Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend Everyone!!!

Don’t you think that there is a sick irony to the fact that I get off work on Monday to honor fallen soldiers while the current living soldiers serving overseas don’t get an off day? They don’t get to celebrate the holidays with their families and while I am thankful to those who have died, I am also going to be thinking of the soldiers that are still alive and their families who will wish they were with them.

We get awfully jaded as a society when things don’t directly affect us...I know I do...so thanks to ALL the soldiers...past AND present!!! Thanks to the many men in my family who served...especially my Dad! I would have thanked the women too but I’m not aware of any women that served in my family...but thanks to the women soldiers too!

Enjoy the weekend everyone and if you are trying to be good...remember...the grill is your friend...corn, squash and especially portabella mushrooms (marinated just like steak) are all delicious. I’m sure I will not be great this weekend but it’s back to business in June.

Also, I would be very surprised if I blogged before Wednesday. I took Tuesday off as well and I am very excited to relax!!!

Be careful!

Peace out!

“If you're reading this
My momma is sitting there
Looks like I only got a one way ticket over here
I sure wish I could give you one more kiss
War was just a game we played when we were kids
Well I'm laying down my gun
I'm hanging up my boots
I'm up here with God
And we're both watching over you

So lay me down
In that open field out on the edge of town
And know my soul
Is where my momma always prayed where it would go.
If you're reading this I'm already home.

If you're reading this
Half way around the world
I won't be there to see the birth of our little girl
I hope she looks like you
I hope she fights like me
Stand up for the innocent and the weak
I'm laying down my gun
Hanging up my boots
Tell dad I don't regret that id follow in his shoes

So lay me down
In that open field out on the edge of town
And know my soul is where my momma always prayed where it would go
If you're reading this, I'm already home

If you're reading this, there is going to come a day
You move on and find someone else and that’s okay
Just remember this
I'm in a better place
Soldiers live in peace and angels sing amazing grace

So lay me down
In that open field out on the edge of town
And know my soul is where my momma prayed where that it would go
If you're reading this
If you're reading this
I'm already home.” If You’re Reading This-Tim McGraw

BeLEEve!

Yes, I know the title isn’t original but I like it!!! As you can see, Lee Dewyze DID win last night! I have to say that I really liked them both but I was happy for him. He’s so cute and nice. I also LOVED Idol last night. There were a ton of stars and awesome performances. Any time Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Alanis Morisette and Joe Cocker are on the same TV show...I’m happy. It was also really cool to see Bret Michaels on the show. I love any story when someone can show strength when they are going through a hard time. Anyway, I look forward to seeing how both of their albums turn out and whether or not I actually buy them.

I don’t really have much to say today but I did want to show you what I bought during lunch:



This is a points clicker key chain from Weight Watchers. All you do is enter your points for the day and as you eat, you just click off the points. I was really excited about this. I always have all this stuff I have to write down. The key (pun intended) to this will be to just make sure that I remember to click off the points. The most important thing for me is that I keep track of what I eat during the day so in a couple weeks if I find that I am not keeping up with the clicker, I may have to go back to writing everything down. I think it should work fine though.

I am debating on whether or not to play softball tonight. It’s the tournament and I really don’t want to play but they may need me to. What I really want to do is go home, walk and just be done with all this business. This is definitely going to be my last year playing softball for the team because I am not very good and the leaders on the team are very competitive...they most certainly aren’t playing for fun so I don’t want to bother them or myself with poor softball skills. It’s no great tragedy...I think the team and I both will survive if I don’t play.

Again, I don’t have a real agenda today so I hope you have a great night!

“See the world in green and blue
See China right in front of you
See the canyons broken by cloud
See the tuna fleets clearing the sea out
See the Bedouin fires at night
See the oil fields at first light
And see the bird with a leaf in her mouth
After the flood all the colors came out

It was a beautiful day
Don't let it get away
Beautiful day.” Beautiful Day-U2 (and now, also sung by Lee Dewyze)

How's That For A Segue?

Tonight is the night of the American Idol Finale! I have to say, I’ve been more excited about it in the past. This was NOT the best season of AI...it may have even been the worst. There were some pretty bad people that made it very far. I just don’t feel that invested in the show this year and I don’t imagine that it will be better when Simon leaves...he is one of the big reasons I like the show in the first place. Having said all that, I am still excited about the finale. I think that the two left, Lee Dewyze and Crystal Bowersox, are the ones that should be the two in the finale. I have liked Crystal since the beginning. She is a talented musician and I like her style of music. I have a few complaints about her though. First, I don’t think she has shown much range in her talent. I think that her performances have become predictable. Second, she’s got kind of an obnoxious attitude. She was argumentative at times with the judges (huge pet peeve of mine) and has a certain arrogance about her that rubs me the wrong way...it’s not a total turn off but sometimes it’s annoying. Lastly, I don’t know what it is but sometimes her voice makes me cringe. She can sing and play but sometimes she screeches...that’s just me. So, my vote is for Lee. Yes, there are times when he is “pitchy” but he is ADORABLE, a talented musician, seems to be really humble and sweet and his raspy voice is hot! So, even though I think Crystal won the show last night, GO LEE!!! I voted like crazy for you!

As you can tell, I already have my plans for the night...I am excited because I am getting VERY close to being caught up with TV. I’d say one or two more afternoons of dedication and I will be where I need to be. That will give me time to watch season 2 of True Blood AND maybe I can FINALLY go back to watching my Netflix movies so I can stop the process of pretty much donating to their business. All of that makes me very happy.

While the simple things in life can make me happy, there are many things that make me UNhappy. This may appear to come out of the blue but I have heard the word “obese” used a lot lately in news stories. I just wanted to briefly tell you that if you are struggling with your weight, please don’t cloud up your mind with labels. According to Wikipedia, there are three levels: pre-obese, obese & morbidly obese. From what I understand, each of these labels is determined by your Body Mass Index which is the connection between your height and weight. Look, most people who are overweight don’t know what their BMI is...they know that they aren’t happy and that they feel isolated and unworthy (I should note that not ALL overweight people feel this way). They don’t see who they are in the mirror...so if you are that person...I know I have been...please don’t get into the hype of whether you are obese or what your insurance chart says you should weigh. When I went to the doctor a few months ago, I had lost a bunch of weight and I was looking to set a goal. At Weight Watchers, you set an ultimate goal so when you reach it, you can become a lifetime member for free. I have yet to set one because my doctor told me that if I lost about 50 more pounds, I would feel like a new person and that I shouldn’t go by what Blue Cross thinks I should weigh...because that would be around 120. That’s a completely outlandish goal. I think the point I’m trying to make is there aren’t many people that aren’t considered overweight (especially in Alabama). I am sure that I am medically obese with or without the 60 pounds I’ve lost but if I let that determine how I feel about my weight...then I will be in big trouble... I know this was completely out of left field and I also know that the medical consequences of being overweight are serious so I’m not suggesting that you completely ignore all labels...but if you are trying...don’t let your BMI make you feel bad.

