This week did not go like I expected it would. Not that I had any major plans... my big thing this week was going back to water aerobics, which I did. Both days, and both days were good workouts. There was another family from the school there on Thursday, but I didn't see them until they were leaving, and I was still in the pool. So if they saw me, I didn't know it, and that's fine as long as I don't think about it too much.
But the last five minutes of water aerobics, my stomach started feeling bad. We were in the middle of an ab workout, so I thought "yah, it's working"! But the feeling did not go away when I got home. I really just thought it was sore muscles from a workout. Even when I threw up at 9:45, I thought I just shouldn't have made myself eat soup when I got home. But I realized something more was going on when the chills started sometime in the 11:00 hour. After that I made 7 trips to the bathroom throughout the night. At 6:30, when Brett got up, he found the thermometer for me and my temp was 101.1. I took medicine all day, but never could get my fever under 100. But I woke up feeling MUCH better today! Not quite 100 percent, but I bet I will feel better once I clean up a little and get out of the house.
Yesterday was the second time that I had to call in sick in the three years I have worked at the school. I HATE calling in! And I can't believe I had to call in yesterday! It meant leaving our school administrator, who has been working sick all week, all alone, because the owners were on the 5th grade retreat. Work has been CRAZY this week! We have officially hit tour season. We get calls asking for information about the school year round, and we we give tours year round as well, but from the months of May-August, it feels nonstop. We give tours daily and the phone never stops ringing. Obviously, that's a good thing, but it's hard to get anything done. And this week, I was doing the bulk of the tours and phone calls because poor Michelle could barely speak. So I am behind at work, which I hate. I should probably go work a little today... something to think about.
So I did pretty good with Weight Watchers this week, and with the stomach bug on top of my efforts, I had a good loss. Hows that for a silver lining? (I watched Silver Linings Playbook while I was in bed yesterday - and all of the special features =-) There is a section, when you do your weekly weigh in online, where you can write notes. I always do this if there is something in my week that obviously explains my gain or loss. Last week I made note of Teacher Appreciation Week and my birthday - I had a three pound gain. This week I noted the stomach bug because I had a five pound loss. That loss wasn't all from my 36 hours of bathroom duty, but I'm sure part of it was.
On a different note, I am having one of those days where I am feeling overwhelmed by my calendar. I know it is very full, but I can't off of the top of my head, tell you exactly how so. I have A LOT of big events coming up, and I need to get them all in my head so I don't miss something important. I also need to find a dress for my sister's wedding, which is 4 weeks from today. Oh my goodness!!!
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
I Have An Announcement to Make
No, I'm not pregnant.
I went back to water aerobics tonight!
I stopped going in November. I was looking for ways to save some extra holiday money in November and December and thought that I could quit WW online and water aerobics and keep up with healthy habits.
I'm an idiot.
I thought I would rejoin them both in January. I rejoined WW 7 or so weeks ago and tonight was my first night back at water aerobics. I hope that this year - my 32 - is full of 52 weeks where I am physically active. I went to water aerobics tonight and am going back on Thursday, so week one: check!
I was nervous driving there. The other reason that I let myself stop going to water aerobics is because I was enjoying it less because of a new teacher. I was worried about who the instructor would be all day today. Well guess what? It was the same lady, but she was different tonight. In September, she came back to teaching after a leave of absence. Well, maybe those last two months that I was there, her first two months back, she was trying to prove that she still had what it took. I don't know. But for whatever reason, she was a little more chill tonight, and it was a much better experience!
I also immediately saw someone that I knew when I walked in. Well, I don't know her exactly, but she was the first to introduce herself to me and Laura when we first started coming last summer and she was always friendly. So I told her hello and we chatted for a minute or two. I told her I was nervous and she was very kind.
The awkwardness came tonight when we were waiting for the synchronized swimmers to finish up and move to the other end of the pool so we could get in the pool. I was standing behind a counter, so thankfully, I was mostly hidden. I looked up, and in walked a family from our school. Mom, dad and 5th grade son. And suddenly I felt completely naked. If I thought no one would notice, I would have ducked behind the counter.
They passed me without seeing me (phew) and I got into the pool as quickly as I could. Minutes later, in walked family number two from our school. Oh my goodness! It was a challenge. But I remained calm and water jogged on.
Leaving, I had to say hello to dad #1. He was in my direct path. But I was MUCH more covered, so it was okay. I still felt stupid. My hair was ridiculous and I had an awkwardly placed towel around my shoulders because I forgot a cardigan to go with my little sun dress that I use as my swim cover. But I asked him if his son was taking swim lessons, and he told me that they were just there testing for Boy Scouts. I pretended I knew what that meant and breathed a sigh of relief - it should be just me and 70 strangers from here on out.
I'm so glad that I went back. I'm so glad that I'm still craving healthy food and wanting to eat healthier. One day at a time.
I went back to water aerobics tonight!
I stopped going in November. I was looking for ways to save some extra holiday money in November and December and thought that I could quit WW online and water aerobics and keep up with healthy habits.
I'm an idiot.
I thought I would rejoin them both in January. I rejoined WW 7 or so weeks ago and tonight was my first night back at water aerobics. I hope that this year - my 32 - is full of 52 weeks where I am physically active. I went to water aerobics tonight and am going back on Thursday, so week one: check!
I was nervous driving there. The other reason that I let myself stop going to water aerobics is because I was enjoying it less because of a new teacher. I was worried about who the instructor would be all day today. Well guess what? It was the same lady, but she was different tonight. In September, she came back to teaching after a leave of absence. Well, maybe those last two months that I was there, her first two months back, she was trying to prove that she still had what it took. I don't know. But for whatever reason, she was a little more chill tonight, and it was a much better experience!
I also immediately saw someone that I knew when I walked in. Well, I don't know her exactly, but she was the first to introduce herself to me and Laura when we first started coming last summer and she was always friendly. So I told her hello and we chatted for a minute or two. I told her I was nervous and she was very kind.
