Starting It Off Right!

Trying to start the year off on a positive note!  I've already started on getting my fitness goals back on track. Went yesterday and bought some office furniture to actually set up a home office area...no more working from bed!  Have an actual desk, everything is organized!  Great way to start off the NEW year!

Just want to tell everyone...

...be save this New Year's Eve!!

Don't Really Watch...

...but I've been following this season of The Voice online because of this girl! I really hope that, though she was eliminated, that someone picks her up and has her make an album. I'll be looking for this girl...love her style!

Peter Murphy Kind Of Day!

Still Moving Along...

This week my gym is closed for renovation...UGH!!!  It is rather depressing not being in dance class for two weeks (as Thursday next week will be the TSO concert).  I'm still going to go to an alternate gym Thursday of this week, one I have not visited yet.  They have a 30-minute core class at 7:30 p.m. which I am planning on doing instead of my Hip Hop class.  It isn't Hip Hop, but it is an abs class...and my abs need all they help they can get!

Tonight will be my next challenge...no chips during our normal Tuesday night Mexican food night!  Must not eat chips...must not eat chips...MUST NOT eat chips!!!!

A Chilly Morning...

It was so tempting to stay in bed this morning.  I stuck my toes out, felt the cold, and thought, "Oh, I could just lay here, right? Please?" That is when that little voice inside me said, "NO! Get up and get moving!!!!" So, I got up, and got that workout in. How easy it would have been to stay in bed, but how much more proud of myself I am for fighting the comfort of my warm bed to kill another workout session!

Feel Like Crap!

I didn't even wake up on my own this morning.  Ugh!  No workout for me today, I guess.  Must make up for it tomorrow.  I feel so drained today!  Wondering if it is partially my sleep scheduled being so screwed up over the weekend.  Both Friday and Saturday, we stayed up late, and then I got up around 8-ish both days. I'm pretty sure that killed me.

You vs You...

And yesterday I kicked my butt!!! A total of 163 minutes and over 1,800 calories burned!  Wish I could do that every day.  New goal!!!

Up And At 'Em!!!

Yeah, Baby!!

My new heart rate monitor arrived yesterday from the manufacturer. If you bought a Scosche MyTrek, and you are having all kinds of issues with it, do not hesitate to contact the manufacturer if it is less than a year old! Mine started flaking out, and with no questions asked, they sent me a new Scosche RHYTHM as a replacement. The new app is better, the device is better...I thought I loved my MyTrek (when it was working)...I really, really love the RHYTHM!

I've succeeded so far this week getting up each morning and getting a workout in.  This morning I know was the hardest of the workouts.  Is it just me, or does anyone else notice you work harder when you wear a HRM?  It's like a game to me...let's see how high I can get this thing!

I wasn't so good with food yesterday.  My husband brought me fries, and I caved.  At our weekly night out, I caved and had tortilla chips.  NO MORE CAVING!  I mean, I know why I caved..."cedar fever" has hit me for the season, and this junk makes me feel like I have a low grade flu for like 2 months.  When I don't feel well, I tend to eat what I'm not supposed to.  I must fight this!  If I can fight the yucks to get a workout in, I can fight the food cravings the yucks bring!

Tomorrow is a big workout day.  Morning workout...to keep up the pace...and then evening workout and hip hop class tomorrow evening.  I missed my class last week as they didn't have classes on Thursday or Friday due to the holidays.  I almost want to go twice this week.

Already Thinking About Tomorrow's Motivation...

...a thought to help me get out of bed in the morning!

New Challenge - Getting Back On Track!

So, I've been doing really well with eating right.  I didn't eat too much on Thanksgiving, though I did allow myself some pie (without the crust, of course).  Today, I started my new challenge...get back to exercising EVERY day.  I've noticed that now I'm not driving any kids to school (yay for son getting his license), that I wake up on my own around 7:30 a.m.  Since I work from home, and my work day doesn't start until 9:00 a.m., I've been staying in bed and falling back to sleep until my alarm went off at 8:45 a.m.  I decided no more!  When I wake up on my own, I'm going to get up!  This morning, I got up, did 30 minutes on the Gazelle, did a few arm exercises, had some breakfast, and started my work day.  Day #1 accomplished!!!

FINALLY!!!!

My favorite store has come to Austin!

Song O' The Day!

Don't Save It For The Toilet Walls!