I have to laugh at myself because that was sort of a pitiful attempt at a transition on my part...if you ever try to switch from American Idol to obesity...trust me...don’t try it...it looks odd. I just get so irritated by the exploitation of overweight people in the media, especially in the footage of fat people they show. In lieu of song lyrics today...I am ACTUALLY going to post one of my poems. I’m not going to lie...it makes me VERY nervous but it’s a funny one (I apologize in advance for the curse word) and it seems fitting for the subject matter. Hope you enjoy and have a great night!

File Footage

I saw my ass on the news last night.
The anchor spoke of a binge eating
epidemic and then the clip appeared.
Cocking my head to the side
and making my eyes focus,
I finally recognized the familiar shape.

Almost like a heart, it bobbled,
a teeter totter unaware of the camera.
This isn’t good. I said this to myself.
I put down the cookie dough.
I predicted this would happen one day.

At work today, I walk crablike,
back straight up from side to side.
No one has asked my ass
how it feels to be famous
and I hope no one ever will.

You Say Frittata, I Say...Frittata!

What a busy morning! I have a busy afternoon planned too but I wanted to take a couple of minutes of the lunch hour to tell you about my Feta & Tomato Frittata that I made last night:



Looks good huh? Guess what? It was! It was so easy too. I got home and was putting it on my plate in 25 minutes. I think next time I make it, I will add ham or something because I like to have meat...I know it’s weird but I somehow feel cheated when there isn’t at least a little meat in my meal.

Don’t let anyone ever you tell you that eating out is cheaper than cooking in. I know that ingredients can be expensive sometimes but that Frittata was supposed to feed 4 (not 1 like it did last night) and that means it only cost right around $2 a serving....and that was on the upper end of ingredients because Feta cheese & Grape Tomatoes are kind of expensive. It’s especially cheaper to eat in if you have a family.

I am really enjoying this 1 recipe a week thing. I mean, I know I’ve only done 2 so far but I’ve found that natural, fresh and sometimes organic ingredients taste so much better and there is something nice about knowing that you’ve prepared the food yourself. I also know that they charge way too much for people to eat organic products and that it is much more convenient and inexpensive to get processed food but if I can, I like to get natural things. Don’t get me wrong, my cabinets are full of processed foods because like everyone, I’m busy and need foods to grab but when I’m cooking...I like to know that for a few dollars more, the food is natural, no cruel and unusual treatment was placed upon the animals and they aren’t shot up with steroids or genetically modified. I wouldn’t call myself an activist or anything because like I said, I like a hotdog as much as the next girl (probably more) but here and there, I pay a couple extra bucks for the good, pure stuff.

I haven’t picked out a recipe for next week but I plan on continuing cooking.

I am so tired today...I think I’m worn out from all the walking and I’m not exactly sleeping that well...maybe I’ll go to bed early tonight (after I watch Idol of course).

I hope you have a great afternoon!!!

“Summer nights everybody are you with me?
Let that Igloo cooler mark your piece of paradise
Summer nights everybody’s feeling sexy
Holler if you’re ready for some summer nights.” Summer Nights-Rascal Flatts

Working For The Long Weekend

You know why this is going to be a good week? Because it is going to be followed by a 3-Day weekend! That’s almost enough to make me jump for joy...if I wouldn’t draw attention to myself. I’ve been waiting for Memorial Day for like 3 months. That’s kind of sad but I don’t care. I am very much looking forward to a relaxing weekend. I had a pretty relaxing one this weekend. I walked...A LOT...but I got to watch a good bit of TV and I did my fair share of laying around. We also went to the trivia semi-finals last night and it didn’t go so well. The questions were really hard and it was smoky and just...it didn’t go well. We didn’t advance to the next level. Maybe next year.

As I said, I did A LOT of walking this weekend. I especially walked a great deal on Saturday. There was Farmer’s Market walking, river walking, Wal-Mart walking, apartment walking...blech...AND it was unhealthy it was so hot outside. I don’t know who makes the dates for the seasons but whoever it is that said Summer doesn’t start until June 2nd is NOT from Alabama. The heat here is one that you have to wade through...it’s thick and sometimes makes you lose your breath. Needless to say, I chose to walk INSIDE on Sunday. The good news is, because of my walking binge this weekend, I am all caught up on my steps. I am actually about 100 ahead of the game. If I can just do what I’m supposed to do every day, I won’t have to have these major catch-up weekends. I still have over 2 months left in this challenge so I have to make myself keep going.

I am in the midst of lots of mini-goals I have set for myself. In addition to the walking, I am also aiming to have a perfect June AND I have dedicated myself to making one Weight Watchers recipe a week. Tonight I am making a Feta & Tomato Frittata. I will definitely let you know how it goes. I like to cook, I just always make excuses not to so this challenge will be good for me. I think my ultimate challenge will be keeping motivation after they are completed (especially the walking one).

Last week, I was recovering from my birthday week. I was up about 7 pounds after all of the indulgences. I did OK last week, not perfect, but OK and I lost 4 of the 7 so hopefully doing well this week will get those other 3 off. I’m sure that I will have some good food Memorial Day but I am going to try not to get crazy...I mean...how am I ever going to get to 75 pounds if I think I can eat what I want every time I can muster up any kind of random justification?

One more thing. The good thing about other people you know being on Weight Watchers is that you can tell each other about different foods that are good to eat. I am not very good at giving the suggestions but I love getting them. Nish brought me some meringue cookies that are 2 for 1 point. They are big too. She told me they tasted like Lucky Charm marshmallows and they really do. You should try them! She got them from Publix...I plan on picking some up soon! Have a good afternoon and week! Bye!