The awkwardness came tonight when we were waiting for the synchronized swimmers to finish up and move to the other end of the pool so we could get in the pool. I was standing behind a counter, so thankfully, I was mostly hidden. I looked up, and in walked a family from our school. Mom, dad and 5th grade son. And suddenly I felt completely naked. If I thought no one would notice, I would have ducked behind the counter.
They passed me without seeing me (phew) and I got into the pool as quickly as I could. Minutes later, in walked family number two from our school. Oh my goodness! It was a challenge. But I remained calm and water jogged on.
Leaving, I had to say hello to dad #1. He was in my direct path. But I was MUCH more covered, so it was okay. I still felt stupid. My hair was ridiculous and I had an awkwardly placed towel around my shoulders because I forgot a cardigan to go with my little sun dress that I use as my swim cover. But I asked him if his son was taking swim lessons, and he told me that they were just there testing for Boy Scouts. I pretended I knew what that meant and breathed a sigh of relief - it should be just me and 70 strangers from here on out.
I'm so glad that I went back. I'm so glad that I'm still craving healthy food and wanting to eat healthier. One day at a time.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
It's a Twofer!
I was born on Mother's Day =-) How's that for a surprise gift!
So my birthday has always been intertwined with a Mother's Day celebration. It's not a bad thing - it's a busy time of year in general. I also went to prom on my birthday and graduated from college on my birthday. It's a fun day to share!
I had a GREAT time with my mom and sisters today. My entire family met for lunch in Grapevine to celebrate with my dad's mom. I love Mamaw. She is a really great lady. My dad is just like her. They are very chill. Take things in stride. After lunch, my sisters and mom and I, along with my aunt Dinah and cousin Ragan, walked around Main Street in Grapevine. My mom has always wanted to do this, and we had a great time! Not every shop is open on Sunday, and my favorite shop, Gypsy Muse, is unfortunately one of those shops. But I still found a really sweet necklace and, believe it or not, a Christmas ornament. It was $3. I couldn't resist. And when we were done window shopping, my aunt recommended a funky little popsicle shop. Turns out they also had slushes and shaved ice. We all got shaved ice and it was AMAZING! It's called the Pop Shop (I think) and I HIGHLY recommend the mango shaved ice with coconut cream. Delicious! Here we are before we left the restaurant.
But today was only the tip of the iceberg! 32 was a GREAT birthday! Brett's gift to me: A NEW PHONE!!! I got my first ever iPhone, and I am LOVING it! It is so nice to have a phone that works. All day! I had forgotten what it is like to have a reliable phone. And we ended up getting a WAY better deal than we expected. We picked it up Wednesday night after dinner with my parents, so it was like my birthday began two days early. I'm having fun getting to know my phone =-)
Thursday I had the day off. They give us an extra day off for our birthday. Friday was my actual birthday, but it was also Mother's Day Tea Parties at our school, and I can't miss a party day. So on Thursday, I got up after Brett left for work. I added a few phone numbers to my phone (they didn't transfer automatically) and checked my email, then went to run some errands. My goal was to find a few things for Brett. There is a certain kind of shirt that he loves, and he could use a few new ones. So first I went to Kohl's, where I found 3 shirts for Brett and a pair of sandals for me. Then I went to Wal-mart, where I found underwear for both of us, 2 dresses for me, shorts for Brett, shoes for me and a sweater holder for my closet. It was the best trip to Wal-mart I've had in years! These dresses are adorable! And they were $17.97. I couldn't believe it!
Then I went to lunch with Jennifer at my favorite Italian restaurant. We stayed and chatted for 2 hours. It was delicious and SO good to catch up!
After lunch I went to Ross to look for a basket, which I found. Then I went to Target for a phone case, which I found. I also picked up some ice cream. At that point, it was raining pretty hard, so instead of continuing my errands (I wanted to go to Grapevine Mills to look for a dress to wear in Jenna's wedding) I went home to enjoy some ice cream and watch a movie. I watched My Week With Marilyn and thought it was really good.
When Brett got off work, the rain was gone, so we went to Grapevine Mills and picked up three new Lego key chains. Have I mentioned I collect Lego key chains? I think they're funny. I picked up Loki, the alien from Toy Story and a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. Michelangelo. Then we went to dinner at Cotton Patch Cafe. It was tasty!
Friday, my actual birthday, was fun. Work was busy, but nice. It was the last day of teacher appreciation week. Our parents are SO SWEET! After work, Brett and I went to Southlake to have appetizers and dessert at The Cheesecake Factory, and then to see Gatsby. Our friends, Kalie, Danielle and Robin, joined us and it was so much fun! The movie was a little weird, but I'm glad that I saw it.
Here is a picture of Brett and I at dinner. I took this picture on my iPhone - I LOVE having a phone that takes decent pictures. Another first.
My birthday was awesome, but I am glad it's over. I have been WAY too spoiled. And as you can tell from this post, I have been more than flexible with Weight Watchers. I'm ready to be back on track. I'm going back to water aerobics this week. Jenina, want to come?
Here's to 32! I'm looking forward to a great year!
So my birthday has always been intertwined with a Mother's Day celebration. It's not a bad thing - it's a busy time of year in general. I also went to prom on my birthday and graduated from college on my birthday. It's a fun day to share!
I had a GREAT time with my mom and sisters today. My entire family met for lunch in Grapevine to celebrate with my dad's mom. I love Mamaw. She is a really great lady. My dad is just like her. They are very chill. Take things in stride. After lunch, my sisters and mom and I, along with my aunt Dinah and cousin Ragan, walked around Main Street in Grapevine. My mom has always wanted to do this, and we had a great time! Not every shop is open on Sunday, and my favorite shop, Gypsy Muse, is unfortunately one of those shops. But I still found a really sweet necklace and, believe it or not, a Christmas ornament. It was $3. I couldn't resist. And when we were done window shopping, my aunt recommended a funky little popsicle shop. Turns out they also had slushes and shaved ice. We all got shaved ice and it was AMAZING! It's called the Pop Shop (I think) and I HIGHLY recommend the mango shaved ice with coconut cream. Delicious! Here we are before we left the restaurant.
