crooked souls trying to stay up straight

I am still not really feeling clarity about what my blog should be - and I am still struggling with an inability to commit to my weight loss/health journey.

But I love my fellow bloggers. And I feel guilty for reading and not producing reading material.

So I decided to go back to a true and trusted friend: iPod Roulette.

Hit shuffle. Admit to the first 10 songs that pop up. Here goes.

1. Shadow Proves the Sunshine - Switchfoot. Such a great song. Second Switchfoot favorite only to Daisy. I always imagined this would be an awesome song to run to. I haven't found out - yet.

2. Wasting Time - Jack Johnson. This song was our introduction to the great Jack (although we were severely disappointed by his latest cd). This song will always remind me of driving along old 12 at the Outer Banks.

3. Steven's Last Night in Town - Ben Folds Five. Such a fun song with the piano and the clarinet and the ringing phone at the end...

4. She's Gone - Hall and Oates. One of the best late-night-driving-with-the-windows-down songs ever. This song will always be one of the many that I associate with high school and the four of us...even though I graduated in 1996.

5. Once Upon a Time - Buscuit Burners. We saw them at Woodsongs a few weeks ago. A strange mix of bluegrass and Middle Eastern. But tons of fun. They are from Asheville. 'Nuff said.

6. Lord, Save Me from Myself - Jon Foreman. Oh my. This (so far) 3 EP set from the lead of Switchfoot is amazing. Such heavy rotation in my car right now. I need to throw myself into an attitude of humbleness and listening, and these cds put me there.

7. Hold You in My Arms - Ray LaMontagne. I would have preferred his cover of Gnarls Barkley's Crazy, but this will do. He is another one of my newer favorites. Good stuff.

8. Breakable - Ingrid Michaelson. We are so fragile. Sing it, Ingrid. (My Farley Cat just walked across the computer without touching a single key. I was amazed, so I thought I'd share.)

9. All Along the Watchtower - DMB. Best. Cover. Ever. Any version. If you don't know every word, shame on you.

10. You're Beautiful - Paul Wright. Such a great praise song. It keeps me humble too.

What's your random 10? Please share in the comments. I love finding new music...and being reminded of old random favorites!

in your pocket you carry devotion

"I've been so long silent so when I spoke I would know it was truth." ~Peter Mulvey

I still need to be silent for a while.

as long as it ain't the one she left

Okay. So today was tough at work. You know when you think you know how to do your job and then someone comes and pulls the rug out from under you? Yeah. Today was tough at work.

So my work buddy and I decided to road trip to Louisville to...the Cheesecake Factory! Huge success there: half of my salad and half of my cheesecake. I pretty much rock.

Then on the way home, I called Nate (he comes home tomorrow!) and was telling him that I was running late, and I was really tired, and he reminded me that I can't wear my ring tomorrow unless I exercise tonight. I pouted and stuff.

I get home. I change the litter. I start a load of laundry (my co-worker gave me some of her fat clothes that I can wear!). I do 25 minutes of yoga/pilates. Because I rock.

Now I must sleep. Nathan comes home tomorrow!

say what you need to say

The first time I heard that song, I thought he said, "Santa needs a Saint." I'm so glad I had Nate to clear that up for me.

Speaking of Nathan...he's in Georgia until Thursday. Not only do I miss him, but I am generally uneasy about being in the house by myself. Not just this house, but any house. I plan on reading myself to sleep. And since we got up at 4:45 to have him to the airport this morning, I don't think that will be difficult.

I went shopping today. Per my agreement with Nathan, I bought nothing. What is our agreement? No new clothes until I am down a size. So either 16 in pants or Large in tops. I got a pair of 16s to fasten today, and I even took a picture, but I won't curse you with that image. It's a good motivator for me.

Speaking of motivators, I think I may have found one.

Remember recent post where Nathan bought me a beautiful ring. I love it. It's heavy enough for me to be be aware that it is there. I got many compliments on it today. I love it.

And it needs to be a reminder that I love myself and that I am making good choices. So...

(After giving myself a bye today since I am so tired and sleepy...)

I am only allowed to wear my precious ring if I have exercised the night before. So every day, I earn it. And I remind myself that I deserve to make good choices, and move my body, and put good things in my mouth.

But I am wearing it tomorrow even though I didn't work out tonight. I had the brainstorm too late.

Now I'm off to hopefully finish "In Defense of Food." I can't wait to tell you all what I have learned!

Have a great night!

for all redemptive measures

I decided to weigh today because Nathan has to be at the airport at 6 tomorrow morning, and I didn't want to forget. And I'm even showing my naked toes.

Nathan will be at the beach most of this week for a conference. I will continue to work.