I'm not going to share here who I will vote for, or my views on any of the issues.  I am simply here to say THANK GOODNESS today is Election Day!  FINALLY...after months upon months of this, I will be able to go through my day without having some campaign ad thrown in my face...without debate news being on every TV at the gym...and hopefully without the long drawn out Facebook posts about why someone is voting the way they are and the long line of ugly comments that come after!  Why don't I voice my political opinions or where I stand on the issues on internet mediums?  Because people seem to forget that I have the RIGHT to have an opinion!  You can't have an opinion and have an intelligent, civil debate with most of the people who read these things.  So many times they have to resort to insults when they can't think of anything intelligent to say to support their stance...maybe because they are just following the trend and do not know why they are taking the stance they are and/or they never bothered to research the issue to develop their own opinions.

So I urge everyone...before you go out...take a few minutes to look up and review where the candidates stand on the issues.  Look inside of yourself and think about where you really stand, and vote for the candidate that you believe will go along the lines of what you believe is right for this Country!  Do not let anyone sway you...you are intelligent enough to make your own choice.  Also, think realistically...the President cannot do things alone!  Remember your government class in school...we have THREE branches of the government that work to make the laws and decisions for this Country.  The President can voice his agendas to Congress, but that does not mean that Congress is going to go along with what the President wants to do...it doesn't even mean that both houses will even agree!

I just plead with you all to be informed before heading to the polls today, but please, go to the polls and cast your votes!  It is your right, even if you feel your vote will not even matter...it is your right to go voice your opinion.  Don't save your opinions for the toilet walls!

Week #1 Almost Done!

So, I know I've been saying a few times that I'm going to "reboot", so to speak, but I keep having a hard time sticking with it! My schedule is just so crazy...and those french fries are oh so tempting!

Luckily, after my discovery of My Fit Foods, I've been able to stay on track all week!  I'm back to 5 meals a day: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and 2 snacks.  I've also been drinking their "detox cocktail" (which, I tell you, tastes terrible, but does seem to be working).  Some may say, "but their meals are not cheap!" Well, I figured it out, and what I've been spending on a crappy meal is about the same as one Fit Foods meal.  Just get the stuff myself and make my own meals?  Well, 1) I don't have the time; and 2) I figured out how much I spend on fresh veggies, meat, gluten-free pasta, etc., and it comes out about the same or more, especially if I want to eat something different every day...not to mention, veggies going bad before you get to eat them.

So far, I've lost about a pound, and I've noticed signs that my metabolism is kicking back up...sleeping a bit better, and though I'm perfectly fine with the temperature of the house before lunch, I find myself sweating after lunch.

Next week, I'm going to try to get back on track with exercise...no less than 5 days a week.  Right now, I'm only averaging about one day...sure, it is an hour of weights and an hour of dance, but I need to do better.

GLUTEN FREE AND TASTY?

Okay, so I may be a little late in the game here, but I finally decided to check out My Fit Foods yesterday. There is one by my gym. I've known it was there by the gym, but never knew exactly what it was. I was thinking it was something like GNC or whatever. Yesterday, my curiosity got the best of me, and I looked it up online while eating my salad at McDonald's. Gluten-free, healthy meals? What was this about? so I decided to go in and see what this place was about. Before me stood several refrigerators...NOT freezers...full of gluten-free, healthy meals! These things are prepared DAILY, and you simply need to pop them into a microwave for a couple of minutes, and BAM...gluten-free, healthy, tasty food! I decided that I would swing back by after the gym (because they are open until 9:00 p.m.), and grab something for lunch today and the weekend. I picked up some stir-fry tenderloin, and Hawaiian chicken...oh, and a gluten-free protein cookie for a snack. Total cost, about $24...$24 for 3 meals (as the chicken was a double portion) and a snack. That came out to about $7/meal, if you figure most protein cookies are not cheap. I just got through spending about that much McDonald's for a salad and an iced tea...a salad, mind you, that probably really didn't have quite the nutritional balance of the meals I just bought, and I can tell you, wasn't really all that satisfying! So, today for lunch I had the stir-fry tenderloin...OMG! The beef was so tasty and tender...and it was a larger portion of meat than on my salad the night before. This was served with converted brown rice and a spicy vegetable medley of carrots, green beans, pineapple, and onion. I am seriously looking forward to digging into that chicken, now! I will admit...as much as I've been trying to bet back into being good again, I haven't been doing so well. My biggest problem is I'm always on the run! I don't have a lot of time to cook, and when I do, I get tired of eating the same thing every day for a week. This place fixes so much! They have a microwave right there in the store, so, for example, on Wednesday nights when I normally grab some fast food while I'm on the run to my evening function, I can swing by and grab a tasty dinner! Also, on days when I have to drive into the office, I can swing by after the gym and grab a lunch for the day, and I don't have to eat the same thing over and over!