But today was only the tip of the iceberg! 32 was a GREAT birthday! Brett's gift to me: A NEW PHONE!!! I got my first ever iPhone, and I am LOVING it! It is so nice to have a phone that works. All day! I had forgotten what it is like to have a reliable phone. And we ended up getting a WAY better deal than we expected. We picked it up Wednesday night after dinner with my parents, so it was like my birthday began two days early. I'm having fun getting to know my phone =-)
Thursday I had the day off. They give us an extra day off for our birthday. Friday was my actual birthday, but it was also Mother's Day Tea Parties at our school, and I can't miss a party day. So on Thursday, I got up after Brett left for work. I added a few phone numbers to my phone (they didn't transfer automatically) and checked my email, then went to run some errands. My goal was to find a few things for Brett. There is a certain kind of shirt that he loves, and he could use a few new ones. So first I went to Kohl's, where I found 3 shirts for Brett and a pair of sandals for me. Then I went to Wal-mart, where I found underwear for both of us, 2 dresses for me, shorts for Brett, shoes for me and a sweater holder for my closet. It was the best trip to Wal-mart I've had in years! These dresses are adorable! And they were $17.97. I couldn't believe it!
Then I went to lunch with Jennifer at my favorite Italian restaurant. We stayed and chatted for 2 hours. It was delicious and SO good to catch up!
After lunch I went to Ross to look for a basket, which I found. Then I went to Target for a phone case, which I found. I also picked up some ice cream. At that point, it was raining pretty hard, so instead of continuing my errands (I wanted to go to Grapevine Mills to look for a dress to wear in Jenna's wedding) I went home to enjoy some ice cream and watch a movie. I watched My Week With Marilyn and thought it was really good.
When Brett got off work, the rain was gone, so we went to Grapevine Mills and picked up three new Lego key chains. Have I mentioned I collect Lego key chains? I think they're funny. I picked up Loki, the alien from Toy Story and a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. Michelangelo. Then we went to dinner at Cotton Patch Cafe. It was tasty!
Friday, my actual birthday, was fun. Work was busy, but nice. It was the last day of teacher appreciation week. Our parents are SO SWEET! After work, Brett and I went to Southlake to have appetizers and dessert at The Cheesecake Factory, and then to see Gatsby. Our friends, Kalie, Danielle and Robin, joined us and it was so much fun! The movie was a little weird, but I'm glad that I saw it.
Here is a picture of Brett and I at dinner. I took this picture on my iPhone - I LOVE having a phone that takes decent pictures. Another first.
My birthday was awesome, but I am glad it's over. I have been WAY too spoiled. And as you can tell from this post, I have been more than flexible with Weight Watchers. I'm ready to be back on track. I'm going back to water aerobics this week. Jenina, want to come?
Here's to 32! I'm looking forward to a great year!
Saturday, May 4, 2013
32... oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!
Did you know my favorite number is 32? Jenina always thinks it's 28. But she associates the number 28 with me, because when I first started to attend the singles group at my old church, and she would ask me how old someone in the class was, I always said, "I think 28". It didn't take long to realize that I thought everyone was 28. They may still be. But she's wrong - 28 is not my favorite number. It's 32. Say it - it feels like a kiss =-) It's my fave.
Next Friday, I will turn 32. My favorite number. For some silly reason, the thought of turning my favorite number has filled me with a sense of anticipation and excitement. Like this is the year I've been waiting for. The year I will become who I have always been waiting to be.
Just the sound of that sentence makes me gag. I don't want to live my life waiting to be anything - though I guess every day, we are becoming who we are going to be. But you know what I mean. I don't want to wait for my life to happen. I want to live each day.
That being said - I am really looking forward to this year. I am slowly dropping weight. Going back to water aerobics this week. And Brett and I are hoping to start a family. What if I were pregnant this time next year? It's hard to imagine. And hard not to imagine at the same time.
Friday is my birthday, and on Friday, Brett and I will be going to The Cheesecake Factory for appetizers and dessert, and then to see Gatsby. A few friends are meeting us, and I'm excited about enjoying the evening with people I love.
I have Thursday off. We get an extra vacation day for our birthday. Friday is our Mother's Day parties, and as I am the only non mother in the office, it would be wrong of me to not be there that day. I want to make sure all of the mom's get to enjoy the party with their little ones. So on Thursday, I will be lunching with Jennifer, which I am very much looking forward to. And I will be going to purchase my gift from Brett - A NEW PHONE! Oh goodness, it's time. My phone is barely hanging on. And my new phone will be my first iPhone. I'm so excited! I am hoping to do a little shopping that day as well. We'll see how that turns out.
This week is Teacher Appreciation week, and that is always a fun encouraging week at school. I hope there are good moods everywhere! It's a hard week food wise, but I am not going to beat myself up too much. I will stop when I'm full and try to eat a lot of fresh fruit and veggies this week. And drink a lot of water. If I can do those three things this week, along with starting back at water aerobics, it will feel like a win, even if I don't have a loss.
I hope everyone is enjoying May so far! Enjoy some tasty Mexican food tomorrow - happy Cinco de Mayo!
Next Friday, I will turn 32. My favorite number. For some silly reason, the thought of turning my favorite number has filled me with a sense of anticipation and excitement. Like this is the year I've been waiting for. The year I will become who I have always been waiting to be.
Just the sound of that sentence makes me gag. I don't want to live my life waiting to be anything - though I guess every day, we are becoming who we are going to be. But you know what I mean. I don't want to wait for my life to happen. I want to live each day.
That being said - I am really looking forward to this year. I am slowly dropping weight. Going back to water aerobics this week. And Brett and I are hoping to start a family. What if I were pregnant this time next year? It's hard to imagine. And hard not to imagine at the same time.