“Oh what a day is today
Nothing can stand in my way
Now that you´ve shipped out
from under my skin
I think I´m ready to win

Oh what a night is tonight
I think I´m ready to fight
Now that my broken bones
all have been healed
I think I´m starting to feel

Something good
Something good
Now that you´re gone I can roll
On to something good.” Oh What A Day-Ingrid Michaelson

Hodge Podge

Well, HELLO FRIDAY! I’m always excited for the weekend. What’s even more exciting is that I have a pretty low key weekend planned. I think I will be able to relax both Saturday AND Sunday between the hours of 11 and 5 each day. If I play my cards right, I might even get a little caught up on TV or lay in bed or download music or something like that! I love being with friends and family but I can’t tell you how much I have been wanting to just sit around.



Oh my goodness. I don’t know how many of you watch Grey’s Anatomy but it was RIDICULOUS last night. I was 2 episodes behind before the finale last night so I figured I wouldn’t see the 2 hour show for a couple of weeks but I just had this feeling like I really wanted to see it. The previews kept indicating that someone was going to get shot. So, at about 7, I decided I would catch up on the 2 I was behind on so I could watch last night. I won’t spoil it in case you haven’t seen it but it was CRAZY. I mean, I thought it would be kind of predictable but the first 10 minutes were totally unexpected and made the whole show completely suspenseful. It is the best episode of not only Grey’s but of any television show I’ve seen in awhile. If you haven’t watched it, stop what you are doing and go watch...seriously.

Now that I have sufficiently geeked out over Grey’s, I will move on. I looked today and I’m about 5,000 steps behind in my 130 day goal. I have created a mini-plan to catch up this weekend. It will require a little more walking on my part but if I’ve divided the steps I’m behind on between today, tomorrow and Sunday so if I do what I’m supposed to, I will be back on track by Monday.

Also, I don’t know if you all remember or not but I play trivia a lot...I used to play every week but my team faded for a little while because the trivia goes in seasons. There is a certain amount of time that you have to qualify for sub-state regional’s. We knew we weren’t going to qualify so we took a break. It’s tough to lose every week AND it gets expensive. Since my team had gone on a hiatus (we plan to make a triumphant return the next go round), I have been playing with the T-Town Curling All Stars (mostly comprised of me, David & Nish). Well, we qualified for the sub-state competition and Sunday we are going to be playing in hopes of advancing to the State or Regional competition (I’m not sure of all the levels). I think the top 12 from this one will advance. It’s going to be at T.G.I. Friday’s. I have to say I’m pretty excited because it will be my cheat day and I LOVE T.G.I. Friday’s so it should be a fun time. Wish us luck!

I am definitely not weighing in tomorrow. I may peek at the scale in the morning just to see where I’m at but I am more than sure I’m going to need another week to get rid of the junk. I have only had one misstep since Sunday so I think that’s pretty good considering I spent so many days off the wagon.

Have a great weekend!

Peace out.

“And I'm winning you with words because I have no other way
I want to look into your face without your eyes turning away
Last night I watched you sing because a person has to try
And I walked home in the rain because a person can not lie.” Gray or Blue-Jaymay

JETTISON THE JUNK IN JUNE !

Happy Birthday! There MUST be another Nichole out there that puts an “H” in her name because I found this on Google! Anyway, I’m going to see you in just a couple hours but I wanted to give you a proper shout out. That pretty much wraps up the May birthdays other than a couple of Facebook friends (people I work with, friends of friends). That’s a lot of birthdays...

Anyway, yesterday I started my blog with a theme of overeating and I think it might have been confusing to some readers. I am not actually a member of Overeaters Anonymous. I am a major overeater, don’t get me wrong but at this point, I still have control over my body (except when I’m at David Earp’s house) but it is definitely a challenge and I have respect for those in the program. The point is, while I do seek strength in other areas of my life, I am succeeding in weight loss by using a diet plan...something that OEA is not into...just wanted to clarify.

Because of the travesty that was Birthday month, I need to take some serious strides in strictness. This needs to happen so I continue on my weight loss path AND find some more motivation so at some point, I will reach my goal. I don’t care how slow I go as long as I know I’m doing (mostly) my best and NOT gaining. Since I love a challenge AND since I operate best under pressure, I need to create a goal for myself...like I did with the walking. Having said that, I would like to JETTISON THE JUNK IN JUNE (thanks for the alliterative help Jordan). Really all that means is that my goal is to be 100% Monday-Saturday EVERY day in June. I know that the goal should always be to eat right every day but I haven’t been so I want to prove to myself that I can go back to the first love I had with Weight Watchers. June should be a good month because as of right now, I don’t have any plans to travel (this is subject to change) and there are no major holidays dangling ribs or ham or turkey in my face. I will keep you up to date. I can pretty much guarantee myself that if I eat like I’m supposed to, I will lose weight. Weight Watchers REALLY works if you do it right...I know what I NEED to do so putting a name on this challenge will certainly help me get back on track. I don’t really have much else on that...I am going to dinner at Jason’s Deli tonight. In my recent search of Panera Bread, McAlister’s, Jason’s and other deli-type places, I have found that MOST of them have a choose two menu that include some low fat soups and salads...you really can eat pretty much anywhere. Tomorrow is Friday and I am happy to report that this week has FLOWN by...maybe tomorrow will too! Have a good afternoon!


“You see the smile that's on my mouth
Is hiding the words that don't come out
And all of my friends who think that I'm blessed
They don't know my head is a mess
No, they don't know who I really am
And they don't know what I've been through but you do
And I was made for you...” The Story-Brandy Carlile

Overeaters [NOT SO] Anonymous

Hi, my name is Heather and I’m an overeater. (At this point, I hope you are all saying, “Hi Heather,” into your screens.) By the way, that really is a program doing great things if you’re interested, I’m not making fun, I probably could really use it...though I don’t know how one can totally recover...don’t you always need food? Whatever, another blog, another day I suppose. I was doing wonderfully on Monday and all day Tuesday and then last night I was bombarded with a series of appetizers and I indulged. I am SO paying for it today too because my stomach AND back hurt...ugh. I am being good today though. Again, the problem only really arises when there is a spread of food in front of me...I just can’t stop. Having said that though, the food was delicious and I appreciated/enjoyed every bit of it. I am full on again today and plan on going home and eating leftovers and carrying my goodness all the way until Sunday. I feel like I am on a VERY slippery slope right now. Apparently I’m not the only one because 2 other dieters I know right now gained weight last week but I hope I speak for them when I say...NO!!! I MUST hold on! I have to continue...I don’t want to gain...I don’t even want to maintain...I need to be losing so I am going to do my best to recover from last week in the next couple of weeks. I CAN do this! Right?

Aside from my addiction to cheese and dips and bread and all things chocolate, I am doing OK today. I’m not going to beat myself up...I’m just going to continue to work hard. I am still walking like crazy and I won’t let a few bad moments ruin my accomplishments.

