Friend Makin' Monday - This or That?

There was abosuletly NO tracking going on this weekend!  Miss Angela's birthday party took up the ~entire~ weekend!

Aaaw!  Look at the round melon!

9/28/97

We ended up with Friend #1 right after school on Friday because her parents were driving down south to pick up their new dog.  Saturday we had breakfast, got Angel's main gift - her belly button pierced - then a field trip to the store to get her cake & such.  

We picked up friend #2 on the way home and friend #3 drove herself over.  We had cake & ice cream and then went to the mall.  That trip was thankfully short - I hate the mall!  Friend #2's parents wanted to meet me before letting her spend the night.  I totally respect that, I do the same.  They inhaled pizza, then I dropped the whole herd off at the movie theater & enjoyed a couple hours of quiet until I got a text to pick them up.  I think they finally went to sleep around 1 am. 

Sunday, I made cinnamon rolls to wake them up and we met my family out at the orchard - and of course it started to rain. So we didn't get to go on the jumping pillows or on the giant drainage pipe slide.  We visited the petting farm and had cider & donuts and it stopped raining long enough to tackle the corn maze. Friends #2 & 3 left from the orchard and we finally got rid of #1 around 7pm last night.

And of course, we still had to take Miss Angela out to dinner, since the hubby had been gone all weekend.  For some reason, she really likes Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill.  They don't have much selection and the food is only so-so.  And Sundays they have live music which was WAY too loud.   But she got her free deep-fried Twinkie and was happy.

Sweet 16 Detroit Red Wings cake! 

I've taught her well. 

Now that her birthday is over.....I get to decorate for Halloween!  Yay!

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!

This or That?

1. Meat and potatoes or pasta? Meat!  Actually, I like pasta, too.  But there's no possible way I could ever be a vegetarian.

2. Do you prefer Apple or Android?  I've never had an Android (hubby does, tho) so I have to go with Apple.  I'm pretty happy with my iPhone.

3. Do you kiss and tell, or do you keep it private? Keep it private.  I'm married so it's no secret that I'm getting nookie!  No one needs to know details.

4. If you had to choose one, would you choose Facebook or Twitter? I don't Twit, so Facebook.

5. Christmas or Valentine’s Day? Between these 2, Christmas.  But I really prefer Halloween!  It's my absolute favorite.

6. If you joined a band, would you prefer to do vocals or play an instrument?  Hmm, can I choose background vocals?  I have zero musical talent and only mediocre voice.

7. Hot weather or cold weather? Cold.  You can always put layers on.  I am 100% northern girl!

8. Calorie counting or tracking points? Points.  I've been on Weight Watchers it seems like forever.

9. Yoga or kickboxing? I've never tried kickboxing.  Probably a good thing, since I'd want to kick co-workers. And the only yoga I've done is on the Wii. My dentist (of all people) offers a free yoga class once a month, since apparently his is a certified yoga dude, too.

10. East Coast or West Coast? My coast experiences have mostly been limited to Navy bases.  I've been to Kings Bay, GA (lived there 2 years), Norfolk, VA and Mayport / Jacksonville FL. On the West....Alameda CA (now closed), Bremerton & Everett (lived here a combined 3 years) WA.  I really enjoyed the Pacific NW so I'd say there. Sorry, but California didn't impress me. 

Have a great week!

On the right track!

I didn't go to a meeting tonight, but I dropped into the office by my work and weighed in this afternoon.  -0.8!

Yay!

Oh man, it's been insane around here - Saturday in Miss Angela's Sweet 16 - and her party is apparently going to span the whole weekend.  One friend's parents are going to be out of town, so she'll be over after school tomorrow - hope I survive that!  Brittney is a sweet girl, but she's loud and can be obnoxious.

I'm actually not quite sure how this is going to work.  Randy is going to be gone.  He does radio comm for several MS events over the year & there's one this weekend.  Angel's rather miffed that he won't be here.  I have to pick up the cake Saturday at noon.  One of her gifts is getting her belly button pierced, so we will stop at this little tattoo place in town and get that done.  We'll probably end up at the mall & then to see a movie or something.  Sunday, friend #2 Taylor is coming over early for breakfast and then we're all going out to the orchard to meet the family for a day of fun out there. There may even be extra kids showing up, I don't know!

 Not my idea of a Sweet 16 birthday cake, but this is what she wants!  

I stopped at Hockeytown Authentics (a store that only carries licensed Red Wings & Tigers gear) and got a mini wooden stick to replace that cheesy plastic one and believe it or not.....Red Wings nail polish!!