Friday is my birthday, and on Friday, Brett and I will be going to The Cheesecake Factory for appetizers and dessert, and then to see Gatsby. A few friends are meeting us, and I'm excited about enjoying the evening with people I love.
I have Thursday off. We get an extra vacation day for our birthday. Friday is our Mother's Day parties, and as I am the only non mother in the office, it would be wrong of me to not be there that day. I want to make sure all of the mom's get to enjoy the party with their little ones. So on Thursday, I will be lunching with Jennifer, which I am very much looking forward to. And I will be going to purchase my gift from Brett - A NEW PHONE! Oh goodness, it's time. My phone is barely hanging on. And my new phone will be my first iPhone. I'm so excited! I am hoping to do a little shopping that day as well. We'll see how that turns out.
This week is Teacher Appreciation week, and that is always a fun encouraging week at school. I hope there are good moods everywhere! It's a hard week food wise, but I am not going to beat myself up too much. I will stop when I'm full and try to eat a lot of fresh fruit and veggies this week. And drink a lot of water. If I can do those three things this week, along with starting back at water aerobics, it will feel like a win, even if I don't have a loss.
I hope everyone is enjoying May so far! Enjoy some tasty Mexican food tomorrow - happy Cinco de Mayo!
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Better
It was a better week. I didn't track as closely as I should of, but not as an act of rebellion - I was just really busy. Had a lot of late nights. So I tracked during the day in my head, but only put it all online a couple of nights. I'm still doing pretty good at stopping when I am full, and that is making a huge difference right now.
I've had a few motivating moments this week that are pushing me to be more active. That's my typical pattern I guess - I never seem to start working on my food and my activity at the same time - the food is too hard. I need a little time to change some of those habits before I turn my life upside down making time to exercise. But the food is moving along nicely, so it's time to get upside - literally and figuratively!
Right now, I am planning to start water aerobics again in May, and I am working on walking. I have a LOT more to say about that, but nows not the time =-)
My mission today - the grocery store! I am in serious need of some vegetables in this house.
Thanks for listening =-)
I've had a few motivating moments this week that are pushing me to be more active. That's my typical pattern I guess - I never seem to start working on my food and my activity at the same time - the food is too hard. I need a little time to change some of those habits before I turn my life upside down making time to exercise. But the food is moving along nicely, so it's time to get upside - literally and figuratively!
Right now, I am planning to start water aerobics again in May, and I am working on walking. I have a LOT more to say about that, but nows not the time =-)
My mission today - the grocery store! I am in serious need of some vegetables in this house.
Thanks for listening =-)
Friday, April 19, 2013
One of THOSE Weeks
I've been reluctant to announce that I'm back on Weight Watchers. Sometimes I feel like my weight loss journey is too soap operatic to share with other... I'm embarrassed that this story is still going on.
I need to get over that, because I've recently been told (by my doctor) that it is probably something that I will struggle with my entire life. I don't want those words to be true. I wish I were one of those "success stories". My friend Krista decided to lose weight after college, so she joined Weight Watchers, lost 70ish pounds and has been thin for 10 years now. When I first joined Weight Watchers, also soon after college, I lost 70ish pounds. I've never been thin.
But anyways. I'm back on WW. Surprise, surprise.
And this was one of THOSE weeks. This happens to me A LOT. I weigh in on Saturday morning, then I use my flex points, and then some, over the weekend, so I have a gain, and then it takes me until Friday morning to get back down to the previous Saturday's weigh in weight, so I only have one day where my weight loss will actually register as a loss. I lose the same three pounds every week for a month.
You'd think I would learn. And when the "then some" comes in, it usually has to do with a busy schedule. I never plan to use more than my allotted flex points, but our busy calendar moves me from "flexing" to breaking the rules, and the above scenario plays out.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that I want my life to be ruled by those points. I used more than my points three weeks ago on my vacation. Because it was my vacation. That was my choice that I knew ahead of time I would make. I needed to not worry for a few days.
But last weekend I went over my points because on Friday night we had a birthday party. Then Saturday morning we had a seminar. Then Saturday afternoon we had a cook off. Then Saturday night I had two back to back church events. Then Sunday afternoon we hosted a lunch. It was a busy weekend. Every event was necessary. Every event involved food. And after the events, I still had to do dishes and laundry and grocery shop for the coming week. If I had stopped to worry over my points I would have been pushed over the edge into a pit of insanity.
My schedule sometimes gets too full, and that stresses me out. I don't use food to cope, but my food situation is one that, if not monitored closely, is naturally unhealthy. I'm ingrained with unhealthy habits. But in certain circumstances, the "monitoring closely" can be unhealthy for me to, just in a different kind of way. So last weekend, I did the best I could. I stopped eating when full. I didn't overeat. That was the best I could do. Do I wish I had been full on salad instead of grilled macaroni? Yes. But that is not what my weekend looked like. And on Monday morning I had a gain.
I should still have a loss tomorrow morning, but it won't be huge. Hey, a loss is a loss. Even the little ones add up.
But I hope this weekend is better. That's why I am writing this post. To start preparing my mind today for what I will do tomorrow. Maybe we can go for a walk. Maybe we can walk at the Farmer's Market.
We shall see =-)
I need to get over that, because I've recently been told (by my doctor) that it is probably something that I will struggle with my entire life. I don't want those words to be true. I wish I were one of those "success stories". My friend Krista decided to lose weight after college, so she joined Weight Watchers, lost 70ish pounds and has been thin for 10 years now. When I first joined Weight Watchers, also soon after college, I lost 70ish pounds. I've never been thin.
But anyways. I'm back on WW. Surprise, surprise.
And this was one of THOSE weeks. This happens to me A LOT. I weigh in on Saturday morning, then I use my flex points, and then some, over the weekend, so I have a gain, and then it takes me until Friday morning to get back down to the previous Saturday's weigh in weight, so I only have one day where my weight loss will actually register as a loss. I lose the same three pounds every week for a month.
