Thorn Birded

I've been walking around with my head stuck in a book the past few days. I know... it's so unlike me. But when a coworker (turned friend... love that!) found out that I had my very own 'priest scandal' in my family she was both shocked and appalled (no, not that there had been a priest scandal in my family but...) that I'd never read or seen The Thorn Birds. It's a 500 some page epic novel and a lot of it is a little Jane Eyre-esque in that there are just full pages of descriptive stuff. I'm more into books for the dialogue. Let's be honest, 97.3% of the books I read are beach read romances. But I just skip over the descriptive stuff. I don't really need 6 pages on the weather patterns of Australia. But I digress...

Said friend told me to give it to page 100 and if I wasn't hooked then I was allowed to just watch the mini series. But alas, I got to page 100 and have been forging on ever since. I'm totally smitten with Father Ralph for those of you who do know the story. I'm on page 319 and am hoping to finish soon because it's due back at the library in a few days. Oh the pressure!

But moving onto to food and stuff. I finally (kind of) remembered to do weekend food pictures! I had some good eats. And by good I mean naughty! heehee. Check them out here if you feel so inclined.

Triathlon #1 is less than a month away. It's on June 27 to be exact. Eeekads. Let's move onto another topic before I stress myself out too much. (Have I mentioned I haven't been on my bike since FEBRUARY?)

Yesterday I went to Sonic for the first time. I've seen commercials for this place my entire life. They run tv ads in Philly even though there isn't a sonic within 50 miles of where I grew up. And then I moved south where there are plenty, but I was always scared/intimidated by it because I didn't know how the 'drive up' worked. But it was really quite fun. The server even brought the food to our car sporting some sweet roller skates.

Tonight I'm hitting up the Melting Pot for half price cheese and chocolate fondu. Be jealous. Be very jealous.

Boot Camp has been going well this week. I have mastered balancing on the swiss ball. It's so fun to be the best at something there. Because let's be honest, other than the swiss ball I'm still the slowest at a lot of the stuff we do (especially running). Remember the night I actually cried at boot camp because I was the weakest and slowest? Well I may still be the slowest but now I use the heaviest weights out of all the girls! It's an amazing feeling.

And as for TV, is anyone else as geeked up for this season of So You Think You Can Dance as I am? I love this summer time show. I can afford to have a 2 night TV show in the summer since there's nothing else on. So tonight, after I indulge in a healthy serving of fondu I'll be watching that. It doesn't get any better than this folks!

Only Tuesday?

I keep thinking today is Wednesday. Why? I have no idea. But it's only Tuesday! How sad. But let's not dwell on that, shall we? There has to be something happy about today! So here goes:

• It's SUNNY
• I have an adorable outfit on (skirt, top and cute earrings)... too bad I'm covered up with a HUGE sweater because its freezing in here
• high of 92!!!!
• Dining al fresco at HALF PRICE lunch this afternoon
• Only one workout tonight -- boot camp
• Watching The Hills from last night tonight (don't judge, I can't help myself)
  
• tomorrow will be Wednesday
• a delicious breakfast that I already devoured!!

Ok much better!

My night last night was crazy packed but I got everything done! I went to boot camp where we did upper body. It was a beast! But I CURLED 15 pounds (technically 30 pounds since I had 15 in each arm). I did 2 sets of 15 throughout the night. GO ME! I felt so strong I love it!!!! It was just two of us which was a nice treat. I got home and my arms were on fire, they were shaking. I hate/love that feeling. Roommate and her beau were eating dinner so I stood in the kitchen and talked to them for a bit while eating some watermelon and then ate some leftover cold mac n cheese from the fridge. I was hungry!!! I went up to my room, changed into a bathing suit and hit the pool! As tired as my arms were I think it was good to sort of stretch them out. I did 34 laps in 24 minutes. Not too shabby for my first time in the pool. I got home, grabbed Maddie and took her for a quick walk. Maybe 15 minutes? Roommate had taken her to the dog park so I really didn't need to walk her but I felt like I'd been neglecting her so I did. ha. After that I made a big salad for dinner and had a waffle on the side. Then I was still hungry and had a 2 point Bryers ice cream sammy. So good! It was 9:30 by this point so I went upstairs and showered, got in bed and read my book. It was a delightful night! Too bad my allergies got really bad out of no where at midnight and I was up for an hour sneezing and blowing and snotting all over. I know, I paint the absolute most attractive picture of myself. Could it have been the chlorine? I have NO idea. I have been allergy free for at least a week. Quite random. Anyway I'm a bit sleepy due to that but it's ok. I'm still going to make it a good one!

