You knew it was coming...
Dancing With The Stars I have a few things to say about the current season:
1. Did anyone else feel kind of uncomfortable watching someone as respected as Buzz Aldrin dance so terribly? His sweet partner did her best, but he was meant for more dignified things, like walking on the moon. Also, his wife gave me nightmares.
2. Hallelujah that Kate Gosselin is gone. Double horrors that she made it as long as she did. She always looked grumpy and pouted every time Tony asked anything of her. She was awful. And I was horrified to find out that she is starting up yet another reality series exploiting--excuse me--starring her kids. SHAME ON HER!
3. Brooke Burke is doing great, but could they put a top on her dresses? Just a thought.
4. Derek Hough always gets the hot chicks, and I love that, as hot as they look, they're all kind of dorky. Nicole Scheringzer (sp?) of the Pussy Cat Dolls is no exception. It's nice to know that hot people like that can loosen up and join the rest of the human race in our general dweebhood. I think she's going to win...
5....but I'd actually like Evan Leczacek (could we get some easier names to spell please?) to win, because he seems like a fun guy. It's not that he's hot or anything, but I bet he'd be a great guy to have around at a barbecue. So what that he just got a gold medal. I like him and I want him to win. Not that I ever vote...
Bones You might be thinking, "Wait, she hasn't mentioned that one. Is she adding another TV show to her already full list?" Yep. Here's the thing: I now watch Biggest Loser in fast forward, if at all, because I am fed up with Jillian's therapy sessions. I have eliminated The Bachelor/Bachelorette from my line-up. And Project Runway just finished up for the season. I had some free space, plus I can stream it from Netflix! A few friends of mine recommended "Bones" to me, but I never was all that interested, once I heard what it was about. A forensic anthropologist and an FBI agent team up to solve murders by examining the victims' bodies. Once I heard "victims' bodies" I tuned out. I get scared easily, and one of my secret fears is coming across a dead body while hiking or walking around in a big city. But I finally decided to give it a try, and now I'm hooked. Yes, it has its extremely gruesome moments, and it deals with terrible crimes that really happen, but I can't stop watching it. Here are my reasons:
1. Geek-o-mania. I love watching super smart people look at a tiny shard of bone and say, "This came from a female that was 22 years old and played tennis regularly." Not all that realistic, I'm sure, but fascinating.
2. The main characters are intriguing and compelling. Take Dr. Temperance "Bones" Brennan, a super genius that is absolutely gorgeous, but extremely unlikeable to those she encounters. She's just too darn smart to get what other people are talking about. And she has no idea how to interact with them. Agent Booth (David Boreanez, or, more widely known as Angel from the Buffy and Angel series) is a former sniper who serves the FBI and is driven by his need to atone for the deaths he caused in his sniper days. He sees each case as a chance to erase a murder he committed in the past. And let's face it. He's easy on the eyes.
3. It's really really interesting. Enough so that I have continued watching, despite the gross factor that exists in most episodes.
I'm only on Season One, but I'm looking forward to the character development as the seasons progress.
Lost !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ??????????????????????? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Vampire Diaries I don't care who you are. This show is WICKED AWESOME. I think a show can be judged by how well they handle the bad guy. (Hello, Guy of Gisborne.) He can either be obviously evil, blah blah blah, what diabolical plan will he come up with next, who cares why he is evil, he just is bad. OR he can be a tortured, complicated character with a hint of a conscience and a past that gets revealed one tasty nugget at a time. Enter Damon (Ian Somerholder, or Boone to those Lost fans out there): dark and wicked, flashy and seductive, with a little bit of a soft side. When I started Season One, I was sure it was going to be another run-of-the-mill CW night time soap (and there are elements of that, of course), but instead I got a better version of Twilight. Not that the story is the same, but vampires are at the core of the story, and there is a vampire who struggles to stay away from human blood and is drawn to a beautiful human girl. That's where things depart from the Twilight Saga. There is the evil brother, a mysterious girlfriend from the past, a history teacher with a secret, and a town that dates back before the Civil War that is full of mystery and monsters. Are you interested? Thursdays on the CW. Ow ow!
