I missed a few weeks on here. Sorry! That's what happens when I brag about being so accountable.
I wrote a post last year that you can find here https://imperfection-personified.blogspot.com/2017/07/no-more-apologies.html
This post is along those lines, but in a more positive vein.
So this morning I was at the gym, OrangeTheory, and one of the trainers was there for class as well. We were wearing the same clothes so she took a picture after class with me. Now six months ago I would have hated that picture. But today I didn't hesitate to let her post it. I have worked really hard in the gym since July. I was tired of not being in shape and I had the money to spend on a gym. This is my first no-apology in action. It's hard to understand how we can spend money on things like the gym for some of my friends. But we're not paying for daycare or diapers or formula. We have some expendable income. That is a silver lining for me. It makes me feel amazing when I finish a workout and I am stronger and leaner than I was six months ago.
My second no-apology is that E and I spend money on things that make us happy, like going out for dinner or a date night. You don't need to spend money to have fun with your spouse, but it is nice to not feel that pinching pennies is synonymous with going out. When we were doing infertility treatments we didn't have any extra money to spend on anything, including date nights. So this is another silver lining.
My third no-apology is that I don't need to spend time around other people's kids in order to feel fulfilled in life. I love kids...I mean clearly if we spent all those years and all that money trying to have one that should tell you something. But E and I are ok, or we'll be ok at some point. We're mostly ok with the hand that we've been dealt. It may always be hard, that we'll have that sore spot no matter how much time passes since we finished trying to have a baby. But our worth does not lie in other's children. We love our many nieces and nephew. We have close friends with little ones that we enjoy seeing when it happens. I consider it to be God's grace that we do not feel broken beyond functioning by our lack of children.
What are some no-apology moments you're having in your life at the moment?
Showing posts with label We're Here to Pump You Up. Show all posts
Showing posts with label We're Here to Pump You Up. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Monday, February 29, 2016
I Hate Picking a Post Title
There's a lot rolling around up in the brain today. Advice that may be useful this week:
1. Don't break your nose if you can help it. Seriously, friends. I think I may have knocked something loose in my skull. Now I will say that it's not as bad as when I broke my finger. I don't use my nose to write or move or balance myself. And it's not an open fracture, my swelling is going down and my bruising isn't too spectacular. With all that said, getting hit in the face by a medicine ball is no picnic, especially when it's self-inflicted. Suffice to say I do not have catlike reflexes. I have slow ass "Oh that's a heavy object shooting at my face" reflexes. We'll find out whether I need any other intervention once the swelling subsides completely.
2. Please don't honk at drivers and give them the finger when they have driven appropriately. There I was this morning staying in my lane when an older lady (way to give all women drivers a bad name, lady!) waited until I was about 50 feet away to pull out of the side street. She pulled into the other lane, so no harm no foul...until she swerved into my lane. I honked to let her know "Hey, I'm here!" She responded by honking back, swerving behind me while gesturing just to get back into the other lane and giving me the finger as she pulled up to the light. All while she had her left turn signal on. Sheesh, woman, who peed in your Wheaties this morning? You're old enough to know better!
3. Just because you want long gorgeous hair a la Joanna Gaines does not mean that you will acheive long gorgeous hair.
Went to the salon this weekend and had to loose some length. I may be destined to have shorter hair for the rest of my life.
4. Keeping up with who are celebrities at any given moment is a full time job. I already have one of those. Watched the Oscars last night. DH and I spent more time going "Who's that? What movie?" than should occur. Give me another year or two and my Oscar watching tradition will be at the wayside of life. Plunging necklines appeared to be a trend. I was a bit concerned that there would be a wardrobe disaster at any moment.
5. Waiting for a call from the RE sucks. Waiting can go kick rocks at this point. Fingers crossed that we get a call this week. We were offered an embryo a few weeks ago but we're holding out for a multiple transfer, so once again we're waiting. C'mon Popsicles, this wanna be momma needs some good news!
Happy Monday everyone!
1. Don't break your nose if you can help it. Seriously, friends. I think I may have knocked something loose in my skull. Now I will say that it's not as bad as when I broke my finger. I don't use my nose to write or move or balance myself. And it's not an open fracture, my swelling is going down and my bruising isn't too spectacular. With all that said, getting hit in the face by a medicine ball is no picnic, especially when it's self-inflicted. Suffice to say I do not have catlike reflexes. I have slow ass "Oh that's a heavy object shooting at my face" reflexes. We'll find out whether I need any other intervention once the swelling subsides completely.
2. Please don't honk at drivers and give them the finger when they have driven appropriately. There I was this morning staying in my lane when an older lady (way to give all women drivers a bad name, lady!) waited until I was about 50 feet away to pull out of the side street. She pulled into the other lane, so no harm no foul...until she swerved into my lane. I honked to let her know "Hey, I'm here!" She responded by honking back, swerving behind me while gesturing just to get back into the other lane and giving me the finger as she pulled up to the light. All while she had her left turn signal on. Sheesh, woman, who peed in your Wheaties this morning? You're old enough to know better!
3. Just because you want long gorgeous hair a la Joanna Gaines does not mean that you will acheive long gorgeous hair.
Went to the salon this weekend and had to loose some length. I may be destined to have shorter hair for the rest of my life.
4. Keeping up with who are celebrities at any given moment is a full time job. I already have one of those. Watched the Oscars last night. DH and I spent more time going "Who's that? What movie?" than should occur. Give me another year or two and my Oscar watching tradition will be at the wayside of life. Plunging necklines appeared to be a trend. I was a bit concerned that there would be a wardrobe disaster at any moment.
5. Waiting for a call from the RE sucks. Waiting can go kick rocks at this point. Fingers crossed that we get a call this week. We were offered an embryo a few weeks ago but we're holding out for a multiple transfer, so once again we're waiting. C'mon Popsicles, this wanna be momma needs some good news!
Happy Monday everyone!