Today's Music Addiction

This song always seems to come on my rotation at just the right moment!

How I Feel About The Elections!

Imagine...the election is a dress shop you are locked in, and you cannot leave unless you make a choice. Here are your choices (and I will leave it to your imagination which party is represented by which dress):

Both dresses are VERY expensive...let's say...more than $2500 each!  You MUST leave the store wearing the dress, and you have to wear it whenever you are out in public for the next 4 years!

Yeah...that's how I feel about the election....

Today's Song Addiction

There is just something about this song!

On A Serious Note...

...poking fun at the Middle East and/or insulting the Islamic people is like poking at a hornets nest!  If you know a people will sting back, and in this case, causing innocent lives to be taken, DON'T DO IT!  I don't care if the Constitution gives us free speech, we should be thoughtful in what we say, post to the internet, etc.  It saddens me that innocent lives are being lost right now because people see the need to take pokes at other groups of people, KNOWING they will be offended!  We need to look more towards living in harmony...where we don't necessarily have to agree, but we can agree to disagree on certain things and move on!  Bottom line, there are different religions in this world...different systems of belief...and this is an area that is very sensitive, so maybe it is something we need to back off on.  Otherwise, at some point, there won't be any of us left here to argue about it, and we will all know who was right all along, if you catch my drift!

Dance On!!!

So, I've taken my hip hop workouts a bit further.  I got this GroupOn for Hip Hop Abs...$20 for a set of workouts that is normally like $46.  I've been working this in every day this week, and then will keep up with my Thursday hip hop class (which I have been kicking butt at, by the by).  I'm thinking about adding a workout on the Gazelle on Saturdays...we will see how that goes this weekend.  I love to dance, so this is getting easier and easier!  Think I finally found the perfect workout routine.  I still do some weights...I put in an hour of weights before my hip hop class on Thursdays.  That should be enough, since I'm not trying to bulk up or anything...just trying to get some good tone.

Resident Evil Marathon Week!!

Gonna watch 1-4 to get ready for Retribution this weekend! Mila = Queen of Bad Ass!!

I'll Take It!

Got on the scale this morning, and I'm down to a new low weight!  YIPPIE!  In celebration, I went to the closet and got the boots which I got for my birthday, but couldn't wear when they came in a month ago because I needed to shrink my calves a bit.  THEY FIT!!  So, whatever I am doing is working...

I MUST Have These Nails!!!

I found all the tools for this at www.mashnails.com.  To get what I need, it is going to run about $30.  Now, to justify spending that much, right?  I mean, after doing my own manicure twice, I could consider it paid for itself, right?

Song Of The Day

What A Way To Spend A Lazy Evening...

...watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer!

Yeah...I Know...

Several weeks ago I said I was getting a fresh start at my diet and exercise routine, but that failed miserably!  Starting clean today...PROMISE!  I need to be in the office the rest of the week, so hopefully I can reprogram myself to getting up early, so I can get some exercise in at home next week when I'm back to working at the house.  I hit up the gym this morning...had a nice healthy lunch.  I can't go to dance class tomorrow, because my son has a football activity in the evening, BUT she also has a class at a different gym (same chain) on Friday, so I'm going to try to hit up that class.  I have been very consistent with my dance class, so I don't want to miss a week.

And I Still Haven't Seen The Movie...

The cable channel Chiller was showing a marathon of the 1991 version of the Dark Shadows series today.  I remember watching this when it first came out over 20 years ago.  I've even seen episodes of the original series.  Now, I really want to go see the movie!

Fresh Start...Again...

My crazy life has had me not eating right, not exercising as much.  I'm feeling worn down.  Time to figure out what is going on and pick my energy levels back up!

Dance!!!

Since taking up my dance class, I find myself looking forward to Thursdays!  It is hard work, but it is so much fun.  Dance can make you feel so free.  The stress just melts away!!!

Wish They Would Come To The US!!!

I love this band!  They are from Holland, but I so wish they would do a US tour.

Just Checking In...

I've been super busy...obviously.  Hoping things slow down here soon.  I'm in such a need for an actual vacation right now!

Reboot! Refresh!!

I've been doing some research as of late, and have made some new discoveries about health.  This research has caused me to take a harder look at the way I eat.  I need more green veggies!  Yes, I have some every day, but I still don't think I'm getting enough veggies!

