many of miles to go that night

How sweet! Fat Bridesmaid misses me! I miss y'all too.

I have had a CRAZY week at work. My job duties changed drastically on Thursday, and that left me with doing my whole new duties and tying up the ends on my old duties. That equalled a 14-hour day on Thursday, and total exhaustion when I got home yesterday. So I took a 2 hour nap and then went to the bookstore. But I'm back!

So last night at Barnes and Noble, I picked up a book about infertility. (It was put out by one of those topic factory books - like Dummies or Idiot's Guide or something I don't remember - so I don't feel bad for not remembering and giving them credit.) I picked up 5 natural guidelines to improve fertility. And I'm gonna give it the good college try.

1) Maintain your sleep schedule on the weekend. There was something about how staying up late and sleeping late on the weekends messes with my sleep cycle, and probably my girl cycle as well. That is the only reason I was up at 6am this morning. One day in.

2) No caffeine. This one is gonna kill me. I have already decided that I am writing today off as a detox day. I've done this before. It's gonna be rough. But I'm making a commitment. And it's not just for conception hopes. I don't need the empty calories. I really need to stop spending so much money - and a lot of that is to Starbucks. So I am caffeine free as of today. Send me encouraging vibes.

3) No alcohol. This one won't really be that hard for me. I bet I've had one drink over the past month. I like just making the statement that for my health I have decided I'm not going to drink for a while.

4) Eat better. For me, this means mostly whole food. Not processed stuff. Not junk. If I wouldn't feed it to a child, then I shouldn't eat it myself because hopefully I will be eating for a baby one day.

5) Exercise daily. I just need to make the decision that I will exercise every day. When I don't give myself a way out, I just do it. I am planning on starting running again tomorrow. We are going to the gym this morning. I'm just gonna do it.

So that's my new plan. It's nothing that I don't know that I need to do. I know I have a great amount of control over preparing myself for pregnancy, and I have been failing at that. And before I even consider medical help, I need to step up and help myself.

lonely people are all gone

I'd like to congratulate the winner of the challenge....

GRETA! My fellow 80%er. We're all about the B! Send me your address, girl, and I'll get your prize out!

I've really been trying to figure out how to get back on track. I'm getting there, but I still need to sort some things out. I haven't given up.

It really stinks going back to work after a long weekend.

That's all I have to say today.

if you want to finish, then you need to start

Leave it to a new Matt Wertz song (I love youtube) to kick me in the butt.

And Half Assed, of course.

I didn't even finish my own challenge. 8 days out of 10 isn't bad. 80%. That's a B. But I am an "A" type of girl. As soon as I gave myself an option out, even if it was when "life happened," I went way downhill. I opted out for several days.

In her amazing book (seriously, go buy it NOW), Jeannette talks about not giving herself a choice. Just making a commitment - the same way you would to a marriage or moving - and stick with it. Don't allow yourself to think any other way except that you are doing it.

That's what I'm trying to do. I'm really trying, you know? But work? Not really my friend. Overlooked for a promotion, only to hear that "no one else bothered to apply." I guess one of my bosses asking me if I would be interested in an "opportunity" and me saying "of course!" does not count as bothering to apply. This AFTER we were told that none of us could get the job because you have to stay in a position for a year to be eligible for promotion. Whatever. All I know is that I didn't get it. And I really don't mind the lady who is getting it. She's nice enough. She'll be fair and appropriate. I'm just frustrated that it's not me.

Anywho, I'm going to try to use my polar thinking to my advantage. I have seen what happens when I don't give myself a choice. I will go the the gym. I will do the Leslie tape. I won't eat mini Reese cups. The 8 days I did the tape, and the 4 days I didn't have Reeses last week has shown me that when I really put my mind to something, I can do it. But I have a tendency to start and do things halfway and then start again and do them almost right and start again because I GET IN MY OWN WAY.

Sigh.

Anywho, there were like 14 of you that joined my 10-day challenge. If I performed my calculations correctly, the last of the joiners should finish up tomorrow. All you need to qualify for the prize is to tell me how you did. I'll pick the winner(s) out of those of you who tell me what it was like, and how many days you lasted. A comment on this post would be sufficient. I'll draw on Tuesday evening, to give any of you vacationers a chance to check in!