I went to Zumba for the first time last night!  It was pretty fun.  Since Miss Angela's dance studio is now big enough to have evening classes, the owner offered a free class to drum up interest..  There were probably 12 of us in there - 2 of us clearly had never done it before (and we gravitated to each other & stood next to each other) and I was surprisingly the only dance mom in there, other than Rosita the instructor and Terina the owner.  I think Angel was pretty proud to see me in there - she was in lyrical across the hall but could see into the room where I was.She pointed me out to the other girls and was like yeah - look at my mom shake it!

 Before Zumba

After Zumba

LOL!

I stopped in the studio when I dropped Angel off and her ballet teacher came in and asked whose car was in the parking lot with a skeleton in it.  Mine!  So she asked to borrow him for her classes!  I don't know how much help he was, since he's not exactly an anatomical specimen.  But I heard the girls had fun dancing with him.

 Meh.

Weekend tracking is non-existent

Anyway, my break is over - I need to get clothes packed for Randy and finish picking up some stuff in the kitchen.  I had gotten to the point where I was overwhelmed. I hate when I get like that!

...and I don't feel guilty!

I did not do to my meeting / weigh in tonight.  I did take the dog for a 2 mile walk after work tonight and then went out to dinner with the family.

 yay!  I tracked!

Sunday was a total lazy day!  

We had planned to go to the Renaissance Festival, but Randy got an early morning (like 7:30 am early) call from work - let's just say those morons are lucky *I* didn't answer the phone.  But that took forever for him to sort out, but it was off & on drizzling rain so I guess it doesn't matter. 

Hoping to go this weekend instead!

So anyway....not much else to report.  I was pretty discouraged after the last 2 week's gains and with TOM going on right now, I sure wasn't feeling the love of a scale!  

I'm not feeling particularly confident in myself the next week or so anyway.  The 28th is Miss Angela's Sweet 16 and as far as I know, she's only going to have 2 friends over Saturday night and Sunday we're going to the apple orchard with the family like we every year.  My nephew's b-day is the 27th so this is how we celebrate them. She wanted a bounce house, so the orchard is a compromise - they have these giant inflated pillows that kids of all ages can jump on.  They are hysterically fun!!  Anyhoooo.  Orchard = Cider & Donuts.  Yeah.  Bad. But she did say she wants an Edible Arrangement for her birthday, too.  Fruit like melon, apples, grapes, strawberries, pineapple all on sticks and some pieces dipped in the most delectable chocolate.  mmmmmm.  And if I get her a small ice cream cake, I won't have to have any!  yay!

I was supposed to start Zumba at Angel's dance studio this week....but when I texted the owner (Zumba instructor) she said she'd kicked her dishwasher & thought she broke her toe!  So she's going to start them the first week in October and she's going to put the word out on FaceBook & such.  That leads me to believe that I was probably the only one interested at this moment!    That's OK - now I have the chance to go buy a good sports bra, since I don't have one. 

Ugh, work has been insane this week, so I'm going to turn in.  Good news- they changed the dress code to Blue Jean Fridays - woohoooo!

later!

Friend Makin' Monday - Relationships & Dating

This ought to be inter sting - I haven't dated a different person in like 12 years!



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!

Relationships and Dating

1. List five characteristics that you think are important in a significant other. Honest. Fun-loving / sense of humor. Strong (physical & mental). Being able to talk out issues instead of fighting.  And likes the occasional PDA!

2. If you had to choose between staying single for the next two years (as in, no dating at all,) or receiving $10,000, which would you choose?  I'd pass on the $$.  We still go on regular dates.

3. What is your relationship status? Are you satisfied with it? Happily married for 7 years, together for 11 1/2.

4. Would you date someone who has children?  I think I would.  On the other hand - Randy married me and he knew I came with both kid & cat.  My beloved Skeeter is gone now, but he loves my daughter as if she were his own.  They're both so stubborn sometimes, you'd think she was his!

5. Would you date someone who’s shorter than you? Been there, married him. He's only about an inch or two shorter than me, but since I don't usually wear heels, that's not a big deal.

6. Would you date someone who has different political views? I guess so, as long as they aren't shoved down my throat and aren't the main topic of conversation & such.

7. If you were going on vacation together, would you choose the beach or the mountains? Mountains! I love the scenery & exploring.  I like the ocean, but the beach does nothing for me. I can only sit there under a palm tree and have so many umbrella drinks before I get bored.

8. How do you show someone that you’re interested in them? When I met Randy, it just clicked.  We sat there for hours & just talked.  He said he knew right away that he was going to marry me.  I was slow.

9. Do you prefer to date people who are older than you or younger? I've dated both.  It doesn't matter to me. 

10. Share some details of your dream date. Nothing really fancy.  Exploring old buildings or cemeteries.  Dinner at some place with a really good steak.  Lying out in a field, looking up at the stars.

Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions! Don’t forget to go over and link up in the comments!

Friend Makin' Monday - (late) Getting to Know Each Other

Ugh! I've lost a day!!! 

A co-worker was out Friday & yesterday & my boss was also gone yesterday, so I ran around like a chicken with its head cut off all day! Then I got home, tossed in some laundry & then took the dog for a walk. We got back & I realized that we had to leave in less than 30 minutes to get Miss Angela to her dance classes and she hadn't had dinner! 

LOL, even tho we go on walks 3-4 days a week, Jack came in the house & felt the need to do this.

And since Miss Angela started her level 4 (the most advanced level on the studio competition team - so proud!) I was going to stick around and watch for a while, but I ended up staying the whole evening. I snuck a few pics, but the girl in the pink top on the left tattled on me! Actually - they don't care. If I'd wanted, I could have just gone into the room & recorded them.

Can you even imagine????

The teacher has her knees on the backs of her thighs 

& is pulling her shoulders back.

I would have just broke. The paramedics would have had to come & use duct tape to put me back together. 

Alrighty - onto the nitty-gritty!

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!

Getting To Know Each Other

1. What is your favorite flower? I really like anything that smells good. I am in heaven in the spring when my lilac & crabapple tree are both blooming. The lilac has grown up into the crabapple so it's really pretty, too. I am pretty excited that I got an offshoot of one of my Dad's roses - he passed away in 2009. He loved his roses! It's still a baby rose, so I don't know what color it is yet.

2. What is a date on the calendar that you’re looking forward to? Oh gosh. Probably next Wednesday since I start Zumba!! I wanted to start tomorrow, but I have to go to Open House at the high school. There's also the dance convention in November, competitions in April & May and of course - Nationals in July. Am I a total dance mom or what??

3. List at least five characteristics of your ideal mate. Hmm. Loyal. Fun. Likes to laugh. Likes the occasional PDA. Hard working. Oh look! I described my hubby! 

4. What is your favorite travel destination? oh man. There are many. I love northern Michigan! We've gone that direction the past 2 years on vacation & it's beautiful. I still want to see more of the UP, especially Pictured Rocks Nat'l Lakeshore. I love Hot Springs, AR, too. 

5. What is your idea of the perfect date? I don’t have one perfect date in mind. I'm happy just going out to dinner and browsing at the Salvation Army! Sounds lame, but we have a good time. Mainly just doing stuff together, it doesn't have to be anything fancy.

6. What is your relationship with your family like? They're great in smallish doses. 

7. What time did you wake up this morning? The alarm goes off at 5:30. I'm up by 6.

8. What characteristic do you like most about yourself? Which do you dislike most? I like my creativity & imagination, honesty & loyalty. I dislike my occasional road rage, but I'm working on that. I also have a hard time with strangers. I don't small talk well. 

9. What is your favorite sport to watch? Hockey. No lockout this year, I'm excited!  

Let's Go Red Wings!

10. Share a few interesting things that you did over the weekend. Um. Thinned out my irises & planted some new ones that a guy at work gave me. Planted some mums. Picked up the yard. Mowed the lawn. Laundry. Team parent meeting at the studio.  Can you handle the excitement???

Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions! Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments. Take a minute to say hello to someone new this week too! Happy Monday!

Checking in

This is gonna be quick, since it's getting pretty late but I want to get the grand embarrassment out of the way.

The verdict after vacation is .....   +1.4 lbs

I didn't think I really went overboard with my eating and I know I made more than one good choice - and did LOTS of walking.   My tracking was non-existent, tho.  I went back to work Wednesday, but I started tracking again Tuesday.  Lunch at McDonalds while out shopping & dinner at Wendy's after another couple hours helping at the studio clearly did me no favors.  But the Berry Almond Grilled Chicken Salad from Wendy's is soooooooooo goood!  And it's only 10 points for the full-size, including the dressing & almonds!  Om nom nom nom.

So anyway....back on the wagon for me!  I already have my lunch made for the morning & clothes laid out.  I was scrambling this morning, since we discovered that this year's bus driver actually gets to the stop before 7 am, where last year's was late every day!  So I have to get Miss Angela up earlier so we can leave earlier.  

I'm pretty excited to be signing up for Zumba at the dance studio next week!  I figured since I'm already going there to take Angel to class, I may as well stay for a while, too! 

Have a great night!

August 13 in 13 recap

I've only missed one WW meeting this month - due to vacation.  I had my book with me, but didn't have time to find one since we were on the go all the time. 

My WW monthly progress reports...

 I'm pleased with my activity, but tracking has sucked badly.

I can't wait to go grocery shopping tomorrow and re-stock the house.  We had pizza / breadsticks / salad tonight and I feel gross.  