I've also changed my stance on fasting...after more research, I have found it can be beneficial as long as you know you limits and don't over-do it.  A few days should be enough...and only do what you know your body can handle. I decided this week to do a juice fast during the day, and still have some food for dinner.  Since I used pure vegetable juice (mixed with pure apple juice to help the flavor), I still got the calories and such needed to keep my blood sugar at a good place.  Only 3 days, and I saw a dramatic improvement!

I think I am also going to take up dance.  I've already tried the class...and yes...I am a bit out of practice...but practice makes perfect, right?  I can do this!  Going back to the class tonight, and going to try to go every week, if possible.  The class is fun, it is great for stress relieve, and I get an unbelievable calorie burn!

Here's to rebooting, and feeling refreshed!

Out Of The Norm...

I have to admit, there are some Katy Perry songs I like, but this has to be my favorite to date...especially the video!

What A Way To Spend A Saturday!

Underworld Marathon!  Haven't watched the older ones in a while, and haven't seen Awakening, yet.  Vampires vs. Lycans all day...with gluten-free chocolate chunk cookies and organic gluten-free pizza, of course.  THAT's a Saturday well spent!

I'm In A Music Video!

Little Treasures!

I love finding little treasures when I shop...unexpected little finds! Two "Alice In Wonderland" pins, a little silver mirror, and a skull necklace. It IS the little things that bring happiness!

Top that off with a quote from church today that very simply hits on how I feel about the hate in the world: "One of the great tragedies in life is that the bible gets interpreted by people who are not in love."

This Is SO Cool!

So, as I mentioned before, we got to meet up with with Cory Williams of SMP Films and Kate Elliot (Katers17) from YouTube.  This is Kate's vlog from that day.  Austin starts at about the 8:44 mark, and you can see a few glimpses of me!  We had such a blast!  #SaveYouTube!!!  Go subscribe to Cory, Kate, and all of your favorite YouTube channels!  Watch regularly, and please, PLEASE express to Google how much you love these guys.  Recent changes are putting these channels in jeapordy.  Some of these folks, like Cory and Kate, make a living from their channels, but changes have caused their subscribership to drop.  This is bad for them, because without YOU, they cannot keep up these road trips to meet all of their dedicated fans, and keep making great, entertaining videos!

Negativity

Sometimes, there is just too much of it around you, and you need to move away from it to find some positivity in your life!  Negativity doesn't only take an emotional toll, it takes a physical one, as well.  Suddenly find yourself struggling to get out of  bed in the morning, and you simply can't explain it?  Don't have the energy to do your regular exercise routine or do your favorite things?  You don't particularly feel depressed yourself...generally, your mood is okay.  So what is the problem?  Look around you!!  There may be too much negative energies, and these negative energies are sucking you dry!  Your job, overly negative friends and family, etc.  Sometimes, you just need to pull away from it for a while!

What A Weekend!!!

Saturday...had fun at the Austin Auto Show. Saw some AWESOME cars.  Saw the car that I MUST have next!

After that, went to eat at one of my favorite places...which I haven't been in years...followed by a trip to my favorite Whole Foods for some goodies!

Sunday...I got to meet an amazing music artist by the name of Projected Twin!  This guy sounds just as good in a totally unplugged session as he does on his CD.  Not many artists can sound THAT good unplugged these days...so many need the help of technology!  You really need to check this guy out!

I also got to meet my favorite YouTube personalities...Cory "Mr Safety" Williams (also the creator of the Mean Kitty videos), and Kate "Katers17" Elliot!  They are just as awesome in real life as they are on their vlogs...great people!  I had a blast listening to music, being involved in the filming of some videos, and just hanging out and joking around!

Thanks to Cory, I learned that a solar eclipse was going to happen.  I've been so busy, that I didn't even know, and would have missed this event.  I went home, and watched what I could of the eclipse, with the help of my camera.  Unfortunately, due to sunset, I didn't get to see the "ring of fire" effect of the total eclipse, but I did get to photograph and witness part of the event.

What a weekend!!!

T.G.I.F.!!!!!

It has been one heck of a week!  I feel like Friday should have been two days ago!  Hopefully, I'll actually be able to relax, do something fun, etc. this weekend.

So Far, So Good!

This week has been a good week.  I've gotten some new equipment at home, and have been able to get in a workout each day this week.  My food choices have been pretty clean...for the most part...when I have complete control over the choice.  Evenings are the most difficult...when I have to find something to eat within the confines of what others want to do for dinner...I just do my best.

I Hate Days That Suck!

Today was one of those days...and a very long day at that!  At least there was some good news in all the madness...news that this madness may soon come to an end.  Just how soon will that be?  That is the question!

Must Get My Butt Back Into Gear!