Have a GREAT long weekend!

are you strong enough to bend?

Hello all.

I am foul today.

A co-worker has gotten a big promotion that I thought was mine. BIG promotion.

And what am I doing to celebrate my failure? Well, I ate crustless quiche and a great salad. And now we're gonna take a walk (to earn bonus points from my lack of exercise yesterday) and then do the 4-Mile video from my challenge.

Because, despite my tendency to not be recognized at work, I still rock.

Amen.

I'm a banjo-picking girl

As you all know, I am not perfect.

I am not even able to keep up my entire 10-day challenge.

But that's okay. I'm learning to live with shades of gray.

I did not do the walking video tonight. We went to Woodsongs again, and saw a great band, and met the banjo brilliance that is Bela Fleck. We've seen him with Dave Matthews Band, Nickel Creek, and now Sparrow Quartet. We had to stick around to meet him. Very humble and funny. Good times.

So we come home, had a snack, put our new cds on iTunes, and it's bedtime.

So my lack of exercise is not due to laziness. It's due to life happening.

And tomorrow, I'm getting right back on. I'll do the video, and eat my veggies, and all that good stuff.

95% is good for me. And life is great today.

just cross the border and into the city

Today deserves pictures. Lots of pictures.

It started with an Iced Venti 3-Pump White Mocha and a piece of low-fat strawberry cream coffee cake. Then lunch was a turkey sandwich with cranbery chutney.














And, after that, things got a little crazy. These groceries became corn chowder, asparagus soup, sausage and red pepper quiche, buffalo chicken macaroni bake, and a variety of lunches. They are all now nicely labeled and frozen. Yeah buddy.

And then I ate corn chowder for dinner. Yummy!

I finished Day 6 of 10 fo the challenge! It was more difficult to get the video finished today, but I made it! High impact all the way baby!

I'd love to stay and chat, but the Office is on. I'm a sucker for Jim and Pam.

Have a happy Monday!

I hope that you are having the time of your life

We had such a great day! It started with Starbucks and then my meeting with still-yet another member of blog royalty. Jeanette Fulda (AKA Half of Me) was signing her book at our local book store. We actually pulled up the map of what writers were where in the bookstore to get prepared. She was right by the purses. I mean, what are the odds? I love purses, I love her, all is well!

She is so sweet! We talked about who I was, how long I've been following her, and how we can get overwhelmed by the number of blogs we follow. She showed us her fat pants, signed a book for me, and then agreed to pose for a picture. She didn't act like she thought I was blog-stalkish at all! She even asked me if I write. I wish I would have thought of some cool questions for her. I'm just impressed that I was able to mostly keep my cool. And then. When we were leaving. We saw her outside. And she WAVED AT US. Awesome.

Then Nathan and I went next door to Whole Foods and shared this awesome salad mixture. Nathan had his own piece of bread and he made a pretty small salad. I'm glad his was so small 'cause he had to eat most of mine. My eyes were W-A-Y too big for my stomach. But it was all great.

I then continued my lavender kick. I have been cleaning with lavender-scented stuff since we moved. Last weekend, while shopping with Fat Bridesmaid, I bought lavender shampoo and conditioner at Bath and Body Works. Today I bought the matching lotion and a bar of lavender soap. I am so excited for my bath and papering after my fifth date with 4 Mile Walk Away the Pounds!

We went to church tonight and it was awesome. We go to a mega-church (sometimes called Six Flags Over God), but tonight the music was only a dude with a guitar, there was nothing flashy, and everything felt quiet and small. I love our church.

I realize that we don't have cable. But, seriously, do we have to watch someone clean a fish? With a knife? On tv? Seriously? I don't know if Nate is trustworthy with the remote after all.

Happy Saturday everyone!

let's give 'em something to talk about

Seriously.

This is what I did today.

I wore these to work.

Not only are they different colors, and the heels different heights, but I didn't notice them until I was already in the hospital. Luckily it was my desk day, and my coworker keeps slippers for sore feet days, so I just had to walk to and from my car in the pathetic combo. They were a good laugh.

