It is time. DC baseball fans will get it.
TED-DY!
Monday, May 30, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Just saw Hangover 2...
Disturbing. Definitely disturbing. Funny, but at some points, so over the top raunchy that it became uncomfortable and just wrong. I am all for the occasional dose of sophomoric, Animal House-ish humor, but just praying that they don't make a Hangover 3 because that would be just sick.
BUT - Grateful for the last minute, impromptu dinner date and movie with my hubby. Low key, easy pace, fun. We must do that more often.
YoM (Year of Me) health kick update - Easy day on exercise due to serious house cleaning and laundry detail (with the assist from Charity!), but good walking (forgot pedometer) and great eating. Roasted Chicken with Rosemary and cranberries, side of broccoli for dinner. Had a glass of sangria, but only drank half. Didn't need more. No snacks at the movie - for the win.
Tomorrow - back to work out and walking, hard core.
Late night discussion edit: Hubby thinks there will be a Hangover 3 and that Allen will get married in it. No way to go further with the hijinx, and I suppose everyone else is already married. whatev. I'll wait till video.
BUT - Grateful for the last minute, impromptu dinner date and movie with my hubby. Low key, easy pace, fun. We must do that more often.
YoM (Year of Me) health kick update - Easy day on exercise due to serious house cleaning and laundry detail (with the assist from Charity!), but good walking (forgot pedometer) and great eating. Roasted Chicken with Rosemary and cranberries, side of broccoli for dinner. Had a glass of sangria, but only drank half. Didn't need more. No snacks at the movie - for the win.
Tomorrow - back to work out and walking, hard core.
Late night discussion edit: Hubby thinks there will be a Hangover 3 and that Allen will get married in it. No way to go further with the hijinx, and I suppose everyone else is already married. whatev. I'll wait till video.
I am very glad I am not 25 anymore.
Call me old, but I just don't feel the need to party like it is 1999 anymore. Sorry Prince.
As anyone from my younger days can attest, I used to drink a lot (I mean a lot!), but I haven't done so for many years. With all the addiction and dysfunction in my family history, drinking just doesn't hold the same allure to me as it used to in my younger days. Now-a-days, I feel like I am genetically standing in a pool of gasoline, and every drink I take is like lighting a match. No thanks.
I was reminded of this last night when over at a friend's house for a lovely evening. Others were drinking some and having fun, but I just didn't feel like it. It doesn't matter to me that others were drinking, I can still have fun without. It got me thinking...
Years ago, I spoke to my dearly departed father about these thoughts and the threat of addiction for me and he said quite bluntly, "No one ever signs up to be an alcoholic. You don't look at a drunk and say 'I want that life!', it just sneaks up on you. You just wake up one day and realized it happened when you weren't looking and you can't stop. You are never aware of THE drink that put you over the edge." Hmm.
Now, every time I drink, I wonder... "is THIS is the drink that sets my over the edge?" Some internal limit in my genetic code that was set before my birth, like a time bomb waiting to explode? My personal limit that pushes me over the edge into addiction? Suddenly that drink in my hand seems less seductive and certainly less palatable and it becomes easy to put it down. Now don't get me wrong. I certainly enjoy the occasional cocktail, but for the most part, I realize that a water or Diet Coke is just fine for me instead. I don't need alcohol to have a good time and can easily set it aside.
I truly believe that some higher power is looking over me as well. In my third pregnancy, with Donovan, I was stricken with such severe heartburn that I had to spend much of my third trimester sleeping elevated, almost sitting up. My esophagus was so injured that for months after-wards, I continued to have severe heartburn whenever I drank anything, even just a small sip of wine or beer. I have healed in the following years, but still, often if I have more than one or two drinks, the heartburn is almost unbearable. It is almost like Mother Nature is telling me - "You know, you REALLY shouldn't be having another drink." Other times, under less stress, I feel no heartburn and easily have one or two drinks. It is almost like she is saying "Today, it is ok to drink. Just don't drink too much or I will send the heartburn after you." Mother Nature is wise, so I choose to listen to her. Maybe Dad is whispering in her ear to give me a nudge in the right direction.
Went over to a friend's house last night for a casual evening of porch sitting with the promise of available cocktails. Busy week, and at the suggestion of drinks, my stomach gave the nudge that it would surely cause me heartburn. Thanking Mother Nature for the hint, I just felt no need to imbibe in the yummy cocktails, even under peer pressure. My hubby certainly imbibed, and that was fine. I had a good time, but at the end of the evening, kids falling asleep watching movies, and it was time for us to go. I have a sneaking suspicion the rest of the gang all stayed and kept drinking on, which is fine for them. Just wondering how the others are feeling this morning after possibly continuing on without me and Steve. Hope they are feeling ok!
As for me, I am so happy with my life now and my ability to 'sleep in' until 9:30 and feel totally decadent in doing that. Thanking Mother Nature for her occasional nudge in the healthier direction.
Besides - does anyone realize that a martini can have close to 450 calories? If I am going to indulge, I'd rather have a big fat nasty cheeseburger instead, but that is just me.
Thanks Dad, for all the life saving wisdom you gave me, along with your wonderful wit and sense of humor. You are truly missed. I know you'd enjoy that big nasty burger with me.
As anyone from my younger days can attest, I used to drink a lot (I mean a lot!), but I haven't done so for many years. With all the addiction and dysfunction in my family history, drinking just doesn't hold the same allure to me as it used to in my younger days. Now-a-days, I feel like I am genetically standing in a pool of gasoline, and every drink I take is like lighting a match. No thanks.
I was reminded of this last night when over at a friend's house for a lovely evening. Others were drinking some and having fun, but I just didn't feel like it. It doesn't matter to me that others were drinking, I can still have fun without. It got me thinking...