Menu for today....

- Bfast: Big waffle with strawbs, 1/2 banana and blueberries
- Lunch: hitting up the flying saucer for 1/2 price lunch -- I'm going to try super hard to get a SALAD
- Snack: fruit salad (watermelon, strawbs, banana, razberries, blueberries)
- Snack: vitamuffin
- Dinner: not sure. I have some meatballs defrosting so possibly that. And maybe another big ole salad. Mmmm.

Planning....

The plan for today....
- BIKE RIDE (even if it's just 6 miles) after work assuming the sun is still out and its not raining.... it's been way too long since I've shown the Burley any love.
- Sweep/vacuum the floors. That's the only cleaning I need to do this weekend since last weekend I cleaned EVERYTHING

Tomorrow....
- BOOT CAMP in the AM
- watching my friend's dog, KIN for the weekend so hopefully she and Maddie will play lots
- POOL in the late morning/early afternoon
- Mow the lawn in the afternoon and plant some more pretties outside

Sunday.....
- BIKE RIDE in the morning. Hopefully at least 10 miles.
- Take Maddie to get GROOMED (yay for clean, happy puppies!)
- POOL in the afternoon
- Bring Kin to another friend's house as she's watching her the rest of the week
- Grocery store in the evening and prep meals for the week

And while we're at it.. Monday....
- Work
- PM boot camp
- Dinner
- SWIM at the POOL during adult swim from 8-8:30. The Philly Tri is in 29 days. EEEEK!

I am SO pumped about my weekend. I have nothing major planned, just things I want to do and get done. And not spending much money other than on groceries and getting Maddie groomed. SO freakin excited. YEAH!

Also. I'm determined to count points today. I've not counted points in MONTHS. So I'm giving it a go today. Wish me luck! It's hard getting back into the swing of things but my waist will thank me I'm sure.

Breakfast:
2 whole grain waffles w/ almond butter - 4
orange - 1

Snack:
a few peanuts - 2

Lunch:
hopefully a salad or grilled chicken or something wherever we go for lunch (it's my boss' birthday) - 7?

Snack:
choco vitamuffin - 1

Dinner:
SALAD using up all my produce - 2
Lean Cuisine (I know... I know... but I have no food in the house still!) - 5

Snack:
fat free bryers with strawberries and ff whipped cream - 3

25 points total. And I'll get at least 2 APs for my bike ride. Score!

Cereal

I've been having a bit of a love affair with cereal lately. I know I should be eating something a bit healthier (aka containing protein and veggies) for dinner... but I just can't help myself. I get home from boot camp at around 7:15. I do not feel like making anything. All I want to do is pour a big bowl of cereal and eat it while catching up on some TV with my roommate.

I went through a box of Golden Grahams (I generally don't buy sugary cereal like that bit it was on sale for 2 bucks) in 3 days. Yeah, I got THREE bowls of cereal out of it. That's probably 2 cups per bowl. Which is more than double the serving size. But alas, I can't stop.

I do try to have something else for breakfast if I plan on having cereal for dinner. Tomorrow cereal is on the agenda for breakfast though.. so someone quick give me a suggestion for a dinner as quick and easy as cereal :) Thanks!

Takin It Back

Do any of you watch Survivor? I absolutely love that show. It's just so brilliant in so many ways. And yes, I was totally smitten with JT this season. I'm ready to move to Alabama and live on a cattle farm with him. Ha! But the real reason for the post is about Taj. (Speaking of, did anyone else realize that JT spelled her name TAG at one of the tribal councils? Hysterical).

So it said that Taj's career was "former pop star." On the finale Jeff mentioned she was a member of SWV (Sisters With Voices if I remember correctly). Do any of you remember them? Because as soon as he said it I totally started singing one of their songs. I was beyond obsessed with it back in like 6th or 7th grade. Anyway the song was called "Weak" and I just found it on YouTube. Makes me like Taj even more!



So am I the only person that remembers this song?

Spinach for Breakfast

I headed "home" (up north) for a family party this weekend. One of my aunts is quite sick with cancer and we had a big surprise 59th birthday party for her. It was an absolute blast and I know my aunt loved every second of it. I also ate nothing but carbs or sugar for 3 days straight. (Speaking of carbs - info on my home made soft pretzels is up here). So after getting to the grocery store last night I was ready to go into sugar detox mode today.


