My World

Well, it has been a long time since I sat down to write about my world. While in PA for a week this fall I didn't watch TV or talk on the phone or get on the computer...and it was really nice! When I got back I decided to keep it up. I deleted shows from my DVR, stopped taping some shows and started reading and scrapbooking more. It feels really good. I am doing things that I love and I don't really miss the TV. Don't get me wrong, there are still shows that I can't live without...Grey's Anatomy and The Office to name a few.

I have been caught up in Christmas. I decorated the first week in November and have been listening to Christmas music on the "Sounds of the Season" channel on TV and have been reading Christmas books. Fa la la la love Christmastime!

Speaking of Christmas music...who sings your favorite version of "Last Christmas"? For me it is definitely Wham! It is on the XM radio channel a lot...yay! Oh yeah, Christmas music in the car at all times too!

I have all the Christmas presents bought and wrapped.

The only Christmasy thing I haven't done yet is the cookies. I have to wait, b/c if I do them now Cole and I will eat them up. Gotta have some for Santa!

80's Day

You take the good, you take the bad...and you have my day!

The good: while listening to XM radio I heard one of my all time favorite songs "All I Need" by Jack Wagner.

The bad: I tried out some new shampoo/conditioner and the smell is making me sick! I had to re-shower! It smelled like Dippity Do. Remember that stuff? Super-duty green gel that grandmas use in their hair before putting in curlers.

I'm on the porch and Cole just opened the door and there was a commercial playing the song "Maniac"...how appropriate for my 80's day!

Lesson Learned

When Cole got hurt today (see explanation in my other blog) I didn't have his dentist's number with me. My friend Amber had all emergency numbers in her phone and was able to call her dentist and get info for me. I felt helpless. I now have all medical numbers in my phone. I hope I never need them, but if I do, they are there.

Here's What I Did Today...

I put up decorative kitchen panels! I took about 2 hours. It was pretty easy...except when I had to cut around the outlets. I'd love to do the ceiling, but that would be hard b/c we have a bunch of lights up there that I would have to cut around...not to mention it would cost a ton to buy all the panels.

Ba, ba, ba, ba, ba... I'm Lovin' It!

I found this recipe for sausage pie...and I tweaked it (meaning I took out the green onions, parsley, pimientos...) and mine tastes just like a McGriddle breakfast sandwich from McDonald's!


Here is the simple recipe:

2 packages of maple sausage
1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
4 eggs beaten
2 cups of milk
1 cup of Bisquick
Pepper to taste

Cook sausage, crumble and drain well. Sprinkle sausage in bottom of 9 x 13 baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Top with shredded cheese. Mix eggs, milk, Bisquick and pepper for one minute. Pour over sausage and cheese. Bake 35-40 minutes at 400 degrees or until knife comes out clean.

Not only is this super yummy, but it makes your whole house smell great!

A HUGE step for me

I used to be super grudgy. I learned that from my family. I would hold a grudge against someone and wouldn't care if I ever saw them or talked to them again. As I got older I have mellowed out a lot and don't seem to care about the things that used to stress me out. No more road rage for me! (Although living here I could get shot for getting pissed at other drivers. I already got "fake shot" a few months ago. A car pulled out in front of me and I laid on the horn for a minute solid...one of my old tricks that usually embarrasses the driver. Well, this person gets over in the other lane and her kid in the back leans over and makes her fingers into a gun and pulls the trigger. Needless to say people can pull out in front of me and drive slow in front of me all they want, there will be no more horn blowin')

Anywho, I don't stress out about being late to something or if something I make isn't perfect. Hey, I planned Cole's 5th birthday a few days in advance!

Well, here is the biggie. As you know, when I was 5 my mom died. My Dad's mom came to live with us. She was not the typical gram...she used to beat me, tell me I was a fat pig and that it was my fault my mom died, because I was so bad.

I remember after she would hit me (with hands, wooden spoons or anything she could get her hands on...one time she grabbed a shoe and whipped it at me and ended up braking the kitchen light fixture) I would run upstairs, grab the phone (to call the police) and wait for a bruise to appear. I never bruised, so I never called.

I was hurt by all her mental abuse. I was a chubby little girl, but her calling me names never stopped me from stuffing my face. Even though she would say to me that terrible thing about my mom, I never really believed it. I always thought it was my sister's fault. My mom had a heart condition and the pregnancy and birth was real hard on her and put a lot of stress on her heart. Even still, I always had the sting of those words.

My Gram has cancer among other things. She would be real sick, then make a comeback. For a long time now I knew I would have to decide if I was going to forgive her. I knew I should b/c that's what I am supposed to do, but I didn't want to say it if I didn't mean it.

Living in the South has opened my eyes to lots of things...religiously speaking. Lots of women go to bible studies and attend church more than once a week and they also talk about being Godly. I have always believe in God and wanted to be a good person. I want to abide by God's rules and go to heaven. (When I was little my idea of heaven was sitting on a cloud with my mom eating M&Ms!)

A friend gave me a bible last year and every now and then I read it...and it seems like it is always for a purpose that is revealed soon after.