Monday, February 1, 2016
Mini Mind Dump
DH and I often ask the other one "What are you thinking about?" And usually the other person says "Nothing." I don't know about him, but I'm usually thinking about 9,267 unrelated items. So it's just easier to say "Nothing". When I consider blogging, I usually have a bunch of these unrelated items that I want to kind of dump on the page. But they rarely go together into one cohesive post. So tonight I pay respects to the tangled thought process that occupies my noggin.
Evie. Evie has developed a penchant for all items that are stringy or have strings or possibly could have strings if she drags them around the house enough. This means that she's fishing all manner of things out of the dirty laundry basket, off the makeshift drying racks and from the top of the dryer. Rarely does a day go by that I don't come home to find underwear, socks, tank tops, work out tops, bras or scrub pants somewhere in the house. Usually next to her food bowl. I'm not entirely sure whether she gets hungry from all the fetching and dragging or if she has given them all names and thinks our inanimate articles of clothing are hungry. It must be supremely confusing to her when they refuse to eat.
I bit the bullet and finally purchased some new foundation. I really hate the little expiration icons on make-up products. I don't use enough make-up to ever go through something completely before it "expires". And the time frame for some products is ridiculous. Mascara has a 3 month time limit. Um, not in my house. I have mascara, multiple mascaras actually, that are over a year old. And the majority of them are samples....I can't even go through samples in a year. There are not enough eyelashes in this house to use mascara in 3 months. Do people actually spend money on high end products and then throw them away when only a 1/4 has been used? Anyway, I digress...which is why I have so much junk in my mind. I went with Too Faced Born This Way foundation. The Porcelain shade is pretty much a perfect color match. But I have been so used to seeing a slightly too yellow shade in the Urban Decay Naked line that I feel washed out. See...the color wasn't even right in the Naked line but it was close and that crap is expensive so I was going to use it. Who cared if I looked a little jaundiced? Anyway, the Too Faced weathered a tough 9 rounds of 9Round tonight without smudging a bit. I'm not sure if I should be impressed or never expose my skin to it again. I'm just going to consider it a testament to the Wayne Goss method of foundation application. Thank heavens my primer is good for 36 months. It may be the only product I ever use completely.
I have a new author and blogger that I pretty much want to be. Except I'd rather she be her and I learn from her wisdom. By wisdom I mean actual wisdom and what it was to be cool in the 90's. I love when I randomly choose a book at the library/e-library and it speaks to me. Her name is Melanie Shankle and her blog is Big Mama. The first book I read was her newest one and it's about friendship. Y'all, yinz, you guys...it made me really think about my friendships that I've had and that I have. She has a way of writing that is both hysterical and thought-provoking. Anyway, I promptly bought all three books that she's written. I was laughing so hard while reading the one about marriage that DH asked if I was ok. It was gasping no sound tears down my cheeks with random bouts of sound laughter. The kind that sort of sounds like a farm animal dying, but is really laughter.
DH and I are officially at the top of the Popsicle Gang list....I know, we thought we were at the top also. I even wrote that blog post and everything. Well there was a snafu of sorts that's been sorted since and now we're at the tippity top (I couldn't keep the "s" theme going there)! This is simultaneously the most exciting news and the most petrifying news possible. This will all be over in the next few...four...six months. Ok, so we don't really have any idea when this will all happen. But it's closer to happening now than last week. And that means we'll either eventually be parents or we'll turn into Brandi Carlile roadies. Well, at least I will. I can't speak for DH.
I'd better end things while I can still move my arms. I lifted a total of around 1600 pounds over the course of my work out (in the form of a 12 lb med ball) - seriously, that 9Rounds is no joke. Which means I will be useless in about 10 minutes. At least I washed my hair tonight.
Evie. Evie has developed a penchant for all items that are stringy or have strings or possibly could have strings if she drags them around the house enough. This means that she's fishing all manner of things out of the dirty laundry basket, off the makeshift drying racks and from the top of the dryer. Rarely does a day go by that I don't come home to find underwear, socks, tank tops, work out tops, bras or scrub pants somewhere in the house. Usually next to her food bowl. I'm not entirely sure whether she gets hungry from all the fetching and dragging or if she has given them all names and thinks our inanimate articles of clothing are hungry. It must be supremely confusing to her when they refuse to eat.
I bit the bullet and finally purchased some new foundation. I really hate the little expiration icons on make-up products. I don't use enough make-up to ever go through something completely before it "expires". And the time frame for some products is ridiculous. Mascara has a 3 month time limit. Um, not in my house. I have mascara, multiple mascaras actually, that are over a year old. And the majority of them are samples....I can't even go through samples in a year. There are not enough eyelashes in this house to use mascara in 3 months. Do people actually spend money on high end products and then throw them away when only a 1/4 has been used? Anyway, I digress...which is why I have so much junk in my mind. I went with Too Faced Born This Way foundation. The Porcelain shade is pretty much a perfect color match. But I have been so used to seeing a slightly too yellow shade in the Urban Decay Naked line that I feel washed out. See...the color wasn't even right in the Naked line but it was close and that crap is expensive so I was going to use it. Who cared if I looked a little jaundiced? Anyway, the Too Faced weathered a tough 9 rounds of 9Round tonight without smudging a bit. I'm not sure if I should be impressed or never expose my skin to it again. I'm just going to consider it a testament to the Wayne Goss method of foundation application. Thank heavens my primer is good for 36 months. It may be the only product I ever use completely.
I have a new author and blogger that I pretty much want to be. Except I'd rather she be her and I learn from her wisdom. By wisdom I mean actual wisdom and what it was to be cool in the 90's. I love when I randomly choose a book at the library/e-library and it speaks to me. Her name is Melanie Shankle and her blog is Big Mama. The first book I read was her newest one and it's about friendship. Y'all, yinz, you guys...it made me really think about my friendships that I've had and that I have. She has a way of writing that is both hysterical and thought-provoking. Anyway, I promptly bought all three books that she's written. I was laughing so hard while reading the one about marriage that DH asked if I was ok. It was gasping no sound tears down my cheeks with random bouts of sound laughter. The kind that sort of sounds like a farm animal dying, but is really laughter.