I'm done for now. I've got TV to watch.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Trippin'
Winter has been long. I mean, L-O-N-G long. Yes, there's been snow and rain, but kids can handle snow. A coat and some gloves, and you can toss them out there for hours. But not if their noses are running, they are coughing incessently, and there is occasional vomiting. Then even a coat won't get them out of the house. So an escape from the house was just what the doctor ordered for this caged in mommy. Two of my besties and I hopped in the car and drove to San Francisco for a much-needed weekend of fun. Here are some highlights:
The grand entrance into San Francisco over the Bay Bridge:
A trip to China Town, which included a lot of shopping at jewelry stores, lots of walking, and a disgusting, overpriced lunch that consisted of mystery meat disguised as chicken but did not taste like chicken and fried rice that tasted like old fish.
After our NASTOLA lunch, we made a hasty departure from China Town and headed to Fisherman's Wharf, did more shopping, and introduced Stacie to the joy of Coldstone Creamery. The wind inspired me to try out my new hat:
After hoofing it all day, we hopped the cable car back to the hotel. We were among the lucky few that didn't have to hang on for dear life on the outside the whole way back, although we experienced that on our way to China Town. Sitting down and enjoying the ride allowed us to look around at the amazing buildings and vistas that are all over San Francisco. Plus we got to take pictures of each other without risking our lives or dropping our cameras in the street:
We headed to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner, and got seated out on the roof, which gave us an amazing view of Union Square. We ate, we laughed, we people-watched, and we had the waiter take our picture:
The grand entrance into San Francisco over the Bay Bridge:
Our small but swanky hotel room (there's even a chandelier, but it didn't make it into the picture):
A trip to China Town, which included a lot of shopping at jewelry stores, lots of walking, and a disgusting, overpriced lunch that consisted of mystery meat disguised as chicken but did not taste like chicken and fried rice that tasted like old fish.
After our NASTOLA lunch, we made a hasty departure from China Town and headed to Fisherman's Wharf, did more shopping, and introduced Stacie to the joy of Coldstone Creamery. The wind inspired me to try out my new hat:
After hoofing it all day, we hopped the cable car back to the hotel. We were among the lucky few that didn't have to hang on for dear life on the outside the whole way back, although we experienced that on our way to China Town. Sitting down and enjoying the ride allowed us to look around at the amazing buildings and vistas that are all over San Francisco. Plus we got to take pictures of each other without risking our lives or dropping our cameras in the street:
We headed to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner, and got seated out on the roof, which gave us an amazing view of Union Square. We ate, we laughed, we people-watched, and we had the waiter take our picture:
The day ended 4 necklaces, one Chinese purse, one new hat, and a full tummy later.
And, of course, the whole point of going to San Francisco:
One word: AWESOME.
After the musical, my cousin Anne picked us up and drove us around Golden Gate park, which was gorgeous. Then she took us to a restaurant whose name escapes me right now, but dinner was a lot of fun. Kalamari was tasted, halibut was ordered (by me, a big wimp when it comes to trying seafood and fish dishes), and the evening was enjoyed:
Then it was time to go home. :(
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
An Update on the Weight-loss Plan
Well, I promised I'd report back in. Here's the skinny on the progress.
Working out: Meh, not as good as it should be. With the combination of stomach flu, sick kids, teething kid, bad weather, and a super busy few weeks, it's been easy to rationalize my way out of the 30-day Shred. And the elliptical. But I have been repentant this week, and spent a solid 20 minutes of torture on the elliptical yesterday while the kids were napping. I keep hoping for good weather, because what I'd really like to do is throw Tyler into the jogger while Jacob's at preschool and take a nice long walk. But for now, the elliptical will have to do.
Eating: Better. Much better, actually. As I mentioned before, I got the stomach flu a few weeks ago, and in the process I managed to lose 5 pounds in about 12 hours. Awesome, right? Except, as you know, that weight comes right back after you start retaining fluids. So, after seeing the lowest number I've seen in years, I decided to get serious about my food, and stopped eating junk. We have no tasty chips, naughty treats, and tempting morsels lying around anymore. Believe me, I've scrounged and found nothing. It has been at least 2 months since I've made cookies. I have begun eating a small snack in between lunch and dinner, which is the hardest part of the day in every way. The kids are grumpy, toys are everywhere, and I feel hungry and deserving of treats. So, as soon as the boys go down for their naps, I eat a snack that's between 100 and 200 calories. Usually I have a few graham crackers or some yogurt. It gives me that much-needed satisfaction, and tides me over until dinner. As for dinners, I've done better at keeping the meal healthy, although I slip up from time to time, or give up and go get burgers. I'm trying very hard to not take seconds. Of course, I slip up there sometimes, too. The point of me telling you this is to let you know what has worked for me so far, and not to brag. Because I have been far from perfect.