When I talked to my dad (King of Grudginess) a few weeks ago he said my gram was not doing good at all. The doctor said one to two weeks. She is confined to a bed and only gets up to use the bathroom. I knew I had little time to decide what to do.

I would be OK with forgiving her in my heart and never telling her. She never said sorry about anything in my childhood. Does she even remember now?

I have felt the need to call and forgive her a few times and never did. I guess I though if I did, she might die soon after. She's 95, so it's not like she'd be leaving us prematurely.

This morning I just got a feeling that I should do it. I took a quick look at my life and thought, her words and actions don't affect me anymore. I am a confident adult who is not making the same mistakes with her child. I am OK.

Before I made the call I broke down and cried. My Gram is dying, I am afraid to make this call, I am nervous about taking this huge step.

After I regained my composure, I dialed. I spoke with my Aunt first to see how she and my Gram were doing. I told her I knew I didn't have much time left and there was something I had to tell her before she goes. My Aunt said my Gram probably wouldn't be able to hear me, but I said that was OK, I just need to say it to her.

I know she couldn't hear me, but I told her I loved her and I forgave her. I said it twice throughout the conversation.

I'm not sure if I feel much different now that I said it out loud. Maybe in time I will. Or maybe I have been OK with it for some time now and really forgave her a long time ago.

I am proud of myself for taking this step. Who knew that I would still be growing up at age 37?!

Book Club and Birthday Dinners

I love book club! I love the reading, the reading of books I wouldn't normally pick, the getting together to discuss...even though it usually only ends up being 15 minutes of book discussion and then the rest of the time is talking about our kids and lack of sex drive.

Here we are at The Fox and Hound eating dinner before moving to Books A Million to discuss
The Help.






I love my birthday and I love to celebrate the day! So, when other people want to go out for their birthday I'm in! Here we are on a rainy night celebrating three September birthdays...

Third Grade Memory

For some reason this memory popped into my head, so I thought I'd write about it to make more room up there.



When I was in third grade EVERYONE had a crush on Michael Gashgarian. (That crush went from grade 1 - 8 pretty much...he was hot!) But in third grade I had braces, glasses and a brain-sucker perm. No way I was gettin' the guy.



One day at recess we were all playing kickball and I got up and kicked a doozie and got a triple. Next thing I can remember is that we are both leaning up again the guard rail (get your mind out of the gutter, I did mention a few times that this is 3rd grade people!) and he has his arm around me. I was just frozen...is this really happening? to me? What is going on?



That was awesome! I was so smiley about that.



Nothing like that ever happened again...and nothing ever happened between Michael and I.



Why do I remember this craziness? And why didn't Mike slip me a note asking if I would go with him yes or no?

Yay!

Yay! for two things

1. Two days in a row I have a post.
2. Jason Bateman is going to be in a ton of movies coming out this fall. (luv him!) I read that he is going to be the lead in one movie...and he hasn't been the lead since Teen Wolf Too. Yikes!

Daily Blogging

I blog all the time...in my head. In quiet moments (brushing teeth, showering) I think about what I want to write about...I just never sit at the computer and let it out. I really want to, it just seems whenever I get a second to myself I do something else instead. I have been reading a lot.

Amy's Playdate Salad

This is my favorite salad to make and chances are good that if you come to my house for a playdate and I say I'll make lunch, this is what you will get!



Amy's Playdate Salad

*shredded lettuce

*shredded cheese

*chicken

*sunflower seeds

*craisins

*apple pieces

*grapes

*strawberries

*Ken's Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette

The finished project! Mmmm, enjoy!

Thankful

This is the 2nd time this year that a tornado hit close to our house. The first time, maybe a month ago, one hit an exit down from us. Today one hit half a mile down the road. Some houses were destroyed, some badly damaged.

I am so thankful that we are safe and nothing happened.

Cole and I are getting used to playing in my closet...it's actually kinda cozy in there. I was thinking of writing the date on the wall every time we have to run in there!

New M&Ms!

M&Ms are my comfort candy. My favorite are just the plain old plain ones. BUT when there is a new flavor (or holiday edition) I just HAVE to get them! So, when I saw these, they went in my basket.

Ok, here is my opinion...the coconut M&Ms are soooo yummy! They taste like vacation. I saw them and HAD to get them. When I saw the strawberried peanut butter ones I was skeptical. I just couldn't see myself lovin' these. And it was so. They were better than I thought, but I wouldn't crave them, or buy them again. (Cole thought they were really good!)

Christmas In July

Ho! Ho! Ho! and Deck Them Halls, QVC had their annual Christmas in July this weekend. I was so excited. My friend Jen and I watch and order and compare purchases. We both love to decorate for fall and Christmas. After watching the show and ordering some stuff, I decided that I am going to decorate the inside of my house November 1st! The outside after Thanksgiving. I decorated inside before Thanksgiving last year and really liked not having to rush after Thanksgiving...plus we got to enjoy the cheeriness longer.

I am obsessed with Bethlehem Lights. They make a ton of greenery that is pre-lit, battery operated, and with a timer! Woo Hoo! I bought some of their stuff last year and liked those features. I wasn't super crazy about the light bulbs, but hey, all the rest was great! The picture at the top is one of things I got yesterday. Even the candles are battery operated and come on with the rest of the lights!

