Day 88
Breakfast: yogurt and granola with a slice of wheat toast
Mid-afternoon snack: banana
Lunch: 1 cup wheat pasta w/lemon juice, olive oil, grape tomatoes, and zucchini squash
Dinner: fried onion burger with 1/2 sweet potato fries and 1/2 french fries
Dessert: popcorn
I'll just get it out of the way... We went out to eat in celebration of Braylen finishing his paper early (okay, it's due tomorrow, which may not be early for some... But for the man who usually finishes at 3 AM the night before... 7 PM is a vast improvement). It may not be worthy of celebration to some, but I felt like treating him (okay, and me, by association) because he has worked really hard this semester for this class and he's been working on this paper for weeks (instead of days, like he would've done before). I'm just very impressed with him and I felt like he needed a patty melt and onion rings (that's what he had for dinner tonight). As soon as we got home from dinner we went for the quickest Puppy Walk the world has ever seen (gotta get rid of that burger!). Right now we're sitting on our front porch listening to music waiting until it's time to go out to a picture show (tonight it's Limitless).
Now, the big news of the day (well, big in my world). Let me start from the beginning, and I apologize to those of you who have heard me rant about this for the past almost two years. In September of 2009 Braylen bought my engagement ring. When we got the ring it had a stone missing. He proposed anyway, I kept it for a month of so (to show it off, of course) and then we took it to Kay's so it could be replaced. When I went to pick it up from the jewelers, however, it was missing a different stone. So we sent it off again. Okay, I'll cut to the chase.. In the past almost two years we've had the ring, we've done this back and forth replacement of stones at least 6 times. We lost count because who thinks they're going to need to keep track of that kind of thing? Anyways, to no one's surprise, a couple months ago another stone fell out (while I was doing the strenuous physical activity of changing my clothes). So on March 14th I took it back to Kay's to be sent off. They ETA to get it back was March 26th. They called on the 24th to tell me it would need to be pushed back to the 30th. I didn't hear from them on the 30th. This evening when I got home from classes, I got another lovely call from them. This time, it was to tell me that they got the ring in today, but she didn't think it was a good idea for me to come pick it up because the stone they replaced was already loose and she wanted to send it back. So now I won't get it back until around the 12th of April.
Suffice it to say that in the 1.5 years that I've had the ring.. I've probably had it actually in my possession (and not in "the shop") half of that, at the very most. Braylen and I are at the point where we don't ask ourselves "if" it will fall out again, but "how long will it stay in this time?" And let it be known.. I am not complaining about Kay Jewelers. The customer service we have gotten has been wonderful. But whoever designed this particular style of ring needs to be fired. The discussion has already been initiated with Kay's that if this keeps happening, we have every intention of demanding a replacement. We paid nearly 5 grand for my rings, and although they're insured so none of the replacements ever cost us a dime... The trips back and forth to/from Lawton definitely cost dimes (many of them, in fact), and damnit... I want to be able to wear my wedding ring!
Okay, my rant is finished.
'Night y'all!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
HOW TO POST A COMMENT: REVISED
Okay, I know the directions for how to post a comment didn't work for everyone before, and I think that I've found a way where anyone can comment whether they have an account or not. Here are the directions from last time.. the only thing I changed is added option #3 at the very bottom. Hope this helps! Let me know if you need more help.
Go to the bottom of the post.
It should say 0 comments (unless I actually have comments)
THIS IS A LINK, CLICK IT
This is the next page shown. Type in your comment.
Then click the drop-down menu.
Sign in with whatever account you'd like.
For example: if you have a gmail account, click Google Account.
Okay, now if you don't have any of those accounts, there are three options:
1) Save a step, and comment on Facebook
2) Make a blog account with blogspot.com
3) Click on "Anonymous" or "Name/URL"
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Change of Heart
Day 87
Breakfast: yogurt and 1/2 granola
Mid-afternoon snack: NONE
Lunch: grilled chicken, sauteed veggies, brown rice
Dinner: romaine and spinach salad w/grilled chicken, grape tomatoes, and feta cheese
Dessert: Skinny Cow strawberry shortcake ice cream sandwich
Well I wrote an entire post about the woes of being a graduate student, and then when I reread it, I decided I was annoying myself so I trashed it. Being in grad school is time-consuming and it makes me an awfully selfish person (because I have very little time for anyone but myself) but I am unbelievably fortunate to have the opportunity to go, and I need to try to change my attitude about it. Things could be much worse and I could be incredibly unhappy, which I am not, by any stretch of the word. I am outrageously blessed to have the life I do and I need to stop dwelling in the minute negative situations I may find myself in. Because even though the negative situation (aka my full time student role) may seem as though it is my entire existence... It will be a tiny section in the preface of the rest of my story. I'm so ready to start living that I'm forgetting to pay attention to and take advantage of the life I have right now.
That being said, today was a pretty average day. Nothing exciting happened, aside from the fact that I took my test so now I have the rest of the day to enjoy time with my husband (who has today off). We ate dinner and took a Puppy Walk and are now about to finish the new episode of Biggest Loser.
I love my life.
Breakfast: yogurt and 1/2 granola
Mid-afternoon snack: NONE
Lunch: grilled chicken, sauteed veggies, brown rice
Dinner: romaine and spinach salad w/grilled chicken, grape tomatoes, and feta cheese
Dessert: Skinny Cow strawberry shortcake ice cream sandwich
Well I wrote an entire post about the woes of being a graduate student, and then when I reread it, I decided I was annoying myself so I trashed it. Being in grad school is time-consuming and it makes me an awfully selfish person (because I have very little time for anyone but myself) but I am unbelievably fortunate to have the opportunity to go, and I need to try to change my attitude about it. Things could be much worse and I could be incredibly unhappy, which I am not, by any stretch of the word. I am outrageously blessed to have the life I do and I need to stop dwelling in the minute negative situations I may find myself in. Because even though the negative situation (aka my full time student role) may seem as though it is my entire existence... It will be a tiny section in the preface of the rest of my story. I'm so ready to start living that I'm forgetting to pay attention to and take advantage of the life I have right now.
That being said, today was a pretty average day. Nothing exciting happened, aside from the fact that I took my test so now I have the rest of the day to enjoy time with my husband (who has today off). We ate dinner and took a Puppy Walk and are now about to finish the new episode of Biggest Loser.
I love my life.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
These Are My Confessions
Day 86
Breakfast: bowl of cereal w/granola
Mid-afternoon snack: yogurt and 1/2 banana
Lunch: grilled cheese and baby carrots w/honey mustard vinaigrette
Dinner: romaine and spinach salad w/feta cheese, grape tomatoes, and grilled chicken
Dessert: pretzel rods dipped in almond bark and a slice of AMAZING cake
I thought of something on the way home today that I should probably explain a little further to those of you who have been faithful readers (thank you, by the way... It really does make me incredibly happy that you are still reading!). I realized that I have not posted many pictures of our meals lately, and then I realized that it actually makes some sense. I have a reason for my actions (which I can't always proclaim with such confidence)!! I decided when we started back through to cycle 1 that it would be better (for me) to eat my bigger, more substantial, high-carb meal for lunch and switch the salad to being eaten later in the day. I think it really has helped me to lose these past few weeks, and I've been sticking with it ever since. However, because of this, I eat my more interesting and picture-worthy meals while I'm at school during lunch and, therefore, am unable to take picture of them. And not only that, but lately our "big meals" have been chili, soup, and chicken w/vegetables... Things I've taken pictures of before that I'm sure you don't want to keep seeing. With how completely and totally ridiculous school has been, I have had zero motivation or drive to make anything requiring a recipe card or thought in my brain. Now that we're in the third cycle, however, I know Braylen will demand we have more fun in our meals and being the obedient housewife that I am, I most certainly will have to oblige and obey him (pahahahahahaaha this is ten times funnier due to the fact that lately he's been the one cooking a majority of our meals). Anyways, I've 'fessed up... my cooking skills have greatly diminished and my ranking as a housewife has been lowered significantly.