You'd think I would learn. And when the "then some" comes in, it usually has to do with a busy schedule. I never plan to use more than my allotted flex points, but our busy calendar moves me from "flexing" to breaking the rules, and the above scenario plays out.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that I want my life to be ruled by those points. I used more than my points three weeks ago on my vacation. Because it was my vacation. That was my choice that I knew ahead of time I would make. I needed to not worry for a few days.
But last weekend I went over my points because on Friday night we had a birthday party. Then Saturday morning we had a seminar. Then Saturday afternoon we had a cook off. Then Saturday night I had two back to back church events. Then Sunday afternoon we hosted a lunch. It was a busy weekend. Every event was necessary. Every event involved food. And after the events, I still had to do dishes and laundry and grocery shop for the coming week. If I had stopped to worry over my points I would have been pushed over the edge into a pit of insanity.
My schedule sometimes gets too full, and that stresses me out. I don't use food to cope, but my food situation is one that, if not monitored closely, is naturally unhealthy. I'm ingrained with unhealthy habits. But in certain circumstances, the "monitoring closely" can be unhealthy for me to, just in a different kind of way. So last weekend, I did the best I could. I stopped eating when full. I didn't overeat. That was the best I could do. Do I wish I had been full on salad instead of grilled macaroni? Yes. But that is not what my weekend looked like. And on Monday morning I had a gain.
I should still have a loss tomorrow morning, but it won't be huge. Hey, a loss is a loss. Even the little ones add up.
But I hope this weekend is better. That's why I am writing this post. To start preparing my mind today for what I will do tomorrow. Maybe we can go for a walk. Maybe we can walk at the Farmer's Market.
We shall see =-)
Sunday, March 10, 2013
A Fun Saturday
It was a crappy week. There's just no other word. It's not only the kids who were ready for Spring Break. I pray this week brings rain to wash away the allergens, sun to dry up the playgrounds and laughter. We are short on laughter around here!
I was so thankful that Brett got paid on Friday. We needed to get out. And get out we did!
Friday night we met for dinner when I got off work. I love meeting for dinner =-) It just feels so datey. (Once we met for lunch, on a Friday when we had separate plans that evening - also fun.)
We ate dinner at our favorite little hole in the wall Italian joint, New York Pizza and Pasta. I have been jonesing for some stromboli for weeks! It did not disappoint. Love that place! Then we came home and watched Wreck It Ralph, which Brett had picked up on his lunch break. If you haven't seen that movie yet, you definitely should. It's a fun flick.
Saturday, we had plans to be fun and responsible. Responsibilities came first. My rear passenger side tire has been deflating all week. And last week my rear drivers side tire deflated once. I am SO thankful for the compressor that my parents gave us for Christmas. It got me to work and home every day. But the tires needed checking out. So our first trip outdoors was to Discount Tire. We dropped the car off and then headed to La Margarita - a little Mexican restaurant that has been in town for a while, we just had never been there before. Brett was sceptical, and unfortunately, he chose a menu item that was risky and it did not pay off. But my chicken chimichanga was superb! And the queso fundido was a great starter. I am looking forward to going back.
After lunch we headed back to Discount Tire where they showed me the 4 inch long piece of metal that they pulled from my tire. It was crazy! The tire was patchable though, which they did for free, so I drove away a happy girl. Until I realized that they had rolled my drivers side window down all the way. Umm... that window is broken. It can roll down a few inches, but not all the way. Which I failed to mention when I left my car with them. Why in the world did they need to roll my window down to fix my tire? Where you listening to my radio while you worked or what? I admit, my current mix is rockin', but come on!
So I left Discount Tire and drove across the street to Pep Boys. There were storms coming last night, and it was time to give in and get the window fixed. I'm so thankful that I didn't have to pay for new tires and the window. Pep Boys still has my car. They were super busy yesterday and never made it to Pumpkin, but we are first in line this morning. We'll pick it up after lunch.
After getting that all straightened out, we headed to Fort Worth for some shopping (I was gifted some shopping money this week - a nice, and much needed, surprise!) and dinner at our favorite Chinese restaurant. I love me some chicken lo mein from Szechuan!
It was a long, tiring day, but good. I am looking forward to church and some grocery shopping today. I think the rain is over - it was a nice night of listening to the thunder in bed! Today, sunshine!
I was so thankful that Brett got paid on Friday. We needed to get out. And get out we did!
Friday night we met for dinner when I got off work. I love meeting for dinner =-) It just feels so datey. (Once we met for lunch, on a Friday when we had separate plans that evening - also fun.)
We ate dinner at our favorite little hole in the wall Italian joint, New York Pizza and Pasta. I have been jonesing for some stromboli for weeks! It did not disappoint. Love that place! Then we came home and watched Wreck It Ralph, which Brett had picked up on his lunch break. If you haven't seen that movie yet, you definitely should. It's a fun flick.
Saturday, we had plans to be fun and responsible. Responsibilities came first. My rear passenger side tire has been deflating all week. And last week my rear drivers side tire deflated once. I am SO thankful for the compressor that my parents gave us for Christmas. It got me to work and home every day. But the tires needed checking out. So our first trip outdoors was to Discount Tire. We dropped the car off and then headed to La Margarita - a little Mexican restaurant that has been in town for a while, we just had never been there before. Brett was sceptical, and unfortunately, he chose a menu item that was risky and it did not pay off. But my chicken chimichanga was superb! And the queso fundido was a great starter. I am looking forward to going back.
After lunch we headed back to Discount Tire where they showed me the 4 inch long piece of metal that they pulled from my tire. It was crazy! The tire was patchable though, which they did for free, so I drove away a happy girl. Until I realized that they had rolled my drivers side window down all the way. Umm... that window is broken. It can roll down a few inches, but not all the way. Which I failed to mention when I left my car with them. Why in the world did they need to roll my window down to fix my tire? Where you listening to my radio while you worked or what? I admit, my current mix is rockin', but come on!