I think my lifetime goal is to have Christmas decorations for every room in the house. Each year I get closer and closer!

Addicted To Dip

Fruit dip that is, not snuff!
My friend Tammy told me about this dip and I can't stop making it and eating it! I'm sure it is good that I am eating a lot of fruit...but not so sure about the tons of dip I am using!

I have made it full fat and low fat...both yummy!

Here is what you need...
a tub of Cool Whip
a package of cream cheese
a jar of marshmallow fluff

Mix them all together...
Enjoy!

Mmmmmmm!

I like it best with cantaloupe.

Spring Weather Makes Me Happy

**As you can tell by the title, I wrote this awhile ago! I never finished, but don't know what else I had planned, so I am just going to post this! Although, I think I am going to spotlight trips/events from my past in the future...haha...my head is REALLY full and I NEED to blog more!**

The weather has been so nice lately. I love being outside when it is warm with a little breeze...especially in the evening. The other night after dinner we went out and I was watering my flowers...oh yeah, I did some planting. I was inspired after putting pictures of my old flower gardens on the weekly question. I went through all my old scrapbooks and realized how much I missed doing all that. Plus, I went over to my neighbor's backyard and it was like a resort back there! I came home and told Dan how great it looked and I guess he saw a spark of the old excitable flower loving Amy (and not Cole sucks the life out of me Amy) and decided to give me a great gift. He told me I could have a planting budget and go to town! And I did! I love my big backyard, but one thing that bugs me is that in the winter, the woods behind and beside our house all is bare. So, I planted some evergreen trees and bushes so I can see green come this fall/winter. I also planted some of my old favorites...fox glove, hibiscus, daisies, lilacs and got a solar powered birdbath. THEN I fixed up the back patio. I got some plants, a little fountain and rearranged the furniture and viola! a little bit of tranquility in my life. (yay!) I can sit on the patio and listen to birds and water trickling while reading. I still have more I want to plant...I need some more flowering bushes and colorful perennials. I really want a hollyhock, but it has proven to be the one purchase that sets a move in motion. I planted one at my first house...then we moved into our next house. then I finally started a little planting after Cole was born and then we moved here. So I have mixed feelings about the hollyhock. But if I see one, I gotta get it! (especially if it is yellow!)



We planted some different grass in the way back...the kind that grows in the shade. (fescu) Dan has had to cut it three times already. It is really green and is like Ohio grass. I just love the smell of freshly cut grass!



Ok, so where I was originally going with this was I got a good feeling the other night being outside. Like I said, it was after dinner (we cooked out on the grill so the lingering grill smell was in the air) and there was a light breeze and it was warm and it just made me think of the time I was at the Cape. We went with another couple and stayed a long weekend. We toured the Cape and saw the lighthouses, beaches, and went to Nantucket for a day. I loved Nantucket. Walking down the cobblestone streets, flags in everybody's yards, flower gardens in bloom, the smell of fresh sea air, the birds and breeze...That is what I felt the other night. An all-American night.



I definitely want to go back to the Cape someday.

Just read all the captions 'till you laugh

You may need to click on the picture to enlarge...


I'm sorry, but did they REALLY need to put "children not included"?
Hey Step2, I just got my clubhouse but two parts were missing. Can you overnight the kids?

When your husband says...

...make me a chicken pot pie bitch, all you have to do is:

get a can of mixed vegetables, a can of cream of chicken soup, a can of chicken and frozen pie shells.

Mix the veggies, soup and chicken in a bowl. (drain veggies and chicken before adding to bowl) Pour into a pie shell. For a healthier option just bake at 350 for a half hour. For a yummier option, put the other crust on top and bake.

Beware, it smells gross when you are mixing it up. But it is yummy when it is out of the oven.
The before and after pictures look similar.

My Heart Breaks, I Get A Slap In The Face, & Then Some Redemption

The inlaws arrived yesterday. They were in the house for a minute before my mother in law makes a comment about Cole's outfit. I told her he dressed himself. She's looking funny at his shirt and then pulls the top out from his neck to reveal the tag in front. She says to him in a condescending tone "see this tag, it goes in the back." Hi Nana, love you too!

Later we are upstairs playing and Cole is hugging Dan's mom. I said Cole is so sweet. She says "where did he get that from?" HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We went out to dinner and my boy orders peaches instead of fries! Woo hoo! (my mother in law once said maybe he wouldn't get sick so often if he ate more fruit...um, no, he just had ginormous adenoids!)

Well, two days down. Five to go.

Happy Easter, now where's the candy?

YAY! I can eat candy and sweets and treats again!

So far I haven't been too bad...but there is apple pie for Easter dinner dessert and I took out the thin mints from the freezer.

The past week was really hard. I wanted sweets soooo bad. (PMS!!!!) I never caved...but some nights the temptation was there!

Now that the beast is lose, look out after-Easter candy sales!!!!

Finale

Last week was ER's series finale. Although I would bitch about watching it every week and wish it would end, when I found out this year was the last season I was sad and actually enjoyed the show more. And I wish it was still on! I was happy they brought back all the original characters throughout the season.

