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Monday, June 24, 2013

Friend Makin' Monday - Ten Simple Questions

I have never been so happy to see Monday arrive! It was a crazy weekend, you can read HERE

I posted that Sunday morning before we met my sister & niece to go to a little waterpark by her house so I didn't get to tell the news!  Miss Angela got to drive for her first time! She was so funny. One of her friends was with us, so I asked Taylor how brave she was, then pulled over on a dirt road and asked Angel if she wanted to drive. She almost fell out of her door getting out to run over the the driver's side. She did really well, she didn't hit any mailboxes, trees, or go into the ditch. And she made the turn into my sister's driveway without hitting the gate!


OMG - LOOK! Me in a bathing suit!!  That's my Activelink thingy clipped on my strap.


Now onto the goodies....


If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section over at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Ten Simple Questions

1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?   OMG, look how red my nose is!!!  Second thought was "hey - I am only slightly pink, not fried!"

2. Do you prefer to pay for things with cash or plastic?  Depends on the amount.  If I'm running into the store for a few small things, I prefer to use cash.  But getting gas, groceries, or critter food - plastic.  

3. What is one word that you use too often?  "Asshat".  I use it regularly while driving.  Also "asshattery" which means the actions of an asshat.  I'm so glad that the girl's friends are old enough not to be shocked by such language, since they always giggle at that.

4. Who is the last person outside of your family who said “I love you” to you?  Hmmm.  One of Angela's friends.

5. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone and mailed it?  Christmas.  I am still in contact with my second grade teacher and I send her letters every year.

6. Have you ever been called upon for jury duty?  Twice - but the first time I'd just left for bootcamp and was excused.  The second time was last summer.  I actually made it into the courtroom, but didn't make jury selection.  It's probably good, since my first impression of the people doing the suing was "trailer trash".

7. How many keys are on your key ring?  3.  Car, house & work file cabinet.

8. List two characteristics that you want to change about yourself.  I wish I was able to make small talk better. I'd have to think about the second one.

9. Do you bring your own shampoo and conditioner when you travel, or do you use what the hotel provides?    I take my own.  I'll occasionally use the hotel ones.

10. What is your birthstone? Do you like it?  Peridot.  I like it.  Until it was lost, my class ring glowed in black light.  Very cool.

Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions. Don’t forget to head over and link up in the comments! Happy Monday, friends……

Monday, June 17, 2013

Friend Makin' Monday - Just Wondering.....

Hope everyone had a great Father's Day! I took the hubster out to dinner Saturday night when it was less crazy and then the breakfast Sunday morning. My entree wasn't bad, grilled mahi-mahi with rice & broccoli, but the appetizers killed me. Those deep fried onion straws & mini cheeseburgers. And of course a lovely beverage that I could have chugged several of.


Yummy Cabana Colada & onion straws

Now, onto Friend Makin' Monday!




If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section over at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Just Wondering

1. Do you wear glasses and/or contacts? Yes. I'm blind as a bat without them.  I usually wear contacts since I have to wear sunglasses outside.  I wear glasses when bumming around the house.

2. Do you have summer vacation plans? If so, where are you going? We always take a week off before the girl has to go back to school.  Last year we went from Hell to Paradise.  This year we're tossing around ideas of driving across Michigan to Lake Michigan and heading north along the coast and up to Pictured Rocks Nat'l Lakeshore.

3. What is your favorite food to eat for breakfast? I've been having oatmeal way too much lately.  My favorite has got to be a Tim Horton's BELT - egg whites, bacon, lettuce, tomato & cheese on a 12 grain bagel.  Which has to include a Boston Cream donut & giant cup of iced coffee.

4. Do you enjoy window shopping?  Yes.  I like people watching, too.

5. What is your favorite candle scent? Oh man.  We were just at Yankee Candle Saturday, too!  We bought a small Red Velvet Cake candle that is pretty nice.  I have a pineapple / coconut one that I like a lot.  And I have the car jars (air fresheners) in Coconut Bay, Sun & Sand and Pineapple Cilantro.  I highly recommend those, since they can destroy the stench of dance shoes left in a car on a warm day for several hours. It took 3 days to air the car out after that episode. So I always have car jars now!