Sigh. It feels good to get that off my chest.
Anyways, I ATE CAKE TONIGHT. There, I said it. My MIL provided a small reception for my BIL's senior music recital tonight and there was cake. It's as if she knew that for the past weeks and months cakes/cupcakes have been on my mind with great frequency (frequency... F0, harmonics, random, noise, blah, blah, blah, please ignore what I'm saying). Anyways, CAKES... My point of weakness. I devoured that cake and every bit of icing it was topped with. And I loved it.
And now I have a headache from the sugar and feel like I'm gonna vomit.
But it was totally worth it.
Breakfast: bowl of cereal w/granola
Mid-afternoon snack: yogurt and 1/2 banana
Lunch: grilled cheese and baby carrots w/honey mustard vinaigrette
Dinner: romaine and spinach salad w/feta cheese, grape tomatoes, and grilled chicken
Dessert: pretzel rods dipped in almond bark and a slice of AMAZING cake
I thought of something on the way home today that I should probably explain a little further to those of you who have been faithful readers (thank you, by the way... It really does make me incredibly happy that you are still reading!). I realized that I have not posted many pictures of our meals lately, and then I realized that it actually makes some sense. I have a reason for my actions (which I can't always proclaim with such confidence)!! I decided when we started back through to cycle 1 that it would be better (for me) to eat my bigger, more substantial, high-carb meal for lunch and switch the salad to being eaten later in the day. I think it really has helped me to lose these past few weeks, and I've been sticking with it ever since. However, because of this, I eat my more interesting and picture-worthy meals while I'm at school during lunch and, therefore, am unable to take picture of them. And not only that, but lately our "big meals" have been chili, soup, and chicken w/vegetables... Things I've taken pictures of before that I'm sure you don't want to keep seeing. With how completely and totally ridiculous school has been, I have had zero motivation or drive to make anything requiring a recipe card or thought in my brain. Now that we're in the third cycle, however, I know Braylen will demand we have more fun in our meals and being the obedient housewife that I am, I most certainly will have to oblige and obey him (pahahahahahaaha this is ten times funnier due to the fact that lately he's been the one cooking a majority of our meals). Anyways, I've 'fessed up... my cooking skills have greatly diminished and my ranking as a housewife has been lowered significantly.
Sigh. It feels good to get that off my chest.
Anyways, I ATE CAKE TONIGHT. There, I said it. My MIL provided a small reception for my BIL's senior music recital tonight and there was cake. It's as if she knew that for the past weeks and months cakes/cupcakes have been on my mind with great frequency (frequency... F0, harmonics, random, noise, blah, blah, blah, please ignore what I'm saying). Anyways, CAKES... My point of weakness. I devoured that cake and every bit of icing it was topped with. And I loved it.
And now I have a headache from the sugar and feel like I'm gonna vomit.
But it was totally worth it.
________________________________________________________
Dear God, thank you for my BIL, Logan. He is a blessing to so many of us and an intriguing mystery to so many more... And I love him for that. As he moves closer to graduation, please bless and enrich his life that much more. Give him guidance and point him in the right direction. In Your name, Amen.
Monday, March 28, 2011
The Dress
Day 85
Breakfast: eggs w/onion and salsa and a yogurt
Mid-afternoon snack: banana
Lunch: grilled chicken strips, bell peppers, and onion
Dinner: romaine and spinach salad with grape tomatoes, feta cheese, and honey mustard vinaigrette and a crunchy taco from Taco Bell (Bray gave me his extra from his lunch)
Dessert: yogurt
I can't make too long of a post today because I'm just on a break from studying. My next test is on Wednesday and because I have an event to go tomorrow for my BIL I won't be able to study as much tomorrow... Gotta cram it all in tonight!! Hopefully my brain won't explode! I will say that at least some of it is starting to make sense in my head, but not sure it will all be ready for Wednesday, unfortunately. I was hoping to make another A on this test, but at this point, I would be happy with anything above a C!
I guess the only news that I have is that when I weighed in this morning (much to my surprise and excitement) I was 4.8 lbs less than last week!! So I'm currently 248.6 lbs. This is important to me for two reasons 1) I'm under 250, hallelujah!! and 2) I finally made it passed the 40 lbs lost mark after having fudged up the past few weeks with my bad eating habits! Today is a good day, if only for that accomplishment. It's exciting to me that I can feel when I've lost weight now. All this past week I've felt smaller, which sounds weird but I can't explain it any better than that. I can usually tell when I'm going to have a good loss, and this week was no different. Hoping I can keep it up this week, as we transition into the third cycle (today is day 17 of the second, so we begin the third cycle tomorrow!!! Looking forward to wheat pita, bread, and pasta!!).
Still waiting on my jean size to go down. Can you believe it... 40 lbs lighter and over 6 inches of overall loss and my jean size hasn't budged at all. I can't say it's discouraging, because I feel like I look better in my jeans than I did before (not to mention we don't have the extra cash to buy new clothes at the moment), but it would be nice to say I've lost sizes.. Not to mention nice to actually buy clothes in smaller sizes that fit. Sigh.. I suppose one day. I will say that I tried on a certain important dress yesterday (aka my wedding dress) for the first time since we took the day after pictures and I had quite a bit more wiggle room than I did when we got married!! That was pretty exciting to me.. Even if I never wear it again. Not many people can say that their wedding dress doesn't fit anymore because it's too big, and I'm excited to be included in that minority very soon!
Breakfast: eggs w/onion and salsa and a yogurt
Mid-afternoon snack: banana
Lunch: grilled chicken strips, bell peppers, and onion
Dinner: romaine and spinach salad with grape tomatoes, feta cheese, and honey mustard vinaigrette and a crunchy taco from Taco Bell (Bray gave me his extra from his lunch)
Dessert: yogurt
I can't make too long of a post today because I'm just on a break from studying. My next test is on Wednesday and because I have an event to go tomorrow for my BIL I won't be able to study as much tomorrow... Gotta cram it all in tonight!! Hopefully my brain won't explode! I will say that at least some of it is starting to make sense in my head, but not sure it will all be ready for Wednesday, unfortunately. I was hoping to make another A on this test, but at this point, I would be happy with anything above a C!
I guess the only news that I have is that when I weighed in this morning (much to my surprise and excitement) I was 4.8 lbs less than last week!! So I'm currently 248.6 lbs. This is important to me for two reasons 1) I'm under 250, hallelujah!! and 2) I finally made it passed the 40 lbs lost mark after having fudged up the past few weeks with my bad eating habits! Today is a good day, if only for that accomplishment. It's exciting to me that I can feel when I've lost weight now. All this past week I've felt smaller, which sounds weird but I can't explain it any better than that. I can usually tell when I'm going to have a good loss, and this week was no different. Hoping I can keep it up this week, as we transition into the third cycle (today is day 17 of the second, so we begin the third cycle tomorrow!!! Looking forward to wheat pita, bread, and pasta!!).
Still waiting on my jean size to go down. Can you believe it... 40 lbs lighter and over 6 inches of overall loss and my jean size hasn't budged at all. I can't say it's discouraging, because I feel like I look better in my jeans than I did before (not to mention we don't have the extra cash to buy new clothes at the moment), but it would be nice to say I've lost sizes.. Not to mention nice to actually buy clothes in smaller sizes that fit. Sigh.. I suppose one day. I will say that I tried on a certain important dress yesterday (aka my wedding dress) for the first time since we took the day after pictures and I had quite a bit more wiggle room than I did when we got married!! That was pretty exciting to me.. Even if I never wear it again. Not many people can say that their wedding dress doesn't fit anymore because it's too big, and I'm excited to be included in that minority very soon!
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Speaking of my wedding dress...
It's really pretty and I want to wear it everyday.
The End.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Too. Much. Chili.