Years ago, I spoke to my dearly departed father about these thoughts and the threat of addiction for me and he said quite bluntly, "No one ever signs up to be an alcoholic. You don't look at a drunk and say 'I want that life!', it just sneaks up on you. You just wake up one day and realized it happened when you weren't looking and you can't stop. You are never aware of THE drink that put you over the edge." Hmm.
Now, every time I drink, I wonder... "is THIS is the drink that sets my over the edge?" Some internal limit in my genetic code that was set before my birth, like a time bomb waiting to explode? My personal limit that pushes me over the edge into addiction? Suddenly that drink in my hand seems less seductive and certainly less palatable and it becomes easy to put it down. Now don't get me wrong. I certainly enjoy the occasional cocktail, but for the most part, I realize that a water or Diet Coke is just fine for me instead. I don't need alcohol to have a good time and can easily set it aside.
I truly believe that some higher power is looking over me as well. In my third pregnancy, with Donovan, I was stricken with such severe heartburn that I had to spend much of my third trimester sleeping elevated, almost sitting up. My esophagus was so injured that for months after-wards, I continued to have severe heartburn whenever I drank anything, even just a small sip of wine or beer. I have healed in the following years, but still, often if I have more than one or two drinks, the heartburn is almost unbearable. It is almost like Mother Nature is telling me - "You know, you REALLY shouldn't be having another drink." Other times, under less stress, I feel no heartburn and easily have one or two drinks. It is almost like she is saying "Today, it is ok to drink. Just don't drink too much or I will send the heartburn after you." Mother Nature is wise, so I choose to listen to her. Maybe Dad is whispering in her ear to give me a nudge in the right direction.
Went over to a friend's house last night for a casual evening of porch sitting with the promise of available cocktails. Busy week, and at the suggestion of drinks, my stomach gave the nudge that it would surely cause me heartburn. Thanking Mother Nature for the hint, I just felt no need to imbibe in the yummy cocktails, even under peer pressure. My hubby certainly imbibed, and that was fine. I had a good time, but at the end of the evening, kids falling asleep watching movies, and it was time for us to go. I have a sneaking suspicion the rest of the gang all stayed and kept drinking on, which is fine for them. Just wondering how the others are feeling this morning after possibly continuing on without me and Steve. Hope they are feeling ok!
As for me, I am so happy with my life now and my ability to 'sleep in' until 9:30 and feel totally decadent in doing that. Thanking Mother Nature for her occasional nudge in the healthier direction.
Besides - does anyone realize that a martini can have close to 450 calories? If I am going to indulge, I'd rather have a big fat nasty cheeseburger instead, but that is just me.
Thanks Dad, for all the life saving wisdom you gave me, along with your wonderful wit and sense of humor. You are truly missed. I know you'd enjoy that big nasty burger with me.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Green tea goodness
Please note blueberries for snack in the background (for the win) and pardon the lipstick marks on my mug. Y'all know I have no class.
Gonna be a good day, redux
Left 15-20 minutes late today, with no fear of traffic. In DC, in the summer, on ANY Friday, let alone a holiday Friday, traffic going OUT of the city is far and away worse than traffic going INTO the city.
I was justified in my belief in my fellow suburbanite's desire to flee the city early. 25 minute commute, and despite leaving 15-20 minutes late, was still 10 minutes before the deadline for early bird parking. Score x2!
Gonna be a good day, again.
On a side note - I was chatting with an old com-padre (swim instructor) on the way in to work today. I am SO grateful I made the decision to sever my ties with the old swim company that I used to work for... which shall not be named under threat of litigation. Getting calls from instructors still in their web and am grateful, grateful, grateful that I have stepped away from all that drama. Sorry ladies, that you are still stuck in it, and crossing my fingers that you find peace with the company, or without the company.
No more drama in my life. A very essential part of the Year of Me. Sing it Mary J Blige.
I was justified in my belief in my fellow suburbanite's desire to flee the city early. 25 minute commute, and despite leaving 15-20 minutes late, was still 10 minutes before the deadline for early bird parking. Score x2!
Gonna be a good day, again.
On a side note - I was chatting with an old com-padre (swim instructor) on the way in to work today. I am SO grateful I made the decision to sever my ties with the old swim company that I used to work for... which shall not be named under threat of litigation. Getting calls from instructors still in their web and am grateful, grateful, grateful that I have stepped away from all that drama. Sorry ladies, that you are still stuck in it, and crossing my fingers that you find peace with the company, or without the company.
No more drama in my life. A very essential part of the Year of Me. Sing it Mary J Blige.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Gonna be a good day.
Running (late again) out the door this morning and something told me to grab a piece of fruit. Already had one in my bag for mid-morning snack, but was COMPELLED to grab another. So I did.
Traffic was a breeze, made up time and got into the parking garage super early, scoring the coveted early bird rate ($7 saved!) and had enough time to run a quick errand before work.
Walking down the block and saw a homeless man sitting on the ground, cup in front. Vet, only one leg, not harassing, just sitting with his sign. Smile and say - sorry - no cash - he shrugs and says "Catch me next time".
Inspiration hits. I open my bag, and lo and behold - the orange is sitting on top! I offer him the orange instead with a shrug of apology, and get a HUGE smile in return. Karma works. Must remember to pay attention to the voice in my head telling me to do simple things like grab an extra piece of fruit.
Great traffic, great parking, fabulous meeting first thing in the am. Gonna be a good day. I swear Karma works.
Traffic was a breeze, made up time and got into the parking garage super early, scoring the coveted early bird rate ($7 saved!) and had enough time to run a quick errand before work.
Walking down the block and saw a homeless man sitting on the ground, cup in front. Vet, only one leg, not harassing, just sitting with his sign. Smile and say - sorry - no cash - he shrugs and says "Catch me next time".