The result: I am down 5 pounds from when I reported my plan, and have gone down one pants size as well. It is definitely progress and I'm extremely happy about it. I'm hoping if I exercise more, I'll reach my ideal weight by swimsuit season. Or at least not hear Jacob say, "Your tummy is so nice and squishy."
Working out: Meh, not as good as it should be. With the combination of stomach flu, sick kids, teething kid, bad weather, and a super busy few weeks, it's been easy to rationalize my way out of the 30-day Shred. And the elliptical. But I have been repentant this week, and spent a solid 20 minutes of torture on the elliptical yesterday while the kids were napping. I keep hoping for good weather, because what I'd really like to do is throw Tyler into the jogger while Jacob's at preschool and take a nice long walk. But for now, the elliptical will have to do.
Eating: Better. Much better, actually. As I mentioned before, I got the stomach flu a few weeks ago, and in the process I managed to lose 5 pounds in about 12 hours. Awesome, right? Except, as you know, that weight comes right back after you start retaining fluids. So, after seeing the lowest number I've seen in years, I decided to get serious about my food, and stopped eating junk. We have no tasty chips, naughty treats, and tempting morsels lying around anymore. Believe me, I've scrounged and found nothing. It has been at least 2 months since I've made cookies. I have begun eating a small snack in between lunch and dinner, which is the hardest part of the day in every way. The kids are grumpy, toys are everywhere, and I feel hungry and deserving of treats. So, as soon as the boys go down for their naps, I eat a snack that's between 100 and 200 calories. Usually I have a few graham crackers or some yogurt. It gives me that much-needed satisfaction, and tides me over until dinner. As for dinners, I've done better at keeping the meal healthy, although I slip up from time to time, or give up and go get burgers. I'm trying very hard to not take seconds. Of course, I slip up there sometimes, too. The point of me telling you this is to let you know what has worked for me so far, and not to brag. Because I have been far from perfect.
The result: I am down 5 pounds from when I reported my plan, and have gone down one pants size as well. It is definitely progress and I'm extremely happy about it. I'm hoping if I exercise more, I'll reach my ideal weight by swimsuit season. Or at least not hear Jacob say, "Your tummy is so nice and squishy."
Sunday, March 14, 2010
A Little Distracted
I have had several different posts I've wanted to write, some of them about TV, some of them about books, and some of them outright angry rants, but I just haven't sat down and done it. Okay, I did one, but it ended up being mean and angry and kind of rude, so I erased it after I'd finished writing it. I felt much better just having put down my feelings somewhere. The problem lately is that my attention span seems to have returned to a gnatlike state, as though my brain has reverted back to a 5-year-old's scattered thought process. So whenever I sit at the computer with the intention of writing a post, I think, "I should check Facebook really quick first," after which my thoughts go to, "Ooh, I forgot about so-and-so's birthday. I should email them." Then I'm in my email, and I remember that it's the time of week where I need to email the hymns to the program lady for church, and then realize I haven't gotten a musical number scheduled for this week, so I go into the piano room to get a hymn book so I can pick a rest hymn, and, while in there, I notice that I left my book in there and suddenly, I find myself sitting on the couch reading, not posting anything on my blog. So, instead of doing separate posts about the last few weeks, I'm going to do one of those catch-all posts with a bunch of little blurbs.