Day 84
Breakfast: yogurt w/granola and banana
Mid-afternoon snack: carrots w/honey mustard vinaigrette
Lunch: turkey 2-bean chili
Dinner: turkey 2-bean chili
Dessert: yogurt
I slept a total of about 15 hours in the past 24. That is ridiculous. I went to bed at midnight last night and woke up when Braylen brought me breakfast in bed (which hasn't ever happened before so I was happy) at around 7 AM. We went back to bed shortly after and I slept until 11. Woke up, ate lunch, and went back to bed at about 12:45.. Didn't wake up again until Braylen's alarm started going off at 3 something. I'm tellin' ya.. I guess my body really needed some recuperation or something. I haven't slept that much in a while. Now I'm just a little worried I won't be able to sleep tonight, but honestly.. I'm still feeling kinda of sleepy.
That being said, I have absolutely nothing fun or interesting to report about my day. Oh, besides I've been having some really weird, uncomfortable, and sometimes creepy/intense dreams lately. I don't know if it's because my sleep has been deeper or my mind is just messed up, but I don't like it anymore. I used to be excited about dreaming, but now the feelings I get while dreaming linger during the day and I don't like that.
Oh, ha, and more news to report (although I'm not sure why I'm admitting this, other than that I've chosen to be forthcoming in every aspect of this journey)... Having this chili for three meals in a row... Well, let's just it's made me a little windy. And I'll leave it at that.
Time to throw a load of laundry in the wash (yes, it's Sunday night and I'm just now starting laundry) and get to studying. I've really gotta cram a lot in tonight so hopefully getting plenty of rest today will come to my advantage.
Weigh-in tomorrow morning.. Wish me luck!!
Breakfast: yogurt w/granola and banana
Mid-afternoon snack: carrots w/honey mustard vinaigrette
Lunch: turkey 2-bean chili
Dinner: turkey 2-bean chili
Dessert: yogurt
I slept a total of about 15 hours in the past 24. That is ridiculous. I went to bed at midnight last night and woke up when Braylen brought me breakfast in bed (which hasn't ever happened before so I was happy) at around 7 AM. We went back to bed shortly after and I slept until 11. Woke up, ate lunch, and went back to bed at about 12:45.. Didn't wake up again until Braylen's alarm started going off at 3 something. I'm tellin' ya.. I guess my body really needed some recuperation or something. I haven't slept that much in a while. Now I'm just a little worried I won't be able to sleep tonight, but honestly.. I'm still feeling kinda of sleepy.
That being said, I have absolutely nothing fun or interesting to report about my day. Oh, besides I've been having some really weird, uncomfortable, and sometimes creepy/intense dreams lately. I don't know if it's because my sleep has been deeper or my mind is just messed up, but I don't like it anymore. I used to be excited about dreaming, but now the feelings I get while dreaming linger during the day and I don't like that.
Oh, ha, and more news to report (although I'm not sure why I'm admitting this, other than that I've chosen to be forthcoming in every aspect of this journey)... Having this chili for three meals in a row... Well, let's just it's made me a little windy. And I'll leave it at that.
Time to throw a load of laundry in the wash (yes, it's Sunday night and I'm just now starting laundry) and get to studying. I've really gotta cram a lot in tonight so hopefully getting plenty of rest today will come to my advantage.
Weigh-in tomorrow morning.. Wish me luck!!
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Dear God, thank you for giving me rest today. Help me use my renewed energy to conquer another week. Amen.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Apparently, I Have a Lot to Say
Day 83
Breakfast: four eggs whites with 1/2 onion and salsa
Mid-afternoon snack: NONE
Lunch: carrot sticks, strawberries, and cantaloupe
Dinner: turkey 2-bean chili
Dessert: yogurt
I had a lovely morning getting ready for and attending a baby shower for a great friend of mine. I did feel silly (as I often do after baby showers) because I went overboard with the gifting. I always buy too much. And I didn't know that there was such a thing as buying too many gifts for someone, but I think I manage to do so. Only for baby showers though! I'm blaming the baby fever. Everything on every aisle is just so damn cute (except for the butt paste and nipple butter, but I choose to scan over those sections). I can't resist. In fact, it's getting to the point where I almost want to keep the stuff for myself (in particular the cute pajamas with the pictures on the butt... Who can resist a monkey head on a diapered butt?) but I haven't gone that far yet. It's only a matter of time, though...
The thing is that no matter how many times I reiterate to people that I know is not the time to start growing our family, people still seem to think I need reminding every time I mention wanting to be a mother. What is funny to me, is that it's often wonderful mothers who are telling me how big of a pain having kids is, as though they don't enjoy and love their children tremendously (which I know they absolutely do!). I understand what they're trying to tell me, but at the same time it really gets my blood boiling because I know full-well that babies are a handful and that Braylen and I do not want to take on that responsibility right now. And the thing is... If I wanted to have a baby now (which is just ridiculous to even consider while I'm in the middle of graduate school)... Braylen and I would be wonderful parents. Even with being unprepared and having many other things going on in our lives. Thank you for the warning, but we already have made the decision to wait.
And I sincerely from the bottom of my heart apologize if I have offended anyone by saying that, but honestly it's a little disheartening to me to think people don't believe I know that now is not the time. I can be obsessed with baby clothes and start collecting boxes of diapers in my basement to prepare (which I haven't done but have every intention of doing) without actually having a baby. Pretty sure that's allowed. And pretty sure I'm capable of doing everything within my power to prevent getting pregnant, which I have been.
I'm not getting pregnant anytime soon (God willing), I still absolutely adore and look forward to having babies, and that's just the way it is. I truly can do both at once without needing further recommendation to do so.
Breakfast: four eggs whites with 1/2 onion and salsa
Mid-afternoon snack: NONE
Lunch: carrot sticks, strawberries, and cantaloupe
Dinner: turkey 2-bean chili
Dessert: yogurt
I had a lovely morning getting ready for and attending a baby shower for a great friend of mine. I did feel silly (as I often do after baby showers) because I went overboard with the gifting. I always buy too much. And I didn't know that there was such a thing as buying too many gifts for someone, but I think I manage to do so. Only for baby showers though! I'm blaming the baby fever. Everything on every aisle is just so damn cute (except for the butt paste and nipple butter, but I choose to scan over those sections). I can't resist. In fact, it's getting to the point where I almost want to keep the stuff for myself (in particular the cute pajamas with the pictures on the butt... Who can resist a monkey head on a diapered butt?) but I haven't gone that far yet. It's only a matter of time, though...
The thing is that no matter how many times I reiterate to people that I know is not the time to start growing our family, people still seem to think I need reminding every time I mention wanting to be a mother. What is funny to me, is that it's often wonderful mothers who are telling me how big of a pain having kids is, as though they don't enjoy and love their children tremendously (which I know they absolutely do!). I understand what they're trying to tell me, but at the same time it really gets my blood boiling because I know full-well that babies are a handful and that Braylen and I do not want to take on that responsibility right now. And the thing is... If I wanted to have a baby now (which is just ridiculous to even consider while I'm in the middle of graduate school)... Braylen and I would be wonderful parents. Even with being unprepared and having many other things going on in our lives. Thank you for the warning, but we already have made the decision to wait.
And I sincerely from the bottom of my heart apologize if I have offended anyone by saying that, but honestly it's a little disheartening to me to think people don't believe I know that now is not the time. I can be obsessed with baby clothes and start collecting boxes of diapers in my basement to prepare (which I haven't done but have every intention of doing) without actually having a baby. Pretty sure that's allowed. And pretty sure I'm capable of doing everything within my power to prevent getting pregnant, which I have been.
I'm not getting pregnant anytime soon (God willing), I still absolutely adore and look forward to having babies, and that's just the way it is. I truly can do both at once without needing further recommendation to do so.