Inspiration hits. I open my bag, and lo and behold - the orange is sitting on top! I offer him the orange instead with a shrug of apology, and get a HUGE smile in return. Karma works. Must remember to pay attention to the voice in my head telling me to do simple things like grab an extra piece of fruit.
Great traffic, great parking, fabulous meeting first thing in the am. Gonna be a good day. I swear Karma works.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Yo - yo, yo-yo - Year of Me health update
Blarrrgh!
OK - so during my travels, I broke my pedometer, thus the lack of updates. Rest assured, I still have been mobile, just not measuring the steps. Have gotten a new one and if I can remember to wear it, I will be updating again.
Gained the requisite 4-5 pounds while traveling to Seattle. FAT FAT FAT! I am freaking out!
My inital freak out was tempered by the sane voice in my head (read: my husband's voice, since there is no sane voice in my head) telling me that you always gain when you travel and it will drip right back off. I knew that. Of course, he was right, and the 4.5 of the 5 pounds has fallen back off immediately. Must have been water retention from all the salt in airport food, and flying in general.
Anyhoo - I feel great, caught up on sleep for the most part and getting back into routine.
Nightly walks have been replaced with swimming with the kids. I spend about 2 hours in the pool each day, so that helps.
So - Weight lost to date = 3 pounds. Still to lose = 27
OK - so I do need to kick it back into gear. I may choose to add back in a late night walk too, but will see how the family calendar progresses. The weird thing is that my head is changing. I want to find ways to exercise my body. Has my brain re-wired already?
OK - so during my travels, I broke my pedometer, thus the lack of updates. Rest assured, I still have been mobile, just not measuring the steps. Have gotten a new one and if I can remember to wear it, I will be updating again.
Gained the requisite 4-5 pounds while traveling to Seattle. FAT FAT FAT! I am freaking out!
My inital freak out was tempered by the sane voice in my head (read: my husband's voice, since there is no sane voice in my head) telling me that you always gain when you travel and it will drip right back off. I knew that. Of course, he was right, and the 4.5 of the 5 pounds has fallen back off immediately. Must have been water retention from all the salt in airport food, and flying in general.
Anyhoo - I feel great, caught up on sleep for the most part and getting back into routine.
Nightly walks have been replaced with swimming with the kids. I spend about 2 hours in the pool each day, so that helps.
So - Weight lost to date = 3 pounds. Still to lose = 27
OK - so I do need to kick it back into gear. I may choose to add back in a late night walk too, but will see how the family calendar progresses. The weird thing is that my head is changing. I want to find ways to exercise my body. Has my brain re-wired already?
Monday, May 23, 2011
I am very grateful
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Rockin' the Louboutins
Mom warned me that you could see the red soles when you walked. Didn't have the heart to tell her that it was the whole point of the bright red soles. Hello branding.
$785. Think maybe next time, after we pay off the new sump pump.
Such is my life.
Breakfast before torture please
Nosh, then off to bootcamp with Bean. Saturday morning on vacation... Want to get up early, in the rain, and torture your body? Yes, please!
Friday, May 20, 2011
Seattle! Wedding plans! Cousin Bean!
In Seattle for a quick girl's trip and to help my cousin pick out wedding gowns and deal with other celebration minutiae. Mom decided to join us, so hanging in a comparatively lush hotel room instead of couch surfing. Sweet! Thanks mom!
Flights in were fine, although a bit crowded as I was wedged in middle seats on both legs of the trip. Note to fellow travelers - please don't eat a sandwich with raw onions on it right at take off, then fall asleep with your mouth open facing the person stuck in the middle of the row. Not good manners, ok? Took every ounce of self restraint to not try and pitch mini Altoids into her mouth.
Arrived and settled in, only to realize I had not eaten dinner. Quick jaunt to the bar/restaurant in our hotel. Ate not much, but not super healthy bar food. So committed to working out first thing this morning.
Started the day with Bean coming over to share the workout. Quick walk, stair steps, jumping jacks, leg lifts and back home through our Capitol Hill neighborhood, (funny name huh?). About an hour start to finish. Beautiful way to start the day. Weather here is GOR-GE OUS!
So today is a couple quick conference calls at work, then off to wedding dress shopping and brainstorming! We may even have some cake tasting so might have to fit in another work out tonight. Oy.
Dress pictures to follow. So excited to see my cousin - she is like a sister to me.
Flights in were fine, although a bit crowded as I was wedged in middle seats on both legs of the trip. Note to fellow travelers - please don't eat a sandwich with raw onions on it right at take off, then fall asleep with your mouth open facing the person stuck in the middle of the row. Not good manners, ok? Took every ounce of self restraint to not try and pitch mini Altoids into her mouth.
Arrived and settled in, only to realize I had not eaten dinner. Quick jaunt to the bar/restaurant in our hotel. Ate not much, but not super healthy bar food. So committed to working out first thing this morning.
Started the day with Bean coming over to share the workout. Quick walk, stair steps, jumping jacks, leg lifts and back home through our Capitol Hill neighborhood, (funny name huh?). About an hour start to finish. Beautiful way to start the day. Weather here is GOR-GE OUS!
So today is a couple quick conference calls at work, then off to wedding dress shopping and brainstorming! We may even have some cake tasting so might have to fit in another work out tonight. Oy.
Dress pictures to follow. So excited to see my cousin - she is like a sister to me.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Why I love my father in law.
My Facebook Post:
Edit: My husband's response: "I'm just sorry I didn't get to it first."
Edit: My husband's response: "I'm just sorry I didn't get to it first."
Overcast, but lovely.
Breezy, not humid, cool, and overcast. Wishing I had a window in my office that opened to the outside world. Just lovely today.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Thoughts on my snarky comments while riding the Green line.
