Whirlwind!!

Wow, what a busy weekend! Friday night David and I actually got to have a date. We saw Clash of the Titans and then went to our favorite sushi place. They know us there, and I love that! They have the best sushi, and I love getting to support a local business.

Saturday was crazy. We were going to get up and walk, but we had to hit the ground running. David was smoking a brisket and I had to run to the store, and ended up going to about 4 places to get all the stuff I needed. We cleaned house and had our friends over that we're going to Europe with in December. We hadn't seen them in ages, and we try to make sure we're making the rounds and getting to see everyone at some point! The brisket was amazing, and it was a lovely evening.

Sunday was Easter, and we we got up early and went to church with my parents and grandfather and his wife, Ann. (She's so lovely, it makes it sound like I don't have a bond with her but I just can't call her my grandmother out of respect for my Gran.) We had lunch at Buca di Beppo, and I made some pretty good choices! We shared a very thin crust margherita pizza and some salad. YUM!! Then it was home long enough to change and then head to the other side of the world (Allen) for Easter dinner with David's family. We got home at a decent time, which is nice because I got to go to bed at 9:30! (Remember when that was a bad thing? Going to bed early?)

Yesterday feels a bit like a blur between a full day at work and then school. When I got home from school, my wonderful hubby had made dinner (baked chicken with cous cous - a WW favorite of mine!) and I even have leftovers for tonight!! After dinner it was more homework, and I finally got to tuck myself in at about 11pm. David wasn't too far behind...he'd been up working on reports. Mondays are so busy for him, especially right now. He's already on his way to New Orleans for the week and won't be home until Saturday night. However, I think his travel is light next week. (I hope!)

Just a month left of this semester, and lots of homework projects to work on. I will really be spending the bulk of my day Saturday doing homework so that I can spend Sunday with David, uninterrupted. It's going to be a good week, though. School tonight, dinner with the family tomorrow night, Thursday is my walking day with my new friend Debra, and Friday...well, not sure about Friday yet, but I may try and keep that one just for me. :)

Wednesday and Thursday at 10 I meet with my trainer, Susan. I think today after school I am going to go to the gym and try and get 30 minutes of cardio in. She and I do heavy duty weights together, and I need the cardio balance. I've had a rough time getting up in the mornings, so the AM workouts aren't really happening, and I need to find that balance again. But working out with Susan is my step in the right direction. I have all the confidence that this will help me move in the right direction.

So everyone have a great Tuesday! I'm still plugging along one step at a time, and I'm going to get there. I hope whatever you're working is getting you where you need to be, too! Remember, no matter what your struggle, I promise you someone else is sharing your burden. Be sure to lean on those around you when you need it. Asking for help will give you what you need to keep going!

Easter Baskets

My dear friend Kim and I were talking about Easter baskets the other day. It was so fun to get one when I was little...hunting for all the Easter goodies, coloring eggs, and eating the ears off the chocolate bunnies.

Easter is different when you're grown up. You understand just what it's about, and suddenly the chocolate bunnies and the eggs don't mean so much. As a Christian, this is an incredibly important day. And I am so thankful to God for everything that it means.

One question: Even though I love the true meaning of Easter with all my heart, does it mean I can't still want a basket? Honestly, I would love to spend the evening tonight coloring eggs and making treats. I have little Easter treats for all the nieces and nephews, but I can't help but think it would be cool to have one, too. I guess I'll always feel like a little kid inside. I think that's a good thing. :)

So what would my basket have in it this year if I could have my way? Hmm...a little bit of chocolate, maybe some gum, cute pencils, a pair of fun earrings...silly stuff! Hey, a girl can dream!

All the silliness aside, I hope you have a most blessed Easter weekend. And remember, He is risen! (He is risen indeed!)

