Body Makeover: Week 1

Ok,  so this is my favorite part of the body makeover...measurements! I love numbers and I love progress!

I have lost:

1/4 inch from my neck

2.5 inches from my shoulders

1 inch from my chest

1 inch from each bicep

1/2 inch from my waist

2 inches from my hips

I didn't lose anything from my forearms or thighs

I gained 1/4 inch on each of my calves (likely result with walking activity)

For a Grand Total of 8.25 inches lost overall

And I've lost 6 pounds total

I did all of that even after eating Mexican with the girls on Friday night and Brunch with the girls on Saturday and a hotdog on Saturday night. Oh, and I've secretly had 2 dove promises, 3 thin mints, and about 4 starbursts.

Like I said before...nothing tastes as good as skinny feels!

It Doesn't Remind Me-Audioslave

So, this little "game" started on Friday on MyFace...and since Friday is everyone's favorite day to avoid work things we all filled out this survery. The rule is that you have to use song titles as your answers...

I sometimes answered with more than one song. And sometimes, I thought the lyrics of the song fit appropriately (even if the title didn't)...Enough of this nonsense...I hope I can make you laugh. And the next time you want to avoid something, I suggest you fill this out. It's fun!

describe yourself?
hey, girl-garrison starr
wonder-natalie merchant

What do people feel when they're around you?
I just wanna love you-Jay Z

describe your current relationship?
crush-dave matthews band

Where would you like to be right now?
rocky mountain high-john Denver
summerland-everclear

How do you feel about love?
like a drug-garrison starr

What is your life like?
horseshoe lake-todd snider

What would you wish for if you only had one wish?
imagine-john lennon

How would you describe yourself?
alright guy-todd snider
little miss magic-jimmy buffett

What do you look for in a guy/girl?
whatever it is-zac brown band

How do you feel today?
fast car-tracy chapman

What's your life's purpose?
big love-jonathon sexton

What is your motto?
2 out of 3 ain’t bad-meatloaf

What do your friends think of you?
I’m like a bird-nelly furtado
hard to handle-black crowes
woman be strong-will hoge

What do you think of your parents?
it gets the worst at night-lucero
we’re all in this together-old crow medicine show

What do you think about very often?
just like old times-todd snider
feelin’ good again-robert earl keen
I’m comin’ home-robert earl keen

What do you think of your best friend?
my best girl-lucero
my own worst enemy-lit

What do you think of the person you like?
wild horses-rolling stones

What is your life story?
angel from montgomery-john prine

What do you want to be when you grow up?
one rung-slobberbone

What do you think of when you see the person you like?
all my life-todd snider

What will you dance to at your wedding?
we are the champions-queen

What will you play at your funeral?
free bird-skynyrd
when the doves cry-prince

Biggest fear?
serves me right-garrison starr
when the world ends-dave matthews

Biggest secret?
A little more than I can do-Mike Thomas

What will you post this as?
It Doesn’t Remind Me-Audioslave

The Skinny...

Ok, so a few years ago big sister Emily dicovered "The 6 Week Body Makeover" (http://www.bodymakeover.com/) Unlike most propaganda on TV in the heat of the night, this works. I mean, I have a hot sister. Act like you don't know.

Anyway, I have done this a few times (never actually made it the whole 6 weeks though). Last spring/early summer I did and the amount of inches I lost in just 3 weeks would amaze you. I usually don't weigh myself but I think I will this time. Yes, this time. I ventured into the 6 week body makeover the first week of March but didn't get very far. I had so many work outings that it was just too difficult. Besides, it's nice to ease your way into a lifestyle change.