During my travels home from the Nationals game on Friday night, having had ONE whole beer and feeling a bit snarky, I posted my Facebook status as...
Do not use the Green line or the Yellow line."
5 ft Ninja Street Thug - that be me.
Ok - picture this.
Me, in all my 5 ft tall glory, going all business style in a black dress and nice shoes, standing at the corner light, holding a salad, on my way to meet my hubby for lunch in Freedom Plaza, diagonal from the Willard Hotel.
Location: Downtown DC, prime tourist central. 11th and E. Just north of Penn. Ave and all the Smithsonians, 1 block from FBI building, 1 block from Ford's theater, 3 blocks from the White House. Surrounded by busy professionals on their lunch breaks and tourists looking at maps while waiting at stoplights. Oh yes, the occasional street hawker trying to get you to give him a dollar or see the light through Jesus. Normal Day in DC.
Time: High noon.
For those of you who aren't familiar with DC, this is about the safest time and location you can experience in our fair city. The Business District has come a long way since the Barry years when Hizzoner, Mayor for Life, let the city crumble while he smoked crack with hookers.
I am standing at a stop light, with my yummy salad in hand, when I notice a family of 4, obviously tourists, scanning the map. All 4 members of the family are pointing in different directions, debating which way they need to go to make it to their destination. I let the debate continue for a moment and when I see no resolution in the future, I decide to practice my tourist karma and ask if they need help.
Me: "Are you lost? Where are you going?"
Entire family of 4 shuts up, turns in unison to stare at me as if I have just accosted them with a gun, and both mom and teen daughter step back and hug their purses to their bellies as if I am going to grab their bags and run off, holding my salad during my get away. Dad looks equally terrified. Brave Young Son just looks at me.
<silence>
Business guy next to me snickers behind his Kindle, while pretending not to blatantly laugh at tourists terrified by small elf in a black dress.
Me: "You are holding a map and obviously a bit disoriented. Can I help? I work down here and am pretty familiar with the area. Where are you going?"
<silence>
<internal monologue> Seriously? You see me as a threat? A portly, 40 something, well dressed, 5 ft tall business professional? You people are in serious trouble. I shrug.
Me: "Just trying to help out."
Brave Young Son: "Ford's Theater?"
Terrified mother grabs his shoulder and pulls him back a step as she continues life grip on purse. I wonder if she thinks I am going to attack Brave Young Son by throwing the cranberries in my salad at him. Perhaps the nuts as maybe he is allergic. The salad is my only weapon. Maybe they think I am a ninja disguised as a business woman.
Me: "You are almost there. One block down and one block up to the left, right next to Hard Rock Cafe. Watch out for the bus traffic on 10th."
<silence>
Light changes and the family takes off, studiously not looking at me. No thanks, not even a nod, although Brave Young Son looks around Mommy's arm and death grip, then smiles. Cool. I don't mind, as I know tourist Karma works. Someone will help me out when I need it in a strange city. It has happened before.
But...the naughty side of me briefly wonders if I should yell at them to watch out for the old homeless guy who stands across the street from the FBI building and yells at the lamp post. He's as harmless as me, but if they can't handle me, he will make them lose their minds. I restrain myself. Too nice a day. On to lunch with the love of my life. Karma duty for the day, in the books.
Me, in all my 5 ft tall glory, going all business style in a black dress and nice shoes, standing at the corner light, holding a salad, on my way to meet my hubby for lunch in Freedom Plaza, diagonal from the Willard Hotel.
Location: Downtown DC, prime tourist central. 11th and E. Just north of Penn. Ave and all the Smithsonians, 1 block from FBI building, 1 block from Ford's theater, 3 blocks from the White House. Surrounded by busy professionals on their lunch breaks and tourists looking at maps while waiting at stoplights. Oh yes, the occasional street hawker trying to get you to give him a dollar or see the light through Jesus. Normal Day in DC.
Time: High noon.
For those of you who aren't familiar with DC, this is about the safest time and location you can experience in our fair city. The Business District has come a long way since the Barry years when Hizzoner, Mayor for Life, let the city crumble while he smoked crack with hookers.
I am standing at a stop light, with my yummy salad in hand, when I notice a family of 4, obviously tourists, scanning the map. All 4 members of the family are pointing in different directions, debating which way they need to go to make it to their destination. I let the debate continue for a moment and when I see no resolution in the future, I decide to practice my tourist karma and ask if they need help.
Me: "Are you lost? Where are you going?"
Entire family of 4 shuts up, turns in unison to stare at me as if I have just accosted them with a gun, and both mom and teen daughter step back and hug their purses to their bellies as if I am going to grab their bags and run off, holding my salad during my get away. Dad looks equally terrified. Brave Young Son just looks at me.
<silence>
Business guy next to me snickers behind his Kindle, while pretending not to blatantly laugh at tourists terrified by small elf in a black dress.
Me: "You are holding a map and obviously a bit disoriented. Can I help? I work down here and am pretty familiar with the area. Where are you going?"
<silence>
<internal monologue> Seriously? You see me as a threat? A portly, 40 something, well dressed, 5 ft tall business professional? You people are in serious trouble. I shrug.
Me: "Just trying to help out."
Brave Young Son: "Ford's Theater?"
Terrified mother grabs his shoulder and pulls him back a step as she continues life grip on purse. I wonder if she thinks I am going to attack Brave Young Son by throwing the cranberries in my salad at him. Perhaps the nuts as maybe he is allergic. The salad is my only weapon. Maybe they think I am a ninja disguised as a business woman.
Me: "You are almost there. One block down and one block up to the left, right next to Hard Rock Cafe. Watch out for the bus traffic on 10th."