This morning I had a green smoothie for breakfast. I've become somewhat obsessed with them recently.

Into the mix goes:
- 1 cup vanilla soy milk (I use the kind with added fiber)
- handful of baby spinach (I tear it up a bit)
- 1/2 cup frozen chopped strawberries
- 1/2 banana frozen and cut up
- scoop of protein powder

Blend it all up (I use a stick blender for easy cleaning)... and ta da! Breakfast is served! I get in plenty of protein and a serving of fruits and vegetables! It's perfect! And I swear you CANNOT taste the spinach. I brought in a little extra for one of my coworkers to try as she didn't believe me that you couldn't taste the spinach but after she tried it she agreed. So if you make smoothies I highly suggest throwing a little spinach in next time. Just boosts the health values without added nasty veggie flavor. It's a win/win!

Freezing!

Does anyone else have an issue working in an overly AC-ed building in the summer? I'm a cold person by nature, but today the high in Charlotte is 76. I don't think I'm being ridiculous wearing a summer dress and a cardigan. I'm perfectly comfortable outside. But in my office? Cripes! I'm freezing! Right now I have a space heater on under my desk AND a sweater draped over my legs like a blanket. That's just not right if you ask me.

But then again maybe my body is just used to hotter temps. I don't believe in turning my central air on until well after Memorial Day (I generally shoot for Flag Day - June 14 - or if I'm really feeling frisky I'll wait until the 4th of July.)

But such is life. I'll just hang out with my sweater/blanket (I SO need a snuggie) and try to stay warm until it's time to leave!

In other news last night I made soft pretzels from scratch. They aren't as good as the real thing I'd get in Philly... but they were pretty easy to make and fun! I'll certainly be making these again. The dough would also be great for pigs in a blanket. Heavenly.

The other exciting bit of news I have to share is that they put tables outside the building I work in. (I just tried to not end that sentence in a preposition, but it just sounds to formal... in which... anyway!) So today I brought my lunch and ate outside with a few coworkers. I love to dine al fresco. I plan on making good use of those tables all summer long. Really, it's the little things in life that excite me.

And just to toot my own horn (man I love that saying) I got up and went to AM boot camp this morning! I have a work event til 9 tonight so I went to the 7:30 session (really it was a private session because no one goes in the mornings) and came to work at 10. I wish I could come in at 10 everyday! The end.

Really Doing This

I think one of the reasons I might be neglecting my blog so much is because I'm not really all that crazed about eating right and my weekly weigh ins right now. I'm just kind of doing it. I'm certainly not perfect, nor at my overall goal weight. But I am actually happy with my body. I have MUSCLES. Yes, if I flex my arms there's actually muscle there. I still have big thighs, but you know what? I think I'm always going to have big thighs. Such is life. But today I was in the middle of cleaning and looked up in the bathroom mirror and thought, "damn I look good." Now you guys know me... I do NOT ever think that. And I wasn't even decked out! I was cleaning the bathroom! But I'd gone out this morning so my hair was curly and I had make up on, and was wearing a white tank top and black (pajama-esque) shorts and I have a little tan going on and I just felt good. And that's what I saw in the mirror. And I can't even tell you what a great feeling it was!

So yes, I have off days (like today) where I eat crap. But I also have good days (like yesterday) where I eat quite well. And during most of those good or bad days I work out. And it all sort of just balances out. I've been at the same weight now for a year. But my clothes definitely fit better this summer than they did last. So one would assume I've lost some fat and gained some muscle. Which is why I've not been hopping on the scale as much. I'm just doing this based on how I feel this time around and it's working for me. So I'm going with it!

Moving along... I've had a fun weekend! Yesterday was a busy day! I got up and went to boot camp. It was so hot at 9am... I was dripping sweat like nobodys business! Ew! After that I stopped at Lowes on my way home to get some veggie plants! (Yes, I went to Lowes straight from my workout all smelly and gross). I got some tomato plants, pepper plants and planted cucumer seeds (hopefully they make it). But the veggie garden was a mess of weeds so I spent a good 2 hours cleaning everything out before I planted anything. I got some color on my back (I wore a halter to prevent tan lines heehee) and a second workout! Because I was dripping sweat again working out there! But I got the weeds out, turned the soil, and got some new dirt in there too. Hopefully my veggies will do as well this year as they did last! After that I hit up the grocery store and then came home to shower and get ready to go out. Went on a date but as much as he seems like a nice guy, he's just not the guy for me. Literally in 4 hours I didn't laugh once. Unacceptable! So back to square one we go :)