I liked the finale. It was like any other episode...kinda boring, not too much going on. BUT because it was like a regular episode, I can believe that everyone is just going about their business like any other day in the ER. (I DO KNOW that the people aren't real, they are just characters!)

A lot of shows flash forward to the future or tie things up neatly and you never have to wonder. Not like I will sit around and wonder what Archie Morris is up to, but you know.

I think part of me is sad too b/c I used to watch the show with my roommate Jen in college, then at night with Dan after college. It was part of my every Thursday. It came on at 10 in PA/OHIO so I would be getting ready for bed (brushing teeth, taking off makeup, getting clothes ready for the next day) during commercials.

Even though I moved around quite a bit, ER was always the constant.

WOW! I never intended to go on and on and analyze my relationship with ER!

I promise not to run around and yell STAT or ask if you've seen Carter.

Weekly Question

How many states have you lived in?

I have lived in: 3. (Pennsylvania, Ohio and Mississippi)

Oh Mii, oh my!

Even if you don't have a Wii, check these sites out. They create celebrity Miis and characters from TV shows, etc. Some look EXACTLY like the person.

Some good ones...Napoleon Dynamite, Zach Braff, Austin Powers, C3PO.

http://www.showmii.com/

http://miicharacters.com/

Weekly Question

What is your favorite candle scent?

Mine is Butter Cream. Mmmm, so sweet. I also love McIntosh Apple in the fall.

Weekly Question

What is your favorite flower?

I love Stargazer Lilies. They are so pretty and smell so good. Daisies always make me smile b/c they were my mom's favorite flower. But, there is a flower that I have always loved from childhood. Lilacs....the purple kind. They smell really great and let you know Spring has sprung! I get to enjoy lilies all the time b/c they come in bouquets where ever bouquets are sold...but lilacs are harder to come by. Are there lilac bushes in the south? At our last house we had a bunch planted but I never got to enjoy the blooms. :(

I love when the spring flowers come up...crocus, daffodils, tulips...

I love mums in the fall...the smell, the fall colors.

I used to be such a flower girl! My first house was a flower-wonderland! I dug up around the mailbox, ripped up all the stuff the previous owner had planted, added a flower bed on the side of the house and all around our fence. (and even put in a pebble path leading from one gate down to another at the other end of the yard. AND a little "half-ass patio" with a trees to block out our nosey neighbors, with daisies and a birdbath.) Since Cole got here I haven't really done much...and I miss it. I used to plant bulbs everywhere and wait and wait and wait for the first sign of green. I think I haven't done much here b/c I know this isn't our forever home. Every time I put some effort into landscaping, we move.

The pictures below are from my scrapbook pages.
Here is right when we got done with the backyard...I can't find a picture when everything was in full bloom. I had these crazy-big hollyhocks and wild flower bushes that grew to the top of the fence!!!!

The corner of the half-ass patio. ^ The path^

Along the fence in the spring...

The island I made in the front yard...springtime...

No More Weekly Weigh In

When I started the weekly weigh in it was b/c I needed to hold myself accountable for my eating and exercising. I now feel in a place where I am watching my eating b/c I want to, not b/c I have to weigh in. I also exercise everyday. (Thank you, Wii Fit!) Speaking of Wii Fit, it keeps track of the days I exercise, the exercises I do, how much I weigh and what my BMI is. So, I don't really need my homemade charts on the fridge or my scale on Wednesdays.

Maybe when I lose 5 pounds I'll write about it...or ten...I'll be sure to let you know when great things happen...like when my Wii Mii doesn't pork up so much and look so bewildered or when I put on a tank top or bathing suit and don't cry.

I do have some tips for my friends trying to lose weight with me...
*I find that if I put on exercise clothes (or even my sports bra with jammies) I WILL exercise...even if it is hours later.
*I chew gum when I get hungry in between meals.
*I drink a yummy Crystal Light when i get hungry in between meals.
*I drink a lot of water while exercising.
*I try to drink water before meals so I don't eat as much.

Here is a great disappearing double chin tip from my friend Jen...put self tanner on your double chin (and follow a straight line down your throat to your chest to blend) and voila! your face looks thinner!

Thanks for all the support in this continuing journey...and good luck to all those who are in this never ending battle of the bulge.

Two More New Favorites

This drink is so yummy! And it has good stuff for your skin in it too!
(Crystal Light Skin Essentials White Peach Tea)

I got this chicken salad at Sam's. It is really good! My absolute favorite chicken salad is from Fresh Market...mmmmmm. But this one is second place.

Weekly Question

What were some of the posters on your childhood bedroom wall?

I had some pretty posters with poems on them that I got at Hallmark. One I remember was "Don't walk in front of me, I might not follow. Don't walk behind me, I might not lead. Walk beside me and be my friend."

I had my "May Queen" sign...in 8th grade I was voted May Queen and got to crown a statue of Mary with a wreath of flowers in front of the whole school while they sang. It was a big deal. I was so excited to get the honor. I almost didn't get it though. I remember our class had to go over to the other 8th grade room and the sisters (Catholic school) asked for nominations. They wrote names on the board after someone suggested that person. All these names were going up (but not mine) when I whispered under my breath "I want to do it" and my friend Luis Grove, who was standing next to me and obviously heard, shot his hand up and nominated me. The rest is history!