6. If you had to choose between going to a zoo or an aquarium, which one would you pick? Hmm.  Both!

7. How many times do you plan to exercise this week? I just came in from a 1.5 mile walk around the yard at work with a co-worker.  I don't exactly have a plan.

8. Do you speak another language fluently? Sarcasm?

9. What are you currently reading? Savage Conquest by Janelle Taylor.  I like my historical romances.

10. What are you looking forward to most in the coming week? The girl's dance recital dress rehearsal is Thursday night & the recital Friday night, so that.  However I'm not looking forward to A) dropping $600 on summer school for a certain girl (insert many expletives here) and B) the ex coming to town for said dance recital.  This will be only the second time he's seen her since 2000.  At least we know he's going to be here this time.  Last year, he just showed up unexpectedly!

Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions. Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments, and say hi to someone new this week. Happy Monday, lovies! =)

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Happy Father's Day!

 To the 2 greatest men in my life!

Dad & me, 1973

Dad & me, 2006

Randy & me, 2010


Randy & Angel, 2009



Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Weigh-in & Update

Well, tracking (or lack thereof) this past week sucked very much bad.  But I sure can't complain about the 2.2 lb loss!   But I'm back on track again today, even tho I went WAY over my daily Points allowance.  The ginormous slice of banana bread I took for lunch today along with the 6 PP bag of chips did not help me in the slightest.  But they were duly noted and cringed at.

I'm pretty proud of myself that I was waiting for Randy to get home yesterday and decided to take the dog for a walk.  I only intended to take a short walk, but I think both Jack and I were on auto-pilot and we went all the way around the park - a full 2 miles.

Tonight at the meeting (I actually stayed for it!!!), my old leader, Carol was subbing for Rosa.  And since she has been there for much of my journey, she asked me, if I didn't mind telling, exactly how much I've lost.  My total is 54.8 lbs.  But I also told them that I wished it had been in a shorter time frame.  One lady asked, if I didn't mind telling, just how long has it taken.  I was not proud to say that I've been more or less continually on WW since August 2008.  I have to say that I know I'll be able to maintain easily!  

I've really been thinking lately.  I read on someone's blog - I tried to find their post to link to, but couldn't find it - that it really helps to have a specific goal in mind for weight loss, other than "to lose weight".  I think that may be my problem.  I'm not a runner, so I don't have the desire to run a 5K or 10K or marathon, etc. In fact, something really scary better be chasing me with a chainsaw to get my ass to run!  I'm not a lifter, so I don't have the desire to lift another 5 pounds or do another 10 reps.  I don't go to the gym.  I don't have ready access to a pool, although I do love swimming.  I don't know what I want to do to push myself!  I find myself putting life & domestic bliss (cooking, cleaning, taxi driver, etc) ahead of anything I need to do for me.  And even then, I find myself falling short of keeping the house clean & laundry caught up & yard de-jungled.  I don't know what I can do to get motivated to reach my goal weight.   

There is just over 11 weeks to my birthday.  As much as I don't like to admit to myself, I will be 40.  I'm really having issues with the thought of reaching this milestone.  I don't feel as though I've accomplished much with my life.  Granted I am happily married & have successfully raised a 15 year old daughter to not be a self-centered brat, but what more is there?  I've been at the same job for 13 years, but it's just a paycheck, not a rewarding career.  There is no place for advancement, unless I want to be a dispatcher or be adopted by the family who owns the company - Hell To The ....

So what to do, what to do?  After getting off the Pity Party Bus, that is.....



OK, 11 weeks.  I am at 214.8 lbs.  Realistically I should be able to be in Onederland by my birthday.  

Game on.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Friend Makin' Monday - How do you celebrate?

Happy Monday! I had a busy weekend without the family - hubby was across the state doing radio stuff for the Western Michigan MS-150 bike ride. And the girl had a Sweet 16 birthday party to go to, so she was gone most of Saturday & all of Sunday morning. I got a bunch of indoor plants repotted, the outdoor annuals planted, the grass mowed & loved hearing the neighbor tell me how good my dog is, since he very seldom barks (unlike all the others on the block!) And we got a lot of yard work done for my mom, too.


