Breakfast of Champions

Protein Shake

• 1 cup of almond milk
• 1 cup of unsweetened frozen strawberries
• 1 scoop of whey protein
  

222 calories of yum.

Hunger

I've been sticking to a diet of protein and veggies and I am hungry ALL the time. Seriously, all the time. Like go to bed hungry. But here are three things I know

• Being 4'11 and 3/4 it takes a lot of calorie restriction to get the scale to move
• While I've been non-stop hungry, I haven't lacked any energy.
• There are plenty of people who go to bed hungry not of their on choosing

It's that last point that motivates me the most. To get control, stop wasting money on food and treats that aren't needed, and to use that extra money toward food to donate to the food pantry.

Point to Ponder

"Live simply, so that others may simply live"

~Blessed Mother Theresa

Gettin Serious

...and learnin how to be nice when hungry. Veggies may be good for you but you have to eat a truck load to fill you up...


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Drop the Bag

These are not my friend...they are more like a frienemy.

Note to self: I am trying to lose 20lbs not gain them.

Deja vu

Don't you hate when you buy a magazine only to realize that you read the bulk of it for free while waiting at the orthodontist office.

Winter Wipeout

Why is it so much fun watching people get their clock cleaned while trying to make through an obstacle course? I laughed my butt off watching tonight's show. I wish that counted as exercise.

Happy Feet

While I had to trade pj bottoms and sweat shirts for suits this week at least I can keep my feet comfy while seating in my cube.

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Goals and Resolutions

Normally, I set a goal in every area of my life but this year I decided to focus on one and only one goal...lose 20lbs. I know, how overdone. But so needed.

You see on Nov 12, 2011, the day before I turned 45 I ate my last bit of sugar in the form of cookies, cakes, ice cream, candy, pies, frozen yogurt, etc. It was a cookie sandwich with sprinkles to be exact. I had decided that I wanted to challenge myself, to do something big in my 45th year. I would give up sugar for one year. Wonderful, lovely, delicious sugar.

I made it through the holidays without so much as a Christmas cookie, not even a candy cane. I also haven't lost one stinkin pound. I feel a lot better but I don't look a lot better. I wasn't expecting to lose a ton of weight but a few pounds, sure. I mean I eliminated cookies, candy, frozen yougurt, etc from my diet. Not seeing a difference in my weight, tells me that's there's a lot of other work that needs to go into cleaning up my eating in order to get into shape.

Hopefully it won't take all year to meet the goal. I do know I am going to have to do a lot better in the eating and exercising department than I have done for the first three days of 2012.

Any tips, secrets, motivators?

Shock to the System

I am pretty sure returning to work tomorrow after having been off since the 21st of Dec. will be an adjustment. I am positive trading my wardrobe of pajama bottoms for a suit will be down right painful. If only I had a suit made out of flannel...

Out with the Old

and in with the new. 2012...bring it. I hope 2012 is your best year yet!

Merry and Blessed

What I Removed From My Christmas List

Feather tattoos on my forearms. I've been mesmerized by them since I saw the Foo Fighters in concert. But I've come to the realization, I am a middle aged woman. I neither play the guitar or rock a mic. Damn it, if only...


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Christmas Interrupted

Mister calls me at work to inform me that the Christmas tree feel over, there were causalties, but on the bright side I'll get to re-decorate the tree.

I failed to see the bright side. I am not sure if he knocked it over trying to water it or plugging it in but I could tell the way he dodged my "how'd that happen questions" that the animals weren't the guilty party.

(pretend you don't see the cord hanging off the mantle)

It's been a long time...

Having been a student at IU when we won the 1987 national championship (...so what I am old) it warms my heart to think that perhaps (fingers crossed) we are finally back on track.

I think I may be wearing a sweet little smile when I walk into work on Monday and face my co-worker across the aisle, a Kentucky grad.

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Thanksgiving with the family

I am thankful for wine but that's only because I am at the bottom of the glass and feelin good.

Hope you all are as blessed as I and are spending this day with family and friends.

Black is black

Although I disagree with the Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving. I do understand the joy the holiday season brings. That's my guess as to why in the last year or so everyone seems to need to get a jump on the holiday season. I am hoping it's the joy and happiness and not that everyone seems stressed and lacking time.

