: em) and Jocelyn have both been such role models in my Christian walk. Loved that I got to celebrate with them!

It was so nice to get all dolled up and go shopping for new things to wear!

The second last photo is the gift I gave the couple. Its from this store from etsy. It's a perfect gift for a couple who just bought their first house together, it would look great over the mantel. *My thoughts, wasn't paid to say the nice words*

Because it was a Filipino wedding (aka: lots and lots of family) we weren't invited to the reception after. That was perfectly okay, we understood and at least we got to witness Im cry when he saw Jocelyn walk down the aisle :) That my friends is the best moment of a wedding.

happy monday, friends!