________________________________________________________
We called in a noise complaint on our neighbors again, making this the fourth time (that we have called.. Others have called for the same house numerous other times). Now, really.. We're not old ogres who call at the drop of a hat. I lived in apartments/dorms for four years.. I'm used to having noise around me. But when my pictures are rattling, the windows are shaking, the water in my glass is pulsating, and my husband who works 12-hour night shifts is trying to sleep during the day... You're going to get the cops called on you. Especially when you're sitting with your friends in your newly sound-systemed truck, blaring the music as loudly as it will possibly go.. Just for the hell of it. What really gets me more frustrated than that is that nothing ever happens from the cops coming (well, aside from the time they all got arrested.. That was pretty satisfying). Yes, we've called and yes, the cops always come out and yes, the music is always lowered in volume... But they've never even gotten so much as fine (at least not for any of the times we have called). I understand noise pollution is only a misdemeanor, but surely if you're getting noise complaints on a single place of residence multiple times a month... Surely some repercussions are in order. Am I crazy?
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| Just because you are blessed enough to have a wealthy family who owns most of Chickasha does not mean you are entitled to be completely inconsiderate to the rest of the population. |
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And now to lighten the mood... Remember me mentioning that my husband has a tendency to forget things? It's largely due to the fact that he puts things in random places and there's never a designated area for him to remember. To illustrate this, I decided to show you, rather than just tell you...
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| Really? Keys in the sink? |
Fortunately this misplacement of keys didn't warrant a full-house and car search. Other times, I'm not so lucky.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Win Some, Lose Some
Day 82
Breakfast: yogurt and granola
Mid-afternoon snack: banana
Lunch: grilled chicken, zucchini, and carrots with a side salad
Dinner: 1/2 medium ham & pineapple pizza (split it with the hubby)
Dessert: popcorn
Ummm oopsie!! We ate pizza today. And then went to the movies (to see Red Riding Hood) and ate popcorn. Guess these habits will take longer to break than I anticipated though. The good thing about all of the treating (I like "treating" better than "cheating" but maybe that's why I do it to much? Cos I feel like I always need treats? Cos I'm so awesome, ya know?) is that it gave me the motivation and the drive to work out extra hard tonight. We went for a good puppy walk once we got home, then I did my Latin dancing/boxing workout on my Gold's Gym Dancing Wii game, then yoga, strength training, and aerobics on Wii Fit. I also did thirty minutes of free step (stepping on/off the balance board in time with the beat) while watching TV. All in all, it was about 2.5 hrs of keeping my heart rate up... And I'm feeling great!! So as for as eating half a pizza goes.. I don't feel so bad about it. I won't do it again anytime soon, obviously, but it's not the end of the world.
Side Note: This was our first time eating pizza since January, maybe even December.
Anyways, I'm feeling good about my day so I'm going to say goodnight before I talk myself into feeling guilty.
'Night y'all!
Breakfast: yogurt and granola
Mid-afternoon snack: banana
Lunch: grilled chicken, zucchini, and carrots with a side salad
Dinner: 1/2 medium ham & pineapple pizza (split it with the hubby)
Dessert: popcorn
Ummm oopsie!! We ate pizza today. And then went to the movies (to see Red Riding Hood) and ate popcorn. Guess these habits will take longer to break than I anticipated though. The good thing about all of the treating (I like "treating" better than "cheating" but maybe that's why I do it to much? Cos I feel like I always need treats? Cos I'm so awesome, ya know?) is that it gave me the motivation and the drive to work out extra hard tonight. We went for a good puppy walk once we got home, then I did my Latin dancing/boxing workout on my Gold's Gym Dancing Wii game, then yoga, strength training, and aerobics on Wii Fit. I also did thirty minutes of free step (stepping on/off the balance board in time with the beat) while watching TV. All in all, it was about 2.5 hrs of keeping my heart rate up... And I'm feeling great!! So as for as eating half a pizza goes.. I don't feel so bad about it. I won't do it again anytime soon, obviously, but it's not the end of the world.
Side Note: This was our first time eating pizza since January, maybe even December.
Anyways, I'm feeling good about my day so I'm going to say goodnight before I talk myself into feeling guilty.
'Night y'all!
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| A candid shot from today. Love the floppy tongue. |
America's Next Top Models
My MIL is an up-and-coming photographer and today we took advantage of her skills to get some new "family" pictures. Oh, and to take pictures of our new bods. =]
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| Our handsome boy, Luke |
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| Being mischievous in the flower bed. |
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| Luke and his Aunt Beasley |
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| Husband and I |
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| Our Springtime family photo |
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| Husband and his ripped new bod (hardy har har) |
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| I mean, I'm ready to be a supermodel, dontcha think? |
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| He's a really handsome guy. |
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Day 81
Day 81
Breakfast: yogurt and 1/2 cup granola
Mid-afternoon snack: NONE
Lunch: grilled chicken strips w/vegetables and a sliced apple
Dinner: Romaine and spinach salad with grape tomatoes, feta cheese, and honey mustard vinaigrette
Dessert: swirl frozen yogurt from Braums
Whew. Finally my Friday. So happy to have that test out of the way... Now we're at my MIL's house about to start a movie (Morning Glory) so I won't update tonight. Just wanted to let you know that today was a much better day. Braylen is off tonight (thus the trip to the MIL =]) and tomorrow night so we get to spend time together before I have to start studying more this weekend for the next test. That makes me a happy girl (having the husband around, not the studying). Have I mentioned I love him lately?
Hope you all have a fantastic Friday and a wonderful weekend!!!
(I'm practicing my alliteration skills)
Breakfast: yogurt and 1/2 cup granola
Mid-afternoon snack: NONE
Lunch: grilled chicken strips w/vegetables and a sliced apple
Dinner: Romaine and spinach salad with grape tomatoes, feta cheese, and honey mustard vinaigrette
Dessert: swirl frozen yogurt from Braums
Whew. Finally my Friday. So happy to have that test out of the way... Now we're at my MIL's house about to start a movie (Morning Glory) so I won't update tonight. Just wanted to let you know that today was a much better day. Braylen is off tonight (thus the trip to the MIL =]) and tomorrow night so we get to spend time together before I have to start studying more this weekend for the next test. That makes me a happy girl (having the husband around, not the studying). Have I mentioned I love him lately?
Hope you all have a fantastic Friday and a wonderful weekend!!!
(I'm practicing my alliteration skills)
________________________________________________________
Dear God, thank you. Amen.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Robotics
Day 80
Breakfast: NONE
Mid-afternoon snack: yogurt
Lunch: banana
Dinner: romaine and spinach salad with grape tomatoes, feta cheese, and honey mustard vinaigrette
Dessert: yogurt
Ever have one of those days when you just feel defeated? I think that's what's happening to me, except it's a whole semester. Today I have let myself get completely discouraged by everything going on. I feel like my life isn't life anymore. All I do is school. Seriously. It's not even a part of my life anymore.. It is my life. And I hate that. Particularly because I don't like school.
It. Feels. Never. Ending.
Breakfast: NONE
Mid-afternoon snack: yogurt
Lunch: banana
Dinner: romaine and spinach salad with grape tomatoes, feta cheese, and honey mustard vinaigrette
Dessert: yogurt
Ever have one of those days when you just feel defeated? I think that's what's happening to me, except it's a whole semester. Today I have let myself get completely discouraged by everything going on. I feel like my life isn't life anymore. All I do is school. Seriously. It's not even a part of my life anymore.. It is my life. And I hate that. Particularly because I don't like school.
It. Feels. Never. Ending.
And I know that it will end, so then I just feel silly. It's just gotten a little overwhelming today. It would probably help if I was good at crying, but it takes months of buildup for me to have a good cry and I guess I just haven't gotten there yet. Things are bad when you want to cry and can't.
Although it'd probably be worse if I wanted to stop crying and couldn't.