Times are hard. I know I am thinking twice about my decisions before I part with my money. Especially when it comes to spending for Lolly. Will this be something she'll really use? Something she really wants? Or is it something I just think is cute, good buy, etc. but will one day soon be boxing up for Goodwill? I am thinking twice. I plan to be more thought out about what I purchase.

It makes me wonder, do we really need to start our Christmas shopping on Thanksgiving night? Will the retailers really be making more money? Or will they just be paying more overhead for the same amount of sales they would have made with the normal Black Friday openings?

Are you planning on spending more, the same, or less than last year on your Christmas shopping?

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Cuttin Corners

Much to my dismay, Target is running the same set of Black Friday commericals from last year. I guess everyone's trying to save money these days. But am I the only one who hates these commericals? They creep me out.

45

Easy to do today, since it was my birthday. Time is flying by...just seems like yesterday was the big 4-0. Now I am half way thru my forties.

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Time to get our Grohl on

I am taking Lolly and a friend to see the Foo Fighters tonight.

I realized some changes need to be made when it dawned on me that I actually had to shop for something appropriate to wear. How uncool would it be to roll up there in my usual button down and argyle sweater and khaki capris? Yeah, I need to make a few changes...

Word

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A First...

...Boyfriend for Lolly. While we knew it would happen sooner or later, Mister's not that keen on it. I am not too worried. She's got a good head on her shoulders, already concerned about keeping a balance between boy and life.

The boy told her he couldn't think of one thing he would change about her, she's perfect in everyway.

I like him for now. But for his own good, I think it's important he knows her step dad keeps shot guns under the bed, she has an uncle whose an ultimate fighter, and an aunt who beat up boys in high school so he better be good to her.

Work, work, and more work

That's what I've been up to. That picture is a snapshot of my computer screen. That 933 is the number of candidates who applied for 1 admin position in a weeks time. That's only one opening. Do you know how long it takes to screen that many resumes? A long damn time.

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What am I missing

I don't get the appeal of Missoni but it seems to be all the rage. I don't see it. I am staring at it but I just don't see it.

It might just cause a complex. I don't get Lilly Pulitzer patterns either but at least when I look at those patterns I see beach house furnishings.

Do you love it or hate it?

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Its the little things

After an emotional weekend, I found this taped to me steering wheel this morning. I am the luckiest momma in the world.

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In Memorian

Wells Fargo Sucks

I received a letter today from my bank indicating that I would be charged a $3 Debit Card Activity fee each month when I make a payment or purchase using the card tied to a specific account. Problem is my debit card is tied to two accounts. I rarely have activity on said account while the other is very active. So in trying to determine if I need to consolidate, will the $3 charge actually be a big deal, etc. So I decide to call customer service for clarifcation. This is where the suck part comes in.

So I go through all the prompts, cause gasp if you want something that's not automated. I get the prompt that they are connecting me to a personal banker, and what am I greeted by "Due to high volume of calls, please call back tomorrow" and then it HANGS UP on me.

Hey, Wells Fargo didn't your momma every teach it was rude to hang up on people? Well it is. Let me teach you a little business lesson. It goes like this...If you send out a mass mailing regarding a new fee that's going to be incurred by account holders, well then it's probably a good idea for you to staff your call center with enough Customer Service people/personal bankers to handle the volume. I don't mind waiting in a que until someone's available to answer my question, but I do mind being hung up on.

Come to think of it, tomorrow works well for me. Perhaps, I'll forgo the call back and possibly just visit a branch and put an end to our relationship. You being so busy and all.

My Feelings Were Hurt Today

By a pair jeans that were once loose and are now looming on the edge of "suck in and zip".

On Labor Day

I offer a prayer for all of those struggling to find gainful employment.

Dear St Joseph, you were once faced with the responsibility of providing the necessities of life for Jesus and Mary. Look down with father compassion upon me in my anxiety over my current inability to support my family. Please help me find gainful employment very soon, so that this heavy burden will be lifted from my heart and that I am soon able to provide for those whom God has entrusted to my care. Help us guard against bitterness and discouragement, so that we may emerge from this trail spiritually enriched and with even greater blessings from God. Amen