So I left Discount Tire and drove across the street to Pep Boys. There were storms coming last night, and it was time to give in and get the window fixed. I'm so thankful that I didn't have to pay for new tires and the window. Pep Boys still has my car. They were super busy yesterday and never made it to Pumpkin, but we are first in line this morning. We'll pick it up after lunch.
After getting that all straightened out, we headed to Fort Worth for some shopping (I was gifted some shopping money this week - a nice, and much needed, surprise!) and dinner at our favorite Chinese restaurant. I love me some chicken lo mein from Szechuan!
It was a long, tiring day, but good. I am looking forward to church and some grocery shopping today. I think the rain is over - it was a nice night of listening to the thunder in bed! Today, sunshine!
Saturday, March 2, 2013
When six weeks go by without me blogging, I always seriously consider throwing in the towel. Sometimes I just feel like hiding. It's almost always weight related. I don't really want to talk about my weight issues right now, and it's so deeply sewn into the fabric of my thoughts right now that I feel like I can't talk about anything without revealing my struggle.
Thinking like that comes straight from the enemy. I spent my lunch break crying yesterday because yesterday felt like one of those weeks where I just couldn't do anything right at work. I hate those weeks. Weeks when I believe the lie. I admittedly made some mistakes at work this week. Not really mistakes, but had multiple moments when I looked back and wished I had done something differently. But "I did nothing right" is a lie that the enemy wants me to believe, and I was so mad at myself yesterday for giving in to his lie, just like I've been giving in to his lifestyle for so many months.
I have been reflecting a lot the last two weeks and trying to figure out when it all began. My entire life has been a roller coaster of ups and downs with weight loss, and sometimes I am able to pinpoint when the numbers started heading back up. I don't handle big change in my life very well, and when I am feeling overwhelmed, and looking for something that feels "normal" it's very easy for me to turn to food and overeating because it is what I have done more than anything else in my life. Unfortunately.
I keep thinking back to October, when I was involved in the women's conference at my church, and it went really well, and the following day my husband and I had the biggest fight we have ever had and I felt like it was a direct attack from the enemy who didn't want the "high" from the conference to carry over into my life. That may or may not have been a turning point, but I know that it's been a long time since I have tried to be healthy. I've spent hours thinking about it, but when the time comes to eat, it's been pretty mindless, and the scale sure has noticed.
But Spring is just about here. New life is budding around me, and I want to be a part of it. I don't want to make any bold declarations here, but at least I am here. I will type a few more words and then click "publish". A reminder to myself that I am alive and that life is happening and the quality of my living is up to me.
Okay. Done.
Thinking like that comes straight from the enemy. I spent my lunch break crying yesterday because yesterday felt like one of those weeks where I just couldn't do anything right at work. I hate those weeks. Weeks when I believe the lie. I admittedly made some mistakes at work this week. Not really mistakes, but had multiple moments when I looked back and wished I had done something differently. But "I did nothing right" is a lie that the enemy wants me to believe, and I was so mad at myself yesterday for giving in to his lie, just like I've been giving in to his lifestyle for so many months.
I have been reflecting a lot the last two weeks and trying to figure out when it all began. My entire life has been a roller coaster of ups and downs with weight loss, and sometimes I am able to pinpoint when the numbers started heading back up. I don't handle big change in my life very well, and when I am feeling overwhelmed, and looking for something that feels "normal" it's very easy for me to turn to food and overeating because it is what I have done more than anything else in my life. Unfortunately.
I keep thinking back to October, when I was involved in the women's conference at my church, and it went really well, and the following day my husband and I had the biggest fight we have ever had and I felt like it was a direct attack from the enemy who didn't want the "high" from the conference to carry over into my life. That may or may not have been a turning point, but I know that it's been a long time since I have tried to be healthy. I've spent hours thinking about it, but when the time comes to eat, it's been pretty mindless, and the scale sure has noticed.
But Spring is just about here. New life is budding around me, and I want to be a part of it. I don't want to make any bold declarations here, but at least I am here. I will type a few more words and then click "publish". A reminder to myself that I am alive and that life is happening and the quality of my living is up to me.
Okay. Done.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
The Obvious Chapter
About a year ago, I wrote this post about my friend Krista. I explained at the beginning of it that I often think about people from my life as chapters in the story of my life. Well every good story has a hero, but more importantly, every hero has a best friend.
Most people have multiple best friends. Some are lifelong, some come and go. Sometimes it's a group of friends. But I think that for most of us, when we think back on our childhood, there is one face that stands out stronger than all of the others. The friend that you told your secrets to. The friend that you broke the rules with. The friend that you laughed til you wet your pants with. If you asked people who are in my life now, who also knew me growing up, who that friend would be for me, the answer would be obvious. Jenina.
Ah, Jenina. Where to begin?
We met at a summer enrichment camp. An art class, to be specific. I think it was the summer after our 2nd grade year. She would know for sure - she has a MUCH better memory than I do. We hit it off right away, but we became best friends when my mom started babysitting Jenina and her sister, Carly. We were in the 4th grade.
My mom babysat kids my entire life. I have three sisters, and I cannot remember a time when there were less than 10 children in the house. Some younger, some older. Jenina was not the first person my age that my mom kept. I was friends with the others too. Stephanie, Kirsten, Reagan. But from the very beginning, Jenina was different. We were more than friends. We were BEST friends. Soul mates. Kindred spirits.
Jenina wasn't like anyone I had ever known before. A daughter of two creative entrepreneurs, and probably hippies at heart, if I'm being honest. Even today, I don't know if I have ever encountered someone with her spirit - her enthusiasm was contagious. She was energetic, full of life. She had a way of making you feel special just by talking to you. It was a gift, and she used it generously. Jenina was a friend to everyone. Loved to laugh, the harder the better.