Anyways, whatever. Tomorrow is a new day. Can't stop moving forward just because moving forward currently doesn't involve anything I enjoy. I know once this is over I will be able to do all the things I've wanted to do my entire life (be a better wife, have a baby [or two], take care of a beautiful home that I love, and spend time with the people who matter the most to me). I hate that for the next 1 1/2 years my friends and family who I love more than life will continue to be put on hold, but I know that when it's all said and done... This is what's best for everybody. Just having a hard time with that patience thing.
I promise... I'm not a robot. I just happen to look and quack like one for the time being.
________________________________________________________
Dear God, please help me. Amen.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
I'm on the Right Track, Baby
Day 79
Breakfast: 4 eggs whites with 1/2 sauteed onion and a black bean brownie
Mid-afternoon snack: yogurt and banana
Lunch: burger patty w/cheese and green peas with a sliced apple
Dinner: romaine and spinach salad with grape tomatoes, 1/2 onion, feta cheese, and homemade honey dijon mustard vinaigrette
Dessert: black bean brownie
Yuck. Found out today that not only do I have a test this Thursday and next Wednesday, but also the Thursday after that. So this week and the next two weeks I have tests. Really? Really, OUHSC? I thought we were done with tests for now after midterms? This is ridiculous. So I have lots to look forward to over the next 7 weeks, apparently. At least my study skills are improving.. There's always that.
So let me tell you about this mustard vinaigrette I made this evening. I got the recipe from a blog called Gina's Skinny Recipes. I didn't go all out with the chicken (cos I don't ever feel like taking the time to make my salads an exciting experience) but the dressing was definitely worth it! Sooooo easy I can tell you the "recipe" now and you can skip going to the link (unless you want to make the coconut chicken, that is)!! All it is is 1 tbsp. oil (I use olive oil), 1 tbsp. vinegar (white wine or balsamic.. I used balsamic), 1 tbsp. honey, and 2 tsp. dijon mustard. Whisk with a fork, zap it in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds... And mix in with the salad. Oh goodness, it was really good. (And I don't even like mustard)
I feel like today was one step into being on the right track again. It's a day-by-day process and it takes daily decisions to make it through this, but I feel like today was a success. Aside from the fact that I won't be able to do exercise (because of studying and helping a friend with senior recital invitations). That is life, and God will get me through it!
Anyways, the rest of my night (and foreseeable future) will be spent studying...
'Night, y'all!
Breakfast: 4 eggs whites with 1/2 sauteed onion and a black bean brownie
Mid-afternoon snack: yogurt and banana
Lunch: burger patty w/cheese and green peas with a sliced apple
Dinner: romaine and spinach salad with grape tomatoes, 1/2 onion, feta cheese, and homemade honey dijon mustard vinaigrette
Dessert: black bean brownie
Yuck. Found out today that not only do I have a test this Thursday and next Wednesday, but also the Thursday after that. So this week and the next two weeks I have tests. Really? Really, OUHSC? I thought we were done with tests for now after midterms? This is ridiculous. So I have lots to look forward to over the next 7 weeks, apparently. At least my study skills are improving.. There's always that.
So let me tell you about this mustard vinaigrette I made this evening. I got the recipe from a blog called Gina's Skinny Recipes. I didn't go all out with the chicken (cos I don't ever feel like taking the time to make my salads an exciting experience) but the dressing was definitely worth it! Sooooo easy I can tell you the "recipe" now and you can skip going to the link (unless you want to make the coconut chicken, that is)!! All it is is 1 tbsp. oil (I use olive oil), 1 tbsp. vinegar (white wine or balsamic.. I used balsamic), 1 tbsp. honey, and 2 tsp. dijon mustard. Whisk with a fork, zap it in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds... And mix in with the salad. Oh goodness, it was really good. (And I don't even like mustard)
I feel like today was one step into being on the right track again. It's a day-by-day process and it takes daily decisions to make it through this, but I feel like today was a success. Aside from the fact that I won't be able to do exercise (because of studying and helping a friend with senior recital invitations). That is life, and God will get me through it!
Anyways, the rest of my night (and foreseeable future) will be spent studying...
'Night, y'all!
________________________________________________________
Dear God, thank you for Spring-y, flow-y-cotton-dress-wearing weather. Please help us all get through these next couple of weeks. Ease the minds of those who are bogged down with stress or worry. Help them feel the peace of mind that only you can provide in times when everything seems like too much. In Your name, Amen.
________________________________________________________
Because everyone needs a laugh now and again...
Remember the post I made a while ago about my dog sitting weirdly?
Here's some more proof...
He sits on his actual butt more than any other canine I've ever seen.
One of the many quirky things we love about him so much.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Goodbye, Spring Break
Day 78
Breakfast: mint chocolate brownie
Mid-afternoon snack: red grapes
Lunch: banana
Dinner: romaine, iceberg, and spinach salad with tomato, onion, and cheddar cheese
Dessert: black bean brownie
Back to school today. My class was good (I can't believe how much easier this professor is to follow in this class compared to the class I had him for last semester) and my kiddo cancelled, so I got to come home early and see Husband before he left for work. I'd call that a good day. PLUS I knew I needed to get some work for school done today, so I've already finished my workout (I chose to do the Gold's Gym boxing/Latin dancing Wii game today). I'm showered and ready to study/research!
Really not much to update on this evening. Oh, I was right... I gained weight this week for the first time since we started the diet. It's no surprise since we ate so horribly the past week or so. I gained 2.2 lbs and still haven't managed to break the 40 lb weight loss mark. Hopefully next week I'll surpass that, but we'll see! I tried to do the math on it yesterday and if I lose an average of 40 lbs every 3 months, I will have more than met my goal by January 2012 (a year after this journey started). Just have to hope this diet does what it claims to do and keeps me losing weight and not plateauing. So far, it definitely has. The recent gain in weight is definitely not due to the diet, only to my giving in to temptation. I realize now that there has to be very few dietary exceptions for me right now. I can't handle the cheat treats as well as I hoped I could (at least, not at this point). One or two is okay, but then we go back to finding every little excuse to bend the rules, and that's just not okay.
Here's to a new week and a fresh start!
Breakfast: mint chocolate brownie
Mid-afternoon snack: red grapes
Lunch: banana
Dinner: romaine, iceberg, and spinach salad with tomato, onion, and cheddar cheese
Dessert: black bean brownie
Back to school today. My class was good (I can't believe how much easier this professor is to follow in this class compared to the class I had him for last semester) and my kiddo cancelled, so I got to come home early and see Husband before he left for work. I'd call that a good day. PLUS I knew I needed to get some work for school done today, so I've already finished my workout (I chose to do the Gold's Gym boxing/Latin dancing Wii game today). I'm showered and ready to study/research!
Really not much to update on this evening. Oh, I was right... I gained weight this week for the first time since we started the diet. It's no surprise since we ate so horribly the past week or so. I gained 2.2 lbs and still haven't managed to break the 40 lb weight loss mark. Hopefully next week I'll surpass that, but we'll see! I tried to do the math on it yesterday and if I lose an average of 40 lbs every 3 months, I will have more than met my goal by January 2012 (a year after this journey started). Just have to hope this diet does what it claims to do and keeps me losing weight and not plateauing. So far, it definitely has. The recent gain in weight is definitely not due to the diet, only to my giving in to temptation. I realize now that there has to be very few dietary exceptions for me right now. I can't handle the cheat treats as well as I hoped I could (at least, not at this point). One or two is okay, but then we go back to finding every little excuse to bend the rules, and that's just not okay.
Here's to a new week and a fresh start!