DH and I are officially at the top of the Popsicle Gang list....I know, we thought we were at the top also. I even wrote that blog post and everything. Well there was a snafu of sorts that's been sorted since and now we're at the tippity top (I couldn't keep the "s" theme going there)! This is simultaneously the most exciting news and the most petrifying news possible. This will all be over in the next few...four...six months. Ok, so we don't really have any idea when this will all happen. But it's closer to happening now than last week. And that means we'll either eventually be parents or we'll turn into Brandi Carlile roadies. Well, at least I will. I can't speak for DH.
I'd better end things while I can still move my arms. I lifted a total of around 1600 pounds over the course of my work out (in the form of a 12 lb med ball) - seriously, that 9Rounds is no joke. Which means I will be useless in about 10 minutes. At least I washed my hair tonight.
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
It's a Win?
One of the things that I now get is the lack of control you feel when trying to start a family. For some people I'm sure that there are positive changes that can improve their chances of conceiving or carrying a baby. In our case that's not the issue, therefore cue my lack of control panic button.
The only thing that I can control was what I was putting into my body from a food perspective and how active I was being. I looked at a bunch of different challenges and weighed my options - ha! no pun intended - and landed on the Advocare 24 Day Challenge. Now, I have used Advocare in the past and I like their products. Do I think I need their products in order to lose or maintain weight loss? Nope. But I liked the structure of the challenge, the fact that the food is laid out regarding what types to eat, and there's no hand slapping if you screw it up.
I'm on Day 18 and I feel good. My clothes are fitting better, I have more energy and I'm sleeping better. Yay for cutting out processed foods and eating clean. I haven't felt once like I didn't have options for meals or snacks and while it's increased our grocery bill a little it's not been drastic. I haven't gone full organic because I do have student loans to pay off.
Now if you know me you know that I have never met a donut I didn't like. Donuts are my kryptonite. I have passed up donuts twice in the last 5 days. I smelled them but I didn't eat one. Progress! Today I was feeling good about this challenge. I ran into the grocery store for windshield wiper fluid - who carries summer formula in the winter?!?! - and saw them.
The elusive Dove coconut creme eggs.
They only come out once a year and I am capable of eating an entire bag within a day or two. I grabbed a bag and was so excited about having one after my work out! I hadn't eaten any preservatives, additives, processed nothing in over 2 weeks and I knew how I was breaking that streak today.
Imagine my despair and disappointment when I took that first small bite - you know, to make it last - and it tasted like crap. Cloying artificial sweet crap. Y'all, I didn't even take a second bite but tossed the whole thing in the trash. My raspberries and almond coconut nut butter were way better (Maranatha makes that amazing deliciousness, by the way, and Kroger carries it if you have those around you).
This was a win, I know it was. But it sure felt a little like a loss when I threw away that little dollop of coconutty creme.
Oh yeah, does anyone want a slightly used bag of coconut creme eggs? In exchange I'd accept good paleo recipes for coconut treats.
The only thing that I can control was what I was putting into my body from a food perspective and how active I was being. I looked at a bunch of different challenges and weighed my options - ha! no pun intended - and landed on the Advocare 24 Day Challenge. Now, I have used Advocare in the past and I like their products. Do I think I need their products in order to lose or maintain weight loss? Nope. But I liked the structure of the challenge, the fact that the food is laid out regarding what types to eat, and there's no hand slapping if you screw it up.
I'm on Day 18 and I feel good. My clothes are fitting better, I have more energy and I'm sleeping better. Yay for cutting out processed foods and eating clean. I haven't felt once like I didn't have options for meals or snacks and while it's increased our grocery bill a little it's not been drastic. I haven't gone full organic because I do have student loans to pay off.
Now if you know me you know that I have never met a donut I didn't like. Donuts are my kryptonite. I have passed up donuts twice in the last 5 days. I smelled them but I didn't eat one. Progress! Today I was feeling good about this challenge. I ran into the grocery store for windshield wiper fluid - who carries summer formula in the winter?!?! - and saw them.
The elusive Dove coconut creme eggs.
They only come out once a year and I am capable of eating an entire bag within a day or two. I grabbed a bag and was so excited about having one after my work out! I hadn't eaten any preservatives, additives, processed nothing in over 2 weeks and I knew how I was breaking that streak today.
Imagine my despair and disappointment when I took that first small bite - you know, to make it last - and it tasted like crap. Cloying artificial sweet crap. Y'all, I didn't even take a second bite but tossed the whole thing in the trash. My raspberries and almond coconut nut butter were way better (Maranatha makes that amazing deliciousness, by the way, and Kroger carries it if you have those around you).
This was a win, I know it was. But it sure felt a little like a loss when I threw away that little dollop of coconutty creme.
Oh yeah, does anyone want a slightly used bag of coconut creme eggs? In exchange I'd accept good paleo recipes for coconut treats.
Friday, December 5, 2014
5 Things I Enjoy Recognizing
1. When I do know my job and can defend myself without being a jerk about it. Not everyone plays nice in the sandbox. Sometimes I wonder if it's just a bad day. Or a bad year. Or if they really hate anyone who has a different opinion. I know I have bad days and sometimes a person just gets under my skin. But I'll admit that I do like being able to defend myself and what I do.
2. Seeing that I can work out longer and harder than I thought when I started. I'm not running 1/2 marathons over here, but it's a small sense of accomplishment when I can do the extra 10 minutes. The reality TV rotting my brain while I work out may have something to do with the extra 10 minutes. Lisa Vanderpump, if you're reading this (and of course she is), I hope that you see how ridiculous your staff makes themselves, and by extension, you look every Monday night. You're not a foolish or ridiculous woman. In fact you pretty much kick butt and I only wish I would ever be as successful as you are. But that staff...I'm only watching at this point to see most of them fall off their high horses. Sure makes me not want to visit LA ever. Ever.
3. Being financially responsible. Yeah, this is a boring grown-up thing. But it's pretty cool to set a budget, stick to it and then get to use the extra money to pay things off. Dave Ramsey know's what he's talking about! If you work the system, the system works. We've only been at it a couple months, but feel so much better, even this month, knowing where we're telling our money to go instead of wasting it on stupid disposable crap.