The Pain of Success

After round 2 with Susan today, I am officially sore all over. She worked me HARD today! There was a point that I thought I might actually barf on her, but happily that moment passed. She really is channeling that inner Jillian Michaels...which is a good thing for me. She had me doing all kinds of stuff today, and as tough as it was, I powered through and did it all! I'm really proud of myself. Tonight I am meeting my walking buddy, Debra, at 5pm and we'll walk for a couple of miles. (She's the one I met through my Today Show experience.) After that I really want to go get my nails done. Not to be too girly, but this is becoming a necessity!

I ordered a few new things from Old Navy Online yesterday. The skirt I wore was too big and it was getting on my nerves, so I ordered a new one and a couple of tops. I am going to wash and press the skirt and take it, along with some other things, to First HAND in For Worth so that I can donate it to people who need clothes. I have heard that larger women's clothing is always in demand, and I have lots of nice things that could use a good home. I'd like to think they will get a new life with someone who might really enjoy them.

Food choices today have been good! I am reaping the rewards of bringing my lunch every day, both health-wise and money-wise! I've decided it's safer for me to bring my lunch to work. It's all stuff I put together, and I bring lots of fruits and veggies for snacks. I think that's been my saving grace...I pack for a whole day. I bring breakfast, lunch, and two snacks to keep me going. And it's stuff like Wheat Thins, or cherry tomatoes, or strawberries (which are awesome at Kroger right now!). So I am still on a roll!

I think that's it for today. Everyone have a great Thursday!

I Think My Arms Are Going To Fall Off

I started back with my trainer, Susan, today. I asked her to channel her inner Jillian Michaels, and she was good on her word! Now my arms are killing me! But that's OK...it feels good to work that hard in the gym again! It's also nice to have a gym with a trainer here at work...it solves the dilemma of not being able to get up so early right now. However, I still need to get back in the gym on the days I don't work out with Susan, but it's all coming together.

I got a wonderful night's sleep last night, so I am ready to take on the world! I opted to take my sociology test tonight so I could be well-rested. I'm having dinner at Grampa's tonight but will be coming home around 7:30 to get my test done. It's going to be a busy evening, but I think this was the best way for me to go.

Also, I think my food choices are falling back in line! I've been a good girl and brought my lunch all last week and this week, and it's really helping. It's also a money saver, so there's an extra bonus! Getting healthy and saving money? Yeah, that's good stuff!

I think that's it today...have a great Wednesday everyone!

Exhausted

I am bone-tired today. After an evening with a rough headache and a night with no sleep, I am beat today. And of course it's a long day with school and then a sociology test after I get home, so no going to bed early. Right now it's hard...full time work, full time school, and then a summer full of summer school again, and then on to another 12 hour semester. It's hard to see a light at the end of the tunnel right now. I know it's there, it's just far away. And without much of a break anywhere in there either. Somewhere in all this, we want to buy a house, too. I don't know how all that will come together. I think there are more moments in my future where I will need to lean on those around me again. It's hard...doing all of this and trying to find time to work out and lose weight. I think I am supposed to be some kind of superwoman, but I'm not feeling very super right now. I just feel like I am bearing a lot of responsibility and I am tired.

I'm okay, just tired. Mentally exhausted might even be appropriate here. But I'll keep on pushing. The semester is almost over and I'll at least have a week or two before summer school starts. Who really needs more than that, anyhow? (did you catch the sarcasm?)

Putting It Out There

So I haven't had much time to write in my journal at home, and since I promised I would follow Joy Bauer's suggestions, I am going to take some time to journal here. After all, what else is this silly blog for?

Yesterday was a good day. I ate french toast for breakfast, but I didn't go overboard and I ate healthy all day after that. I didn't get any exercise in, but I had a lot of homework and housecleaning to do and those things have been ignored this week. So far today has been good. Drank a breakfast shake this morning and I am being a good girl and brought a healthy lunch. I'm set for success! Dinner might be dangerous...I am picking up Taco Bueno for dinner since I have school and David is swamped with work. However, if I order 2 chicken tacos with no cheese and a toastada with no cheese, I get plenty full and have kept within my points for the day. It's not my first choice, but it's not a bad choice.