________________________________________________________
Dear God, thank you for helping me get through my first day back from break. Give me the strength to get through the next two weeks (and the two tests that come along with them). Thank you for blessing Husband with the knowledge to continue to do well in his class. I am so thankful and happy for him. Continue to bless his life. In Your name, Amen.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Regaining Focus
Day 77
Breakfast: NONE
Mid-afternoon snack: yogurt
Lunch: chicken-vegetable soup w/brown rice and a banana
Dinner: spoonfuls of different foods at a potluck dinner
Dessert: black bean brownie and a mint chocolate brownie
Okay, I'm making a decision, here and now, that I've got to refocus on this diet. The past two weeks we've kind of slacked off, and tomorrow when I weigh-in, I'm 100% positive I will have gained from last week. That is not okay with me at all. Braylen may be finished, but I still have 100 lbs to lose, and I don't want to be on this diet for 10 years! I want to be finished by the time I graduate from grad school so that I'll be good and ready to have a baby. I know this is going to take longer than I planned, but if I buckle down and focus.. Maybe I can get through it faster! I just have to stop giving myself as many breaks. Every once in a while, it's okay... But when you're finding excuses multiple times a week to sneak a treat... Doesn't really amount to much weight loss. I know I can do this... I just need to focus!
Speaking of focus, I got zero school work done this break. Sigh. I'm just happy that my house is in order and better than ever. I really needed to work on it and it makes me feel ten times better now that it feels more like a home than an apartment (not that there's anything wrong with apartments... ).
I bought two new dresses and a shirt today and, for once, trying things on made me feel amazing. I'm fitting much better into everything now, and it's really encouraging!
Hope those of you who had a Spring break had a great time and are refreshed and ready to get back to school/work!
Breakfast: NONE
Mid-afternoon snack: yogurt
Lunch: chicken-vegetable soup w/brown rice and a banana
Dinner: spoonfuls of different foods at a potluck dinner
Dessert: black bean brownie and a mint chocolate brownie
Okay, I'm making a decision, here and now, that I've got to refocus on this diet. The past two weeks we've kind of slacked off, and tomorrow when I weigh-in, I'm 100% positive I will have gained from last week. That is not okay with me at all. Braylen may be finished, but I still have 100 lbs to lose, and I don't want to be on this diet for 10 years! I want to be finished by the time I graduate from grad school so that I'll be good and ready to have a baby. I know this is going to take longer than I planned, but if I buckle down and focus.. Maybe I can get through it faster! I just have to stop giving myself as many breaks. Every once in a while, it's okay... But when you're finding excuses multiple times a week to sneak a treat... Doesn't really amount to much weight loss. I know I can do this... I just need to focus!
Speaking of focus, I got zero school work done this break. Sigh. I'm just happy that my house is in order and better than ever. I really needed to work on it and it makes me feel ten times better now that it feels more like a home than an apartment (not that there's anything wrong with apartments... ).
I bought two new dresses and a shirt today and, for once, trying things on made me feel amazing. I'm fitting much better into everything now, and it's really encouraging!
Hope those of you who had a Spring break had a great time and are refreshed and ready to get back to school/work!
________________________________________________________
Dear God, thank you for ceiling fans and Spring breezes. Help me find motivation and excitement about returning to school tomorrow. In Your name, Amen.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
I'm Not Spoiled
Day 76
Breakfast: NONE
Mid-afternoon snack: diced strawberries w/Truvia
Lunch: chicken-vegetable soup
Dinner: chicken-vegetable soup
Dessert: black bean brownie
A conversation this afternoon:
Me: (pouting because I don't want to study) "Buy me patio furniture so I can study outside!"
Him: .... Okay.
It's amazing how persuasive I can be.
Breakfast: NONE
Mid-afternoon snack: diced strawberries w/Truvia
Lunch: chicken-vegetable soup
Dinner: chicken-vegetable soup
Dessert: black bean brownie
A conversation this afternoon:
Me: (pouting because I don't want to study) "Buy me patio furniture so I can study outside!"
Him: .... Okay.
It's amazing how persuasive I can be.
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| I love getting things immediately after I ask for them. A girl could get used to this... |
So I studied and then we watched the movie Remember Me (which was slow for a majority of the movie, but ended fantastically) and are about to start The Social Network.
I think Luke Puppy is having Kitty withdrawals. He keeps walking around the house whining for no apparent reason. It's pretty pitiful.
'Night y'all!
.
PS. Bray has to go back to work tomorrow. This makes me pout. It would seem pouting allows for me to receive gifts from my dear husband. What should I ask for next?
Day 75
Day 75
Breakfast: NONE
Mid-afternoon snack: black bean brownie
Lunch: black forest cake yogurt and red grapes
Dinner: 3 samoa girl scout cookies, sierra chicken and mixed vegetables with a side salad and wheat bread from Longhorn Steakhouse
Dessert: popcorn
Okay, so another not-quite-following-the-diet day. I'm tellin' ya... We better go back to school soon or this diet's gonna be lost forever! Too many reasons to celebrate over Spring break! ha. Today we went up to my school so I could work on stuff for clinic next week. Afterwards we went to spend the rest of the day with our good friends in Edmond. We hung out for a while, went to Quail Springs mall, ate at Longhorn Steakhouse, and then saw The Lincoln Lawyer (excellent movie, by the way). It was a great Friday!
And another tiring day, so we're off to bed! Tomorrow is Braylen's final day off before going back to work. Sigh... Wish he had more time off! I'm gonna miss him. I forget how nice it is to have him around all the time when we get used to our schedule of him being gone.
'Night y'all!
Breakfast: NONE
Mid-afternoon snack: black bean brownie
Lunch: black forest cake yogurt and red grapes
Dinner: 3 samoa girl scout cookies, sierra chicken and mixed vegetables with a side salad and wheat bread from Longhorn Steakhouse
Dessert: popcorn
Okay, so another not-quite-following-the-diet day. I'm tellin' ya... We better go back to school soon or this diet's gonna be lost forever! Too many reasons to celebrate over Spring break! ha. Today we went up to my school so I could work on stuff for clinic next week. Afterwards we went to spend the rest of the day with our good friends in Edmond. We hung out for a while, went to Quail Springs mall, ate at Longhorn Steakhouse, and then saw The Lincoln Lawyer (excellent movie, by the way). It was a great Friday!
And another tiring day, so we're off to bed! Tomorrow is Braylen's final day off before going back to work. Sigh... Wish he had more time off! I'm gonna miss him. I forget how nice it is to have him around all the time when we get used to our schedule of him being gone.
'Night y'all!
Friday, March 18, 2011
No-Diet-Whatsoever Day
Day 74
Breakfast: NONE
Mid-afternoon snack: banana
Lunch: 2 hot dogs, peanut butter cookies, black bean brownie, and chips and dip
Dinner: 2 burgers, peanut butter cookies, chips and dip
Dessert: strawberry margarita
SOOOOOOOO as you can see today was a no-diet-whatsoever day (aside from the fact that we used turkey dogs, whole wheat buns, black bean brownies, and other "diety" substitutes). It's St. Patty's Day, people! Apparently, my whole life I've been missing out on St. Patrick's Day celebrations because I've never done a darn thing on this day and it's a big deal to my husband (possibly because he has a more intense love affair with beer than he does with me?). So today we invited our close friends over for a little celebration. It was a full day (like... From 2 PM to nearly 2 AM) of laughter, jokes, eating, and board games. Every other time he's had "the guys" over, I've always showed up late because I had to work first. I guess this is another perk of being unemployed... I had two days prior to the party to clean the house and buy supplies, was able to prepare the house this morning, and could enjoy a full day having fun with our friends. As you can see... I pretty much ate whatever I felt like. I'm not gonna lie, I feel pretty darn guilty. BUT tomorrow's a new day and our house has zero bad-food leftovers so there's no temptation.
Anyways, the last of our friends just left so we're going to crawl into bed.
Hope you had a happy and safe St. Patrick's Day!