4. That some days you just need a bowel of cereal. And a husband who will run out at 8pm and choose a box for you. When you can't choose one yourself and you end up in a heap on the couch moaning "I don't know!" when asked what kind you're hungry for.
5. How awesome my friends are. It's not like I doubt that. Please, stay, I don't!!! But it can be easy to overlook the amazingness that encompasses my closest friends. Although I suppose it would be weird if I didn't think they were amazing...why would we be hanging out then? Weird.
2. Seeing that I can work out longer and harder than I thought when I started. I'm not running 1/2 marathons over here, but it's a small sense of accomplishment when I can do the extra 10 minutes. The reality TV rotting my brain while I work out may have something to do with the extra 10 minutes. Lisa Vanderpump, if you're reading this (and of course she is), I hope that you see how ridiculous your staff makes themselves, and by extension, you look every Monday night. You're not a foolish or ridiculous woman. In fact you pretty much kick butt and I only wish I would ever be as successful as you are. But that staff...I'm only watching at this point to see most of them fall off their high horses. Sure makes me not want to visit LA ever. Ever.
3. Being financially responsible. Yeah, this is a boring grown-up thing. But it's pretty cool to set a budget, stick to it and then get to use the extra money to pay things off. Dave Ramsey know's what he's talking about! If you work the system, the system works. We've only been at it a couple months, but feel so much better, even this month, knowing where we're telling our money to go instead of wasting it on stupid disposable crap.
4. That some days you just need a bowel of cereal. And a husband who will run out at 8pm and choose a box for you. When you can't choose one yourself and you end up in a heap on the couch moaning "I don't know!" when asked what kind you're hungry for.
5. How awesome my friends are. It's not like I doubt that. Please, stay, I don't!!! But it can be easy to overlook the amazingness that encompasses my closest friends. Although I suppose it would be weird if I didn't think they were amazing...why would we be hanging out then? Weird.
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Weekly Recap
You know, since it's almost the weekend I thought I'd recap. It is almost the weekend, right? I did forget what day it was just last week. Or maybe this was a few days ago? Eh, who cares.
New Meals and Baking
I can't cook for just the two of us. Does anyone else have this problem? Cooking for an army instead of just for two? Currently there is a crock pot full of taco chicken chili goodness in my kitchen. I want to eat the air, that's how good it smells in here. Which is good because there's enough in there to eat it for a week.
I found an old bread recipe that I had pinned...twice...and never tried. Recently DH and I were gifted a Le Creuset dutch oven as a housewarming gift and I knew just what to put in it. BREAD! I believe that homemade means we can eat it all in one day and not feel bad about it. You know, because there's no preservatives. Anyway, here is the link. Simply So Good Crusty Bread. I'm making an herbed version tonight. And I made a loaf last night. Because I can't ever have too much bread. That's like having too much cheese. Or too many donuts. Or too much 15 year Glenlivet.
Donuts are on the menu this weekend, thanks to Joy the Baker making it so dang easy! This could be disastrous for my already-slightly-too-snug-pants.
Working Out
I went to kickboxing class last weekend with friends. Despite all predictions to the contrary, I didn't break a single bone. I did bruise my knuckles, which just made me feel bad ass, and I had trouble walking for the next couple days. This will be repeated this weekend. I'm also trying a few 30 day challenges. Yes, you read that right. A few. See, I can't fathom that doing 20 jumping jacks and a few pushups will actually make a difference. So I'm attempting 3 of them simultaneously. Burpees are the bane of my workout existence. I want to puke after 9. Not 10. Not 8. But 9.
Giving Back
Do any of you shy away from giving? My bible study is working through James and we were in Chapter 2 this past week. It's a good hard look at do I give? I have a heart for the homeless but I realized only on my terms. I'm such a jerk! If I'm in the car and there is a homeless person on the corner I'll give cash if I have it and food if it's with me. But if I see them in a parking lot when I'm getting gas or taking my groceries to the car? I consciously avert my eyes and fervently hope they don't approach me. It's too uncomfortable for me without the safety of my car door and power windows. I don't think it's a giving heart if I only am willing when it's convenient. I'm praying this can change for me.
So You Think You Can Dance
I'm sad that there's only one more week in this season. One more show to see what majesty Travis Wall comes up with. One more week to wonder why contemporary dance moves me to tears even if I can't explain it. There's no clear winner to me this season. I may bite off all my fingernails between today and next Wednesday.
Gotta go bake bread!
New Meals and Baking
I can't cook for just the two of us. Does anyone else have this problem? Cooking for an army instead of just for two? Currently there is a crock pot full of taco chicken chili goodness in my kitchen. I want to eat the air, that's how good it smells in here. Which is good because there's enough in there to eat it for a week.
I found an old bread recipe that I had pinned...twice...and never tried. Recently DH and I were gifted a Le Creuset dutch oven as a housewarming gift and I knew just what to put in it. BREAD! I believe that homemade means we can eat it all in one day and not feel bad about it. You know, because there's no preservatives. Anyway, here is the link. Simply So Good Crusty Bread. I'm making an herbed version tonight. And I made a loaf last night. Because I can't ever have too much bread. That's like having too much cheese. Or too many donuts. Or too much 15 year Glenlivet.
Donuts are on the menu this weekend, thanks to Joy the Baker making it so dang easy! This could be disastrous for my already-slightly-too-snug-pants.
Working Out
I went to kickboxing class last weekend with friends. Despite all predictions to the contrary, I didn't break a single bone. I did bruise my knuckles, which just made me feel bad ass, and I had trouble walking for the next couple days. This will be repeated this weekend. I'm also trying a few 30 day challenges. Yes, you read that right. A few. See, I can't fathom that doing 20 jumping jacks and a few pushups will actually make a difference. So I'm attempting 3 of them simultaneously. Burpees are the bane of my workout existence. I want to puke after 9. Not 10. Not 8. But 9.