I was leaving the hospital and we passed a woman in the hallway. The woman had only one eye open. The other was closed tightly, like there was something wrong with it. She looked at my feet and then gave me a look that clearly said, "I have one good eye, and I can see the mess of your feet. What's wrong with you?" This made my friend laugh hysterically.

My friend continued to laugh on our entire walk from the hospital to the parking garage. We get in the elevator and we just keep laughing. There is one lady in the elevator with us. My friend gets off, just leaving me and the stranger. She says, "They don't look that bad." I lean over, look at my feet, and tell her I'm not so sure. Then she changes her tune: "I lied, honey. I was just trying to make you feel better."

I have learned to always double-check my feet.

So how are you all doing with the 10 day challenge? I've had several entries after day one, so I've decided that anyone who joins in before midnight tomorrow is eligible for the prize. Especially since I don't have it set in stone yet. So if you're still interested, let me know!

I have made 3 straight days of the video. Tonight is going to be hard, though. I am tired. I am already letting small annoyances in the video grate my nerves. I am afraid I am wearing a spot in our carpet. But I will do the video anyway. I have no choice. I am not giving myself a choice.

My plan for tomorrow's post is an update on how you all challengers are doing! Drop me an update in the comments or email!

it takes two to make it out of sight

You know, it all started so innocently. A nice salad of spring mix and my homemade chicken salad. But then I was wanting something sweet. On the shelf beside my desk is a HUGE bowl of candy. I usually stay out of it pretty well.

But today I was really wanting sweet. I grabbed 3 mini Reese cups. I even took a picture to keep myself accountable.

Three.

I thought it was no big deal.

Then I sat down to do my paperwork and before I knew it, I had a trash littered with a dozen or so Reese wrappers.

Seriously?

I never would have eaten 2 full-sized ones, so why was this rampage okay? But I know better for tomorrow.

No tears or guilt.

Because I kept to Day 2 of my challenge! Go me! The tape was not as difficult today, and I even boosted to the high impact in some places. For reals.

I am so glad so many of you have joined in! We can do anything for 10 days!

10 Day Challenge!

Last night, I was ambitious and took a picture of Leslie's 4 Mile Walk. She totally kicked my butt. So tonight I gave her another shot, and I made it through!

Then I was tired so I decided to watch the intro. There I found her 10 -Day Challenge. She challenged me to do the 4 Mile Video every day for 10 days. I can do that. I can commit for 10 days. So I'm in. Starting today. 10 days.

And that got me thinking.

10 days. I'm not waiting until tomorrow or Monday or whatever. I am starting NOW.

And I challenge you to do the same.

Here's how it works.

1. Make a commitment RIGHT NOW to do SOMETHING for your HEALTH for 10 DAYS. It can be whatever you feel the need to commit to. Drink 8 glasses of water, no chocolate, exercising for 30 minutes, eating 5 vegetables, whatever. Leave me a comment to tell us what your goal is.

2. DO IT. As soon as you commit, not tomorrow (unless it's late) but TODAY. I'll be checking in on my blog, and I encourage you to check in on yours and link back to me.

3. EMAIL ME on your DAY 1 (hopefully Wednesday), 5 days in (Sunday) and at the end (next Friday) and let me know how you did! If you run a few days behind, that's cool. Just keep me posted. (QuestionsforDessert@gmail.com)

4. Everyone who met their goal at the end will be put into a hat/bowl/tennis shoe and I'll have Nathan choose a winner at random. Prize is yet to be determined, but you'll love it. I'm leaning toward a gym-mix cd or a copy of one of my home-made cookbooks. And after seeing this lovely chicken salad, who wouldn't want to play?

So, who's in?

(This is my first non-song-lyric post title! It feels really strange.)

walking on sunshine

My day in pictures.

My Monday morning weigh-in.My trip to the grocery store. Pretty healthy except for the Starbucks drinks. I'm weak. What can I say.
And this is our grilled ratatouille prior to grilling.
And this is our grilled ratatouille with almonds and goat cheese.
And this is my awesome chicken salad. Apples, onions, mandarin oranges, chicken, grapes, a smidge of mayo, and almonds.
And, after How I Met Your Mother, I have 4 fast miles with Leslie Sansone.
Happy Monday!

I'm holding loose and ain't letting go

I had the most awesome weekend!