Breakfast: NONE
Mid-afternoon snack: banana
Lunch: 2 hot dogs, peanut butter cookies, black bean brownie, and chips and dip
Dinner: 2 burgers, peanut butter cookies, chips and dip
Dessert: strawberry margarita
SOOOOOOOO as you can see today was a no-diet-whatsoever day (aside from the fact that we used turkey dogs, whole wheat buns, black bean brownies, and other "diety" substitutes). It's St. Patty's Day, people! Apparently, my whole life I've been missing out on St. Patrick's Day celebrations because I've never done a darn thing on this day and it's a big deal to my husband (possibly because he has a more intense love affair with beer than he does with me?). So today we invited our close friends over for a little celebration. It was a full day (like... From 2 PM to nearly 2 AM) of laughter, jokes, eating, and board games. Every other time he's had "the guys" over, I've always showed up late because I had to work first. I guess this is another perk of being unemployed... I had two days prior to the party to clean the house and buy supplies, was able to prepare the house this morning, and could enjoy a full day having fun with our friends. As you can see... I pretty much ate whatever I felt like. I'm not gonna lie, I feel pretty darn guilty. BUT tomorrow's a new day and our house has zero bad-food leftovers so there's no temptation.
Anyways, the last of our friends just left so we're going to crawl into bed.
Hope you had a happy and safe St. Patrick's Day!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Spring Cleaning: Part Two
Day 73
Breakfast: green tea, 4 egg whites, 1 diced potato, and 1/2 onion
Mid-afternoon snack: NONE
Lunch: black bean turkey chili
Dinner: green tea, romaine and spinach salad with grilled chicken, grape tomatoes, and feta cheese
Dessert: strawberry Kefir smoothie
Midnight snack: leftover turkey chili
I can honestly say that my house has never been this clean. Every room is spotless, all the laundry is washed, everything is put in its place... And this girl is very happy! It makes me feel so... refreshed?... to have a clean home. And because we replaced the wrong-sized curtain panel, all of my curtain-hanging is finished (well, except for hanging the sheers behind the dining room side windows). Here are some picture from the day:
Breakfast: green tea, 4 egg whites, 1 diced potato, and 1/2 onion
Mid-afternoon snack: NONE
Lunch: black bean turkey chili
Dinner: green tea, romaine and spinach salad with grilled chicken, grape tomatoes, and feta cheese
Dessert: strawberry Kefir smoothie
Midnight snack: leftover turkey chili
I can honestly say that my house has never been this clean. Every room is spotless, all the laundry is washed, everything is put in its place... And this girl is very happy! It makes me feel so... refreshed?... to have a clean home. And because we replaced the wrong-sized curtain panel, all of my curtain-hanging is finished (well, except for hanging the sheers behind the dining room side windows). Here are some picture from the day:
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| I switched the curtains between windows. Still deciding if I like it all, but it's definitely better than it was before. |
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| I just love the way this room is turning out. It's hard to tell by the picture, but it feels very airy and bright (especially with the windows open and the breeze coming through). |
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| Finally found a place to hang our picture. I moved the tree hanging that was there into our bedroom and this just fit right in. |
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| This wall hanging has the Bible verse we used during our wedding ceremony. My mom gave this to us a couple of weeks ago, and I think that it fits well under our day-after picture! |
I'm feeling so good after these past couple of days of cleaning. And it's perfect timing because we're having a St. Patrick's day party at our house tomorrow! Looking forward to having our friends over and hopefully not causing too much damage to the house (haha). Bray and I decided we're gonna let loose at the party tomorrow. He's gonna have a beer or two, and I have every intention to have a hot dog and hamburger and chips and dip... Because that's just what I feel like doing! After all the hard work I've put into this house over the past couple of days (and my back's definitely telling me I worked hard) I feel like I deserve to cut myself a break.
Oh, something sad did happen today... Kitty left our home and went back to her own. Sigh. We will miss Sweet Kitty... And I know Luke will, too! She is a very sweet pooch, and we look forward to her visiting again (so go on vacation, Anne and Jimmie!). =]
Hope you all have a happy St. Patrick's Day!
(PS. Husband updated his blog today with pictures of his garden. Find it here!)
________________________________________________________
Dear God, thank you so much for giving us the strength and motivation to finished Spring cleaning our home today. Thank you for blessing us with this home! We are so fortunate... Thank you for everything you have given us! Watch over all of the St. Patrick's Day celebrators tomorrow.. Keep us all safe in Your arms. In Your name, Amen.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Spring Cleaning
Day 72
Breakfast: NONE
Mid-afternoon snack: NONE
Lunch: 2 chicken strips and steamed onion and carrots
Dinner: green tea, romaine and spinach salad with chicken, feta cheese, and grape tomatoes
Dessert: triple berry torte yogurt
It's Husband's first of five nights off!! We were so excited to get to spend the day together. It's been a long time since we've had this many consecutive days of no school or work in a row! So today we spent it grocery shopping and Spring cleaning (we're romantics, can't ya tell?)! After our trip to Crest, I deep-cleaned the kitchen, bathroom, dining room, and guest room while he watered the yard, pulled weeds from the flower bed, and planted flowers in the bed. Tomorrow I'll finish cleaning the living room and bedroom, then vacuum the entire upstairs. Then we'll both tackle the basement together. It's so nice to be able to clean when we're not on a schedule or time table! I actually enjoyed it, which isn't something I can normally say about cleaning my house. And Bray's flower garden will be so pretty once everything starts to grow! I will definitely post pictures in a month or so once it's in bloom! .
We just finished watching Heavy and I mentioned to Braylen that I would qualify for that show (along with Biggest Loser) because I started out just as big as some of them. So I said he should send me away for 6 months to a weight loss camp. He said that by the time I came back he would have burned down the house and would be living in a hut. In response to my puzzled look, he said "I would miss you so much I would go crazy and have to burn down the house, because that's what crazy people do."
I can't explain his thought processes, but I love him anyways.
Breakfast: NONE
Mid-afternoon snack: NONE
Lunch: 2 chicken strips and steamed onion and carrots
Dinner: green tea, romaine and spinach salad with chicken, feta cheese, and grape tomatoes
Dessert: triple berry torte yogurt
It's Husband's first of five nights off!! We were so excited to get to spend the day together. It's been a long time since we've had this many consecutive days of no school or work in a row! So today we spent it grocery shopping and Spring cleaning (we're romantics, can't ya tell?)! After our trip to Crest, I deep-cleaned the kitchen, bathroom, dining room, and guest room while he watered the yard, pulled weeds from the flower bed, and planted flowers in the bed. Tomorrow I'll finish cleaning the living room and bedroom, then vacuum the entire upstairs. Then we'll both tackle the basement together. It's so nice to be able to clean when we're not on a schedule or time table! I actually enjoyed it, which isn't something I can normally say about cleaning my house. And Bray's flower garden will be so pretty once everything starts to grow! I will definitely post pictures in a month or so once it's in bloom! .
We just finished watching Heavy and I mentioned to Braylen that I would qualify for that show (along with Biggest Loser) because I started out just as big as some of them. So I said he should send me away for 6 months to a weight loss camp. He said that by the time I came back he would have burned down the house and would be living in a hut. In response to my puzzled look, he said "I would miss you so much I would go crazy and have to burn down the house, because that's what crazy people do."
I can't explain his thought processes, but I love him anyways.
________________________________________________________
Dear God, thank you so much for giving us this day to be so productive. Thank you for blessing me with a partner to create a beautiful home with. Help us to keep the progress going tomorrow to get the job done. Amen.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Day 71
Day 71
Breakfast: eggs
Mid-afternoon snack: NONE
Lunch: fried rice, green beans, cucumbers, and chop suey
Dinner: romaine and spinach salad with grape tomatoes
Dessert: Kefir smoothie
What. A. Long. Day.
I went to my hometown today to help one of my best friends look for a wedding dress. We went to so many stores I couldn't keep track... But she found one she likes!! I was also able to turn in my ring to the jewelers, too, so it was a double-success. After all that walking around though, I am worn out. I definitely was not fit to drive home this evening.. My eyes were drooping by the time I got to Elgin! But, by God's grace, I made it safe and sound and was able to stay awake long enough that I'll sleep through the night.