I've been quite the lazy one when it comes to my exercise and food choices!  I must get back into gear, stat!  I'm kicking it off today...and may blog about it quite a bit to help keep me reminded of my goals.  Already enjoyed a fresh glass of homemade apple-strawberry juice, got in a 348 calorie burn doing some cardio weights, ordered a Gazelle for my work from home days (and to hopefully get others interested in doing some exercise).  Today, THIS is my motivation!

As I Hear The Thunder Rolling Outside...

Having A Case Of The Mundays?

Furby, oh Furby!

This was too funny to keep only on my Facebook!  I have a Furby...the Millennium edition I bought my daughter the Christmas of 1999.  This tells you how hold it is.  Even today, I can take the thing out of the cabinet in the kitchen, and it turns on! Scary!!!!

Certain People Today...

...have found that one nerve they shouldn't be on, and have firmly planted their feet on it!  THIS is why today I have on my "angry" Pandora playlist!

My Music Obession For The Day

Music Obsession For The Day

Back To Original

With remakes by the Dixie Chicks and Smashing Pumpkins, in this case, I still prefer the original!

As The Mind Wanders...

1.  It bugs me when people tag me on Facebook in pictures that are not of me...or tag others in pictures that are not of those people.  You go through people's photos, and the under the "Pictures of ____" you see all kinds of crap.  Just a personal preference, I guess.

2.  Why can't there me more rainy days, and fewer sunny?

3.  Why are people so eager to gawk at traffic accidents?  If it were them, would they want others staring at them?  What it if it was them lying on the ground barely holding on to life?  Would they want people to just stare?  I know I wouldn't!

4.  How many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie POP?

My Favorite All-Time Movie

This has to be my favorite scene from the movie.  Sad...I know just about every line of this movie!

It's ONLY Tuesday!!!

I'm really getting tired of cluelessness!  Really?!  Can I just run away to some island in the middle of nowhere and choose who I take with me as to never have to deal with it ever again?

Home Spa Time

Spending some "me" time!  Pedicure...check.  Manicure...check.  Mud facial...check.  Glass of wine...check.  I love "me" time!!!!

I Would Have Never Imagined...

...that the video for this song would be a cheesy, wild west kind of theme!

As My Mind Wanders...

Yes, sometimes...like while I'm driving and observing the world around me...random thoughts just come to mind.  Like recently...since my poor little Subaru STi now has a clutch issue we are chasing (not to mention it has over 100,000 miles on it), I decided to go ahead and buy by new "daily driver" and keep my STi as a play toy (and one which will only go up in value because it is a limited production year that everyone wants).  I have been eying the Subaru Forester XT for some time.  I was lucky enough to find one (because, it TOO is a very much desired vehicle, and the dealers cannot keep them on the lots).

So now that I'm an "SUV owner", I think...at some point, vehicles that we categorize as SUV should actually be categorized something else.  I mean, SUV is short for "Sport Utility Vehicle", yet we group all of these super-sized land yachts into the same group as my little all-wheel-drive Forester, the Kia Sportage, and even the Honda Pilot.  All of these I have named are small, sporty, and are still capable of being a tool with their spacious insides and ability to tow within reason once the proper equipment is installed.  Sure, I understand they are "Crossover SUVs"...but come on.  What is "sporty" about a Ford Excursion, a Chevy Suburban, a GM Yukkon, or any other various land yacht!  You don't call a yacht a sport boat, now do you?

I've decided these should be called LUVs...Large Utility Vehicles...especially fitting, since drivers of these monstrosities LUV (aka love) their over-sized, road-hog vehicles that can't even fit into a normal parking space and use as much gas as they possibly can!  My list of LUVs would include:

Ford Expedition
Ford Excursion
Chevy Suburban
Chevy Tahoe
GM Yukkon
Cadillac Escalade

Basically, any SUV-like larger vehicle with a V-8 (because you need that much to pull that much excess weight around town) getting 15 or less mpg should be called an LUV!  Leave SUV those vehicles which are actually "sporty"...the ones that dart around town with 4-cylinder or modest 6-cylinder engines getting gas mileage of 17 mpg or better.

That's my wandering mind for today...oh, and businesses really need to stop blaring the A/C!  Save some money!  There is no reason to keep it 60-something degrees in an office or store.  I mean, retailers...if you want to keep me in your store longer and get more money, make it so that I don't feel a relentless urge to go outside to thaw out!  This even goes for the hottest of summer days...when the 105 degrees outside looks good because I'm shivering and my lips are turning blue, you aren't going to get me to stay in your store very long.  A reasonable 70-something, please!