We were both daydreamers, and together, our dreams always sounded so possible. Practical even. We were going to be best friends all through high school. (Isn't it funny how, when you are in elementary and middle school, high school seems like the climax of all awesomeness?) Then we were going to be roommates in college. Then we were going to graduate and go live in one of the greenhouses in her grandmothers backyard. Then we were going to marry best friends and live next to each other. We liked to joke about being old ladies together, sitting on a porch in rocking chairs not being able to hear what the other was saying, but still talking anyway.
We had a crush on the same boy. The boy next door - or around the corner, actually. Josh Terkelsen. We used to make what we called "fun houses" in her laundry room. We would stack boxes and hang sheets and try to make a maze. Then we would call Josh and tell him to come over and go through our fun house with us. I think we were both always wishing that he would bump into one of us in the dark and declare his undying love for us. It never happened, but I think that made it even more fun. The possibility was no doubt more exciting than the reality would have been.
I went to Disney world with her family. Best vacation of my life. We screamed really loud on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride trying to scare our little sisters, Carly and Jenna, who were also best friends. It was a magical trip.
We were friends for a long time. We grew apart in high school. Not really for any dramatic reason. I was very involved in choir and she was very involved in theater. If you, or anyone you know, did theater in high school, you know how time consuming it is. The rehearsals and shows... it's a very demanding schedule. And when you spend that much time with a group of people in that setting, it's inevitable that you grow close. Theater groups always are. I loved theater, but not as much as I loved to sing. When George, the theater teacher at our school, asked me to be in the productions class that actually performed plays, I turned it down. If I had done theater and choir, I would have had to quit my job, and I would have to miss rehearsals for one or the other often. It just felt like too much.
That is one of the decisions in my life that I look back on and know that if I had chosen differently, it would have altered the course of my life. I'm sure of it. I don't say that with regret, it's just interesting to recognize so clearly a moment that ended up defining my life in some way.
As graduation crept closer, Jenina and I started spending more time together. We double dated for prom. After prom we went to casino night, and then spent the night at her house. Her dad made us his famous pancakes the morning after.
I went to an out of state college and she stayed local. The distance made us work harder to stay close, and for those four years, we were extremely close. Our lives were changing. We were becoming adults. But we were doing it together.
After college, we were roommates for a short while. We realized quickly that we were not friends who lived well together. But our friendship survived it.
Soon after I moved out, she got engaged. I love her husband! But marriage and motherhood were not a part of my life, so for the first time ever, we were in different stages of our lives. She was walking a road that I could not relate with, and I had no real understanding of. Now that I am older, I see very clearly how I became a pretty useless friend. I wonder if she feels like I failed her?
We would occasionally meet for coffee, but our coffee dates grew further and further apart, and eventually they ended all together. The last time that I saw Jenina was on her 30th birthday. That will be two years ago tomorrow.
I still love her with all of my heart. I know that our gypsy spirits probably still get lost in similar daydreams. I think about her every day, probably 10 times a day. I think about her every time that I load the dishwasher. Every single time. Because when we were roommates, the first time we loaded the dishwasher, we weren't sure if the silverware was supposed to go in top up or bottom up. Peanut butter makes me think of her, because we both love my mom's peanut butter bars. Pancakes make me think of her because her dad makes the best in the world. A million movies make me think of her. Certain actors that we loved. Tons of songs. Zack Morris. She is everywhere in my world, even though I never see her.
Tomorrow she turns 32. My favorite number! Can you believe it, Jenina? We made it to my favorite number! It's going to be a good year. I wish you all of the love in the world. I hope that you know that you are loved by this girl, and will be forever and always. Thank you for always believing in me. No one in my life has ever encouraged me the way that you did. Whether I deserved it or not, you had faith in me. I think you are a great mom and an amazing woman. I love you! Happy birthday =-)
Most people have multiple best friends. Some are lifelong, some come and go. Sometimes it's a group of friends. But I think that for most of us, when we think back on our childhood, there is one face that stands out stronger than all of the others. The friend that you told your secrets to. The friend that you broke the rules with. The friend that you laughed til you wet your pants with. If you asked people who are in my life now, who also knew me growing up, who that friend would be for me, the answer would be obvious. Jenina.
Ah, Jenina. Where to begin?
We met at a summer enrichment camp. An art class, to be specific. I think it was the summer after our 2nd grade year. She would know for sure - she has a MUCH better memory than I do. We hit it off right away, but we became best friends when my mom started babysitting Jenina and her sister, Carly. We were in the 4th grade.
My mom babysat kids my entire life. I have three sisters, and I cannot remember a time when there were less than 10 children in the house. Some younger, some older. Jenina was not the first person my age that my mom kept. I was friends with the others too. Stephanie, Kirsten, Reagan. But from the very beginning, Jenina was different. We were more than friends. We were BEST friends. Soul mates. Kindred spirits.
Jenina wasn't like anyone I had ever known before. A daughter of two creative entrepreneurs, and probably hippies at heart, if I'm being honest. Even today, I don't know if I have ever encountered someone with her spirit - her enthusiasm was contagious. She was energetic, full of life. She had a way of making you feel special just by talking to you. It was a gift, and she used it generously. Jenina was a friend to everyone. Loved to laugh, the harder the better.
We were both daydreamers, and together, our dreams always sounded so possible. Practical even. We were going to be best friends all through high school. (Isn't it funny how, when you are in elementary and middle school, high school seems like the climax of all awesomeness?) Then we were going to be roommates in college. Then we were going to graduate and go live in one of the greenhouses in her grandmothers backyard. Then we were going to marry best friends and live next to each other. We liked to joke about being old ladies together, sitting on a porch in rocking chairs not being able to hear what the other was saying, but still talking anyway.