<silence>
Light changes and the family takes off, studiously not looking at me. No thanks, not even a nod, although Brave Young Son looks around Mommy's arm and death grip, then smiles. Cool. I don't mind, as I know tourist Karma works. Someone will help me out when I need it in a strange city. It has happened before.
But...the naughty side of me briefly wonders if I should yell at them to watch out for the old homeless guy who stands across the street from the FBI building and yells at the lamp post. He's as harmless as me, but if they can't handle me, he will make them lose their minds. I restrain myself. Too nice a day. On to lunch with the love of my life. Karma duty for the day, in the books.
Get at 'em.
9:04 pm.
Looking at the walking tally today - just under 6k steps, nowhere close to my goal of 10k.
Hard day at the desk today and no sit ups either (don't you judge me - I'm hard enough on myself).
Strapping on the tennis shoes to knock out the last 4k steps before bed. Hopefully I can jog more of them than walk.
See ya.
Update: Steps for the day = 11,240 + 30 sit ups for luck.
Saw on 'Bones' that the idiots on 'Jersey Shore' do a GTL for Gym, Tan, Laundry evening routine. (Have never seen the show, so I will take other's words for it.)
Guess my acronym will be WPL for Walk, Pick-up after the kids, Laundry for my evening activities. I'm ok with that. That's the way we roll in the 'burbs.
Looking at the walking tally today - just under 6k steps, nowhere close to my goal of 10k.
Hard day at the desk today and no sit ups either (don't you judge me - I'm hard enough on myself).
Strapping on the tennis shoes to knock out the last 4k steps before bed. Hopefully I can jog more of them than walk.
See ya.
Update: Steps for the day = 11,240 + 30 sit ups for luck.
Saw on 'Bones' that the idiots on 'Jersey Shore' do a GTL for Gym, Tan, Laundry evening routine. (Have never seen the show, so I will take other's words for it.)
Guess my acronym will be WPL for Walk, Pick-up after the kids, Laundry for my evening activities. I'm ok with that. That's the way we roll in the 'burbs.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Threatened my hubby with my Elfin Ninja powers and he replies...
"What, you think I'm a tourist from Baltimore? I grew up in the midwest and lived out here in the burbs, I know not of high crime rates nor do I fear your elfin ninja salad!"
This is why I love him.
This is why I love him.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Oh - and knocked out another 2.2 miles last night
Walking with Charity around the 'hood. Hopefully, I will eventually do more running than walking, but working hard not to aggravate my plantar fasciitis.
Posted update on Facebook using DailyMile app, but not sure if I want to bore people with my daily activity. Maybe just do a weekly total.
Getting into a groove.
Posted update on Facebook using DailyMile app, but not sure if I want to bore people with my daily activity. Maybe just do a weekly total.
Getting into a groove.
Even though I am a tech geek by profession, sometimes I hate computers.
OK, so blogspot was down for a full 20+ hours because of some data corruption. Unfortunately, several posts I made yesterday are now missing. Hopefully, they will be restored as their data gets cleaned up. If not, I promise I will recreate the Elfin Ninja/Salad vs. Family of scared tourists post.
Sorry - now back to your regularly scheduled program.
Sorry - now back to your regularly scheduled program.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Back to the grind, almost
Little man's surgery went well and convalescence is progressing normally. After several days off the routine, the good thing is that I haven't gained any weight, even with the occasional sample of a leftover pudding cup. No loss, but no gain, which I will take.
Today, back to healthy regular eating for me, if not for Donovan.
New goal - trying to get in 10,000 steps daily. Ideal, but not quite there. Will post progress.
Weight loss so far - 2.6 pounds
Weight to lose - 27.4
Steps walked yesterday - 7900
Little boys on the road to recovery - 1
Today, back to healthy regular eating for me, if not for Donovan.
New goal - trying to get in 10,000 steps daily. Ideal, but not quite there. Will post progress.
Weight loss so far - 2.6 pounds
Weight to lose - 27.4
Steps walked yesterday - 7900
Little boys on the road to recovery - 1
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Back at it, after giving in to a bit of panic.
Guilty confession: Spent time worrying about DTO's upcoming surgery and pushed off the sit ups last night. Will rock them this morning and do another set tonight. I promise and will update.
Been rocking the healthy eating, and weight loss is already apparent, even after only two days. (wahoo!) Probably only water weight, but I will take it. Will post numbers at the end of each week so as not to surrender to daily fluctuations and annoy you with minutiae.
Dinner last night - my absolute fav - grilled chicken with lemons, capers and artichokes. Angel hair pasta (not much) and steamed broccoli. Fresh berries for dessert. Is there anything in the world that tastes better than strawberries and blueberries mixed together? Can't wait until they are in full season. My goodness. Bring on the home made Jam!
Thanks to all who talked me down from my pre-surgery panic last night, especially Royetta, who actually called to make sure I wasn't hyperventilating. She is awesome. More on her later. Time for morning crazy routine. On to do sit ups and shower, then yell at my kids to hurry up.
By the way - while typing this, my hubby was feeding the kiddos and handed me a tiny bowl with part of his omelet in it. Eggs, onions, garlic and mushrooms, just the right amount. Awesome. Best Husband Ever.
Update (8 am): 30 situps done. Extra walk put in taking the kids down the nanny's house. Baby steps, but it all adds up.
Update 2 (11 pm): 30 more situps done ftw and stress reduction. Can feel my abs tonight, in a good way. Energy level has been great. Healthy eating works, doesn't it?
Too fired up about tomorrow to go to bed yet. Perhaps some Netflix instant to sooth my mind.
Catch up with you tomorrow.
- Alarm - 5:45. Up to check weight and walk at 6 ish.
- Walked this morning, no doggies, so it went much faster.