Wow-I have to say, I didn’t realize that would go on like that. The other thing I wanted to talk about today may be a little taboo but I promise it will be quick and painless. Yesterday, I went to the doctor...you know...THE doctor that women go to...I went for a check-up. I have three rant-ish/funny things to say about this and then it will be over. A.) I knew I would have to give a urine sample so I purposefully didn’t go to the bathroom before I left for the appointment. When I got there, they had scheduled like 10 people for the same time and same doctor so they kept me waiting an hour. I’m sure I’m not the only one who waits to go to the bathroom...I mean seriously...let’s manage our time a little better. It is already unpleasant being there in the first place and then I had to suffer from the fear that I might actually pee my pants. Also, they later kept me in the actual room buck nekkid waiting on her for 20 minutes...it was bad but luckily the patient bed thing was heated...I almost fell asleep 3 times. B.) I was excited to see how much weight I had lost since my last visit which was in March of 2009. Evidently, I was in my, “I don’t want to even know,” phase because she had it written in her chart that I refused to weigh. It’s kind of funny but I was kind of disappointed so I took it upon myself to tell her how much weight I’d lost anyway. C.) I’ll just say this...when I am in this compromising position...can we just cut the chit chat? I appreciate your quickness and friendly nature but I’d rather not tell you the details of my job while there is a flashlight and stirrups present. I’m just saying.

Ok-that might have been a little much but I thought that I did a good job of watering it down.

I don’t think there is much I can say after that. I know I said last week that there was only one more birthday (which is tomorrow) but I do have two little birthday shout outs today even though they probably won’t see them. First, Happy Birthday to Dave DeGolyer (he and I were in the same graduate program) AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY to KAITLIN PITTMAN!!! Kaitlin is Jordan’s sister and she is 21 today! So, the May birthdays keep on coming.

I hope you all have a great afternoon!!!


“I've never gone with the wind
Just let it flow
Let it take me where it wants to go
Til' you opened the door
And there's so much more
I'd never seen it before
I was tryin' to fly but I couldn't find wings
But you came along and changed everything

You lift my feet off the ground
You spin me around
You make me crazier, crazier
Feels like I'm falling and I
I'm lost in your eyes
You make me Crazier, Crazier, Crazier

I watched from a distance as you
Made life your own
Every sky was your own kind of blue
And I wanted to know how that would feel
And you made it so real
You showed me something that I couldn't see
You opened my eyes and you made me believe

You lift my feet off the ground
You spin me around
You make me crazier, crazier
Feels like I'm falling and I
I'm lost in your eyes
You make me crazier, crazier, crazier.” Crazier-Taylor Swift

Back In The Saddle

Hi Everyone! I know I didn’t blog yesterday and I apologize. It has been extremely busy, I really haven’t had very many minutes to spare during work and after. So, it’s been awhile since we’ve spoken. I guess this blog will be mostly to update you on my weekend and such. I posted some pictures below of the concert and my birthday cake.







As you can see, the concert was HOT but it was SO much fun! I love Lady Antebellum and Tim McGraw was really awesome too. I used to love listening to him when I was a kid so it was great. It was a really long day because we drove to and from Atlanta in one day but it was SO worth it. The cake was red velvet and it was VERY yummy! I can’t thank my friends and family enough for my awesome birthday. Everyone was so sweet to me with dinners, cakes and gifts and I had a great time. I am so undeserving of a whole birthday week but that’s pretty much what I got. I got much needed money and then some fun gift cards...it was great! It almost made me forget that I am now closer to 30 than 20...almost.

As I predicted, the past couple of days have been pretty tough. I have a serious case of diet rage going on. No meal I’ve had has seemed like enough food and I have been thinking about my next meal even more than usual. I have to be strong though because I weighed and I pretty much put on 5 pounds last week. It’s SO unfair...4 days of eating food I want and I gain 5 pounds that will take me at LEAST 2-3 weeks to recover from. That doesn’t even make any good sense. Oh well...I have stuck to it so far...even if I have only been back on the wagon for a day and a half. Plus, it’s an eye opener of how fast it can be put back on and I don’t want to be headed in that direction. In the spirit of making sure I get back in line, I DID cook yesterday. I made a turkey sausage, broccoli, garlic, Italian bread & cheese casserole. It was very good...I really enjoyed it but it was 5 points PER serving and one serving was a pretty tiny square. Naturally, I ate more than one serving but I did count it. I think when I have it for leftovers, I will cook up some green beans to go with it to make it more complete. I posted a picture below, not that you can see much but I was proud. I already have my recipe for next week and I will report back on that. Just email me or comment if you guys ever want any of the recipes! Enjoy your night! I will be back tomorrow!



“So long, farewell
Auf Wiedersehen, goodnight!” So Long, Farewell, Sound of Music

Summer Snow!

Since it is birthday week and I have been craving it for awhile, I stopped and got some Summer Snow on the way back from lunch. If you aren’t from Tuscaloosa, Summer Snow is a shaved ice place in Alberta that is only open during the summer. It’s SO good and it makes you feel like a kid again. No, all of those weren’t for me, I brought a couple people from work some. My favorite flavor is blueberry cheesecake and then you can get cream put on top...it’s pretty tasty. They have all kinds of flavors from cherry to chocolate (which, I love chocolate but that sounds gross) and tons of other flavors.

So, that was my 572nd treat of birthday week...lol...my body won’t know what to do with itself when I go back to normal. It will be quite an adjustment period...but I’m ready. I think I keep reminding myself of my impending doom so maybe it won’t be quite so bad when I get back on the wagon.

I think I have decided to create yet another challenge for myself. I am going to cook at least once a week. I don’t mean a Lean Cuisine either...I mean like, get a Weight Watchers recipe, buy the stuff to make it and prepare it one night. I already have the stuff for my first recipe but I had to put it all in the freezer because I had no time to make it this week but I think next week will be a good time to start. First, it’s cheaper and second, I can get more meals out of it. The only problem is, if I prepare something with 4 servings, it’s hard for me not to eat all 4 servings...but I will do my best. Then, when I make it, I can take pictures and report. Yes, I think I just made it official. Next week I’m going to make a turkey sausage, Italian bread, broccoli & cheese casserole...and it should be good!