Giving Back
Do any of you shy away from giving? My bible study is working through James and we were in Chapter 2 this past week. It's a good hard look at do I give? I have a heart for the homeless but I realized only on my terms. I'm such a jerk! If I'm in the car and there is a homeless person on the corner I'll give cash if I have it and food if it's with me. But if I see them in a parking lot when I'm getting gas or taking my groceries to the car? I consciously avert my eyes and fervently hope they don't approach me. It's too uncomfortable for me without the safety of my car door and power windows. I don't think it's a giving heart if I only am willing when it's convenient. I'm praying this can change for me.
So You Think You Can Dance
I'm sad that there's only one more week in this season. One more show to see what majesty Travis Wall comes up with. One more week to wonder why contemporary dance moves me to tears even if I can't explain it. There's no clear winner to me this season. I may bite off all my fingernails between today and next Wednesday.
Gotta go bake bread!
Monday, August 19, 2013
My Person...The Female One
Of course DH is my person. But I also have a female My Person. And My Person is getting hitched in 2 months! This weekend is her Bachelorette party and I'm sure that hilarity will abound. If from nothing else, the fact that I may be driving in Boston will be enough. I'm taking bets on how long and far we will be lost if I am behind the wheel. Although My Person will tell you that is Lady Gaga is in town, it will take us at least twice as long to get anywhere. Darn Gaga. She's always messing crap up. Add in Little Monsters and we just may turn tail and run to Maine.
In slightly related news, DH and I have been doing P90X. Mainly because we want to be healthier and we were starting to be "happy fat". But also because I have a bridesmaids dress to get into! The dress is beautiful...but it's got that dreaded column lining that is kryptonite to any girl with a booty and hips. My dress is 6 sizes too big for my body above the waist and is sqqqquuuueeezzing over my curves below the waist. I'm excited to say that there is a slight change in how it fits compared to when I tried it on in the store and how it fits now. We're really loving P90X! We're trying to stick to both the workouts and the diet. We've adapted the diet to fit our Walmart grocery budget by looking at overall amounts of protein, carbs, etc and making sure we're meeting the ratios but not doing all the Tony Horton bells and whistles. I even like most of the work-outs. I'm able to do regular push-ups which is exciting and as corny as he is on the videos, it does keep you going. Mondays have gotten harder since I'm starting to go to a bible study on Tuesday night...which means a double work-out on Monday. I learned last week to blow dry my hair on Monday night. By Tuesday morning I couldn't lift my arms above the boob line. Not good, people.
So watch out Boston here I come with my better toned P90X attitude!
In slightly related news, DH and I have been doing P90X. Mainly because we want to be healthier and we were starting to be "happy fat". But also because I have a bridesmaids dress to get into! The dress is beautiful...but it's got that dreaded column lining that is kryptonite to any girl with a booty and hips. My dress is 6 sizes too big for my body above the waist and is sqqqquuuueeezzing over my curves below the waist. I'm excited to say that there is a slight change in how it fits compared to when I tried it on in the store and how it fits now. We're really loving P90X! We're trying to stick to both the workouts and the diet. We've adapted the diet to fit our Walmart grocery budget by looking at overall amounts of protein, carbs, etc and making sure we're meeting the ratios but not doing all the Tony Horton bells and whistles. I even like most of the work-outs. I'm able to do regular push-ups which is exciting and as corny as he is on the videos, it does keep you going. Mondays have gotten harder since I'm starting to go to a bible study on Tuesday night...which means a double work-out on Monday. I learned last week to blow dry my hair on Monday night. By Tuesday morning I couldn't lift my arms above the boob line. Not good, people.
So watch out Boston here I come with my better toned P90X attitude!
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
I've Gone and Disappeared Again
Oh chickens, I up and went AWOL again. Sorry bloggy friends!
I'm mentally exhausted lately. I come home from work and want to do nothing but veg out and cuddle with DH and Henry. They tell me it's winter here in Texas. In fact, it's almost Christmas. What? In this weather? With flip flops still able to be worn? And a perpetual state of bland green and brown everywhere.
We have a tree. Henry has unwrapped anything that comes close to being placed underneath it. We may have to buy him a ficus once we take down the Christmas tree. If I could figure out how to post video from my iPhone, I would. On a Henry-related note he had to have minor surgery on his paw for an infection. I felt like the worst fur mama ever when we found out he was sick. I guess he forgave me since he curled up with my last night for a 20 minute belly rub. We're pretty sure he's part dog.
DH and I are recommitted to the gym machine lately. Today I bench-pressed for the first time ever. I thought I might die but I didn't. I also tried a pilates-yoga blend class and was a little amazed at how good I did. My upper body strength was a wimpy little thing but it's slowly getting to be Arnold-sized.
We're getting closer and closer to the wedding. Only a handful of months to go. We still have to make centerpieces, bouquets, set up the rehearsal dinner, make welcome bags, I need to find shoes and then decide whether the price is worth the heel height versus the cost of hemming a wedding dress (yikes on the hemming prices and why in the world are there no cute comfortable wedge heels that don't cost as much as my dress?), figure out how the heck we're getting between venue and hotel, make a packing list for the honeymoon and start looking for bargains, find someone to do my hair and make-up and clutch what's left of my sanity.
Tonight I'm watching old school Grey's Anatomy because somehow this makes my day better. I'm not sure why. But it does.
I'm mentally exhausted lately. I come home from work and want to do nothing but veg out and cuddle with DH and Henry. They tell me it's winter here in Texas. In fact, it's almost Christmas. What? In this weather? With flip flops still able to be worn? And a perpetual state of bland green and brown everywhere.
We have a tree. Henry has unwrapped anything that comes close to being placed underneath it. We may have to buy him a ficus once we take down the Christmas tree. If I could figure out how to post video from my iPhone, I would. On a Henry-related note he had to have minor surgery on his paw for an infection. I felt like the worst fur mama ever when we found out he was sick. I guess he forgave me since he curled up with my last night for a 20 minute belly rub. We're pretty sure he's part dog.
DH and I are recommitted to the gym machine lately. Today I bench-pressed for the first time ever. I thought I might die but I didn't. I also tried a pilates-yoga blend class and was a little amazed at how good I did. My upper body strength was a wimpy little thing but it's slowly getting to be Arnold-sized.