- Stopped back by the house and picked up the doggies for an additional quick walk with them. The were overjoyed.
Been rocking the healthy eating, and weight loss is already apparent, even after only two days. (wahoo!) Probably only water weight, but I will take it. Will post numbers at the end of each week so as not to surrender to daily fluctuations and annoy you with minutiae.
Dinner last night - my absolute fav - grilled chicken with lemons, capers and artichokes. Angel hair pasta (not much) and steamed broccoli. Fresh berries for dessert. Is there anything in the world that tastes better than strawberries and blueberries mixed together? Can't wait until they are in full season. My goodness. Bring on the home made Jam!
Thanks to all who talked me down from my pre-surgery panic last night, especially Royetta, who actually called to make sure I wasn't hyperventilating. She is awesome. More on her later. Time for morning crazy routine. On to do sit ups and shower, then yell at my kids to hurry up.
By the way - while typing this, my hubby was feeding the kiddos and handed me a tiny bowl with part of his omelet in it. Eggs, onions, garlic and mushrooms, just the right amount. Awesome. Best Husband Ever.
Update (8 am): 30 situps done. Extra walk put in taking the kids down the nanny's house. Baby steps, but it all adds up.
Update 2 (11 pm): 30 more situps done ftw and stress reduction. Can feel my abs tonight, in a good way. Energy level has been great. Healthy eating works, doesn't it?
Too fired up about tomorrow to go to bed yet. Perhaps some Netflix instant to sooth my mind.
Catch up with you tomorrow.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Chilly Rain at 5:45 am.
- Alarm set 5:45 intending to do morning walk.
- Woke to pouring rain. Great.
- Snooze bar (always part of the plan, I swear. Can't get up on the first try ever unless a child in distress is involved)
- 6 am, no rain, but chilly.
- 6:20 - dressed and quick inspiration update.
- Off I go with dogs in tow.
Plan to do post walk sit-ups, leg lifts and planks
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Inspiration to change - now hold me to it.
Been reading a blog called Ben Does Life and have been inspired. You can read the blog for yourself (very entertaining by the way) and get the details, but basically, a couple of years ago, a significantly obese Ben made a promise to his grandma. He promised her that he would lose weight and get healthy - it was her Christmas present. How charming!
Not one to take the promise lightly, and just tired of being tired and depressed, like a man possessed, he started the year off, changing his diet, working out with daily boot camps (zoiks!), running in increasing more difficult and the pounds just melted away.
Now some may know, that at the end of last year, I had a similar moment of clarity. No promise to my dearly departed Memaw (coincidentally the same name as Ben's grandma), but a promise to myself to finally get it all together. I was tired of being tired, thoroughly exhausted from working and mommy-hood, emotionally spent, and always putting myself last. I was inspired by my hubby who has lost 30 pounds of his own, while I sat on the couch watching The Biggest Loser. My well was empty in all sorts of ways. I was feeling empty inside and wandering dangerously close to feelings I had during my brief bouts with post partum depression. I did not like it one bit and refused to go down that rabbit hole again.
At 42, (yes I put my age in writing and I am proud of every year of it) I decided I was going to reclaim my life and finally start putting myself first...at least some of the time. Time for more me, less time as 'all mommy'. Time to lose weight, be more active, find my emotional and spiritual center, and fill up my well. Plus, not insignificantly, I wanted to avoid the heart conditions that run on both sides of my family. My father had a quadruple bypass at age 46, and I was not going to go down that road. The time to change was now, at least I thought so in November. Now don't get me wrong, anyone who knows me, knows I am a happy person. I just know I can be happier. There is more out there, just beyond my grip and I was ready to reach for it.
You see, since starting my odyssey as a mother 7 years ago, I had gained 30 pounds. While nothing compared to Ben's weight loss journey, it ain't easy to carry off an extra 30 lbs. on a 5 foot tall frame. Yup - you heard me, 30 pounds (yes I put it in writing too!). I was active, but eating poorly and often on the run, so over my muscles were plenty of 'layers of love'. Yuk. Good thing my loving hubby isn't into skinny chicks.
Well, since my youngest is getting ready to start kindergarten in the Fall, and after 7 years of putting everyone else first, I decided that 2011 was going to be the Year of Me. As preparation for this Year of Me, in November 2010, I went to a nutritionist and life coach named Amy Arnold with VitalSelf in my old 'hood of Del Ray. Thanks Cristy for the recommendation, btw LOVE HER! Mwah! Amy advised me and gave me tools so I could live my life more healthily and be a happier person. I did one of her 21 day healthy eating/toxin cleanses and it changed my life. It helped me to reset my attitude towards healthy food and I lost some weight and felt so much better and more centered and it ended right around the New Year. The Year of Me had begun!
Then...life and motherhood got in the way again. I lost my focus. In the months that followed, I got busier, overbooked myself and the kids, got distracted, started a new job, fell into some bad old habits and my regular exercise appointments fell by the wayside. Far by the wayside. Eating on the run started popping up again more often. Before I knew it, it was several months into the year of me, and I had not progressed at all. The Year of Me had been seriously sidetracked.
Argh! I suck! But I refuse to go back, I am still moving forward, even if it kills me. Recently reading BenDoesLife's blog which documents his entire path towards a healthy life, I had in idea...I need to go public. I need to put it out there and let my friends see what I am doing, and let the fear of failing publicly shame me, and make me accountable. I got that whole Irish/Scottish guilt thing, might as well make it work for me. If left up to me, and kept in private, I may very well not move forward. If I have others counting on me, or expecting things from me, I am more inclined to get it in gear. God Forbid I let someone else down! My ass is lazy, and when left to my own devices, I let 'exhausted mommy syndrome' win out over my honest desire to get out and exercise. My poor, long suffering, husband takes his life into his hands often. You see he is the sole person 'reminding me' to take the higher road and sometimes I just don't like it - so now I welcome the flock of anyone else who is interested in inspiring me to keep moving forward.