I Know....

Another video, same artist, same day...but I REALLY do like Megan McCauley! Thank you, Pandora, for playing this artist today and helping make another great music discovery. I just love her voice!

Why Isn't THIS Song On iTunes?!

I'm not 100% sure, but I believe these are the lyrics.  I couldn't find them anywhere but one YouTube video, that appeared to have several of them wrong.  Pulled out my old 80's skill for deciphering lyrics from songs to get these:

Dark Angel - Megan McCauley

Nothing's a lie
when it's pretend or just a dream
Unexpecting mirrors make the dark
more than it seems
I keep on searching
for non-existent traces
Losing grip of one last hope
and all familiar places

I've been trying too long to surface
through all the rain
To keep my self from drowning
in the pourin' pain
When everything sent to help
just seems to disappear
It all just holds me down
and makes me drown in every tear
I feel two eyes standing near
and I know there's a...

Dark angel watching over me
I can see her in every tear I weep
She's the uninvited entity
that made me so numb
to the feeling of hell closing in

She's made it so wrong for me
to get along with my own mind
Now I can't trust the only place
that owns the dust and blood of time
No matter how I scream and fight
it never seems to end
But somehow with the lie
the truth just seems to bend
And I hear the screaming of a...

Dark angel watching over me
I can see her in every tear I weep
She's the uninvited entity
that made me so numb
to the feeling of hell closing in

My eyes are closed and I can't see
this dark angel standing next to me
as my reality suspends
I can't seem to find
anything that won't remind me
how she's become my own reflection

Dark angel watching over me
I can see her in every tear I weep
She's the uninvited entity
that made me so numb
to the feeling of hell closing in

My eyes are closed and I can't see
this dark angel standing next to me
as my reality suspends
I can't seem to find
anything that won't remind me
how she's become my own reflection

Dark angel watching over me

Today's Music Discovery

No Longer As Elusive!

The elusive dark butterflies weren't so much so today, as I was able to get a really nice picture of one today!

Photo Enhancements

Okay...sometimes, enhancing a photo is required. I mean, only part of the shot is perfect, but the background that you catch is not the best.  Like this picture I captured yesterday of a couple of butterflies:

With butterflies, you have to capture then when you can!  They are elusive little creatures!  The butterflies are beautiful, but their brilliance is lost with the dried vegetation behind them, as their colors just blend in.  So, with a little enhancement, I made them vibrant:

Music Addiction - New Discovery

Just discovered this band...Eyes Set To Kill...on Pandora this morning, and already addicted!  Some good Thursday music. :)

Chorus About Sums It Up!

Be my friend
Hold me, wrap me up
Unfold me
I am small
I'm needy
Warm me up
And breathe me

Struggling...

I haven't been doing so well with my workouts the last week.  I got too worn down, so something came in and kicked my butt!  I'm still not feeling 100%, but got back to it today.  I'm just so drained!  Work is one thing after another, and most of it is due to one particular person not doing their job...so this has been putting more burden on me.  It's so frustrating!  It's not like this is something that has just been an issue the last few weeks, but something that has been going on for months now!  I just can't understand why more isn't being done about it all.

When Is " Funny" Not Funny?

The daughter of a friend of mine posted a "fat" joke to Facebook today. She then got upset when others were offended by it...telling us we needed to chill the eff out...that if one can't laugh at one's self, someone else HAS to!

I'm at the end of my weight loss journey...down 65lbs and 13 sizes! I still have some body issues...my tummy is puffier than I would like and I have some extra skin that I'm beginning to think will never go away. Yes, I poked fun at myself...and myself ONLY...when I was heavy...it was my right and I was trying to hide all the hurt I really felt inside.

This girl has never been heavy a day in her life, though she often tries to say she is fat (at a size 2...she's fat). She doesn't know the real struggles...the health issues, being tired all the time, never finding clothes you like in your size, etc.  She has no place to joke about the subject!

Bottom line, jokes about weight, appearance, race, religion, etc. are uncool...and anyone who feels otherwise needs to wake up to reality! These types of jokes are a form of bullying...they do hurt people! People should have thicker skin, one may say? In response, I say people should simply have more respect for others!!!

By The Way...

...some may wonder how I'm doing with my 40-day challenge, especially in light of my recent post about the week from Hell!  Well, I can say I am exhausted!  Things have not let up at all.  However, I have been pushing through the exhaustion, and have been making it to my workout every workday and pushing hard.  I've also maintained my diet and water goals.  I have discovered through all of this that I am no longer a stress eater...at least, I haven't been inclined to turn to food or snacking through all this stress.  Maybe I'm just consciously suppressing it...who knows!