We're getting closer and closer to the wedding. Only a handful of months to go. We still have to make centerpieces, bouquets, set up the rehearsal dinner, make welcome bags, I need to find shoes and then decide whether the price is worth the heel height versus the cost of hemming a wedding dress (yikes on the hemming prices and why in the world are there no cute comfortable wedge heels that don't cost as much as my dress?), figure out how the heck we're getting between venue and hotel, make a packing list for the honeymoon and start looking for bargains, find someone to do my hair and make-up and clutch what's left of my sanity.
Tonight I'm watching old school Grey's Anatomy because somehow this makes my day better. I'm not sure why. But it does.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Weekend Wrap-Up
My favorite kind of weekend is when there is nothing going on. We laze around, catch up on TV, reading, Reddit. We make something amazing in the Crock-Pot and buy a good bottle of wine. Our weekend run is easy and long.
This past weekend was not that weekend.
DH and I ran and ran and ran this weekend! We had an unexpected Friday night date and tried our hand at drinking scotch. Apparently I'm not Scottish because it started straight up, went to neat and then the rocks with ginger ale in the course of one glass. I am patently not Scottish. Our honeymoon is not going to change this.
Saturday found us shopping around for someone to buy DH's car. Yep, the sweet little Beemer is going to make someone else very happy. I did get a little hangry halfway through our day and consequently inhaled a "share" bag of pretzel M&Ms. Then we morphed into Don and Betty Draper for a Halloween party. I put my hair into a chignon for the first time ever and it looked pretty good! YouTube, what would I do without you????? Oh and 99 cent lipstick. I'll never wear that shade of red again.
Come Sunday morning we actually did have a good run. Not easy though. Somewhere between mile 3.5-4 miles in DH's knee started to hurt. We definitely don't want DH to need a knee surgery or replacement so we toned it down after that. We completed a full 5 miles which is ahead of our training schedule for our upcoming half marathon. The Big D is too big and pricey for us so this year we're running a New Year's Eve half instead. What better way to justify champagne and eating until 1 in the morning? Last night I carved a pumpkin while DH and friends watched The Walking Dead. That show is amazing but leaves me having an anxiety attack because of the dark corners and jumping out and zombie noshing. So I concentrated on the pumpkin instead.
Today we're going to sell DH's car after work and then pick-up his replacement car. I am so blessed to be marrying a man who is willing to sacrifice for our future. This is the best move for us but I can't help but appreciate that it's a big decision to downgrade the car!
That's it here!
This past weekend was not that weekend.
DH and I ran and ran and ran this weekend! We had an unexpected Friday night date and tried our hand at drinking scotch. Apparently I'm not Scottish because it started straight up, went to neat and then the rocks with ginger ale in the course of one glass. I am patently not Scottish. Our honeymoon is not going to change this.
Saturday found us shopping around for someone to buy DH's car. Yep, the sweet little Beemer is going to make someone else very happy. I did get a little hangry halfway through our day and consequently inhaled a "share" bag of pretzel M&Ms. Then we morphed into Don and Betty Draper for a Halloween party. I put my hair into a chignon for the first time ever and it looked pretty good! YouTube, what would I do without you????? Oh and 99 cent lipstick. I'll never wear that shade of red again.
Come Sunday morning we actually did have a good run. Not easy though. Somewhere between mile 3.5-4 miles in DH's knee started to hurt. We definitely don't want DH to need a knee surgery or replacement so we toned it down after that. We completed a full 5 miles which is ahead of our training schedule for our upcoming half marathon. The Big D is too big and pricey for us so this year we're running a New Year's Eve half instead. What better way to justify champagne and eating until 1 in the morning? Last night I carved a pumpkin while DH and friends watched The Walking Dead. That show is amazing but leaves me having an anxiety attack because of the dark corners and jumping out and zombie noshing. So I concentrated on the pumpkin instead.
Today we're going to sell DH's car after work and then pick-up his replacement car. I am so blessed to be marrying a man who is willing to sacrifice for our future. This is the best move for us but I can't help but appreciate that it's a big decision to downgrade the car!
That's it here!
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Something Fascinating
I find other's ability to keep physically motivated fascinating! Unless I have an end goal, and one that is fairly attainable it's hard for me to keep going when it comes to training or the gym. I'm not sure why this is. I want to be in better shape. I actually do work hard at going to the gym - I'm there at least 3 times a week if not 4. But my heart isn't always in it.
How do people keep their heart in it? There are girls I see that are getting after it on the stair master, on the free weights, on the treadmill. And I want to go ask how they keep going. I also kind of want to order a pizza and just leave it in front of their machine to see how good their will power is.
I'm in the best shape of my life. And I don't want to keep going. I want to sit on the couch and eat donuts and Lucky Charms and pumpkin muffins. But I suspect I will, in fact, still go to the gym after work tomorrow night and get in my miles.
Mama Kat....link up.
How do people keep their heart in it? There are girls I see that are getting after it on the stair master, on the free weights, on the treadmill. And I want to go ask how they keep going. I also kind of want to order a pizza and just leave it in front of their machine to see how good their will power is.
I'm in the best shape of my life. And I don't want to keep going. I want to sit on the couch and eat donuts and Lucky Charms and pumpkin muffins. But I suspect I will, in fact, still go to the gym after work tomorrow night and get in my miles.
Mama Kat....link up.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Overwhelmed by Grace
I totally had a different post halfway written for tonight.
Then I went to Life Group. And I realized that I'm continuously covered and overwhelmed by grace. And love. And mercy.
Last week was full of small trials and bad news and trying times for myself and really for people I love.
This week...at least this far....has been one full of excitement and love and grace.
My bridal party has dresses ordered or in to be picked up. My wedding dress, y'all, has come in. I have yet to lay eyes on it, but IT. IS. HERE. DH and I bought plane tickets for our honeymoon. My Henry is ok despite spilling a Scentsy full of My Dear Watson all over himself and DH's living room. (For the record, it won't make a cat sick. But they sure smell nice when it happens. And look a little baffled by the impromptu paraffin dip. But his fur is silky smooth.) My mom loves me enough to, well, love me.
