I'm home...safe and sound. I left a sunny, warm day in Chicago, headed south and encountered a downpour and chilly temperatures. Explain that! It's June, people. Nearly July! Doesn't the sky know that it's supposed to be killing us with heat, drenching us in sweat? I think the weather is confused this year.

Sheila Rawlins just sent some homemade cookies to me. They were waiting for me when I arrived home. I ate half of one before I even thought of unpacking! That's the spirit! Lol!

I also had a chance to pop in a few of the CD's that arrived in the mail. Dan Ray's, which have a sneak preview gallery, are beyond incredible. There are probably about 10 galleries' worth of photos on the disk, and I'll begin the next update with the zebra dress. I'm shocked at how good the photos are! Ironically, I was leaner and in better condition on the day of that shoot than I was on stage in Chicago. But I was also tinier, so I really don't know if it would have helped to remain that way. But I do know that something went a little awry in the last week. I have a year to figure it out though, so no worries there.

I wrote up my diet for next week and my cardio plan. I'm going to do weights pretty much instinctually each day as I prepare for the photo shoots. But I want to keep a more detailed journal on here of what I do each day. Just bear with me if I miss a day here and there. And sometimes, I may just rush into the blogger to simply say: Dumbbell curls, 3 sets of 8 reps with 25 pound dumbbells. And the lengthier posts will still be done at least once to twice a week. This is one of the reasons why I decided not to do Figure Nationals. I wanted to spend more time on the site and remain stress free in my training...and the two go hand in hand, for when I'm stressed, I don't write as well.

Okay, I've got a question: I'm thinking of getting a new hairstyle. A few more layers and an inch shorter, so it'll be kind of a inbetween bob/shag cut with long, long bangs. I want honest opinions, and you can post this on the board: do you like the longer, straight hair, do you want to see a funkier, more trendy cut? I might get it done just in time for the Jon Howard shoot in three weeks. Now that I'm not on stage, I can please myself and do what is best for the photos and everyday life.

On that note, my everyday life is going to consist of taste-testing Sheila's cookies. I need to make sure each one was made with consistency and the right amount of chocolate. :) I only have a day left on this see-food diet before I return to my normal way of life.

See ya!

Jodi :)