Cheers to you.....

Happy Birthday to the BEST parents in the entire world!



They celebrate thier birthdays just 9 days apart!!!! Happy Birthday you two! :)

Happy 30th Birthday to Husband!

As most of you know, Mr. Lyon George hit the big 3-0 in April this year and to celebrate this momentous occasion......I threw a SURPRISE party for him! :)

Here's the story......

We started his birthday "celebration" by heading to Max & Erma's for dinner with our parents and siblings, nephews and nieces!

Here he is with his Mom and the kids are below that!




Ok, so in HIS mind, his Mom and Jayme were taking Gunnar to "stay the night" with them so I could take him to pick up his surprise gift which would require him to be blindfolded........he was game! (Thank goodness!)



When we arrived at the building, I helped him out of the car......



And into the building and that's where.....SURPRISE came into play!!!!!


My great friend, Kelly, made this fantastic cake!!!!!




Our great friends, Wendy, Dve and Shive or "Blackberry Bottom Band", provided us with great music!!!


And a special thanks to my lovely friend Miss Megan! Thanks for getting everything together for me! :):):)


HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUSBAND! I LOVE YOU VERY VERY VERY MUCH!



Thanks to everyone who came! It was SO fun!!!!!

It's been 12 weeks........

So here we are, 12 weeks down on the diet and exercise regimen! :) I have now officially lost 25 lbs and approximately 30 inches from this body 'o mine!

Pictures? But of course! :)





The last 12 weeks have really gone by fast, now that I think about it. Now, don't think for a second that I didn't have cheat days or that I thought about giving up. I did.......I have cried, I have been almost down-right mean about not having certain foods.......however......the feelings that I have for myself now are absolutely fantastic! I feel confident, accomplished, proud, excited, happy and all together GREAT! :) The last 3 weeks have been difficult as I have not been able to run due to a slight knee injury, but the elliptical has become my BFF and it didn't stop me. I have completely changed my way of eating and will forever strive to be in the best shape I can be! :)
The 12-week session is over, but I am beginning a new 8-week session this week. My new goal is to lose 20 more lbs, tone and be "bikini-ready" by summer! :)
I really do appreciate all the kind words, the comments, the "go for it's", etc. from everyone around me! Encouragement is something that I need every day and everyone who has encouraged me over the last 12 weeks, I thank you from the bottom of my heart! Had it not been for the random "how's it going" or "hope you're doing well" or "stay with it, you're doing great"'s, I may have stopped 2 weeks into the program! Matt is an amazing trainer and my Husband is an amazing cheerleader! My family and friends have been behind me 100% (although they HAVE eaten cookies, chips and cake in front of me while I choked down protein shakes and all the chicken and turkey burger you can handle) heehee!
Ok, enough rambling...................I hope everyone enjoys Easter this weekend!
And thanks again to all! :)

some people! GRRRR!

Just received a phone call from Lancaster Parks and Recreation in regards to my "Portraits in the Park" that will be held this Saturday, April 11th, 2009. Apparently a "concerned citizen" has made a complaint about this event.

During my conversation with the rep from LP&R he clarified that the event is kosher, all the details are ok and everything will go on as scheduled. (He also mentioned that he's never received any other complaints of this nature and was kind of surprised by the whole situation.....)

I"m actually, for once, at a loss for words and am completely and utterly flabbergasted by this. So, to clarify what's going to happen on Saturday.....

*my appts are PRE-BOOKED. I"m not going to be standing on the corner at Rising Park waving an "Images by Miss Mindy" flag and soliciting my services.

*the money exchange will now be made at another location and I will make sure this happens

*I will not rope off, quarentine or select a designated area to set up lights, equipment or anything else. It will be the usual "Mindy and her camera" situation.

I apologize to whomever is upset with me about this event, but this is my full-time job and I love what I do.

Thanks and have a GREAT day!