So here I declare for all to know...I am renewing my journey towards a healthy body, spirit and mind dang nabbit! My first public declaration is that I am going to lose 30 pounds, hopefully by the end of the year. More declarations to follow, but for now. Eat healthy, do more, lose weight.
Thanks to my hubby and Ben for the inspiration to get back on track. You guys both rock. Now, I just need a couple more hours in the day. :-/
Not one to take the promise lightly, and just tired of being tired and depressed, like a man possessed, he started the year off, changing his diet, working out with daily boot camps (zoiks!), running in increasing more difficult and the pounds just melted away.
Now some may know, that at the end of last year, I had a similar moment of clarity. No promise to my dearly departed Memaw (coincidentally the same name as Ben's grandma), but a promise to myself to finally get it all together. I was tired of being tired, thoroughly exhausted from working and mommy-hood, emotionally spent, and always putting myself last. I was inspired by my hubby who has lost 30 pounds of his own, while I sat on the couch watching The Biggest Loser. My well was empty in all sorts of ways. I was feeling empty inside and wandering dangerously close to feelings I had during my brief bouts with post partum depression. I did not like it one bit and refused to go down that rabbit hole again.
At 42, (yes I put my age in writing and I am proud of every year of it) I decided I was going to reclaim my life and finally start putting myself first...at least some of the time. Time for more me, less time as 'all mommy'. Time to lose weight, be more active, find my emotional and spiritual center, and fill up my well. Plus, not insignificantly, I wanted to avoid the heart conditions that run on both sides of my family. My father had a quadruple bypass at age 46, and I was not going to go down that road. The time to change was now, at least I thought so in November. Now don't get me wrong, anyone who knows me, knows I am a happy person. I just know I can be happier. There is more out there, just beyond my grip and I was ready to reach for it.
You see, since starting my odyssey as a mother 7 years ago, I had gained 30 pounds. While nothing compared to Ben's weight loss journey, it ain't easy to carry off an extra 30 lbs. on a 5 foot tall frame. Yup - you heard me, 30 pounds (yes I put it in writing too!). I was active, but eating poorly and often on the run, so over my muscles were plenty of 'layers of love'. Yuk. Good thing my loving hubby isn't into skinny chicks.
Well, since my youngest is getting ready to start kindergarten in the Fall, and after 7 years of putting everyone else first, I decided that 2011 was going to be the Year of Me. As preparation for this Year of Me, in November 2010, I went to a nutritionist and life coach named Amy Arnold with VitalSelf in my old 'hood of Del Ray. Thanks Cristy for the recommendation, btw LOVE HER! Mwah! Amy advised me and gave me tools so I could live my life more healthily and be a happier person. I did one of her 21 day healthy eating/toxin cleanses and it changed my life. It helped me to reset my attitude towards healthy food and I lost some weight and felt so much better and more centered and it ended right around the New Year. The Year of Me had begun!
Then...life and motherhood got in the way again. I lost my focus. In the months that followed, I got busier, overbooked myself and the kids, got distracted, started a new job, fell into some bad old habits and my regular exercise appointments fell by the wayside. Far by the wayside. Eating on the run started popping up again more often. Before I knew it, it was several months into the year of me, and I had not progressed at all. The Year of Me had been seriously sidetracked.
Argh! I suck! But I refuse to go back, I am still moving forward, even if it kills me. Recently reading BenDoesLife's blog which documents his entire path towards a healthy life, I had in idea...I need to go public. I need to put it out there and let my friends see what I am doing, and let the fear of failing publicly shame me, and make me accountable. I got that whole Irish/Scottish guilt thing, might as well make it work for me. If left up to me, and kept in private, I may very well not move forward. If I have others counting on me, or expecting things from me, I am more inclined to get it in gear. God Forbid I let someone else down! My ass is lazy, and when left to my own devices, I let 'exhausted mommy syndrome' win out over my honest desire to get out and exercise. My poor, long suffering, husband takes his life into his hands often. You see he is the sole person 'reminding me' to take the higher road and sometimes I just don't like it - so now I welcome the flock of anyone else who is interested in inspiring me to keep moving forward.
So here I declare for all to know...I am renewing my journey towards a healthy body, spirit and mind dang nabbit! My first public declaration is that I am going to lose 30 pounds, hopefully by the end of the year. More declarations to follow, but for now. Eat healthy, do more, lose weight.
Thanks to my hubby and Ben for the inspiration to get back on track. You guys both rock. Now, I just need a couple more hours in the day. :-/
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Roll with the flow vs. becoming a Tiger Mother
So I am polling folks to ask...When does a sense of work ethic kick in with kids? Does it ever, or do I need to make it happen by sheer force of will?
I ask because helping Margaret do her 2nd grade 'life cycle of the chick in the egg' project this month was definitely a test of patience for us both. Unfortunately, this project was a team project, so Margaret settled in with her best buddy (RB) and set up some 'work dates' to try and knock out some 'research' and write up some information for the rough draft of the project. Most work time degenerated into a giggle fest, with not much productivity and some extremely sloppy results.
I think I am hitting the limit with my patience with the whole hating homework thing after months of the same struggles. Am I expecting too much? Perhaps not, because I know other kids her age do more and do better. Some don't, but some do. But what's a gal to do to prepare her child to succeed without becoming a dreaded Tiger Mother a' la Amy Chua, and risk sending her child into years of parent-blaming therapy by having higher standards and expectations? Shouldn't we raise the bar, allowing children to reach higher?