We had a crush on the same boy. The boy next door - or around the corner, actually. Josh Terkelsen. We used to make what we called "fun houses" in her laundry room. We would stack boxes and hang sheets and try to make a maze. Then we would call Josh and tell him to come over and go through our fun house with us. I think we were both always wishing that he would bump into one of us in the dark and declare his undying love for us. It never happened, but I think that made it even more fun. The possibility was no doubt more exciting than the reality would have been.
I went to Disney world with her family. Best vacation of my life. We screamed really loud on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride trying to scare our little sisters, Carly and Jenna, who were also best friends. It was a magical trip.
We were friends for a long time. We grew apart in high school. Not really for any dramatic reason. I was very involved in choir and she was very involved in theater. If you, or anyone you know, did theater in high school, you know how time consuming it is. The rehearsals and shows... it's a very demanding schedule. And when you spend that much time with a group of people in that setting, it's inevitable that you grow close. Theater groups always are. I loved theater, but not as much as I loved to sing. When George, the theater teacher at our school, asked me to be in the productions class that actually performed plays, I turned it down. If I had done theater and choir, I would have had to quit my job, and I would have to miss rehearsals for one or the other often. It just felt like too much.
That is one of the decisions in my life that I look back on and know that if I had chosen differently, it would have altered the course of my life. I'm sure of it. I don't say that with regret, it's just interesting to recognize so clearly a moment that ended up defining my life in some way.
As graduation crept closer, Jenina and I started spending more time together. We double dated for prom. After prom we went to casino night, and then spent the night at her house. Her dad made us his famous pancakes the morning after.
I went to an out of state college and she stayed local. The distance made us work harder to stay close, and for those four years, we were extremely close. Our lives were changing. We were becoming adults. But we were doing it together.
After college, we were roommates for a short while. We realized quickly that we were not friends who lived well together. But our friendship survived it.
Soon after I moved out, she got engaged. I love her husband! But marriage and motherhood were not a part of my life, so for the first time ever, we were in different stages of our lives. She was walking a road that I could not relate with, and I had no real understanding of. Now that I am older, I see very clearly how I became a pretty useless friend. I wonder if she feels like I failed her?
We would occasionally meet for coffee, but our coffee dates grew further and further apart, and eventually they ended all together. The last time that I saw Jenina was on her 30th birthday. That will be two years ago tomorrow.
I still love her with all of my heart. I know that our gypsy spirits probably still get lost in similar daydreams. I think about her every day, probably 10 times a day. I think about her every time that I load the dishwasher. Every single time. Because when we were roommates, the first time we loaded the dishwasher, we weren't sure if the silverware was supposed to go in top up or bottom up. Peanut butter makes me think of her, because we both love my mom's peanut butter bars. Pancakes make me think of her because her dad makes the best in the world. A million movies make me think of her. Certain actors that we loved. Tons of songs. Zack Morris. She is everywhere in my world, even though I never see her.
Tomorrow she turns 32. My favorite number! Can you believe it, Jenina? We made it to my favorite number! It's going to be a good year. I wish you all of the love in the world. I hope that you know that you are loved by this girl, and will be forever and always. Thank you for always believing in me. No one in my life has ever encouraged me the way that you did. Whether I deserved it or not, you had faith in me. I think you are a great mom and an amazing woman. I love you! Happy birthday =-)
Saturday, January 5, 2013
First Things First
Happy New Year blog world.
In 2012, I
Tried new things. Zumba once. Water Aerobic lots. Farmers Market finally. Made new friends. Kalie, Danielle, Erica, Robin, Chuck, Bellah, Vonda. It's a good list =-) Spoke at a conference. That was cray cray. Said "cray cray" in a blog. Just now. Weird. Read too much, and then too little. Ate too much. Gained too much. Travelled a little. Laughed a lot. Loved more than ever. Learned a lot.
It was a year of growth. A good year. I guess every year involves growth - we are always living, experiencing life. But I'm feeling a little wiser. A little more peaceful. A little more aware. And at the end of it all, and here again at a new beginning, I can honestly say, I am looking forward to 2013.
If 2012 was a year of growth, I think that 2013 will be a year of change. Brett is going on his first international mission trip. It is in August (we think) and for the first time in years it has gotten us both on the same page with wanting to shed some weight and improve our health. Getting some weight off is my first priority, but when Brett is back from his trip, no matter what the scale says, we are officially going to start trying for a baby.
Can you picture the grin on my face right now?
I'm so happy. So excited. So nervous. So ready.
What if this year, I become healthier? What if this year my house is cleaner? What if this year I cook more? What if this year I read better?
What if this year I become a mommy?
It never gets old... the excitement of new possibilities.
Today we clean. We taco. We cook. We Les Miserables.
It's going to be a good year =-)
In 2012, I
Tried new things. Zumba once. Water Aerobic lots. Farmers Market finally. Made new friends. Kalie, Danielle, Erica, Robin, Chuck, Bellah, Vonda. It's a good list =-) Spoke at a conference. That was cray cray. Said "cray cray" in a blog. Just now. Weird. Read too much, and then too little. Ate too much. Gained too much. Travelled a little. Laughed a lot. Loved more than ever. Learned a lot.
It was a year of growth. A good year. I guess every year involves growth - we are always living, experiencing life. But I'm feeling a little wiser. A little more peaceful. A little more aware. And at the end of it all, and here again at a new beginning, I can honestly say, I am looking forward to 2013.
If 2012 was a year of growth, I think that 2013 will be a year of change. Brett is going on his first international mission trip. It is in August (we think) and for the first time in years it has gotten us both on the same page with wanting to shed some weight and improve our health. Getting some weight off is my first priority, but when Brett is back from his trip, no matter what the scale says, we are officially going to start trying for a baby.
Can you picture the grin on my face right now?
I'm so happy. So excited. So nervous. So ready.
What if this year, I become healthier? What if this year my house is cleaner? What if this year I cook more? What if this year I read better?
What if this year I become a mommy?
It never gets old... the excitement of new possibilities.
Today we clean. We taco. We cook. We Les Miserables.
It's going to be a good year =-)
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