Tomorrow during lunch I am finally going to go get my brows waxed. All my maintenance has fallen to the wayside and I am a bona fide mess! After I get home from school tomorrow I have to take a Sociology test, and Wednesday I am going to Grampa's for dinner and to work on his computer. Thursday is finally a free day for me, so I am going to get my nails done that night. (Also long overdue, and my nails look AWFUL!) Maybe I can talk David into getting a manicure with me...hey, I have a hubby who enjoys personal grooming, so I bet I can. :)

It's Easter weekend so I need to put little baskets together for the nieces and nephews. We'll be seeing them Sunday! Friday night is one of my favorite church services...Tennebrae. AKA the service of darkness. It's emotional, and I appreciate the reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made for all of us. It makes Sunday morning's service that much more joyous!

So it's a busy week, and in all this I will have homework to do. I'll need to be super careful about not stress eating...we all know that's a problem for me. So I'm going to pray for balance for myself...balance, strength, and peace. (But I always pray for peace for us all!)

Have a good one, everyone!

Wait...Where Did The Weekend Go?

Wow...time sure flies! It was a good weekend. Friday night David came home and we made a yummy dinner and just hung out. We haven't gotten to do that in a while and it was great! Saturday Chris was supposed to come to town, but she and her family are all sick, so it was a no-go. Instead we ran errands and then ran by David's friend Fred's house that they renovated and are flipping. it looks great! After that we had a quiet dinner date at Houston's. We got a gift card at Christmas so we finally used it and had a very nice dinner.

Today has been lazy...slept in, went to brunch at Le Peep's, and then came home and did homework and cleaned house. Next weekend will be a little busier. It's Easter weekend and we have plenty of family to see!

I hope you all had a good weekend! I start back with my trainer, Susan, on Thursday. And she promised to channel Jillian Michaels. I think I might be a little scared...

Great Day!

So I met up with someone who saw me on the Today Show and we're going to be walking buddies! She's a retired lady who is really nice and I really enjoyed meeting up with her. We're going to be walking a couple of times a week as time permits, and I'm looking forward to it!

I feel good today...like I'm really getting it together, you know?

That's about all my news today. I'm going to make a healthy dinner and then do homework. Have a great evening!

Just Another Ordinary Day

Back to reality this morning. I don't feel famous today...boo! Oh well. (Hee hee!) But I had such a fun day yesterday! I think I forgot to mention that during the sound check Al Roker joked with me a little and that was cool, too! So after a very exciting morning, here I am in my cube at work doing my thing. But you know what? I got an email forwarded by the Today Show from another woman in Bedford who wants a walking buddy. She has 100+ pounds to lose, so I emailed her last night. I can't help but wonder how I got to be so blessed! I mean, think about it...I'm just a regular girl battling weight. I don't have a special job or anything incredibly remarkable about what I do or who I am. And yet things like this fall into my lap! I find that when I need help and I finally decide to actually seek help with things like weight loss that God sends me what I need in abundance. I think he waits for me to ask so that I learn the value of being humble and asking for help. And each time I am rewarded in wonderful ways.

So now I find myself wondering if maybe this is an area I should think of specializing in when I am a therapist. Weight related issues and self esteem are things I know all about. I'm going to ponder that one for a while.

Tonight I am having dinner with the family and then going to work out. Yes, it's a later workout but I am glad to be going. And the best part? My parents are going to the gym, too! (Yay! We ALL need it!)

Everyone have a great Wednesday!

0:15 of Fame

So I did my teeny little Today Show spot this morning! It was fun, but I was nervous...I was live on national TV! I was nervous, but it was fun and I'm glad I did it. Joy Bauer was really nice, and I think when I get to goal I might get to be part of her Joy Fit Club for people who lose more than 100 pounds. I have a ways to go (and more than 100 pounds to lose so I'd qualify!) but I think this might have been good motivation. She offered some good mental advice...I need to take this in much smaller chunks...set 5 pound goals and remember to reward myself. And I need to journal not just what I eat, but how I'm feeling and document my journey. I think these are easy to do and I promised myself I would follow Joy's advice, so I'm going to do it. I think this blog is part of it, so you may start really getting more blogs about the daily struggles and victories. But that means YOU are part of this journey, so come along! I need the support and encouragement, so if you have any thoughts or encouragement to share, I welcome it!