1. Gone With the Wind I finally finished the epic "Gone with the Wind." Oh boy, is that a long book. In reality, it's not that much longer than any of the Stephenie Meyers books, but it's also tiny print and lots and lots of history. That was my initial reaction to the book when I started it what seems like years ago. But it was history that I found completely fascinating. As you've gathered, I'm sure, we lived in the South for 3 years, and I used to go walking at the Military Park. What is this Military Park? It's the site of a major Civil War battle that is known as the Seige of Vicksburg, which occurred at approximately the same time as Gettysburg. I have been to the museum, seen the cannons that were used during the war, read the pamphlets, and seen the memorials that are scattered throughout the park. But I really couldn't wrap my head around the devastation that the entire South suffered until I read about it in "Gone with the Wind." The characters feel real, and Margaret Mitchell's beautiful descriptions of Tara and Atlanta allow you to feel the loss along with those characters as Sherman blasts through Georgia, destroying everything in his path. Scarlett O'Hara is selfish, spoiled, and obsessed with someone else's husband. Melanie Wilkes is selfless, loving, forgiving, and married to the subject of Scarlett's obsession. After finishing the book, I wondered what the point was. I decided that, to me, it was a demonstration of how, when faced with adversity, people can react like Scarlett: while toiling to rebuild, she resents those she helps, takes advantage of others' losses, and focuses on money at the expense of her integrity. Or, like Melanie: even while suffering, she finds the good in others, overlooking their faults, building a circle of loving friends, and she is fiercely loyal to those who have helped her (including Scarlett, who is constantly hitting on her husband). The book is over a thousand pages long, so I could go on about all the characters, but this post would be nearly as long as the book, and I have other things to talk about.
2. The Oscars It's been a few years since I watched the entire Oscar show. This year, I wanted to see if it ended up being a James Cameron love fest like it was after Titanic. I never made it to Avatar, and to be honest, I still don't feel like I need to rush to the theater to see it. I'm sure when I do see it, I'll say, like everyone else, "Those effects were AMAZING!" Yes, the movie is the highest grossing movie of ALL TIME, but, if I understand correctly, aren't the Oscars about the best movie, not the most profitable movie? So I admit I was relieved that it didn't win best picture. It must have hurt Cameron's ego a teensy bit that his ex-wife took home best director and best picture. But let's get to what really matters: the hosts and the dresses. As a fan of 30 Rock, I was quite pleased to see Alec Baldwin as a co-host with Steve Martin. I love it when they crack jokes about their celebrity peers. They were funny enough that even my husband was sucked into watching the Oscars. As for the clothes, Charlize Theron, what??? Swirly flowers on the chest? And bless Miley Cyrus' heart, she was probably so excited about her dress that she didn't notice that it was 3 sizes to small. For the most part, though, I thought people were pretty classy. I want to get invited to the Oscars, just so I can dress up like a princess and end up on a worst-dressed list.
3. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. When the movie came out a while back, I remembered hearing things about this book. I just couldn't remember what they had said. When I found out what the story was, I decided that I should probably read the book before seeing the movie, so I could be prepared for anything too scary. I just finished it, and it is still kind of rattling around in my brain, trying to really settle in. Here's the basic story: A 14-year-old girl is brutally murdered by her neighbor. She sits in a gazebo in heaven, watching the aftermath of her death tear her family apart. She watches her murderer cover up his guilt and evade the police, and sees her father begin to crumble emotionally as he attempts to convince the police that his neighbor is the murderer. She sees members of her school cling to each other when they find that they both think about Susie (the victim) constantly. It's a look at how one horrible event can shape the future of countless lives, and how grief can turn into an opportunity to show the living the love you feel for them. It was horrifying, disturbing, and hopeful all at the same time. I'm interested to hear what you thought of it, if you've read it.
4. An apology I feel like I need to issue a general apology to those who got the stomach flu after spending time with me. My 1-year-old threw up while friends were over, and 2 days later, I threw up while hanging out with Rachel K. at my mom's house. It began a chain of vomit that seems to stretch to everyone I know. Sorry. As I've told a few friends already, if I could, I'd come up with an alert that sounded or flashed the second someone is contagious. Then I wouldn't have gotten everyone I know, plus their family, sick. So, because I don't have that alert, I unwittingly spread germs, and I apologize.
That's all. This post is ridiculously long. I need to go bathe the kiddos before church, and if I don't post this now, it could be another month before I remember I need to finish it. Ciao!