Love her as I do, my girl just hates homework. If it were up to Margaret, she would Google up some generic info, pick the first thing that catches her fancy, regardless if it was relevant to the topic for the project or even from a verifiable source. She would then gleefully copy down the information, word-for-word, until her hand got tired, then declare that her project was finished, regardless of the lack of clarity in the end result.
There is no thought or hope of her accumulating knowledge of the subject and no inkling to block out any structure to the writing. Just free flowing thoughts, copied verbatim, sans editing or revisions, and God Forbid I suggest a rough draft. When left to her own devices, we are lucky to get her to use an eraser, let alone edit a thought or the structure of her sentence. It is not unheard of for her to get a problem wrong due to poor penmanship, even when she has the correct answer! The teacher just couldn't read it because it was so sloppy. On the flip side, I refuse to be one of those parents who does the work for the kid as that leads to failure all around. *sigh*
Of course, my being the daughter of a newspaper editor and life-long journalist, who spent a large chunk of her youthful dinner table conversations being edited for content and clarity, this makes me loco! Margaret's whole goal is to get the work out of the way asap so she can get back to Barbies. I have a vision of dearly departed my father, reassembling his ashes, just so he can roll over in his (non-existent) grave. Sidebar: How does one, who has been cremated, roll over in his grave? But I digress, and you get the picture.
So I ask...Am I expecting too much of my daughter, as a end-of-year second grader, to have some semblance of work ethic and a small ability to focus on the project at hand? I am not expecting footnotes and appendices here, but complete sentences, correct spelling and punctuation would be nice. Is it too much to expect some pride in ownership or a desire from her to produce a (comparatively) high quality, well rounded and thought-out project? Or do I need face my inner Simonette Legree to start cracking the whip and making her do and re-do things until they are clear and well done?
Perhaps I am just a bit frustrated with the double whammy today. Just a little put out with the girl, who continually whines and pitches a fit about being forced to go to Karate lessons (I am, after all, the meanest mommy ever!), who openly wept today when she did not get a trophy at her first ever karate tournament. It was a bit heartbreaking to be sure, but frankly, the kids who did win were the ones who put in the effort and practiced like crazy, often attending several more practice classes than clan Otto does each week. It was as it should be. The kids who toughed out the extra practice, won. How does one say to a weepy 7 year old - "girlfriend - you got to put more effort into it, to get more out of it?" Again I say *sigh*.
These other kids who are producing better product, at such young ages, are they kids born with the ethic to try harder? Or did their parents crack the whip? What is the answer?
I ask because helping Margaret do her 2nd grade 'life cycle of the chick in the egg' project this month was definitely a test of patience for us both. Unfortunately, this project was a team project, so Margaret settled in with her best buddy (RB) and set up some 'work dates' to try and knock out some 'research' and write up some information for the rough draft of the project. Most work time degenerated into a giggle fest, with not much productivity and some extremely sloppy results.
I think I am hitting the limit with my patience with the whole hating homework thing after months of the same struggles. Am I expecting too much? Perhaps not, because I know other kids her age do more and do better. Some don't, but some do. But what's a gal to do to prepare her child to succeed without becoming a dreaded Tiger Mother a' la Amy Chua, and risk sending her child into years of parent-blaming therapy by having higher standards and expectations? Shouldn't we raise the bar, allowing children to reach higher?
Love her as I do, my girl just hates homework. If it were up to Margaret, she would Google up some generic info, pick the first thing that catches her fancy, regardless if it was relevant to the topic for the project or even from a verifiable source. She would then gleefully copy down the information, word-for-word, until her hand got tired, then declare that her project was finished, regardless of the lack of clarity in the end result.
There is no thought or hope of her accumulating knowledge of the subject and no inkling to block out any structure to the writing. Just free flowing thoughts, copied verbatim, sans editing or revisions, and God Forbid I suggest a rough draft. When left to her own devices, we are lucky to get her to use an eraser, let alone edit a thought or the structure of her sentence. It is not unheard of for her to get a problem wrong due to poor penmanship, even when she has the correct answer! The teacher just couldn't read it because it was so sloppy. On the flip side, I refuse to be one of those parents who does the work for the kid as that leads to failure all around. *sigh*
Of course, my being the daughter of a newspaper editor and life-long journalist, who spent a large chunk of her youthful dinner table conversations being edited for content and clarity, this makes me loco! Margaret's whole goal is to get the work out of the way asap so she can get back to Barbies. I have a vision of dearly departed my father, reassembling his ashes, just so he can roll over in his (non-existent) grave. Sidebar: How does one, who has been cremated, roll over in his grave? But I digress, and you get the picture.
So I ask...Am I expecting too much of my daughter, as a end-of-year second grader, to have some semblance of work ethic and a small ability to focus on the project at hand? I am not expecting footnotes and appendices here, but complete sentences, correct spelling and punctuation would be nice. Is it too much to expect some pride in ownership or a desire from her to produce a (comparatively) high quality, well rounded and thought-out project? Or do I need face my inner Simonette Legree to start cracking the whip and making her do and re-do things until they are clear and well done?
Perhaps I am just a bit frustrated with the double whammy today. Just a little put out with the girl, who continually whines and pitches a fit about being forced to go to Karate lessons (I am, after all, the meanest mommy ever!), who openly wept today when she did not get a trophy at her first ever karate tournament. It was a bit heartbreaking to be sure, but frankly, the kids who did win were the ones who put in the effort and practiced like crazy, often attending several more practice classes than clan Otto does each week. It was as it should be. The kids who toughed out the extra practice, won. How does one say to a weepy 7 year old - "girlfriend - you got to put more effort into it, to get more out of it?" Again I say *sigh*.
These other kids who are producing better product, at such young ages, are they kids born with the ethic to try harder? Or did their parents crack the whip? What is the answer?
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