Well, tomorrow should be REALLY fun! Cassandra, Jordan and I are heading to Atlanta to see Lady Antebellum & Tim McGraw! I have always liked Tim McGraw but as you may or may not know, Lady Antebellum is my new obsession. I love them and their lyrics and their harmony. We are all excited. Sunday should be awesome too...I am going to sleep in, Whitney and I are going shopping and then my mom is cooking/purchasing a birthday dinner for me! I think after that...my birthday diva week will officially be over. That’s probably for the better...I’ve been feeling awful slovenly, swollen and rotund the past couple of days. It’s amazing how a few days of bad eating habits can make me feel like a Macy’s Day Parade Balloon. I will survive.

I hope the outlook of your weekend looks as fabulous as mine! Get some rest, have fun and be careful!!!

“I love when you tell me that I'm pretty when I just woke up
And I love how you tease me when I'm moody, and it’s always enough
I'm falling fast, but the truth is I'm not scared at all
You broke my wall

So lay here beside me, just hold me and don't let go
This feeling I'm feeling is something I've never known
FAnd I just can't take my eyes off you
And I just can't take my eyes off you, off you, off you.”
Can't Take My Eyes Off You-Lady Antebellum

Happy Birthday To Me Y'all!

I hope you don’t ever let me say that I am not surrounded by friends and family that care about me because it would be a straight up lie. I have had so many people tell me happy birthday and cater to my birthday diva needs. I was taken to lunch, I’m going to dinner, Jordan is driving from Birmingham, my folks and Whitney and Nichole are coming. I am loved! When I came into the office this morning, my desk was decorated and I was given a tiara.




I have eaten SO much today. I won’t even put everything on here in case you are dieting...even if you aren’t...it’s still perverse how much I’ve consumed today. I will brag on one thing...a girl at work...her mother made my cake. It’s a strawberry cake with cream cheese frosting and my OH my is it good. It’s so moist...ugh...it’s almost gone...which is good because I would have taken it home and probably wollered (yes, this should be wallowed, which I just found out today but I like wollered better) around in it tonight.

If there is one positive thing about this birthday week binge that I have and will continue to engage myself in...I feel icky. I’ve had to take two reflux pills and I swear my body feels like lead. Despite the fact that I love all this food, I think I will enjoy normalizing myself again. Maybe I really am changing. It’s weird because I still lust after food...and I probably always will but I think it’s a very good sign that I’m not enjoying myself so much that I want to just give it all up. So, as of Monday, I will be on the wagon and when I start to complain about how hawngry I am and how I never get to eat what I want...I can look back at this. I’m sure that will solve all my problems.

Tonight should be fun. A bunch of us are going to Southland...which I KNOW I’ve mentioned on here before. I think it was when I did my Top 5 Best Ranches Ever List...they have an AMAZING salad bar. Woot! After that, I’m not sure what I’m doing...I may go out for a little while but I have to be at work Friday morning so we will see. Congrats to Cassandra’s roommate Jordan (not my Jordan) because he graduates from nursing school tonight! See-a lot of big stuff going on in May.

I hope you all enjoy your night and I will talk to you tomorrow.

“You know it doesn't make much sense
There ought to be a law against
Anyone who takes offense
At a day in your celebration
Cause we all know in our minds
That there ought to be a time
That we can set aside
To show just how much we love you
And I'm sure you would agree
It couldn't fit more perfectly
Than to have a world party on the day you came to be

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday.” Happy Birthday-Stevie Wonder

Birthday Eve.

I hope you can see now that I’m sort of a birthday diva. Because it is birthday eve and it has, again, been EXTREMELY busy today, I can’t really say much.

I will say that I am HIGHLY frustrated because the bread that I love, Nature’s Own Honey Wheat Light, has been really bad the past two times I’ve gotten it. The last two loaves have gone moldy in less than a week. I haven’t done anything different or changed where I put it. It’s frustrating because it makes me feel like the first pieces I ate might have been bad AND I’m wasting money.

Anyway, I will try it again but if it happens a third time, I might have to consider switching up. The only other thing I wanted to bring up was a question. I was at the mall today and a few people just walked right through me like I was invisible. For some reason, I always attribute this to my weight. My question is, I guess, is it better to be fat and invisible or fat and noticed? I mean it hurts when you are at a club and a guy walks right through you to get to a hot girl (which is many times your friend). But sometimes, to be noticed means that they call attention to your weight. I don’t know and by no means do I want to be emo but just curious...do you think fat people are invisible in society and seen as lazy and which is worse...disappearing or being called out?

There is no real way to transition after that so I don’t think I will try. I bought some shoes online that didn’t fit so I was able to return them. Instead of saving that money, I turned right around and bought me some Egyptian Cotton sheets. Happy birthday to me right? Ugh, I hate feeling bad for buying things...but I just LOVE good sheets and I haven’t had any since I moved into my apartment.

Well, I will blog tomorrow if I can wade through all the food that is going to be at my desk and at my lunch and dinner tables.

Have a great afternoon! I know I will...I’m going to Moe’s!

“And I don't know
This could break my heart or save me
Nothing's real
Until you let go completely
So here I go with all my thoughts I've been saving
So here I go with all my fears weighing on me

Three months and I'm still sober
Picked all my weeds but kept the flowers
But I know it's never really over

And I don't know
I could crash and burn but maybe
At the end of this road I might catch a glimpse of me
So I won't worry about my timing, I want to get it right
No comparing, second guessing, no not this time

Three months and I'm still breathing
Been a long road since those hands I left my tears in but I know
It's never really over, no.” Sober-Kelly Clarkson

Check That Inventory!

Yup. There is another birthday today. That’s why we call it birthday month. 2 down and 2 to go I think...I hope you have a wonderful birthday Nish. Nish is also trying to stay on the diet wagon and I have to say I know how hard it is to NOT eat cake and other birthday treats when they are right under your nose...but like I told my mom at lunch...everyone deserves normalcy sometimes. I don’t think I will EVER allow people to eat cake for my birthday and me not have any...that’s just wrong.

I will be the first to admit that I have gone completely crazy already this week...tomorrow is be REALLY good day because there is no reason I need to cheat. It will make me feel better about myself to be on track tomorrow.

I went into Weight Watchers today to get a 3-Month journal. These journals work for me because they have a tracker and tips and recipes and what not. I HAVE to write my points down. I am terrible at math so I know I couldn’t add them up all day in my head and if I don’t write it down, I don’t have a point of reference to how many points I have left. This works well because I am an obsessive list taker and I write everything down. Anyway, they were out of them. This is not the first time this has happened. I swear if I gain weight because I don’t have my journal (my diet security blanket), don’t think I won’t try to get them to refund me a month.