1. Gone With the Wind I finally finished the epic "Gone with the Wind." Oh boy, is that a long book. In reality, it's not that much longer than any of the Stephenie Meyers books, but it's also tiny print and lots and lots of history. That was my initial reaction to the book when I started it what seems like years ago. But it was history that I found completely fascinating. As you've gathered, I'm sure, we lived in the South for 3 years, and I used to go walking at the Military Park. What is this Military Park? It's the site of a major Civil War battle that is known as the Seige of Vicksburg, which occurred at approximately the same time as Gettysburg. I have been to the museum, seen the cannons that were used during the war, read the pamphlets, and seen the memorials that are scattered throughout the park. But I really couldn't wrap my head around the devastation that the entire South suffered until I read about it in "Gone with the Wind." The characters feel real, and Margaret Mitchell's beautiful descriptions of Tara and Atlanta allow you to feel the loss along with those characters as Sherman blasts through Georgia, destroying everything in his path. Scarlett O'Hara is selfish, spoiled, and obsessed with someone else's husband. Melanie Wilkes is selfless, loving, forgiving, and married to the subject of Scarlett's obsession. After finishing the book, I wondered what the point was. I decided that, to me, it was a demonstration of how, when faced with adversity, people can react like Scarlett: while toiling to rebuild, she resents those she helps, takes advantage of others' losses, and focuses on money at the expense of her integrity. Or, like Melanie: even while suffering, she finds the good in others, overlooking their faults, building a circle of loving friends, and she is fiercely loyal to those who have helped her (including Scarlett, who is constantly hitting on her husband). The book is over a thousand pages long, so I could go on about all the characters, but this post would be nearly as long as the book, and I have other things to talk about.
2. The Oscars It's been a few years since I watched the entire Oscar show. This year, I wanted to see if it ended up being a James Cameron love fest like it was after Titanic. I never made it to Avatar, and to be honest, I still don't feel like I need to rush to the theater to see it. I'm sure when I do see it, I'll say, like everyone else, "Those effects were AMAZING!" Yes, the movie is the highest grossing movie of ALL TIME, but, if I understand correctly, aren't the Oscars about the best movie, not the most profitable movie? So I admit I was relieved that it didn't win best picture. It must have hurt Cameron's ego a teensy bit that his ex-wife took home best director and best picture. But let's get to what really matters: the hosts and the dresses. As a fan of 30 Rock, I was quite pleased to see Alec Baldwin as a co-host with Steve Martin. I love it when they crack jokes about their celebrity peers. They were funny enough that even my husband was sucked into watching the Oscars. As for the clothes, Charlize Theron, what??? Swirly flowers on the chest? And bless Miley Cyrus' heart, she was probably so excited about her dress that she didn't notice that it was 3 sizes to small. For the most part, though, I thought people were pretty classy. I want to get invited to the Oscars, just so I can dress up like a princess and end up on a worst-dressed list.
3. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. When the movie came out a while back, I remembered hearing things about this book. I just couldn't remember what they had said. When I found out what the story was, I decided that I should probably read the book before seeing the movie, so I could be prepared for anything too scary. I just finished it, and it is still kind of rattling around in my brain, trying to really settle in. Here's the basic story: A 14-year-old girl is brutally murdered by her neighbor. She sits in a gazebo in heaven, watching the aftermath of her death tear her family apart. She watches her murderer cover up his guilt and evade the police, and sees her father begin to crumble emotionally as he attempts to convince the police that his neighbor is the murderer. She sees members of her school cling to each other when they find that they both think about Susie (the victim) constantly. It's a look at how one horrible event can shape the future of countless lives, and how grief can turn into an opportunity to show the living the love you feel for them. It was horrifying, disturbing, and hopeful all at the same time. I'm interested to hear what you thought of it, if you've read it.
4. An apology I feel like I need to issue a general apology to those who got the stomach flu after spending time with me. My 1-year-old threw up while friends were over, and 2 days later, I threw up while hanging out with Rachel K. at my mom's house. It began a chain of vomit that seems to stretch to everyone I know. Sorry. As I've told a few friends already, if I could, I'd come up with an alert that sounded or flashed the second someone is contagious. Then I wouldn't have gotten everyone I know, plus their family, sick. So, because I don't have that alert, I unwittingly spread germs, and I apologize.
That's all. This post is ridiculously long. I need to go bathe the kiddos before church, and if I don't post this now, it could be another month before I remember I need to finish it. Ciao!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
My Plan
Saturday night, Tim and I were heading to a church meeting, and I had to try on 3 skirts before I could get one to zip up. And I decided right then and there that it was time for me to get serious. I needed a real plan. One that would reduce the size of my ever-growing posterior and deflate my spare tire. I have been "trying" for 16 months to get off the baby fat, and so far, I've lost a total of 2 pounds. Pathetic. Here's my plan. If you have any additional suggestions, please, suggest away.