The stress has brought on some stuff physically.  Not going to go into details here, but I can say I'm NOT happy with what is going on with my body right now!  I'm hoping things start getting back to normal next week.  I plan on getting some much needed rest this weekend, so, if ANYONE wakes me before I'm ready...

Old School!

Take Me Away!

It has been hell all week!  It is only Wednesday, but it feels like it should already be Friday!  Not going to go into details, but I can say that the week has been very high on the stress meter!  I'm so exhausted!  I feel like I'm fighting to stay awake...because I must.  One meeting after another, after another...and all the normal stuff that has to be done on top of that.  This week has definitely been bad on my health!  I mean, my husband was just saying last night, "For someone who is all about health, and exercise, and eating this, and not eating that..."  I had to stop him..."I know!  That's what I'm not getting!  Nothing has changed!"  Then, this morning, as I was dragging myself out of the house, it hit me...IT MUST BE THE STRESS!  That is the only thing that has changed!  The bad stuff I have going on physically started last week when all this crap started, and my stress levels escalated!

Now, I know..."Just take a deep breath and don't stress about it!"  Yeah, my husband has already basically told me this, but it really isn't that easy!  When you are getting pulled in twenty different directions and no one accepts the answer "NO!", you can't just blow it off!

Today's Music Addiction!

For Lent...

...I'm not giving up anything.  I mean, why give up something for 40-days that you know you are going to go back to come Easter?  Give up T.V.?  Are you going to give that up for the rest of your life?  Give up sodas?  Really?  What is the percentage of people who have given up sodas, and stayed off sodas (btw, I am happy to say that I haven't had a soda in over a year, but for reasons other than Lent)?

No, instead of something temporary, I've decided I'm going to look to more of permanent change!  I've already gotten down to my goal size and weight range, so now it is time to get toned and ripped!  I am challenging myself to a fitness challenge for the next 40 days, to get rid of that last little bit of fat (yes, it is there, I can see the dimples), and get well on my way to a sculpted body (not body-builder...just so you can tell I have muscles, and that I can probably kick your butt at the gym).  What does this have to do with Lent, some may ask?  In the scriptures, we are told to care for the Temple of God.  We are also told that God lives in us.  Sooooooo...that means that our bodies are the Temple of God that we should care for!  For this reason, I want my body to be what God created it to be...fit, trim (not super skinny), able to do any kind of exercise without feeling like I'm going to keel over and die, etc.

Now, many may say, "But you are already all about fitness and eating right."  Kinda true...but I haven't totally dedicated myself.  I still make excuses for not hitting the gym, and still have junk food relapses.  So, for 40-days:

• At least 5 days of exercise a week, and will try my best to at least get up and walking on the weekend (this is a challenge, as this means me getting others to get off of their back sides).
• Little to no junk food...no chips, no potatoes, etc.  If I must eat out at a fast food place, because that is what everyone else is doing, I will make the healthiest choice available!
• Drink as much water as I can stand.
• Push myself during workouts...no excuses...no wimping out!

Let's do this!!!

This Is Just Awesome!!!

Priorities

This past week has had me thinking about where people place their priorities.  Whitney Houston dies, and an entire nation mourns.  Now, yes, she was a great singer and an okay actress.  However, no disrespect to her family, she was just another person.  So, her job was to entertain the world...but she was still just another person.  She made many poor choices in life...and it is still questionable whether or not her choices caused her untimely death.

On the other hand, every day, people die while helping other people and while fighting for freedom, be it ours or that of people groups across the world.

• How often does a police officer die in the line of duty?
• How often does a fire fighter die fighting the spread of a fire, or rescuing someone from a burning building?
• How often does a soldier die on the front line...in a bombing, a raid, etc.?
• How often does a health professional die due to an incurable virus caught while helping others?

Think about it!  Every day, someone in one of these professions dies doing their job...jobs that many people take for granted yet will never do themselves!  So, I will secretly mourn all of these people.  This will be my only post about it...I will not flood Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media with message after message.  Today, in this message, for those who have already past, and those who will pass in days to come doing what they do to help the world, I say "THANK YOU" and mourn the world's loss of such great people!

Thinking I Must See This!!!

Consignment Is Great!!!

Be it online auctions, thrift stores, etc...consignment is great!  There are so many things one can find when someone else cleans out their closet.  For instance, this past week, I got my hands on two vintage Cure t-shirts and the cutest handbag for a mere fraction of their original costs because they were used items someone simply didn't have the need for any longer.  I've also sold plenty of things as I've lost weight.  It's a great way to recycle AND refresh your wardrobe without dishing out a lot of cash!