I guess this brings me to my rant of the day:

I CAN’T STAND FOR PEOPLE TO BE OUT OF THINGS.

Like today, I wanted FIG. I’ve talked about them before...I used to love them but since I’ve been on Weight Watchers, there is really only one dish I can eat there. I had every intention of being bad there during lunch but they were sold out of their daily special. Again, this has happened here before. If I were running a restaurant with specials and there were several times that I ran out of it before the lunch rush was over, I would think to myself that I might need to...I don’t know...MAKE MORE.

It’s infuriating. There is this Burger King in town that I just eventually stopped going to. They were always out of buns or meat or some fast food staple. I think the straw that broke the camel’s back was when I took my brother there one day. They used to have a loaded potato burger where they just piled bacon mashed potatoes on top of a whopper...my brother loved these. I took him there and there was a sign that said they would only accept exact change. I said, “So, you won’t take my card or this $20 bill?” and the girl goes, “Nope.” I said...well alright then...I think I must have miraculously had exact change (I don’t remember) because I remember ordering. I said I wanted the loaded burger and the girl goes, “We out of loaded.” I said OK...I ordered something else...again...I don’t remember the details but I asked for extra ketchup or for there to be ketchup in the bag and the girl goes, “We out of ketchup.” So, I said, “FORGET IT!” I drove around to the window, stuck my head out and yelled, “BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” as loud as I could. Ugh...it irritated me...they never had ice cream and they were ALWAYS out of stuff...so I was like...I’m never going there again.

Anyway-that’s just really on my nerves today...I hate when people are out of things...order enough!

Alright, I’m done...I plan on having a great night and I hope you do to!

Peace out.

“You don't want none I hustle for my muscle and you look
Weak son (real weak) yea!...I'm goin’ for all that I can get
Kickin’ at the top cause I'm too legit to quit...sing!...

Too legit... Too legit to quit (hey...hey...) Too legit...too
legit... Too legit to quit...(hey...) Too legit... Too legit to quit
(too legit...) too legit... too legit to quit...” 2 Legit 2 Quit-MC Hammer

Birthday Week!

It’s BIRTHDAY week! YAY! I turn 26 this Thursday and there is A LOT on the agenda. Tonight I am going to a poetry reading, tomorrow is Nish’s birthday, Thursday is my birthday and Saturday, me, Jordan and Cassandra are going to see Lady Antebellum and Tim Megraw! I’m so excited and nervous because of all the food I’m going to eat this week...hopefully I won’t gain more than 5 pounds this week. I will have a lot of work to do the next few weeks...ugh...I will need your help because I can feel my summer laziness coming on.

By the way, if you are on the list to get this blog emailed to you and the first email didn’t have any text, it’s because I was trying to practice uploading the videos below.

The first video that you will see is of my dog Pacey trying to catch bubbles. We were out on the deck blowing bubbles and roasting marshmallows (we roasted them over charcoal...I don’t even want to talk about how dangerous that probably is). The second video is of the Blue Angels. My parents went to the actual show on Saturday but we went and watched them from afar on Sunday and still got some good pictures. That was all yesterday, on Mother’s Day. It was a good day that made me feel young...and of course we ate good...steaks...yum! If for some reason you can’t see the videos...it’s you...not me because I’ve tested them and someone else was also able to see them...so if you can’t...I’m sorry? I also posted a picture of a bubble so if you can’t see...you aren’t completely without visual aid.

I hope everyone else had a great weekend! It’s been a very busy Monday so I think I will go ahead and wrap things up. Rest assured that I won’t be much help with your dieting this week as visions of cake and fried foods dance in my head.





Have a FANTASTIC night!

"Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion." Truvy-Steel Magnolias

True Colors

This morning I walked in the office and there was food provided for everyone on BOTH sides of the building so I was sandwiched between this:



and this (from Jack’s):



I’m not sure I need to really say anything else. I came very close to eating a biscuit but decided against it. It smelled so good in here but I’m OK I guess. No one has ever died from wanting fried chicken TOO much, though I think I might believe it if I heard a story about it.

Honestly, I don’t feel great as it is so I’m not as ravenous as I would normally be if there was glazed fried dough in my presence. My lymph nodes a really tender and my head has been killing me. Last night I kept seeing spots when I was walking. Blech. I’m pretty positive that it’s allergy related so I’m just going to take some Benadryl tonight and go to bed early.

I have been very honest lately. I think I am supposed to be working on my anger issues or at least that’s what my Dad says. This girl at work says I have this irritated laugh that is really scary. I know exactly what she’s talking about. I won’t say which parent or friend I get it from. I will flip my hair, get crazy eyes and let out this loud laugh that sounds manic and shrill and mean. It’s actually a running joke between Jordan and I. There are just certain things that bring out my true colors. Some of my triggers are when people are ignorant, when they preach about something they haven’t done their research on, when they don’t do things they say they are going to do, terrible drivers, slow computers...you know the usual. Mostly, I just fly off the handle at random times..when you least expect it. I don’t know what brought this on but many of you that read this blog are those that are the closest to me so if you’ve ever been a victim of my rage...sorry? Sometimes I call it diet rage but if I’m being honest with myself...I was mean before Weight Watchers. What are the triggers that bring out your true colors (yes, I am gearing up for Cyndi Lauper lyrics at the end of the blog...I don’t care if it’s cheap...it’s Friday, my mind is fried and I am out of creativity and subtlety) ?

I’m not sure why that was on my mind...perhaps because I’ve had more crazy moments than usual lately like leaving my car running or like last night when I quite literally almost had a panic attack while walking because there were a bazillion little fuzzy white bugs flying all around my face. I’m glad nobody with sensitive ears was around me at that point.

Anyway, I have another busy weekend in store. Nichole is graduating from the University of Alabama tomorrow! I am SO proud of her and it JUST hit me the other day that she is moving to New York at the end of the summer. Nichole, if you read this...I expect us to make a goal of eating at Moe’s like 50 times before you go. But because I love you, I did some research and I searched for Moe’s in your area and guess what?! There is one RIGHT on top of CUNY...I mean it’s less than a mile if not right inside the thing. So, you won’t be without it. I WILL be visiting so just be prepared.

So-Saturday night, we will be celebrating Nichole’s graduation but we will also be celebrating May birthdays! (Me Included.)

Sunday is Mother’s Day so my brother and I are going to cook for our Mom.

Should be a good weekend!

I hope you have one too.