Above all God's grace has covered me. When DH loved me more than the day before. When I was almost creamed by a tractor trailer on I35W. When I kept my mouth shut instead of saying what I thought...which didn't need to be said. When He calmed my spirit and soul in the middle of the night. When I met the right people at the right time. When I sat in a room with other women and listened to how they love, fear, defend and laugh. When I pushed myself harder at the gym and didn't talk myself out of going further.
I am thankful for the grace that covers me and overwhelms me with the love it holds.
Then I went to Life Group. And I realized that I'm continuously covered and overwhelmed by grace. And love. And mercy.
Last week was full of small trials and bad news and trying times for myself and really for people I love.
This week...at least this far....has been one full of excitement and love and grace.
My bridal party has dresses ordered or in to be picked up. My wedding dress, y'all, has come in. I have yet to lay eyes on it, but IT. IS. HERE. DH and I bought plane tickets for our honeymoon. My Henry is ok despite spilling a Scentsy full of My Dear Watson all over himself and DH's living room. (For the record, it won't make a cat sick. But they sure smell nice when it happens. And look a little baffled by the impromptu paraffin dip. But his fur is silky smooth.) My mom loves me enough to, well, love me.
Above all God's grace has covered me. When DH loved me more than the day before. When I was almost creamed by a tractor trailer on I35W. When I kept my mouth shut instead of saying what I thought...which didn't need to be said. When He calmed my spirit and soul in the middle of the night. When I met the right people at the right time. When I sat in a room with other women and listened to how they love, fear, defend and laugh. When I pushed myself harder at the gym and didn't talk myself out of going further.
I am thankful for the grace that covers me and overwhelms me with the love it holds.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Melting
Awhile back I wrote a post that you can see here. I was a little depressed about my 10 15. Sigh. It is kinda like the personification of all my fears...which I wrote about here.
In a fit of desperation I talked to a friend about Advocare. Yeah, the company. Yeah, the one I said "Why would I want to use something that I have to keep taking?" But I'll tell you what, this stuff seems to work so far! I'm not doing a 24 day challenge because I don't have those kind of resources to use on supplements. I have to make due on a limited budget, so I'm only using 2 products.
Wait for it: I'm seeing changes after 2 weeks.
Honestly at this point I can't say that it's the Advocare that's making a change. But I know that having the motivation of paying for supplements has gotten me into the gym to work harder and faster. I'm guessing the changes I see are a combo effect. I'm eating less - I've always struggled with portion control. And I have more energy so I can get more done during the day which equals less stress. Stress equals holding on to weight and emotional eating for me. Weirdly enough, the skin on my arms has cleared up; I've always had a little rash on the backs of my upper arms that drove me nuts, and it's disappearing!
Part of me wants to believe that it's just because I've finally clicked with my body and even without the supplements, I can lose the weight. But I'm scared that this just isn't true.
Thanks Shell, my heart needed to pour.
In a fit of desperation I talked to a friend about Advocare. Yeah, the company. Yeah, the one I said "Why would I want to use something that I have to keep taking?" But I'll tell you what, this stuff seems to work so far! I'm not doing a 24 day challenge because I don't have those kind of resources to use on supplements. I have to make due on a limited budget, so I'm only using 2 products.
Wait for it: I'm seeing changes after 2 weeks.
Honestly at this point I can't say that it's the Advocare that's making a change. But I know that having the motivation of paying for supplements has gotten me into the gym to work harder and faster. I'm guessing the changes I see are a combo effect. I'm eating less - I've always struggled with portion control. And I have more energy so I can get more done during the day which equals less stress. Stress equals holding on to weight and emotional eating for me. Weirdly enough, the skin on my arms has cleared up; I've always had a little rash on the backs of my upper arms that drove me nuts, and it's disappearing!
Part of me wants to believe that it's just because I've finally clicked with my body and even without the supplements, I can lose the weight. But I'm scared that this just isn't true.
Thanks Shell, my heart needed to pour.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Tidbits
I have bronchitis again. I blame it on boot camp. Last Thursday I was the first one to complete my sets and my runs. I just had a ton of energy. Apparently I pushed toooooo hard. I started coughing later that day and ended up at Occ Health today.
The kitten has found the dog's chewie and is proceeding to play with it as his own personal form of entertainment. They are getting along very well - there is much running, playful gnawing, butt sniffing...you know, the usual.
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The parents are headed my way in a few days!!! I haven't seen them since December, so I can't wait to show them the Texas I now know. That Texas will involve wedding dresses this visit....will I find the one? Who knows!
DH and I spent the weekend curled up watching movies and intermittently doing bushels of laundry, mainly his. He introduced me to Up, I introduced him to How to Train Your Dragon, we watched This Is War, The Hudsucker Proxy, Forgetting Sarah Marshall and half of The Grey.
Just a few tidbits...now I have the 4th Outlander book to go finish.
The kitten has found the dog's chewie and is proceeding to play with it as his own personal form of entertainment. They are getting along very well - there is much running, playful gnawing, butt sniffing...you know, the usual.
.JPG)
The parents are headed my way in a few days!!! I haven't seen them since December, so I can't wait to show them the Texas I now know. That Texas will involve wedding dresses this visit....will I find the one? Who knows!
DH and I spent the weekend curled up watching movies and intermittently doing bushels of laundry, mainly his. He introduced me to Up, I introduced him to How to Train Your Dragon, we watched This Is War, The Hudsucker Proxy, Forgetting Sarah Marshall and half of The Grey.
Just a few tidbits...now I have the 4th Outlander book to go finish.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Ten Fifteen
For the last three years I've been working on losing the same ten - fifteen pounds. Seriously? Seriously. I have run 3 half marathons. I have worked out up to 5 times a week. I have changed my eating habits, both in when, what and how much I eat. Right now I'm doing a boot camp.
Am I destined to be this size forever? And I don't mean that in a "I can't be happy where I am" way. Just an honest question. I may never lose this last 10 - 15 pounds. No one else may ever notice it or give it a second thought, but to me it's a failure.
I have friends using the same tools I do that are dropping weight. I'm so happy for them but totally jealous at the same time. It drives me crazy that I can't do the same. I feel like no matter the drive I have, the steps I take, the changes I make...I still end up right here. "Does that tree look familiar?" "We've been here before."