It's crazy that some people just have this "thing" about wearing clothing someone else has worn.  Truth is, there is nothing wrong with used clothing!  Just be sure to wash it really good when you get it home!  Now, sure, things like undergarments and swim suits are out of the question...but I don't even have problem with used shoes.  I mean, a little Lysol works great on shoes.

So many treasures!

Evil...Evil I Tell You!!!

I'm so tired of feeling ill! Just as I'm getting over the bug, the juniper levels skyrocket, and now I feel worse!  UGH! Stupid, evil shrubs! Death to them all!!

Disappointment!

Since returning from vacation, I have been seriously considering a mostly pescetarian diet.  I won't be cutting out meat completely...I mean, Tuesday night is fajita night at our local Mexican restaurant so on those nights I will have chicken.  But for the most part, I would like to cut out most meat.  It is possible, as I was vegetarian many years ago for more than 12 months.  My only problem then was being addicted to carbs...all that meat-free pasta and those pastries caused me to gain tons of weight.  However, since finding out I'm gluten intolerant, that isn't an issue any longer, and I think changing my diet will have some really promising effects.

So, I've been having a craving for a good Gardenburger.  I remember how tasty these things were back when I ate a vegetarian diet.  I picked up a box today at the grocery store, and to my disappointment, the label said, "Contains Wheat"!  What?  They just had to go and ruin the Gardenburger for me!  I also noticed the list of  ingredients was very lengthy, so not as healthy as I once thought.  I went to the gluten-free section, and found what I hope to be a tasty replacement...no gluten, no ingredients I can't pronounce, etc.  I'm still disappointed, though.  Why do they have to jack with food so much?  Why all the fillers and preservatives?  What is so wrong with natural food?

Just A Word Of Insight...

If you ever wonder why it seems everyone around you is agitated and/or snippy, stop and think. The problem may not be the other people at all, but rather you. If your attitude is negative, this will rub others the wrong way, and the reaction you get may appear to you that everyone else is the problem!

Ahhhhhh.....

Today is my Friday!  Tomorrow, I spend the day spoiling myself.  Spa treatment, getting hair done...AHHHHH!  Saturday, I get my nails done and pack!  Sunday?  I'm off into the blue sea of "I don't care!"  Seven glorious days of no computer, no email, no cell phone!

Some People!

Some people in online games really tick me off!  I mean, I'm minding my own business, trying to complete my quests.  But no...some immature little twit has to camp out at an entrance to the Wasteland and kill everyone who comes out...just because they can?  Really?  I don't like having to quit playing because of some little immature punk...and that is probably what they are...some teen-aged immature little punk who has no gaming ethics whatsoever!  UGH!

What ELSE Could Be Done...

...with the millions of dollars being spent by politicians on their TV ads to smear each other?  I typically stay away from political opinion online (you never know who is reading this).  However, as the news reported this morning how much the Republican candidates were spending on TV ads, I couldn't help but wonder what greater good could be done with that money.  I mean, who watches these ads, anyway?  Most people I know have some sort of DVR, and fast forward through all the commercials.  Not to mention, most of these ads only serve to smear the other candidates..."I believe in X, but they would rather do Y!"  Then, the next ad goes on to say, "Oh yeah?  Well, my competition really believes in Y, they just don't want to admit it!"  REALLY?

A report I saw today said that $12.5 MILLION was spent on ads in Iowa alone!  $12.5 MILLION!!!!  There are people in this country out of work, there are elderly people who cannot afford their pills, and you have people throwing around that kind of money in smear campaigns!  Is it any wonder that when these guys make it to office, they spend money as if there were an endless supply?  I mean, they do it to get into office, what makes anyone think they will not do it after they get there?  What's sad, it appears AGAIN that the one who spends the most money is going to win the election!  Our seated President spent the most money in the 2008 elections.  So far, Romney has spent the most in the Republican primary, and he is in the lead.  This is WRONG!  It seems people are voting for the name they know best, because of the number of times they hear the name on TV in ads and such...NOT on the true qualifications the person has to be in the office.  Not that I can truly endorse anyone in the election at this point, but this craziness needs to stop!

So Close....But So Far!!!

My wonderful get away is less than two weeks away, but as I sit here in my office, it still seems like an eternity!  It has been more than a year since I've been able to just get away...away from all the craziness!  Soon!!!  Please, just don't let my week at sea fly too fast away from me.