I did have a big poster dilemma. We were at Hills (a store like K-mart) and they had posters of Michael Jackson. I narrowed my choice down to two posters, but I couldn't decide in which one he looked cuter. After standing there debating for the entire shopping trip I finally made my decision and got to stare at the King Of Pop everyday until I came to my senses and tore it down!!!!! haha

Cheap pictures

Snapfish is offering a deal until March 29th. Go to their site and order 50 or more pictures, use coupon code below and pick up at Walgreens.

Use coupon code WAL504X6 and pick up your 4" x 6" prints at Walgreens and save 45% over the regular Walgreens price – just 10¢ each when you order 50 or more! After you add prints to your cart follow these 3 easy steps to save:



check out and click the "pick up my order" tab



enter your address and select a Walgreens location



Use coupon code WAL504X6 by March 29, 2009

Weekly Weigh In

Man, I'm pissed! I gave up going out for a birthday dinner last night b/c I was weighing in today and all I lost was .6! I went from 159.6 to 159. Boo!

I did eat poorly on Saturday. Lots of yummy carbs...the bad kind.

On the bright side, even though I have only lost a total of 7 pounds since January, my body is definitely different. I don't have the crazy spillage in the front of my jeans or the sides (although their is still spillage, just not crazy spillage.) and my back fat is a whole lot better! So yay!

OH, and I put on workout capris and jean capris yesterday b/c it was warm out and they fit! So that is good news too.

Free Movie Wednesday

Every Wednesday in March Redbox lets you rent a movie for free. Just go to their blog...http://blog.redbox.com/ and get the code to put in...today's code is JBG123.

Weekly Question

Since my birthday is tomorrow (yay!) I thought I'd ask:

Do you like your name? What does it mean?

Yes, I like my name. I always have. And the meaning makes it all the better.

Amy is a given name, a variant of "Aimee", which means beloved in French, from Old French amede, from Latin amāta, feminine singular past participle of amāre "to love". The name may also originate from French Ami, which means friend.

New Favorites and the SCAM-wow

A few weeks ago we were watching the Food Network and there was a special about the best diners with specialities. One place was in NYC and only served peanut butter sandwiches. They made all kinds of different peanut butters...and I found some at Wal*Mart! The favorite in this house is the White Chocolate Wonderful. If you compare the nutrient facts, it is very close to regular peanut butter...it's just yummier! Move over Nutella!



My sister got me a gift card to Trade Secret. (It's a salon that also sells a lot of different brands of hair products.) She suggested the brand Joico. Well, Joico Silk Results is wonderful! I got the shampoo, conditioner, styling cream and gloss serum. (I also had a $10 off coupon AND Joico was BOGO at the time.) I started using the stuff and my hair is sooooo soft. And it lays flatter now! Yay! The stuff is pricey...$16.95 each. But if you can get BOGO or use a coupon it is worth it!

Damn infomercials sucked me in! I saw the ShamWow and thought it would be great to keep near the bathtub to wipe up what Cole splashes out. Well, Dan came home with it tonight...and we dumped water on the kitchen floor and TRIED to wipe it up. The "scam-wow" as I like to call it now, didn't soak up the water like promised. A regular towel would have worked better. Needless to say, this will be returned. One positive...it kept Cole entertained for awhile!!!!

My Wii Mii

For shits and giggles here is video of my Wii Mii plumping up to overweight. Notice at first that my Mii is skinny and then boing! My Mii starts looking at her belly like WHAT HAPPENED TO ME?

Weekly Weigh In

Well, I have been using the Wii everyday since I got it. I love it!!!! I do the yoga and strength training everyday along with some aerobics and balance games. I get in 30 minutes a day at least. I do break a sweat, but it's not a lot of cardio. I am getting a cardio game for my b-day. The only bad thing about about Wii Fit is that it said my ideal weight should be 129. 129!!!! Are the settings right...is it set for USA?

I have found that if I watch my calories during the day and eat a sensible dinner, I can lose weight. So, I have been eating a lot of cereal, south beach bars, cheese and whole grain crackers.

This morning I weighed in at 159.6.

Twilight

A friend of mine gave me the Twilight series to read. She got it for Christmas and really liked it and thought I would too. I read the first one and it was pretty good. The second one was ok. But the third one was soooooooooo good! I am reading the last one now. Our book club is going to read the series and then watch the movie and discuss.

I have to say I was skeptical about reading the books b/c they are labeled as teen books. But Harry Potter was for kids and I read those and liked them.

P.S. I think I have a crush on a vampire! (And I know other women who feel the same!)

Weekly Question

Last week's question was about pop. And what goes best with pop? PIZZA!

Where do you like to get your pizza from?

I LOVE Papa John's pizza. That would be my number one pick. And I have to say that I really like Little Caesar's pizza...and for $5 how can you not?! The new Natural pizza from Pizza Hut is good and that's what we have been getting since the diet.

Right Now

Right now I would love to be in a cabin in the woods, snow blowing outside, the fireplace blazing, me sitting on a big chair with a blanket and a book and a yummy coffee.