I have got to go grocery shopping tomorrow. It's imperative. We no longer have vegetables, lettuce, yogurt, or lean meat... Staples in our diet! It's definitely time... Just such a pain to drive up there. Oh well, it must be done.
All is well with the pooches, although Bray tells me Kitty is still afraid to come near him. ha. Oh well, at least she loves me... That's what's most important! =] I have no pictures to share, since I was gone a majority of the day. But, Anne, they really are getting along great now! No worries.. Hope you're having so much fun!
After all the walking around we did today and with how exhausted I'm feeling... Exercise is basically out of the question. Oh well!
Ah, and... As expected after a big loss last week... I only lost 1.8 lbs this week. Oh well. Gotta keep workin'!
Breakfast: eggs
Mid-afternoon snack: NONE
Lunch: fried rice, green beans, cucumbers, and chop suey
Dinner: romaine and spinach salad with grape tomatoes
Dessert: Kefir smoothie
What. A. Long. Day.
I went to my hometown today to help one of my best friends look for a wedding dress. We went to so many stores I couldn't keep track... But she found one she likes!! I was also able to turn in my ring to the jewelers, too, so it was a double-success. After all that walking around though, I am worn out. I definitely was not fit to drive home this evening.. My eyes were drooping by the time I got to Elgin! But, by God's grace, I made it safe and sound and was able to stay awake long enough that I'll sleep through the night.
I have got to go grocery shopping tomorrow. It's imperative. We no longer have vegetables, lettuce, yogurt, or lean meat... Staples in our diet! It's definitely time... Just such a pain to drive up there. Oh well, it must be done.
All is well with the pooches, although Bray tells me Kitty is still afraid to come near him. ha. Oh well, at least she loves me... That's what's most important! =] I have no pictures to share, since I was gone a majority of the day. But, Anne, they really are getting along great now! No worries.. Hope you're having so much fun!
After all the walking around we did today and with how exhausted I'm feeling... Exercise is basically out of the question. Oh well!
Ah, and... As expected after a big loss last week... I only lost 1.8 lbs this week. Oh well. Gotta keep workin'!
________________________________________________________
Dear God, thank you for the time I was able to share with my good friend and her mother today. Bless her future in her marriage, and thank you that I can be a part of this special time! Help me to find motivation tomorrow to start doing some of the things that need to be done this break. Amen.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Milestone
Day 70
Breakfast: eggs and yogurt
Mid-afternoon snack: 1/2 bag of Pretzel M&Ms and red grapes (not at the same time... gross)
Lunch: chicken with mixed vegetables
Dinner: romaine and spinach salad with grape tomatoes
Dessert: Kefir smoothie
Wow... What a day.
Braylen brought Sonic home this morning for his dinner. Apparently, I wasn't supposed to be awake, so it wouldn't make me feel badly that I can't have Sonic yet. However, I was awake. And it made me very upset. For a number of reasons. 1) I need him to stay strong in this or I don't think I can do it (well, didn't think I could do it... I'll explain in a minute), 2) I was upset he wanted to do it without telling me, and 3) Our cheat days have always been a thing we share together. It's always like a special little celebration time that we get to enjoy with one another. The whole thing was just a lot more devastating than it should have been.
Then, about an hour ago, I took Braylen his coffee and phone charger that he left at home (have you heard he forgets things a lot?) and was feeling like I wanted to get some Braum's. So I drove my happy little self into town, ready to devour a cheeseburger and fries (Braum's burgers are my absolute favorite). I talked to my "SIL" on the way and told her about this morning and about my mixed feelings on whether or not I should get Braum's or not. 1) I felt like I could eat it and be fine because I've already worked out twice today and am going to do a third later tonight, but 2) We've already had two "cheats" this week, 3) I wasn't sure if I was doing it because I really wanted it or because Braylen had it and I feel like I should get it too (remember the whole "our cheat days are a thing we share together" thing?). 4) It's a cheeseburgerrrrrrr. I want it!
Anyways, she told me something that I think I will keep with me my entire life. She told me something that empowered me to back out of the drive-thru at Braum's, turn around, and go home.
She said to me "If you don't feel good about it, don't go."
Duhhhhh, I'm sure that's something every "normal" person just automatically does. However, the area in my brain that decides what foods I consume (SLP girls... what Brodmann number would that be?) is wildly broken. I've never stopped myself from eating foods because I "didn't feel good about it". That's such a strange concept to me, yet it's just cut and dry enough for it to actually work.
I can't believe that I was able to remove myself from that situation
+. It's never happened to me before. And for that, I am really thankful to you, Jamie. Thank you for being my rock and reminding me what I started this process to accomplish.
Breakfast: eggs and yogurt
Mid-afternoon snack: 1/2 bag of Pretzel M&Ms and red grapes (not at the same time... gross)
Lunch: chicken with mixed vegetables
Dinner: romaine and spinach salad with grape tomatoes
Dessert: Kefir smoothie
Wow... What a day.
Braylen brought Sonic home this morning for his dinner. Apparently, I wasn't supposed to be awake, so it wouldn't make me feel badly that I can't have Sonic yet. However, I was awake. And it made me very upset. For a number of reasons. 1) I need him to stay strong in this or I don't think I can do it (well, didn't think I could do it... I'll explain in a minute), 2) I was upset he wanted to do it without telling me, and 3) Our cheat days have always been a thing we share together. It's always like a special little celebration time that we get to enjoy with one another. The whole thing was just a lot more devastating than it should have been.
Then, about an hour ago, I took Braylen his coffee and phone charger that he left at home (have you heard he forgets things a lot?) and was feeling like I wanted to get some Braum's. So I drove my happy little self into town, ready to devour a cheeseburger and fries (Braum's burgers are my absolute favorite). I talked to my "SIL" on the way and told her about this morning and about my mixed feelings on whether or not I should get Braum's or not. 1) I felt like I could eat it and be fine because I've already worked out twice today and am going to do a third later tonight, but 2) We've already had two "cheats" this week, 3) I wasn't sure if I was doing it because I really wanted it or because Braylen had it and I feel like I should get it too (remember the whole "our cheat days are a thing we share together" thing?). 4) It's a cheeseburgerrrrrrr. I want it!
Anyways, she told me something that I think I will keep with me my entire life. She told me something that empowered me to back out of the drive-thru at Braum's, turn around, and go home.
She said to me "If you don't feel good about it, don't go."
Duhhhhh, I'm sure that's something every "normal" person just automatically does. However, the area in my brain that decides what foods I consume (SLP girls... what Brodmann number would that be?) is wildly broken. I've never stopped myself from eating foods because I "didn't feel good about it". That's such a strange concept to me, yet it's just cut and dry enough for it to actually work.
I can't believe that I was able to remove myself from that situation
+. It's never happened to me before. And for that, I am really thankful to you, Jamie. Thank you for being my rock and reminding me what I started this process to accomplish.
________________________________________________________
In other news, as I said in my previous post, I finished hanging curtains today before lunchtime. Then after lunch I took the pooches on a walk. Oh, and I forgot to mention that Husband and I worked out this morning at the college I graduated from. It was nice to get on a treadmill again!
I'm going to do my dancing later on the Wii and then Wii Fit.
The pooches are getting along better and better all the time! Here, I have proof:
 |
| Luke sharing his bone with Kitty |
 |
| Pooped pooches watching TV with me |
 |
| Hi Momma and Daddy! I miss you! (Kitty told me to tell you that, Anne) |
 |
| The first dog we've ever had on our bed. It's kinda nice! (Ignore the sleeping husband!) |
All in all.. A really successful day. I feel like I learned a lot about myself and how far I can push myself in this diet. I no longer feel like I need Braylen to succeed in this (even though I really do need his support and understanding). Thanks for all the support you all have given us! It has helped us stay motivated every step of the way!
________________________________________________________
Dear God, thank for you giving me the strength to overcome my temptations tonight. Thank you for putting people in my life to give me courage to do things I never thought I could. Amen.
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