What is it? This is what I eat every day:

Breakfast: 2 egg whites and 1/2 grapefruit
Mid Morning Snack: 2 egg whites and 1/2 cup of fruit or greens
Lunch: 2 ounces of protein (usually chicken or fish), 1 cup of greens, and 1/2 cup of carbs (usually whole wheat rotini)
Mid Afternoon Snack: 2 egg whites and 1/2 cup of fruit or greens
Dinner: 2 ounces of protein (usually chicken or fish), 1 cup of greens, and 1/2 cup of carbs (usually whole wheat rotini or squash)
Drink: I drink between 160 and 192 ounces of water a day. That's 5-6 nalgenes full. If I want something else, I have crystal light.
Trick: all freshly prepared foods, very little sodium, extra fiber with your carbs, green veggies are "free" so you can have as much as you want
Flavor: I get it from balsamic vinegar, mrs. Dash, and red wine vinegar. All three of the "helpers" have ZERO everything. Read the labels.
Exercise: I walk 5 days a week and do yoga on Sunday


I'll do my measurements tonight and see how many inches I've already lost. Stay tuned for more on "the skinny"...

Birthday Wrap Up

My goodness...it seems that no sooner did I join this blogospher that I disappeared from it! Sorry (assuming anyone out there reads this) for my hiatus. Not only is March a busy time, but the 2nd and 3rd weeks of the month are my to me what April 15 is to the H&R Block.

Last Monday, March 9th, we had dinner at Copper Cellar to recognize and celebrate the aforementioned birthdays. We always have such a blast at that local treasure. We had a good turn out: Me, Carrie, Tara, Alli, Ben, Casey, Scott, and Jade. And, following suit of the high year we had to rally with the kitchen to get them to throw together a few chocolate waffles that were not on the menu.

Here are a few pictures from the night. You can see the baby bumps on both of my girls!

Then last weekend we celebrated Carrie's birthday on Michael's farm...I forgot all of my cameras so I don't have any pictures. :-(

1...2...3...Birthdays!

In the event you are wondering, I am one lucky girl! I have this group of girl friends that money cannot buy. They are my everything. We've been through hell and high water together, and now we sit around a laugh about it with some punch. Our lives are in perpetual change, but one thing is constant...and that's is the bond between me and my best girls. There are several of them. Sometimes we get together on Wednesday nights for anything from trivia to spaghetti, sometimes we brunch, sometimes we retreat at the nail salon, but no matter what we never miss a beat. God smiled on me...especially in March.
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Casey

On March 4th, He gave me Casey. She was here a few years before I was born, and then she spent the first part of her life (two decades and then some) in the Pacific Northwest. Right when I needed her most, and she needed out of town we met at work. We both were slaves to the food service industry and met on the first day of our tenure at Bravo. She is beautiful inside and out and has an old soul. She has a big heart and an unhealthy relationship with guilt. If I had to describe her in two words, I'd choose "Cookie Monster!"

Happy Birthday Casey!

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Allison

On March 8th, He Gave me Alli. According to all things Kodak, we've been kicking it since Royale (West Knox Daycare, now a veterinaryclinic) back in 1985. We didn't make our union official until 1994 and it was then that we went under a procedure and came out attached at the hip. You think I'm kidding. You know she's that person that all of the Hallmark cards were written about. We have relationship similar to those painted in country music love songs. In college we were separated by 6 hours of Interstates 40 and 26, and spent a lot of time on the phone. We would write one page of a paper that was due the next day and as a reward talk on the phone for an hour or so. Get motivated. Go to page two. After 4 years of undergrad separation anxiety, we picked up right where we left off. Like we never missed a beat.

She's about to have us a baby boy in July and I am one proud Auntie. She deserves nothing but the best! She makes up a percentage of my soul, and for that I am forever grateful. If I had to describe her two words, I'd choose "Number One".

Happy Birthday Alli!