1. Exercise. I've moonlighted at exercise for a year now, and have lasted 2 or 3 weeks at the most, before I've gotten sick or travelled or gotten discouraged. I'm doubling up to make up for the lost time. Instrument of Torture #1 is Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred. It's painful, it's brutal, it's annoying, and it makes you hurt. And it is extremely effective, and only 25 minutes long. So you may want to die the whole time, but it's over quickly, and every muscle in your body has just gotten a great workout. Tim and I take turns guilting each other into doing it after the boys are in bed. So far it's been working pretty well. Instrument of Torture #2 is the elliptical. It sits by our bed and is a daily reminder of my need to exercise. Tim gets up at the ridiculous hour of 5:20, does his time on the machine, then harasses me until I roll out of bed and do my time. Tim is really good at removing me from bed. Maybe all this exercise will give me enough strength to defend myself from his relentless tickling.
2. Diet. Oh, how I hate that word. I'm using the word hate here. I like food. But not all food. Just the yummy kind. You know, chocolate, creamy sauces, chocolate, filet mignon, ice cream, Wendy's Big Bacon Classic with a Frostee and fries, and chocolate. I don't like vegetables, whole wheat bread, tofu, skim milk, and anything that is labeled as a dessert but doesn't have anything sweet or chocolatey in it. I'm sorry, but an apple with a little bit of cinnamon is NOT dessert. You see why I haven't been losing weight?
So here's my plan, and this is where any helpful suggestions and recipes would be fab. My friend introduced me to the "Eat This, Not That" book series. It lists foods we love and gives us the skinny (or the fat) on its dietary value. For example, a Coldstone shake has something like 3000 calories and 250 grams of fat in it. (!!!) It doesn't just tell you, "Look how bad this stuff is." It says, "Instead of this, eat this equally delicious dish, and it only has 150 calories and 15 grams of fat." That's information that is useful to me. I bought the "Cook This, Not That" book, and it breaks down the types of food we cook (crock pot, stir fry, grill, baked), and makes a list of ingredients that are commonly used in cooking, and rates them from healthiest to unhealthiest. It gives you lists of cooking fats and oils, marinades, spreads, and even cuts of meats. And then it gives you a whole load of recipes, complete with nutritional information. It also compares its meals to a similar restaurant meal and shows how much fat and calories can be cut by cooking at home. So far, I have made Pesto Gnocchi with tomatoes and green beans, and Stuffed Chicken with Roasted Red Peppers and Spinach. They have both tasted fantastic, and have included protein, vegetable and carb. I admit, the Stuffed Chicken was a little stressful (don't overpound your chicken), but at least it tasted super good. So, the plan is to make delicious food that includes veggies without tasting like veggies, stop eating out so much, and keep my portions reasonable. For my other meals, I'm including whole grains (ugh, but jam helps) and healthy cereal. I bought chocolate yogurts to satisfy my sweet tooth. If I know dinner will taste okay, I can live with whole wheat toast and Grape Nuts. No more second helpings, no more delicious white bread sandwiches, and no more making a huge batch of chocolate chip cookies, then eating them all in 2 days.
So, why am I telling you this? This is Part 3 of the plan. If this bores you guys to death, I'm sorry, but I have to put my money where my mouth is. If people I see regularly know that I'm doing this, they'll either notice I'm losing weight, or not losing weight. And I don't want people I know to look at me and say, "Man, she must not be working out anymore. Look at the size of her butt!" (To themselves, of course. If they said it to my face I'd probably slap them.) So please, hold me responsible. I have lofty goals and clothes I love hiding in my basement closet. At I'd at least like to fit into my church clothes that I fit into 2 months ago. Thanks for bearing with me through this long post. It's what I do.
2. Diet. Oh, how I hate that word. I'm using the word hate here. I like food. But not all food. Just the yummy kind. You know, chocolate, creamy sauces, chocolate, filet mignon, ice cream, Wendy's Big Bacon Classic with a Frostee and fries, and chocolate. I don't like vegetables, whole wheat bread, tofu, skim milk, and anything that is labeled as a dessert but doesn't have anything sweet or chocolatey in it. I'm sorry, but an apple with a little bit of cinnamon is NOT dessert. You see why I haven't been losing weight?