FAT Tuesday

Oh yeah, it is Fat Tuesday. The day to eat all the stuff you are going to give up for Lent. (if you do that) In my case that would be sweets. (I know, I'm crazy!) It was Dan's idea and I have to say that at first I was a little offended! But, he knows that giving something up for Lent is something that I take very seriously and would never cheat. He tried to add a clause about I still could have cake on my b-day but I said no. (See, I stick to it 100%.) So, for the next 40 days and 40 nights I will not be indulging in treats. My friend Amber said I should lose 10 pounds...um, I know I eat a lot of sweets, but geez!

After Dan suggested giving up sweets for Lent at lunch today, he mentions that someone was selling Girl Scout cookies in his office today and he bought 5 boxes! Three of which were for me. I told him we were having cookies for dinner. After he talked me out of that I said I was going to follow him from the restaurant to his office to get my cookies. I wanted to make the most of the last day to eat sweets. I hope no other drivers were paying close attention to the crazed maniac stuffing her face full of thin mints on the road this afternoon.

Needless to say, I will NOT be weighing in tomorrow. I did work out while watching TBL tonight. Lucky for me it is one again tomorrow night. I will exercise during it tomorrow as well.


Amber (my fitness goddess friend) said maybe I should start looking at my calorie intake. Women should be eating 1200-1700 a day. So I got this book today. It has calories for a lot of foods and restaurants and even FAIR FOOD like deep fried snickers! Mmmmm. There is a food journal/exercise journal that goes with it that I am going to go get too.

Weekly Question

What's your favorite pop/soda/coke?

Mine is Coca Cola. Dr. Pepper is a close second.

Riddle Me This...

?.... What is both so good and so bad?

A.... 75% off Valentine's Day candy at Walgreens!

Weekly Weigh In

Well, in the past two weeks I have gained 2 pounds back.

With Cole's surgery and recovery I was nursemaid 24/7 and didn't have much time to myself.

Then came Valentine's Day.

I guess I am surprised that I only gained 2 pounds back total.

I have been exercising these past few days...and Tuesday nights are big exercise nights b/c of the Biggest Loser.

I was over a friend's house and used her Wii Fit...and the next day I was feeling sore in places I didn't think I could get sore. Dan finally caved and said I could get Wii and Wii Fit. (free shipping and no tax at Amazon.com!!! Love Amazon.com!)
**Funny story about playing Wii Fit...when I made my Wii Me I accidentally added a body part, but it turned out to be perfect! It was a double chin! We all laughed so hard!!!! AND after weighing in, my Wii Me went "boing" and plumped up. More laughs. Glad we can all laugh at my overweight (for now) self.

Even though I have slipped up these past weeks, I still don't feel like giving up.

And even though I have slipped up these past weeks, my clothes still fit better, even after they are washed.

I have been really good about lifting arm weights. I think I might actually get into a tank top this summer! And the Logan pool!

Wii Fit says to be in the healthy BMI range I should lose 20 pounds. Ok. I'm in.

Even though i have never been a big exercise person, I feel good when I am doing it and kinda want to do it. (which surprises me every time!) I just keep picturing myself in my capris this spring. And I just got a new bathing suit that I want to wear to the beach/pool/sprinkler park.

Well, have I rambled on enough? I haven't blogged since Cole's surgery so I guess I needed to get some stuff out! (I had all the recent entries on both blogs to post on the days...I typed out everything weeks ago.)

Angie, Jacey and Jen: how is the weight loss going?

Weekly Question

Wow, I'm hitting a lot of holidays with this weekly question bit.

Anyhoo, it is President's Day.

Do you have a favorite president? (Other than our current one? Haha Republicans! Had to say it!)

I'm not much of a history buff. I remember having to do a report on Herbert Hoover when I was in grade school. I remember the slogan "I like Mike" in the 80's b/c I was in love with a Mike at the time. (Although Mike didn't get elected...and the other Mike didn't think there was a "spark" between us so he never dated me. Yeah, I never got over that.) I was on vacation in Hilton Head Island, SC when Regan died. I wrote in my diary the day Regan got shot. Liked the fact that Carter had a daughter named Amy. Can't really say I have a favorite though. Yet. :)

Weekly Question

What is something you like to get to eat at the movie theatre? (Even if you never do)

Ok, first of all...I would eat ANYTHING from the concession stand! But my favorite thing to get is my own popcorn (I hate to share with Dan b/c we are both hogs and are always reaching in for more at the same time!) with butter in the middle and on top. Mmmmmm.

Weekly Weigh In

Well, no happy ending this week.

Dan was out of town Friday - Monday and I was living it up! Scrapbooking here on Friday night with lots of yummy food...Saturday and Sunday I watched season 3 of Project Runway on DVD and snacked. (I just love to watch TV in bed and eat while alone...but I decided that I need to start watching TV elsewhere when alone so I don't get tempted.) Last night I had to watch the Biggest Loser in the hearth room instead of the bedroom (dvr-ing two shows in the bedroom so I couldn't watch a third channel) and I exercised more...no comfy bed to lay in and watch.

I did exercise more this week...I knew I had to b/c of the weekend feast.

I think last week when I was bad and exercised and still lost weigh made me a little too confident. I can cheat, but not like I did this week.