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Carrie Leigh

And then on March 15th, He gave me Miss Carrie Leigh. Truth be told, we'd probably have to go to our mothers to find out when we really started hanging out. It's safe to assume we were together most weekends and church days beginning in the very early 80's...like before snap bracelets and NKOTB. We had some life changing talks through undergrad, and then really rekindled our friendly romance at a music festival in 0h-five. Carrie is like a light house. Even when we were separated for a minute, I could always find her, and her me. You know the light house will lead home, and Carrie is always my something familiar. We have experienced a lot of loss together, and even more love. We went from being those barefoot children in the rain to the girls on the patio talking about them. She taught me the most important lesson in love I ever learned...believe and be satisfied. I can depend on Carrie to rock the "swoop" with me (side swept bangs) even if/when they go out of style. She'll meet me for a pork chop, and all I have to do is ask. We already have plans to clink ice cubes in a Cadillac when we retire at age 50. We'll talk about all the injustices and how we managed to get through. Carrie is the original Party Princess. If I had to describe her in two words, I'd choose "old faithful"

Happy Birthday Carrie!

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So, I am fortunate to have so many friends, and most of them I've known my whole life. And then there are those girls I met in college...and it feels like I've known them my whole life. On the 12th I will celebrate the anniversary of the birth of my good friend Marie. We were roommates in undergrad, she lives in NC now. Soon we are going to spend a weekend on the Nantahala....and I can't wait for it! Marie, if you read this..."stone walls and steel bars...and you on my mind..."

Lost Shaker of Salt?

Well, I found this article today while I was avoiding grown up things in a grown up office.

Thought I'd share...

10 Money-Saving, Eco-Friendly Things You Can Do with Salt
Get Salty and Savvy

By Sophie Uliano

I'm continuing my budget-friendly series here with suggesting the myriad uses for common household items. Since green is all about saving money, your health and the planet, it makes sense to consider 10 things you can do with a jar of eco-friendly, common salt.

1.) Freshen your waste disposal: Pour 1 cup of salt into the unit, run cold water and start the motor. The salt will dislodge grimy deposits.

2.) Prevent grease from splashing: If you throw a few pinches of salt into the frying pan before frying fatty foods such a bacon, you'll prevent having to clean all the that grease off the hob.

3.) Washing your Greens: It can be tough to wash greens such as chard, Kale and even spinach because of the little curly crevices. Wash the leaves in a sink half full of cold water and 1/2 cup of salt.

4.) Mold prevention: In these tough economic times, we can't afford to let anything go to waste, especially an expensive piece of cheese. Prevent a hunk from going moldy by wrapping it in a napkin that has been soaking in salt-water prior.

5.) Ditch the stain remover: Many stain removing sticks can be toxic. Instead make a solution with 4 tbsp of salt in 2 cups of hot water. This is especially good on yellow perspiration stains. Simply sponge the solution onto the stain and rub until the yellow disappears. Wash as normal.

6.) Mouthwash: Most drugstore mouthwashes are expensive and contain dye, alcohol and sweeteners. Do it the old-fashioned way by mixing 1tsp salt and 1 tsp of baking soda in 8ounces of warm water. You can also add 5 drops of tea tree oil if you like the taste.

7.) Salt Rub: Forego the expensive body scrubs and give yourself a homemade salt rub at home. Just dip your mitts into a large tub of sea salt and massage while your skin is wet and then shower off.

8.) Pick up broken eggs: Have you ever tried to scoop up an uncooked egg that has smashed onto the floor? Extremely difficult—however if you use salt, easy! Cover the spill with salt as it will draw the egg together and wipe up with a recycled paper towel.

9.) Remove baked-on food: When you are facing the awful task of scrubbing out a roasting pan, dampen the pan and sprinkle salt all over. The salt will lift off the baked on food.

10.) Spruce up your mop: To prevent you having to run out and buy a replacement mop head (not my favorite activity), soak your mop in a bucket of water with 1 cup of salt overnight.

These Chains...

My chains are gone, I've been set free

My God, My Savior, has ransomed me

And like a flood his mercy rains

Unending love, Amazing Grace

Thank the Lord!

Laugh. Out. Loud.