I really do not want to be the incredible flabby lady on my wedding night. Those dresses hide a lot, but there's no hiding once the dress is gone and life goes back to normal. I used to wish I had been born in the civil war era because those dresses and hoops hid any size badonkadonk without trouble.
I dream of a day when I look in the mirror and am happy with what I see. I want to not worry about how my butt looks in those jeans or whether my calves are too big (darn zippered boots keep reinforcing that one...). I'm scared I will never get there and then I'll get pregnant some day and the pounds will roll on and never leave. I worry that there's nothing I can do or try to lose the weight. Even if it's "only" 10-15 pounds.
Thanks Shell for letting me say what I'm scared to.
Am I destined to be this size forever? And I don't mean that in a "I can't be happy where I am" way. Just an honest question. I may never lose this last 10 - 15 pounds. No one else may ever notice it or give it a second thought, but to me it's a failure.
I have friends using the same tools I do that are dropping weight. I'm so happy for them but totally jealous at the same time. It drives me crazy that I can't do the same. I feel like no matter the drive I have, the steps I take, the changes I make...I still end up right here. "Does that tree look familiar?" "We've been here before."
I really do not want to be the incredible flabby lady on my wedding night. Those dresses hide a lot, but there's no hiding once the dress is gone and life goes back to normal. I used to wish I had been born in the civil war era because those dresses and hoops hid any size badonkadonk without trouble.
I dream of a day when I look in the mirror and am happy with what I see. I want to not worry about how my butt looks in those jeans or whether my calves are too big (darn zippered boots keep reinforcing that one...). I'm scared I will never get there and then I'll get pregnant some day and the pounds will roll on and never leave. I worry that there's nothing I can do or try to lose the weight. Even if it's "only" 10-15 pounds.
Thanks Shell for letting me say what I'm scared to.
Monday, April 16, 2012
The Big D
DH and I ran the Big D yesterday. Given the recent weather and weather reports, I was prepared for either a cancellation or a delayed start. Or maybe a tornado halfway through the race. God was good, though, and even though it poured the whole way to Dallas and up until about half an hour before the start, things dried up. Around mile 6 it started to rain again and got pretty dark out.
I was super nervous about this run. My recent training runs have been pitiful. Full of side cramps, shoulder cramps, shortness of breath, tired legs, no energy, short distances, barely making it a mile and a half before needing to walk. Discouraging to say the least.
But yesterday, despite DH's knee and hip issues in the first couple miles, we ran great. We stayed just ahead of the 2:30 pacers, walking briefly through a couple water stops and to take a gu, that was it. Our breathing was good in spite of all the hills. Dang that course was hilly! At one point I left him a little behind because there was a huge clap of thunder and one bolt of lightening; nothing like the threat of electrocution to make a girl pick up the pace! Mainly I was the one trying to catch up to him.
I finished 1349 out of 2031 overall for the half and was 141 out of 214 for my age range. I typically finish closer to the middle of the pack, so either I need to work a little harder or this group was a faster group overall.
But the best part of finishing a long race? The food afterwards! We went to Jake's with one of DH's running friends and his cousin. The best burger I've ever eaten, hands down. Then there was mexican for dinner and pizza for a snack. Yep, pizza for a snack.
And I definitely need to work on my core strength a lot before the next half. From the hips up I am sore to the touch. It feels like I've been beaten. Some hot tub time was the last perfect touch yesterday and felt like heaven. In fact, that might happen again today.
I was super nervous about this run. My recent training runs have been pitiful. Full of side cramps, shoulder cramps, shortness of breath, tired legs, no energy, short distances, barely making it a mile and a half before needing to walk. Discouraging to say the least.
But yesterday, despite DH's knee and hip issues in the first couple miles, we ran great. We stayed just ahead of the 2:30 pacers, walking briefly through a couple water stops and to take a gu, that was it. Our breathing was good in spite of all the hills. Dang that course was hilly! At one point I left him a little behind because there was a huge clap of thunder and one bolt of lightening; nothing like the threat of electrocution to make a girl pick up the pace! Mainly I was the one trying to catch up to him.
I finished 1349 out of 2031 overall for the half and was 141 out of 214 for my age range. I typically finish closer to the middle of the pack, so either I need to work a little harder or this group was a faster group overall.
But the best part of finishing a long race? The food afterwards! We went to Jake's with one of DH's running friends and his cousin. The best burger I've ever eaten, hands down. Then there was mexican for dinner and pizza for a snack. Yep, pizza for a snack.
And I definitely need to work on my core strength a lot before the next half. From the hips up I am sore to the touch. It feels like I've been beaten. Some hot tub time was the last perfect touch yesterday and felt like heaven. In fact, that might happen again today.
Monday, March 5, 2012
A Day Off
Watching old episodes of Friends.
Relaxing in the hot tub while the wind blows.
(This is not my and Roomie's deck. Not even close)
Making pineapple angel food cupcakes from Pinterest. Delicious by the way.
Trying to figure out Photoshop courtesy of Digital Goulash on Youtube.
Not understanding Instagram.
Playing with Puppy.
Lunch with DH, and as usual Subway totally got my order wrong. Which is pretty funny at this point.
Bob Harper and Co kicked my butt with a Cardio Max workout. The upside is that my weights are way too light for me at this point - the kettlebell must be working!
A look into my Monday. Oh, and all the pictures except Puppy are courtesy of Google Images.
Relaxing in the hot tub while the wind blows.
(This is not my and Roomie's deck. Not even close)
Making pineapple angel food cupcakes from Pinterest. Delicious by the way.
Trying to figure out Photoshop courtesy of Digital Goulash on Youtube.
Not understanding Instagram.
Playing with Puppy.
Lunch with DH, and as usual Subway totally got my order wrong. Which is pretty funny at this point.
Bob Harper and Co kicked my butt with a Cardio Max workout. The upside is that my weights are way too light for me at this point - the kettlebell must be working!
A look into my Monday. Oh, and all the pictures except Puppy are courtesy of Google Images.
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