Have a wonderful Tuesday, dear friends!!

UPDATE: Here's the link to the Diet SOS segment! http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/36000195#36000195

Back To Monday

Where do the weekends go? Does time somehow speed up?? I don't understand! But this one flew by. Friday night I had dinner with Kim at Fireside Pies. It was so nice to kick back and enjoy some very yummy food! After dinner we tried out this place in Grapevine called Chill. I think we're going to call it Lame. Nuff said.



Saturday I went to WinStar casino with Sandra and Patti. Can I just say that I thought I was a rock star because I was up $100? I'm not a big gambler but I have fun going. Sandra and Patti are more hard core than me, but I had so much fun hanging out with them! Oh, and Patti hit a jackpot on a slot machine!!! It was the coolest thing to get to see that happen to someone I know! AND she's a nice person, so it's even better! (It would have really been cool if it had been me, but I'm happy it happened to her!) So that was awesome! We got home super late because we didn't leave there until after midnight and we drove home cautiously in the snow. Honestly, I am so over all this snow! I live in Texas!! Can I please break out my capri pants and flip flops now?



Sunday David was home so we went to brunch and then to Central Market. We got to enjoy relaxing and just hanging out. I'm sorry spring break is over now, but it's back to the grind and moving toward the end of the semester!

Have a good week everyone!

Today Show!!

So everyone be sure to tune in to the Today Show next Tuesday the 23rd! I'm a call-in guest for Joy's Diet SOS segment! Now just to be clear, I am calling in with a single question, I'm not being interviewed or anything like that...I just sent in a question I wanted to ask and I was one of a few people who got picked. It's pretty cool! Anyhow, I just got off the phone with the Today Show producer and she ran over the details and let me know how it works. They'll be calling me, and then I get to ask my question. When I'm done, I just hang up and that's it. So really this is only 15 seconds of my 15 minutes of fame. I still have time left to be a star! LOL!

All this to say, it's still pretty cool. I'm just a little nervous because I don't want to stumble over my words. I'm going to write my question out and that way I don't have any stray "ums" or "uhs". Of for "How I Met Your Mother" fans, "but, um..."

Anyhow, I'm excited! Hopefully it will be posted online and I can post the link afterwards. While I'm calling in, I did have to send a picture for them to post on the screen while I'm talking. So it's kind of like being on TV!!

Enjoy your Friday everyone! It's nice today, but crappy tomorrow! (And I'm headed right for it...going to Winstar with Sandra and Patti!)

Better

So after starting out the day in such a rocky way, I am better now. Evidently I had so much pent up frustration with myself that it just erupted. I'm glad I was with two good friends who care a lot about me. (Thanks, Sandra and Shanna!) They shed tears with me and talked about their own weight frustrations. I love them both so much...they are beautiful women and I am so grateful. And then Kim came through for me via email...she sent funny pictures and encouraging words. She is another beautiful and wonderful friend who means the world to me. I am a very lucky girl to be surrounded by so much unconditional love. :)

I haven't done much this evening. And that's okay. I gave myself permission to veg out. Tomorrow is Friday, and I am so glad about that!!! I'm looking forward to going to WW Saturday morning. I need the meeting.

Have a good evening everyone! I am sending you all big hugs through the universe!