I had a feeling that I might not see any weight loss this week so in a last ditch attempt to help the numbers go down I did a major bush-whacker. (remember the slovish genes?!)

I'm still in this...

I weigh...159.4

****Last week Angie was 140 and this week she is 138.5. Hooray! weigh to go!

Weekly Question

Tomorrow is Groundhog Day. So Happy Groundhog Day!

When I was in college I went to Punxsutawney, PA with friends to see if Punxsutawney Phil, the famous groundhog, would see his shadow. It was quite a road trip. We left in the wee hours of the morning for our destination. We were all bundled up and ready to see Phil...along with thousands of other people. It's quite a big deal in PA!

After all the excitement...we had to haul-ass back for classes.

For more info about Groundhog Day...

http://www.groundhog.org/
Here are some answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the holiday:

Yes! Punxsutawney Phil is the only true weather forecasting groundhog. The others are just impostors.

How often is Phil's prediction correct? 100% of the time, of course!

How many "Phils" have there been over the years? There has only been one Punxsutawney Phil. He has been making predictions for over 120 years!

Punxsutawney Phil gets his longevity from drinking the "elixir of life," a secret recipe. Phil takes one sip every summer at the Groundhog Picnic and it magically gives him seven more years of life.

On February 2, Phil comes out of his burrow on Gobbler's Knob - in front of thousands of followers from all over the world - to predict the weather for the rest of winter.

According to legend, if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring.

No! Phil's forecasts are not made in advance by the Inner Circle. After Phil emerges from his burrow on February 2, he speaks to the Groundhog Club president in "Groundhogese"(a language only understood by the current president of the Inner Circle). His proclamation is then translated for the world.

The celebration of Groundhog Day began with Pennsylvania's earliest settlers. They brought with them the legend of Candlemas Day, which states, "For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day, so far will the snow swirl in May..."

Punxsutawney held its first Groundhog Day in the 1800s. The first official trek to Gobbler's Knob was made on February 2, 1887.

So the story goes, Punxsutawney Phil was named after King Phillip. Prior to being called Phil, he was called Br'er Groundhog.

AND NOW FOR THE QUESTION...Finally!

Did you ever take any crazy road trips in college?

Weekly Weigh In

OH! Did you hear that sound? In case you missed it, that was me falling off the wagon this week. Because I am committed to this (slip ups and all) I feel I should get this all off my chest...even though it won't take away any pounds with it.

Thursday: Went to Panera with the devil, I mean Dan. Got half a Sierra Turkey sandwich and cheddar and broccoli soup. (Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm)

Friday: Showed tremendous will power in the AM and early PM. In the later PM? Not so much. Here is what happened: Cole and I met some friends at the park to play. The moms suggested going to lunch. Everyone ate the yummy fast food, but I had anticipated the lunch idea, so I brought a South Beach bar and stopped for a tall, skinny cinnamon dolce latte from Starbucks. Cole ate about 3 bites of his food and I REALLY wanted to scarf down his leftovers...but didn't. Yay me! Or so I thought. Later that night I went to a crop with a moms group I am a part of. We were all to bring a snack to share. I made a fat free cake (angel food cake mix made with a can of crushed pineapple instead of what the box says to add, and then frost with f/f whip cream) and ate soooooooooooome at home and took the rest. Before I got there I thought I would be good and maybe just eat a little. WELL, I ate popcorn (which is allowed on the diet, but I'm sure not the movie theatre butter kind!)and a pinwheel cookie (can't remember when the last time I had one of those! maybe 8 years old) and other little snacks that I won't go into detail about. I did drink diet pop though! :)

Saturday: Cole had a birthday party to go to...with pizza and CHOCOLATE cake. I ate pizza and cake. But again, drank diet pop. (like that is going to save me!) THEN later that evening we had a going away party to go to for a lady in Dan's office. All I will say is: more cake, more diet pop and BBQ. I ate like I had never even heard of a diet before. Then more cake.

Obviously I am an ALL OR NOTHING kind of girl. I either have to give up bad stuff for a period of time or I will eat it 'till it's gone. Thank goodness I got rid of all the treats in the house when I started this diet or I guarantee I would have been rooting through the cupboards this weekend.

After all that eating, I knew Sunday - Tuesday I would have to be good. So I kicked it into gear by exercising and eating things from the diet.

Then we met Dan for dinner Monday night. Went to Chili's...got grilled chicken breast on a whole wheat bun (yay!) with bacon and swiss cheese and honey mustard sauce. (boo) Oh, and the yummy seasoned fries. You know, when I go out to eat, I wanna eat bad b/c I am out to eat. Since I am on the diet, we don't go out to eat anymore or get take out.

I exercised a lot in these past three days! More cardio than ever. Last night during the Biggest Loser I exercised a good part of the show. Hell, I evened ironed to burn more calories!!!!! That, my friends, is dedication!

I weigh: 158

Ok people, I have seen the light...after all that bad eating, I still lost weight because I did cardio. I get it. I need to get moving. I will.

****Jacey is 151.5. That's down a good bit from last week...her little girl has pneumonia and Jacey hasn't been eating much. Please pray for her and her little girl.

Weekly Question

Have you ever been ice skating?