If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section over at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

How Do You Celebrate?

1. When is your birthday? August 29 - I share it with my sister who is 13 years older than me!

2. Do you like to celebrate it or do you prefer to keep it quiet? This year I'd be perfectly happy keeping it quiet, since I'll be hitting the big 4-0 and I'm still in denial. I know the hubby will take me out & we usually have group family parties each month, since there are 6 July birthdays, 4 August & 3 September.

3. Have you ever had a surprise party? Nope.

4. What sign are you? Does it represent you well? I'm a Virgo. According to astrology.com.... I suppose it does fit me pretty well.

5. Do you tell the truth about your age? Only if I have to.

6. Share your best birthday memory. Hmm, the toga party when I turned 21.

7. Share a few items that could be on your birthday wishlist. I'd be happy with anything I didn't have to pick out / buy for myself or otherwise know about before. This also goes for Christmas, but it hasn't happened yet!

8. What is your favorite kind of cake? German Chocolate with a big glass of cold milk.

9. If you could be anywhere on your next birthday, where would you be? I’d be surrounded by people who love me. (keeping Kenlie's answer!)

10. Do you make a wish when you blow out the candles? At family gatherings, I have to share a cake so unless Laurie wishes faster than I do.....not really. And when I don't have to share, my mind usually goes blank.

Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions! Don’t forget to head over and link up in the comments! Happy birthday, I mean, happy Monday, friends!

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Happy June!

I made this in under the wire - it's still June 1, barely!

This week has been insane!  Last weekend, we had the roofs (rooves?) re-done on both the house & garage. Then the guys showed up a day early to install the new gutters - while I was trying to get the fascia (what the gutters attach to) painted!  I had to paint so fast that my arms felt dead afterward. But they finished just in time for a nice rainstorm to hit. I mean, they had just put their ladder in the truck, closed it and got in the cab and WHOOSH!  But the gutters work very nicely.  It had been raining most of the week and the rain pouring off the valley of the roof onto our window unit air conditioner was LOUD.

So everything is put back together & I got all the little pieces of plastic & chunks of wood & stray nails all cleaned up (I hope!!) from my flower beds and the yard and mowed the yard today.  I feel settled now!



So how did I do in May?  Can we hear a resounding MEH?

1.  rededicate myself to WW - Looking at my weight record, I didn't weigh in on May 1, I honestly don't remember if I stayed for the meeting on the 8th. The 16th & 22nd I just dropped in real quick to get on the scale but I did stay for the meeting on the 29th.

2.  post eTools progress report weekly - I haven't really been doing this weekly {shame}, but here's my monthly summaries...
 98% of my goal achieved on my Activelink
A total gain of 1.2 lbs this month - Booooooo!

3.  earn at least 15 WW activity points weekly - check!!

4.  use my waist & arm / thigh trimmers while doing DVDs or Wii Fit - haven't done any at all.

5.  plan meals weekly - check!

6.  eat more / new veggies every week - for the most part, check!

7.  be a better blogger - I needed a little break after the A-Z Challenge so I slacked off again. {shame}

8.  spend at least 15 minutes per day straightening up my house - this is hit or miss. Somedays I'm little Miss Suzie Homemaker and others I am definitely not.

9.  make time for ME!!  for exercise & meetings - this has again been slacking.

10. find plans & designs for holiday displays (tomato cage trees / MGC fence / potion book) - I've pinned a few ideas and I've gotten some of my future potion bottles emptied of mystery liquids and cleaned out. I do believe I have an idea of how to fence in my weirdly shaped front yard - thanks to my Mom, of all people!

11. work on RACES certification - Big fat ZERO. Haven't touched it at all.

12.  

13.  wean myself off pop - didn't happen!

Rebecca’s May Challenge - being the Inspiration. I don't know how much of an inspiration I was to anyone, but I was truly touched my the Mother's Day post Miss Angela put on Facebook.



I'm leaving all my mini-challenges the same. This month's challenge is to note one thing every day that I am thankful for. This should be an easy one!