And here are the lyrics (ask my friends...I burst into this song all the time):

“Show me a smile then
don't be unhappy, can't remember
when I last saw you laughing
if this world makes you crazy
and you've taken all you can bear
you call me up
because you know I'll be there

And I'll see your true colors
shining through
I see your true colors
and that's why I love you
so don't be afraid to let them show
your true colors
true colors are beautiful
like a rainbow.” True Colors-Cyndi Lauper

Um, Happy Seis de Mayo?

I apologize for the title of this one...I couldn’t think of anything.

Howdy! I hope everyone had a good Cinco de Mayo. I did...I went over to Whitney’s and she made an awesome dinner. I LOVE Mexican food...especially if it’s made at home. It was good...I had a taco and a burrito and chips and yeah...I probably went over a smidge in points but it WAS a holiday right?

Here’s something else I did last night and before I tell you this I want to preface by saying that I had NOT been drinking...though it might make more sense if I had been. I met Cassandra after I went to Whitney’s at a Mexican place in town. I got there way later than them so they were all inside so I just parked and walked in. When we were going to leave I couldn’t find my keys ANYWHERE. I looked in my purse, under the table and everywhere. Finally, I walked outside just in case I had dropped them. When I got outside, I looked and my headlights were on, my keys were in the ignition and the car was RUNNING. Instead of turning the key off and locking the door and all after I put it in park, I just parked it and got out...I mean...who does that?! The bad thing is...I wasn’t all that surprised because I have been doing that...I will put my car in park and start to get out but I always catch myself so it was only a matter of time but I didn’t expect myself to completely forget my car was running, unlocked for anyone to take and abandoned for over an hour. Boy, I am SO absent-minded. I think my brain is always two steps ahead of my body. Oh well...I can laugh about it because it wasn’t stolen or anything but jeez...I need to be more careful.

I was thinking today that the last time I lost weight, I became content. I knew I looked better but was lacking that extra drive. I worry that will happen this time around. I think what I’m trying to say is that even though I am healthier and I weigh less...I still have a long way to go and I don’t want to just maintain and be content. I want to keep the drive...ugh...where is it though? I think after my birthday it will be better, I won’t have any reason to cheat until July 4th. My goal is to have a practically perfect June. I want to be good on every day but Sunday. I’m positive I can do that...that will help me lose and I will be driven to keep going. I have to set standards and rules for myself to succeed.

Ok-There is another softball game tonight so that should be fun...or something. The season ends next week and then there is a tournament. It went by pretty fast.

I don’t have much else today so I will just say I hope you have a stupendous evening!


During a bowling match in the Big Lebowski (I really need to watch this again soon...love this movie):

“Walter Sobchak: OVER THE LINE!
Smokey: Huh?
Walter Sobchak: I'm sorry, Smokey. You were over the line, that's a foul.
Smokey: Bullsh**. Mark it 8, Dude.
Walter Sobchak: Uh, excuse me. Mark it zero. Next frame.
Smokey: Bullsh**, Walter. Mark it 8, Dude.
Walter Sobchak: Smokey, this is not 'Nam. This is bowling. There are rules.” The Big Lebowski

Es Party Time Y'all!

That’s right...today is the day that Mexican’s everywhere celebrate their...independence...I guess...right?

Actually, no.

According to Wikipedia: “Cindo De Mayo is a voluntarily-observed holiday that commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín. It is celebrated primarily in the state of Puebla and in the United States. While Cinco de Mayo has limited significance nationwide in Mexico, the date is observed in the United States and other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day, the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico.”

Oh...right...so it’s NOT their independence day AND it has limited significance in the actual country of Mexico...I knew that. It stands to reason that American’s would celebrate this holiday...especially since we are all so welcoming of our Mexican friends...no...that’s not right...so...why do we celebrate it again? Oh...right...tequila. Understandable I guess. All I know is that the Mexican restaurants certainly get on board with this holiday in America. I have to be honest, I am hoping my night involves corn tortillas and salt rimmed glasses in some capacity. I’m not sure exactly what my plans are but I do LOVE Mexican food. Good news is, I can obnoxiously burst everyone’s bubbles when I tell them it’s not Mexico’s independence we are celebrating. I have this feeling they won’t care.

In other news...I got torn up last night at the softball game. I don’t know if you know this or not but my mode of defense as catcher is to heave my shins in front of the ball so I don’t have to run after it every time. I think people make fun of me for this but I don’t care. Those balls take an odd bounce every time they are thrown and so I only catch 1 in every 5 pitches probably...so rather than running all over the place...I try to stop the ball in its tracks by throwing my leg out there. Frankly, I think it’s heroic. Anyway, if you know me, you know I inherited some pretty fierce knee issues...plus...all the weight I’ve added to them hasn’t helped. Having said that, I don’t even like for people to touch my knees. Well, I took a softball directly to my knee last night...hard. It pretty much sucked.

Here’s a picture:



Now, don’t let the lighting and the grand size of my soft knee fool you...that bruise is fierce...a sacrifice I made for the team.

I have another game tomorrow night...maybe I should take it easy...LOL.

Ok-I hope everyone has a safe and fun Cinco de Mayo!!!

In honor of the Mexican singer Selena who died too soon(I have no idea what these words mean nor do I plan on finding out...if you are interested, feel free to go to Google Translate and figure it out)...

“Bidi bidi bom bom (bidi bidi bom bom)
Bidi bidi bom bom (bidi bidi bom bom)
Bidi bidi bidi bidi bidi bom bom
Bidi bidi bidi bidi bidi bom bom

Cada vez
Cada vez que lo oigo hablar
Me tiemblan hasta las piernas
Y el corazon igual

Y se emociona (y se emociona)
Ya no razona
No lo puedo controlar
Y se emociona
Y me empieza a cantar
Me canta asi, asi.” Bidi Bidi Bom Bom-Selena

Are You [Health] Nuts?!

Hi everyone! I hope your Tuesday has been swell. Mine has been OK. I’m pretty irritated because I didn’t get my steps again yesterday. UGH! I guess I am just destined to walk all dang day when I’m not working. I have GOT to start getting enough every day or I’m not going to make it. I’m going walking after work, then Wal-Mart (if I have time) and then I have a softball game tonight at 9:15 so if I don’t get all of my steps in today...then I’m just screwed. Also, I had Chinese food for lunch. It was good and it’s not supposed to be that bad for you but they gave me HUGE servings. It was truly too much but as someone with a fat spirit, I can’t stop eating if the food is in front of me. I wish I would have taken a picture. Seriously, if I would have combined the two scoops of rice into one...it would’ve been as big as a soccer ball. Next time, I am going to split it in half right away and eat the other half for dinner or something. Blech...it made me feel sick. I had to go to the dentist as well earlier and that always sucks but other than all that...it’s been a perfectly acceptable day.