I have... and my first time on the ice I held onto the railing for dear life! I also went ice skating outside in Niagara Falls, NY. It was night and it was snowing...and Dan was holding on for dear life.

Weekly Weigh In

First off let me say this: Sunday the Steelers were in a playoff game to get to the Superbowl. I used that as an excuse to make yummy food for us to eat. It was my cheat day and I was looking forward to it for over a week. I made sure that I was good all the other days...like not eating cake at a birthday party. (I KNOW! But I did it!) On Sunday I ate BBQ nachos (but I bought multi-grain chips and the cheese wasn't that carby or sugary), pizza and pumpkin roll. I won't say how many pieces.

Since I finished Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet, I moved into phase 2 where I could eat fruit and whole grains again. I slowly added some things back into my diet.

Soooooo, after shaving last night (I'm slovish, therefore a hairy beast)I got on the scale this morning and...I weigh 159.4

***Jacey is 155.5***

A little funny

To my Southern Friends, a little funny to help get you through inauguration infatuation:

This was told to Cole's teacher by a little boy she had in class this year. He told her this the day after election day..."I went to vote with my dad yesterday. But his guy, Lightning McCain, didn't win."

Also to my Southern Friends: even though it snowed today, inauguration day, hell is NOT freezing over!

Weekly Question

In honor of MLK,Jr's birthday:

Do you have a reoccurring dream?

I don't. Sometimes I am having a really good dream and try to go back to sleep to keep it going, but I've never had the same dream twice.

Why?

Why do people with NASCAR stickers on their car drive so slooooooooooooooooooow?

Weekly Weigh In

Well, I am glad I watched the Biggest Loser last night. They are in week two like me and didn't lose nearly as much as last week. Some worked out 8 hours a day and lost 1 or 2 pounds.

I know you shouldn't weigh yourself everyday, but with South Beach you lose so fast that when I see the number decreasing everyday, it inspires me. WELL, this week I hardly ate and exercised more and some mornings I had gained weight!!!!! Then one night I ate half a sandwich and 2 bites of cookie and lost weight.

I am trying not to eat a lot. Period. I call it shrinking my stomach Survivor style. They hardly eat on the show and waste away. By not eating a lot now I hope to not over-eat in social situations and not snack.

Well, here is my number for the week: 160.4

Weekly Question

What is your favorite movie?

Mine is: When Harry Met Sally

I remember when it came out. I was in high school working at a movie theatre. One perk was that I got to go see movies for free at all the theatres in town. I really didn't want to go see this movie, but nothing else was out and there wasn't anything else to do. I ended up loving the movie and going back again and again with everyone I knew!

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm

Hooray! Check out the new ice cream at Baskin Robbins. (sugar free, fat free...)

http://www.baskinrobbins.com/icecream/brightchoices.aspx?cid=2357967&jid=8956482&mc=163&eid=1439512&utm_source=12_04_Holiday_Email&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=&utm_campaign=12_04_Holiday&cmpid=email_ext_000011

Weekly Weigh In

Well, it is Wednesday...weigh in day.

After I "peed it out" as we say here and brushed my teeth (who knows how much unwanted plaque weighs!) I got on the scale and (drum roll please...) 161.8! YAY!

I did the South Beach Diet with one cheat a day...over the weekend before Dan started we had Arby's and pizza. Then the cheats became baked beans and salad dressing with some sugar in it and a salad with fruit. Not terrible cheats! I didn't have any treats...and Monday night was hard b/c Dan goes to racquetball and I usually sit in bed and watch tv all night and snack, snack snack! But not this week! I did it!

I didn't eat after 7:00 all week!

I exercised some, but I know I need to exercise more.

Some friends are doing this with me:
Angie's weigh in: 142
Jacey's weigh in: 156 (she weighed in on a previous blog entry...she's down a pound! yay!)

Anyone else who wants to join in is welcome to...and if you don't want to put in your weight, just put in how many pounds you lost that week.

I still feel really good. I am not starving or grumpy.

Weekly Question

If you could have any superpower what would it be?

I would pick: being able to stop time.

There are so many times during the day when I think of something I need to do but forget when I have a second later. I'm unloading the dishwasher when the dryer dings and Cole wants his vitamins...*snap*...I can go get the clothes, put the vitamins on the counter and finish unloading...*snap*...ahhh.

If I could stop time, I could blog, read, scrapbook, nap...all while Cole stands there in mid bug.

Why couldn't my dad be TimeStopperMan?

Losing and Helping

Day One: the diet has just begun

I feel good! I didn't snack, I didn't eat after 7, I drank water before meals and I did crunches and arm exercises.

As predicted, Dan wanted wings and pizza today. His wing place was closed. We got pizza from Pizza Hut...but the whole grain crust. It was good! We've had Papa John's whole (grain, wheat?) crust before and it was gross! I couldn't even eat it. I just ate the pepperoni and cheese off of pieces! Anyway, I didn't eat as much as usual today.

My goal is to be healthy. I want to fit into my clothes comfortably. I want to feel good about myself. My chart goes to 140 pounds. That would be nice.

I am doing the South Beach diet. It always works for me. I just haven't always kept it going after I lost a bunch of weight after the first two weeks.