So, why am I telling you this? This is Part 3 of the plan. If this bores you guys to death, I'm sorry, but I have to put my money where my mouth is. If people I see regularly know that I'm doing this, they'll either notice I'm losing weight, or not losing weight. And I don't want people I know to look at me and say, "Man, she must not be working out anymore. Look at the size of her butt!" (To themselves, of course. If they said it to my face I'd probably slap them.) So please, hold me responsible. I have lofty goals and clothes I love hiding in my basement closet. At I'd at least like to fit into my church clothes that I fit into 2 months ago. Thanks for bearing with me through this long post. It's what I do.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Mindless Twit
I haven't posted much in a while. There's a reason for that. My brain has been stolen. It's gone. I'd like it back, but I don't even know where to begin looking for it. In an attempt to reclaim it, here are some of the activities I've taken up:
1. I'm reading "Gone With the Wind." It was supposed to be done last week for book group, but I put off starting it for weeks, because I was busy rereading other stuff so I wouldn't have to think while I read. So now I'm reading it, and thoroughly enjoying it. It's fun (is that the right word, when discussing the Civil War?) to read about places I've been, like Atlanta, Augusta, and the South in general. I can picture the moss-hung trees, the swampy land, the vine-covered forests, and the enormous plantation homes because I've seen them firsthand. While the descriptions are detailed, my experience in the South has made reading the book richer and more interesting. Plus, I feel like I'm learning a ton of stuff about the Civil War I don't remember from my days in US History 17 years ago.
2. I attempted today and yesterday to practice the piano. I say attempt, because 2 minutes in, Jacob brought in a teddy bear to "help me play the piano," the phone rang, and Tyler had a poopy diaper. But the point is, I tried. Usually, when I'm involved in music, it wakes up my brain and gives me an emotional boost as well. Attempts will continue to be made until I am successful (which may be when Jacob's in kindergarten and Tyler's potty trained).
3. I have cut out "The Bachelor" from my TV line-up. It made me dumber by the second, and I couldn't take any more of the tears and smeared mascara. Ugh. Plus, it freed me up for other things, like my 1000 page book! I have also started fast-forwarding Jillian's therapy sessions with her bawling, exhausted Biggest Loser competitors, as well as all the nasty back-biting and game play. I just go right to the weigh-ins, because that's the good part of The Biggest Loser. It saves me hours of pointless TV, and still inspires me to lose weight.
4. Lately, when I've watched TV, I've been semi-comatose on my new couch, forming my new butt groove and letting the entertainment wash over me. I was cleaning out my closet earlier this week and came across a crosstitch of Buzz Lightyear that I promised to make for Jacob 2 years ago. I started up again on it, and am determined to finish it by Christmas. I like doing something with my hands while I watch TV. I feel a lot less like a slug.
5. I have an obsession that started my freshman year of college when I started eating lunch with some old high school friends. It's crossword puzzles. I love having a book of puzzles to do on a plane or in the car on a long trip, and I really enjoy doing them online. I went on a crossword hiatus for a while, I think because I kept getting frustrated when my fuzzy, sleep-deprived brain couldn't come up with any answers. I started back up at Thanksgiving, because my dad had an app on his iPhone that was NY Times crosswords, which we enjoy doing together. I was reminded that I really do enjoy a good crossword. I am certain my brain is slowly finding its way home now.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why my posts have been few and far between, and why, if all goes according to plan, I will have something witty to say in a few months, when my head has its old friend back.
1. I'm reading "Gone With the Wind." It was supposed to be done last week for book group, but I put off starting it for weeks, because I was busy rereading other stuff so I wouldn't have to think while I read. So now I'm reading it, and thoroughly enjoying it. It's fun (is that the right word, when discussing the Civil War?) to read about places I've been, like Atlanta, Augusta, and the South in general. I can picture the moss-hung trees, the swampy land, the vine-covered forests, and the enormous plantation homes because I've seen them firsthand. While the descriptions are detailed, my experience in the South has made reading the book richer and more interesting. Plus, I feel like I'm learning a ton of stuff about the Civil War I don't remember from my days in US History 17 years ago.
2. I attempted today and yesterday to practice the piano. I say attempt, because 2 minutes in, Jacob brought in a teddy bear to "help me play the piano," the phone rang, and Tyler had a poopy diaper. But the point is, I tried. Usually, when I'm involved in music, it wakes up my brain and gives me an emotional boost as well. Attempts will continue to be made until I am successful (which may be when Jacob's in kindergarten and Tyler's potty trained).