Warning: Not A Chipper Post

I am not in a happy feel good mood today. As a matter of fact, I am feeling pretty rotten. I think I am so frustrated with myself over not being able to get myself back on track with WW that it finally came to a boil this morning. My two work BFFs invited me to go up to the break room for a beverage, and I just burst into tears and told them I was too fat to go upstairs. What is wrong with me? I think I've just gotten to that point where I am so fed up with being angry at myself that I just exploded. I feel angry because I'd like very much to feel normal and not have to fight this so hard. Why was it so much easier (not easy, but easier) a few months ago? What happened to make me just fall overboard like this? I know I am stressed out with school, and honestly I don't love my job (I don't hate it, but it's not what I want to do forever) and that creates stress, but shouldn't everything else create some balance? Perhaps not. Needless to say, my co-workers were wonderfully sympathetic and very kind. I love them dearly and I don't know how I would have handled this if they hadn't been there.

Anyhow, this too shall pass. I think I just needed to get this out. I think I might be feeling marginally better now. As for my "Rome wasn't built in a day" metaphor several posts ago, I think I knocked some bricks off my wall. I guess I need to pick them up and try again. *sigh* And again...and again...

Pictures

Here we are on our trip to Choctaw Casino...

Oh, and here's me at the Dean's List reception last month...

Precious

So Mom came over last night and we watched the movie "Precious". I hadn't seen it yet, and I thought it was really good. It's a heavy film to watch, but well worth it. Mo'Nique really did earn her award. I even thought Mariah Carey was good in her small role. Honestly, lots of impressive performances.

Today is St. Paddy's Day. No big drink fest for me. Just not that kind of girl I guess. One of the bar/restaurants by me is doing a big party with a live band which sounds fun in theory, but I know I'd be miserable in the big middle of it if I went. Not a big fan of large drunk crowds. I guess that's the 37 year old in me. Going to go to Grampa's with the parents instead for dinner.

Really, I have no other news. It's a slow day. I am working on a project at work that involves endless data entry of line items off of invoices for a hospital pricing study. This is a total beat-down. I think I am going to have to get out at lunch to get away from it! UGH!!

Be sure to wear green today or you might get pinched!!

Can I Please Have My Hour Back?

Oh my goodnes, I am SO SLEEPY! This time change is a really tough one for me. I am glad it's spring break so I don't have to worry too much about school right now, although I have plenty of homework to take care of.

David is off on the road again. I miss him already...this trip is a longer one. He won't be home until Saturday night. To pass the time, though, I am going to Winstar Saturday with my friend Sandra and her friend Patti. They invited me to go with them for the day, and it should be a blast. I'm not a big gambler, but I do enjoy the people watching, so this will be a lot of fun for me. :)

I walked down the street for lunch today and ran into my old boss. The one that was mean and tacky to everyone. Anyhow, it wasn't awkward or anything, but it was kind of funny. I'm really glad she's moved on. She decided to be a stay at home mom, which really is a cool thing. It's good for her kids that she can do that, so I am all for it. The bonus was that she wouldn't be at my office any more, and that my friends is a wonderful thing. So it was a win-win for all! She looked happy, and even though she isn't my most favorite person, I do wish her well.

I still have pics from mother-daughter weekend to post...perhaps I will try and get to that tonight. Guess what else I am going to try and do? Get my tushie to the gym! I am not doing well at getting there in the mornings, so I am going to try for this evening. And I am going to do something different. I am going to the gym with the pool. I like swimming so maybe that will be a fun way to get back to it. There is also a SET class tonight, but seeing that I haven't been a good girl and lifted weights, I think it might just kill me. Maybe next week. I also have Jillian Michael's new DVD Yoga Meltdown. It's a 30 minute intense workout incorporating Yoga, so I can do that, too. Lots of options, so I need to pick one and do it. I promise to report in tomorrow about what activity I did. If you don't see it on here, call me out on Facebook!!

I am cooking for myself tonight, so I am also going to search the WW site for something new to make. I love to try new things, so I figure that might help light the fire under me! (And give me some healthy leftovers for lunch tomorrow!) I am swearing not to eat out for dinner this week. No fast food, no junk food...just yummy stuff I make at home. This is step one this week of getting back on track. (How many times is one girl going to have to get back on track? As many as it takes!)