I had an interesting veggie omelet while on vacation.  Normally I see tomatoes, onions, peppers, broccoli & maybe mushrooms.  This one I had at "Swan's" had broccoli, carrots, some sort of odd mushroom, snap peas, water chestnuts & red peppers.  It was tasty, tho!

I was interested to note that when Miss Angela starts her dance classes next week, there is also a Zumba class that starts the same time as hers on Wednesdays, and since she has to be there anyway....I may as well take a class, too! 

Rebecca’s August Challenge - Get Outdoors!  I think I did pretty well here.  There were only a few days that I didn't get outside to walk, either at work or in the evenings with the dog.  

September challenge - Sleep!  I should do pretty well on this.  I'm usually in bed around 10-10:30 and am up at 5:30 for work.  It seems to work for me.  But I'm going to document exactly how much I get per night, for curiosity's sake. 

  

Home from Vacation!

There is nothing better than using your own bathroom & shower after a vacation!  We did a ton of walking this week & I was happy to see Randy be a trooper about it. 

We left Monday and went to Petoskey.

 The sunset was nice, except for the bank of clouds lurking on the horizon.

 We kept joking around and calling Lake Michigan "the ocean"

On Tuesday (in a break in the torrential downpour), we went to Old Mission Point & Lighthouse.

 People made stuff out of rocks. 

Stacks, & words & shapes.

 Old Mission Point Lighthouse

 Hiking out to the Point.

 Looking back at the lighthouse.  It was about a mile.

Wednesday, we went to Traverse City. 

Grand Traverse Lighthouse

 At the Woolsey Air Strip

We also went to Sleeping Bear Dunes & the Coastie Station.

We did NOT climb the dune.  

I could have if I had to, but I had Mr. Gimp (aching knee) 

and Gimp Jr. (sore hamstring) with me.  

So I didn't have to! 

 View from a scenic overlook. 

Beautiful!

We found a little park on the way to Muskegon to watch the sunset. 

 There is a freighter below & to the right of the sun.  

Thursday was my birthday!  Being on vacation helped to keep my mind off the fact of turning 40.  It was just another day, so no tears.

We went to Michigan's Adventure.  We didn't take many pics, since the ride attendants got hostile if you had a phone or camera out.  I was stuck on a ride since they wouldn't open the bars while they were questioning a guy who had the nerve to take a picture of his small child on their ride!!

 But we did sneak one picture.  Angel is such a rebel!

It was warm, so most people were in line for the water rides.  That left us able to walk right up to the roller coasters & ride them multiple times!  There wasn't as much to do as at Cedar Point, but it made for a fun day. 

Friday we went to Grand Haven & Holland parks, then went over a friend of Randy's to stay the night. 

This pier gets covered in ice in the winter.  

 Grand Haven Lighthouse

 Holland State Park

I was getting the evil eye since I had no food to share. 

 Holland Lighthouse in the background. 

 Someone was showing off since she saw some little girls (likely cheerleaders) doing some stuff on the pier. 

Holland NOAA station

We'd seen on the news that the Moving Vietnam Wall was going to be near Bob's house so we went there Saturday morning.  

This was so awesome!  

There were a lot of people from the Grand Rapids Veterans Home and a lot of bikers there. 

The first pass, these Vietnam-era planes were in a diamond formation.

The second pass, the second plane from the left had it's lights & smoketrail on.   It peeled off and left the other planes in the Missing Man Formation.  Gave chills!

After that (which nothing could top) we immersed ourselves in culture and went to the Frederik Meijer Gardens.  They had a bunch of sculptures out in the gardens and also greenhouses with themed rooms to explore. 

Of course we can't behave. 

"Mad Mom"

 "The American Horse"

"Neuron"

"Lying Man"

one of the only human sculptures that is clothed. 

In the Children's Garden, exploring senses.

Oooh!

So I didn't get to weigh in while on vacation.  I had my book with me, but we were always on the run, so it didn't happen.   I'm pretty pleased with my activity, of course. I'm sure my weight will be up, since I didn't go crazy with my eating, but I also didn't stay 100% on plan, either.   I took 100 calorie packs of almonds & healthy snacks in the car with us.  So that helped. 

I thought Friday would be more, since I was working my ass off to finish everything I possibly could at work before leaving.  Left there at 6:15 when I'm usually out at 3:30.   Tuesday doesn't surprise me much, since Traverse City had flash flood warnings & 3 inches of rain dumped down in that area.  We stayed mostly in the hotel (after driving thru the temporary outdoor pool in the parking lot).

So 2 more days of vacation for me, 1 day for everyone else.  Angel starts her junior year of high school!  I will be going to the grocery store tomorrow to re-stock food in the house & get back on the healthy-eating wagon!