Tomorrow is Cindo de Mayo!!! I’m not sure yet but I usually do SOMETHING on this day...I mean...nothing special but I at least eat Mexican food...you know show my support and all. What I REALLY want is some spare time to hang out with Whitney. I’ve been waiting on them to move back here forever and I’ve barely seen her. I know they are so busy...they have a real nice setup...maybe I will get a free night soon.

Last night was fun...I went up to Birmingham and Jordan and I went to Logan’s for his birthday. They had this Health Nut menu which was great because it meant there was options. Everything on the menu is under 550 calories. Since I don’t know the exact measurements, I figured each of the meals was about 12 points. They had steak and seafood but I got the grilled pork chops. You get two decent sized pork chops (honestly you are probably only supposed to get one) which is good...and don’t get me wrong...the meat tasted fine. The only problem I have is that the meals are served with broccoli and a “Health Nut” salad. The broccoli is fine but the salad consists of lettuce, WAY too many shredded carrots and tomatoes. It was served with this gooey fat free Italian dressing. G-UH-ROSS. I don’t like tomatoes or carrots unless they are cooked so it was pretty much just lettuce that was kind of brown and nasty fat free dressing. I wouldn’t necessarily consider myself a health nut but I would say that most health nuts try to put a little variety in their food. If I were going to have a salad with fat free dressing and no cheese, meat or croutons...it would have broccoli, onions, cucumbers and GOOD lettuce. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with just a few pieces of sliced turkey or ham and a little low fat cheese. I mean JEEZ. I was offended. Again, I wish I would have taken a picture. Oh well. I hate to complain too much because I honestly do applaud ANY place that offers options and after the salad and the little portion of broccoli...I was relieved to see 2 pork chops on my plate.

I posted the “Health Nut” menu from Logan’s below in case you are interested. I always think you guys should know when I try something new. (You may have to click it to be able to actually see it and open it up in another window. If not, you can always go to their site.)




Anyway, there is a softball game tonight...I’ll admit I’m not thrilled about it because it starts at 9:15 which is about 45 minutes after my bedtime but...I’ll live.

Have a lovely evening and a good day tomorrow!

“I always wanted to get married, and I thought you were the one
But you never, ever asked me, and I was tired of hangin' on
You know a girl can only be let down so many times before she runs
And now this little bitty town's only got room for one of us, yeah

You always said I'd never leave, and if I did I wouldn't go far
So I know how I must look, with my tank 'a gas and beat up heart
Well baby, I'm gone for good, you can count on that
Yeah, I'm gonna keep headin' west 'til I'm too far gone to come back, yeah

And If I'm not over you by the time I get to Georgia
Then I guess I'll be Alabama bound
There was a time when I'd do anything for you
But this time, baby, oh [HO] I won't turn around

I only got ten miles to go before I cross the state line
I can feel my hands shakin'
'Cause they usually turn the wheel around about this time
I heard that same ol' voice inside, I had to drown it out
So I found me a radio station playin' something fast
And I turned it up real loud

And If I'm not over you by the time I get to Georgia
Then I guess I'll be Alabama bound
There was a time when I'd do anything for you
But this time, baby, oh [HO] I won't turn around.” Georgia-Carolyn Dawn Johnson

Now Walk It Out!

I love Google. I totally typed in Happy Birthday Jordan in Google Images and that came up. As you can tell it’s Jordan’s 25th Birthday so...Happy Birthday to him...though I think he is fully aware of my wishes as I have told him Happy Birthday on Twitter, Facebook and over the phone. I will also tell him tonight in person when I go to Birmingham for dinner...so if he doesn’t know I want him to have a Happy Birthday then I’m concerned for him.

I hope everyone had a great weekend. Mine was pretty good. Saturday I got to weigh in. I lost .6...lol...you wouldn’t believe the extremes I went to in order to NOT gain weight. I’m ridiculous but HEY I didn’t gain! I ate lunch with my Mom and she bought me a few things. Then I got to see a variation of friends and eat dinner with my Oma. Sunday, we went to Chattanooga so I got to see my Aunt Brenda, Grandma and Aunt Allie. I got some birthday money...I’d almost forgotten that it was that time. I also got to meet my new baby cousin Drew. Here is a couple of pictures of Me & David with him.




He’s pretty stinkin’ cute I have to say. It was funny because the SECOND he got in my arms, he started crying. I have that affect on babies. I did get to hold him a little without him crying though so that was nice. He’s kind of adorable.

Overall, the weekend was way too short but it was a good one. It’s going to be hard for me to be good the next few weeks because of all the birthdays and miscellaneous events going on this month. I can already taste the birthday food that I’m going to be eating so it’s making today pretty hard. How sad is it that I’m thinking of meals over a week in advance. Whatever. No matter how much weight I lose...I will always be fat at heart.

If you don’t know, I’m challenging myself by walking 1 million steps in 130 days. Today is about the quarter way through point and I WAS a couple thousand steps ahead but because I was in the car all day yesterday, I’m now a couple thousand steps behind. I will have to make it up this month. It’s actually pretty difficult. In order to meet the goal, I have to get an average of about 7,700 steps a day. If it doesn’t sound like a lot...think of this way...I went to the gym this morning, ran a mile and then ran for 15 minutes on the elliptical, I’ve done my average point A to point B walking in parking lots and at work and I’ve only gone 5,700 steps...so it’s not easy. Basically, I need to walk about 3 miles a day...by whatever means necessary. The only reason I was ahead is because there are days when I do more walking so I gain some ground. I’m hoping I hit all my marks this week and then get some extra steps in this weekend and then I will be right on track. I will give another update when I’m halfway through.

If you are looking for something to change up your routine or get a routine started period...I think challenges like those are helpful...if you set a goal for yourself and then put it in a public forum like I did, you are much more likely to try to get it accomplished.

Alright, I’m done talking now. Off to Birmingham soon for a birthday dinner.

Talk to you tomorrow.

“I've been wondering if all the things I've seen
Were ever real, were ever really happening.

Every day is a winding road
I get a little bit closer
Everyday is a faded sign
I get a little bit closer to feeling fine.” Every Day Is A Winding Road-Sheryl Crow