Ok, so this past weekend after one baby shower (for the Baby Carly and Momma Leslie) we loaded up for a road trip. We= Me, Tara, and Carrie. We were headed to Tullahoma, TN (close to Lynchburg and Manchester...or Jack Daniels and Bonarooooo).

I love road trips, especially with my girls. I realized about half way there that we had all told stories and quoted "the funniest thing ever!"

I often wonder about the things we say and why we say them. For instance "This smells awful! Here. Smell it." or "Oh my gawd! This is horrible! Here. Taste it." Now why on earth would I want to do any of those things?!

I'm sure there is one event in my life that deserves the caption "the funniest thing ever" but I have no idea what it would be. I wonder if my subconscious keeps up with all of my LOLs and then trumps the previous one to allow room for the new "funniest thing ever." I doubt it. (I will say that I do not use LOL on any social networking site, email, or text message unless you just actually made me laugh out loud.)

I think I'm going to be intentional about my use of the phrase "funniest thing ever" and my all around use of the word "ever". For such a short word it has lofty aspirations. I mean ever. It's so final and all consuming. Sometimes it's assuming, but most of the time it's fact.

Some of my "funniest things that happened":

• this one time at trivia the answer to the question was Henry Ford and I stood up and shouted "I told you it was a president" (I thought it was Truman, and clearly mistook Henry Ford for Gerald Ford. It wasn't my most proud "yes I have a 4 year degree...in political science" moment)
• a battle snake...not a rattle snake...came to fight...you had to be there
• a good friend who will remain nameless came out of the bathroom with a tail of toilet paper. really.
• There was one really funny thing that caused my sister to alter the all familiar LOL to IJHLROL (that means "i just horse laughed right out loud") But I can't remember what it was.
• This one night Tara wouldn't quit trying to impersonate a radio personality and a listener who called in about a barn. I mean she had had some wine, but she just wouldn't let it go.

Ok, that's all I can come up with for now. I know you won't leave this blog with any revelations or anything, but maybe you will at least become an intentional L.O.L.er.

Much love!

Listless

So, I'm not gonna lie. I've "owned" this URL for a blog for a while. I just never started it. I mean most of my friends out here in the blogosphere have small families or crazy cool travels...I have neither. But, I do always have a lot to say...so why not?!

I finally figured out how to make my blog look this cute (thanks Kat, I followed your link to cutestblogontheblock.com) and then followed the other steps like "about me" and added a few pictures.

Then it was time to actually blog. I know that most of my blog entries will be rants, raves, some Doogie Howser, MD esque diary entries, andjust general updates. But I didn't have anything to say. I mean how do you start a blog? What do you say for your first entry?

I really wanted to fuss about Rachael Ray's wardrobe and how she always dresses in a way that is so unflattering, but I didn't want her to own my first entry, so I'm going to let it go. For now.

Then I'm driving home from dinner on Friday night. All of a sudden on the radio..."alone...listless...breakfast table in an otherwise empty room..." You all know Pearl Jam (I say that like I know who you are and assume that you are reading)...anyway, what does that mean?! In the past I've gone as far as to google it. I found something about pension schemes and government funded welfare programs. I don't trust that information. I think it was written by a very confused undergrad dreaming of a career in journalism.

Nonetheless, I'm puzzled. Eddie Vedder, among others, wrote it. This is what he says about the song in general:

The child in that song obviously has a learning difficulty. And it's only in the last few years that they've actually been able to diagnose these learning disabilities that before were looked at as misbehaviour, as just outright fucking rebelliousness. But no one knew what it was. And these kids, because they seemed unable or reluctant to learn, they'd end up getting the shit beaten outta them. The song ends, you know, with this idea of the shades going down--so that the neighbours can't see what happens next. What hurts about shit like that is that it ends up defining peoples' lives. They have to live with that abuse for the rest of their lives. Good, creative people are just fucking destroyed.

Clearly he feels strongly about the song to use such profanity!

Anyway, I don't feel resolved. Maybe I am a breakfast table in an otherwise empty room?