Nathan and I drove to Ohio to outlet shop and, most importantly, to see Fat Bridesmaid!

I mean, seriously. I was a nervous wreck. It was like going on a blind date. I stressed over what to wear. I was nervous about not living up to the expectations she had for me. We all know she is the coolest thing since Starbucks. That's a lot of pressure for me!

I had no idea we would get along like we did!

I really should have had a clue when we showed up in matching cream sweaters. It just got better from there. We had wonderful conversation, ate a healthy lunch at Subway, and shopped for about 7 hours. Seriously. My favorite purchase was our matching green Kate Spade wallets!
And then we shopped for sunglasses. She bought a rockin big black round pair. I was lucky to get Nathan into these. It was a great laugh. (I really just wanted him to put them on so he'd look like Matt Wertz.)
It was so sad to say goodbye! So we decided we are going to have another meeting, and invite you all along!

We are thinking Cincinnati. Probably zoo. Probably August. Who's in?

I know you have time to love me

Today I have a terrible case of the LBGs (loose bubbly guts). It has resulted in a necessary sick day today. Nathan is joking me that I am going to poop myself into a coma. I sure hope not.

I have spent my morning so far ripping recipes out of magazines in order to simplify my kitchen. It is being overtaken by back issues of many magazines. I still cannot bring myself to get rid of my Rachael Ray or FOOD. But I'm doing well with Real Simple, Clean Eating, Southern Living, Cooking Light, and Body+Soul.

I will also share some highlights from the blogs that I read today:

Scale Junkie is giving away a bike!

FertileHealthy is on her way to ephiphany. My favorite quote from the post sounds just like me. "Despite my emphatic declarations last week, I haven’t really got off my ass yet." You have friend in me.

What are y'all doing today? Any good ideas for my I-Must-Stay-Within-10-feet-of-a-Bathroom day?

a hole in my pocket that's about her size

Yes, I have been absent. I had the intention to figure things out. That still hasn't happened. But I have been gone long enough. I know this is the best place for me to figure things out. So I'm back.

I think it is important for me to explain why I was gone. I have a new friend from work. We've been good friends for about 3 months. I really like her. She provides tough love and pushes me. I share with her most of my "plans." I tell her that I won't wear my ring unless I work out. I tell her that I am seriously only having one Starbucks product a day. I tell her that I am bringing my lunch every day this week. I tell her that I am going to stay away from the mini Reese cups that inhabit the same drawer as our office supplies at work. Basically I make all the claims to her that I make here.

She has also lost 40 pounds or so since the fall. She's had some health problems, and in her commitment to her health, she's become a smaller person. I really admire her commitment and that she has given up red meat and dairy and fried foods.

So we were sitting at Starbucks one day for our mid-day coffee break. And she called me a liar. A liar. She said, in a joking but calling-me-out way, that she was tired of hearing about what I was going to do but then not follow through with. That was really hard for me to hear. And that has really sat on me for a while. She is my friend. My real-life friend. She struggles with her weight. And she called me out, and I did not have an adequate response.

I was unable to think of a reason, then, that I should subject my fellow bloggers to my "lies." So I avoided my blog for a while. And I avoided reading all but a few of my fellow bloggers. In the meantime, I did okay. I have eaten pretty well. My weight is stable. I am exercising about three times a weeek. My house is clean. I am cooking regularly again. I am still letting my hair grow. I am really enjoying this spring in ways I don't remember enjoying season changes in the past. My grandfather's health has been touch-and-go the past few weeks, but I think I have handled that pretty well too.

I have been looking for a reason to get back to blogging. I have been looking for some truth to spout back to you guys - something other than the "lies" I don't follow up with.

And then, today, I have a reason. I beat her in putt-putt. I actually beat her, her friend, and my husband. So there. I'm not back because I had an epiphany, or because I lost a pound, or because I found a new exercise I love. I'm back because I kicked the ass of my reason for not blogging. And she knows none of this. (I told you I had a blog - did you find it?)
So, guys, thanks for sticking with me. I'm not making any empty promises today, but I'm sure they are not far behind. All that matters is that I'm back!

(And I'm really looking forward to outlet shopping on Saturday!)