I know/am pretty sure that this is a slight gain from my last weigh in. I really don't mind. I have pretty much thrown caution to the wind. BUT we went to the gym yesterday, and I have not had any chocolate cake/ice cream cake/mini Reese cups/M&Ms/potato chips since Friday. So that's progress.

I am back to my food blog on Tryin' On A Brand New Dress. I didn't have pictures of everything today, but it's better than nothing.

Crap! But I'm still on blog vacation. Don't tell anyone I was here!

neither is the rain

I was talking with Fat Bridesmaid the other day, and she requested pictures of my fake/flea market purses. So here you go!
And, today, Nathan bought me new jewelry! I love Vera Wang at Kohl's!
I am working up a good blog for my official return from blog-vacation on Monday. I just couldn't resist stopping by to show you a few pictures!

so when I spoke I would know it was truth

After a year plus of mostly uninterrupted blogging (excluding the moving = no internet fiasco), I have decided to take a vacation. It's pretty outside, I've got a lot of things I'd like to do, and I sometimes catch myself procrastinating by blogging and reading the forty-some blogs that I have in my reader.

I don't know how long I'll be gone. I promise no more than a week without checking in.

I am not quitting. As a matter of fact, I have had a great day today. Starbucks for breakfast. Chicken, veggies, and rice for lunch. Chicken sausage and corn for dinner. Apple and nutella for a snack. We walked for about an hour around the neighborhood, and then I rode the exercise bike for 30 minutes. I feel really good today.

I will miss you! You haven't seen the last of me!

watch us as we ride

Let me tell you about my weekend:

Nathan turned 30.

What does that mean?

3 hours of sleep. Pepsi. Salt and vinegar chips. Home cooking. Birthday cake. Bologna sandwich. Chicken salad sandwiches and barbecue chips. More birthday cake. Sausage biscuits. More bologna sandwich and barbecue chips. Still more birthday cake. Frozen coffee drink. Chips and salsa. Cheesecake.

I weighed Friday morning before all the craziness and I had actually lost a little more than a pound since Monday. I'm sure I won't see the same numbers. Especially since I have messed up my poop cycle. Oh well.

Don't get me wrong. The weekend was awesome. It started with the Punch Brothers on Thursday night. The show was great and we (a group of 7 late-20's early 30's) almost got into a brawl with 2 older gentlemen who took the seats of others about our age during intermission. I don't know the last time I felt so much adrenaline. And so proud for standing up for what was right...even though it was really none of my business.

Anyway, the concert was awesome, ending with autographs and getting to meet Chris Thile. Very good times. And Nathan and I held our composure well. I thought we'd sound like bumbling fans, but we were cool.

I also bought some awesome (counterfeit) purses this weekend. But don't tell anyone!

I am excited about this week. No evening plans. No excuses not to eat better and go to the gym. And it should be pretty enough for us to ride our bikes!

It's time for me to drink a ton of water to get rid of some of this sodium.

I'll face the scale in the morning, and I'll let you know the damage.

never trust a big butt and a smile

Oh! I had another thought!

So Clinton (as in my friend from What Not to Wear) is going to be at the Fayette Mall in Lexington on April 11 at 1pm.

I thought it sounded like an excellent time for a Central Kentucky Blogger Event! I think I am gonna try to get a ticket. Anyone local or able to make the trip and accompany me? I am going to get tickets on Friday morning, so let me know by tomorrow night and I'll get them together!

and I know he watches me

Okay, let me explain where I have been.

I know that usually when I skip a few days it can mean nothing but bad.

BUT...

Nathan's 30th is Friday. And, in celebration, this is our week of concerts!

Monday night we saw Shawn Mullins (of Lullaby fame) and the Biscuit Burners at a local radio show. They were both really REALLY good.

And then, last night, Kent accompanied us to dinner at Natasha's (I had goulash) and to a show of the Sparrow Quartet, featuring Abigail Washburn and Bela Fleck. It was an awesome show. And I learned that I can get drunk from a glass and a half of wine. I am seriously pathetic.

And tomorrow we head to Cincinnati to see the Punch Brothers again (the new band from the guy that played mandolin in Nickel Creek). The most exciting of them all!

There are tons of links up there...Check them out!

I have had challenges and struggles the last few days. I have not had the opportunity to exercise due to crazy schedule. I ignored Free Popcorn at the hospital yesterday - even though I walked by it no less than 10 times. I have had beautiful salads for lunch, and sensible dinners. I did have an IC Mocha from Panera today, but I'm good with it.

Now it's time to help Nathan grill! Coffee-crusted pork chops and sweet potatoes. Yummm...