3. I have cut out "The Bachelor" from my TV line-up. It made me dumber by the second, and I couldn't take any more of the tears and smeared mascara. Ugh. Plus, it freed me up for other things, like my 1000 page book! I have also started fast-forwarding Jillian's therapy sessions with her bawling, exhausted Biggest Loser competitors, as well as all the nasty back-biting and game play. I just go right to the weigh-ins, because that's the good part of The Biggest Loser. It saves me hours of pointless TV, and still inspires me to lose weight.
4. Lately, when I've watched TV, I've been semi-comatose on my new couch, forming my new butt groove and letting the entertainment wash over me. I was cleaning out my closet earlier this week and came across a crosstitch of Buzz Lightyear that I promised to make for Jacob 2 years ago. I started up again on it, and am determined to finish it by Christmas. I like doing something with my hands while I watch TV. I feel a lot less like a slug.
5. I have an obsession that started my freshman year of college when I started eating lunch with some old high school friends. It's crossword puzzles. I love having a book of puzzles to do on a plane or in the car on a long trip, and I really enjoy doing them online. I went on a crossword hiatus for a while, I think because I kept getting frustrated when my fuzzy, sleep-deprived brain couldn't come up with any answers. I started back up at Thanksgiving, because my dad had an app on his iPhone that was NY Times crosswords, which we enjoy doing together. I was reminded that I really do enjoy a good crossword. I am certain my brain is slowly finding its way home now.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why my posts have been few and far between, and why, if all goes according to plan, I will have something witty to say in a few months, when my head has its old friend back.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Lost in Austen
Have I mention Lost in Austen before? Because if I haven't, shame on me. Recently, we purchased a Blu-Ray player that also streams Netflix, and I have been having quite a fun time with it. I found out that Lost in Austen was available for streaming, and, while my boys played in the basement, I enjoyed all 3 and some-odd hours of it.
As someone who owns several movie versions of Jane Austen's books, I have, more than once, lost myself in the romantic stories about unrequited love and proper behavior. Imagine coming home from a horrible day at work, settling down with Pride and Prejudice for a quiet evening with Mr. Darcy, and having your boorish boyfriend come over and turning on a soccer match. And then proposing with the tab from his beer can. Escape would be welcome, wouldn't it? (For me, it's grumpy, sick kids.) And this is the escape Amanda gets, when she goes into her bathroom after just such a night, and Elizabeth Bennett is standing in her bathtub, declaring that she has come through a special door from the world of Pride and Prejudice. Amanda goes through the door, and is immersed in the story of Pride and Prejudice just after "Netherfield has been let at last." She meets Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, causing confusion and wreaking havoc on the well-known story. You get to see the true nature of Mr. Collins, find out what really happened between Georgiana and Mr. Wickham, and see what might have happened if Lizzy never met Mr. Darcy. The entire show is full of clever twists and turns, and lets you in on how bewildering it would be to be thrown into a different era (how in the heck did they brush their teeth, for one?). It is funny and entertaining and even heart-warming at times. For me, it's like watching Galaxy Quest after growing up watching Star Trek. I get the jokes. Come over anytime. We can watch it together.
As someone who owns several movie versions of Jane Austen's books, I have, more than once, lost myself in the romantic stories about unrequited love and proper behavior. Imagine coming home from a horrible day at work, settling down with Pride and Prejudice for a quiet evening with Mr. Darcy, and having your boorish boyfriend come over and turning on a soccer match. And then proposing with the tab from his beer can. Escape would be welcome, wouldn't it? (For me, it's grumpy, sick kids.) And this is the escape Amanda gets, when she goes into her bathroom after just such a night, and Elizabeth Bennett is standing in her bathtub, declaring that she has come through a special door from the world of Pride and Prejudice. Amanda goes through the door, and is immersed in the story of Pride and Prejudice just after "Netherfield has been let at last." She meets Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, causing confusion and wreaking havoc on the well-known story. You get to see the true nature of Mr. Collins, find out what really happened between Georgiana and Mr. Wickham, and see what might have happened if Lizzy never met Mr. Darcy. The entire show is full of clever twists and turns, and lets you in on how bewildering it would be to be thrown into a different era (how in the heck did they brush their teeth, for one?). It is funny and entertaining and even heart-warming at times. For me, it's like watching Galaxy Quest after growing up watching Star Trek. I get the jokes. Come over anytime. We can watch it together.
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