My blog-friend Kim posted several lists of things to eat/not eat that she got from Alton Brown. Great lists!! I think tonight I am going to sit down and make my own list. It's going to be the grocery list that gets me back where I need to be, and I'm ready!! I think I've eaten enough crap food now, and my body is ready to get it together. Besides, I am still doing that 1/2 marathon, and I need to get my act together now. Seriously, I am going to WW on Saturday. Haven't been in a long time, but I'm going. And no, I'm not getting on the scale. But I'm going to get that much-needed support. Clearly I need that and the best place to get it is at my meeting. I guess I am the equivalent of an alcoholic. I am always going to need to go to those meetings. I can't do it alone, and people there really know my struggle. So I'll check in on Saturday morning and let everyone know that I went.

Honestly, I think the well has run dry now. I hope everyone has a great day! Remember, one week from today is my 15 seconds of fame as a call-in person on the Today Show! I'll post the deets again when it closer to time!!!

Girls Weekend Was Awesome!

On Friday afternoon, Mom and I packed the car and headed north to the Choctaw Casino for some fun! :) We really enjoyed ourselves and didn't lose much money, either! Mom broke even and I only lost $10, so I call that a win! We played a slot machine called "Glitter Kitty" because the name made us laugh so hard! Sandra, I think it's the equivalent of going "Hog Wild"!! Anyhow, we had so much fun, and let me tell you, this casino was really nice! Great customer service, great room, and delicious food! We splurged one night and ate at their fancy steak house, and it was absolutely delicious!! The pool area at this resort is incredible, and David and I are going to have to go during the summer. It was lit up at night with tiki torches, and it's so tropical looking! It has little water features everywhere, cabanas, and lots of landscaping. I bet you could forget you are in Oklahoma pretty quick!

Anyhow, after getting home yesterday, Dave and I headed over to Joe T Garcia's for lunch/dinner. We enjoyed strawberry margaritas and fajitas, and came home stuffed! I finished up my homework and called it a night. I'm excited that it's spring break! Not that I'm going anywhere...I just get a break from going to school at night this week!

So here we are on Monday morning. I hate this time change, but I'll adjust. Have a good one!

Friday Finally Makes It's Appearance!

TGIF, friends! It's been a busy week, and now I am ready to start the weekend...just have to get through the work day first! :) Mom and I are heading out for a fun weekend tonight! Look out, casino...here we come! Not that we're wild gamblers, but we're just ready for something different so we can cut loose!!

I took my second Algebra test last night and did marginally better. I made a 75, which for other people might be low, but for me is pretty darn good. While I make A's in other classes, math is a tough subject for me. I am maintaining a B average in there right now because my homework scores are good. Just about 6 more weeks and I am done with this semester, so as long as I can keep this up, I'll be okay. My other classes are going well, but I am going to be glad when the semester is over. Summer is going to be tough, though...I'm going to summer school again. All summer. I'm taking Biology and hopefully History and Systems of Psychology. I'm going to have to beg and plead my way into that one, but since there are so few choices for fall for psych majors, I think they'll let me. This one is being offered online in summer school, so cross your fingers! I don't think this is how I really want to take this class, but I need to take what's offered when it's offered at a time that works for me. It's going to be a busy summer!!

So that's it for today. Everyone have a great weekend!!!

Cool Stuff Alert!!

Okay, so in my efforts to reach out for help when it's needed, I emailed the Today Show's Joy Bauer (Nutritionist) a weight loss question. Guess what? I am now scheduled to be a call in guest on March 23rd at 8am!! Now, understand that this is me calling in with one specific question, so it's not an interview or anything like that, but they will be showing my picture while I get to ask my question! I'm still super excited, so be sure to watch the Today Show on Tuesday March 23rd at 8am Central time for the Diet SOS segment!! :)

That's about it for today...it's been pretty exciting working with the producer of the Today Show getting this all ironed out this morning!!! You'll have to tune in to the show to hear my question!!