Today was perfect in so many ways. I was up at 8 and got ready for brunch at a friend's house. I made monkey bread and we ate a whole lot of carbs... but delicious carbs! All kinds of breads and casseroles. There was fruit salad, and that's the only thing I had seconds of, but I surely ate too much. I got home around 2 and was out in the backyard working on the front part of my tan by 2:30. I was all hooked up. I had a fan oscillating on me, a spray bottle to spritz myself with cold water, and my iPod hooked up to some computer speakers so I could jam while I relaxed. And as always a tall glass of ice water and a pup beside me. Here are three views. #1 - my legs, #1 - Maddie laying beside me and #3 - the tree in my backyard and a picture perfect sky



Around 4ish I went back inside to get some work done. I did 2 loads of laundry. Sweapt, mopped and vacuumed the downstairs floors. Made meatloaf, cut up all of my fruit for the week and also made pasta with sauce and veggies for the week. I also cleaned the bathroom, but you knew that already. Then I had some leftover monkey bread for dinner. And it was heavenly. (Yup, I had a carb loaded brunch and monkey bread for dinner... and that's it. Told you today was a bad one!) And finally around 7ish I sat down to just relax and watch some TV.

Whew! This post was much longer than I anticipated -- so if anyone's still reading thanks! I'm off to bed now before I go eat MORE leftover monkey bread!

10 Years

I really and truly can't believe it's been 10 years since my high school graduation! But it has been. So let's discuss, shall we?

• I had insane amounts of anxiety showing up alone, but decided to step outside of my comfort zone and go
• I thought everyone would be a size 0, married and have 2.5 kids and a white picket fence
• Apparently everyone else also had all of these thoughts!!!
• I had much more fun than I anticipated (see pictures below)
• It was like nothing had ever changed. No one had their husbands/bfs there (I went to a private catholic all girls school) so it was just the girls hanging out like old times. No one really looked all that different. And the people I didn't really like in high school I still didn't really like. And those that I loved I fell right back in step with like we hadn't missed a day.
  

Photos? But of course! (My camera died so I was relying on pictures posted on facebook)

Cocktail hour (I tried to lower my beer so it wouldn't be in the picture, but alas that didn't work)

Dinner - the food was terrible, but the company was nice!

This is my excited face (or maybe my "I just had 2 beers in 30 minutes" face)

Someone made me laugh right before taking this picture

And I really couldn't regain my composure

But I finally got it together, whew!

Since dinner was horrible we went to a local pub after... and ordered some fries! (not to worry -- 7 of us split this basket)

After a night out with old friends I was a bit reminiscent when I got back to my parent's house. I went through all of my old photos. I decided to bring them back with me to my house in NC. One of these days I might even post some here! Man oh man that would be entertaining. Let's just say my awkward years lasted longer than most people's. I also decided to try on my 2 prom dresses! Yes, they are still in my closet in my bedroom at mom and dad's. Want to know the best part? Not only did the both zip... but they were each actually a little lose! WHAT? My prom dresses from high school are a tad too big? What is going on here! Talk about putting me in a good mood for the 8 hour drive home! If my camera battery wasn't dead I would have taken a picture for proof! But alas, it was. So just take my word on this one, ok?

Beyond Randomness

I feel as though every post I've written recently has start with "I'm such a blog slacker" ... or something along the same lines. And once again, here I am claiming the same thing. It happens.

And since my favorite blog style these days has also been to get all bulleted on you, that's what's in store today!

• While neglecting this blog, I did write a fun post for my cousin's site about kale chips. WW friendly. Cheap. And you totally feel like you're eating something naughty. Check it out.
• On Wed I decided to take a super unscheduled trip home to PA this weekend. Tomorrow morning I'm hopping in the car at 5:30am, driving 8 hours, drinking lots of caffeine, making myself pretty upon arrival, going to my cousin's baby's first bday party, then going to my 10 year high school reunion. I won't lie - I'm a little bit scared about the reunion. I don't really keep in touch with people all that well and it's been about 10 years since I've seen most of these people. YIKES! Sunday I'll sleep in, hang out a bit and head back in the car for 8 hours. Whew.
• Last night at boot camp we had to kneel on the Stability Ball for 60 seconds. It was hysterical the first time I tried, but by the second time I was able to do it! My entire lower body hurts from it today though. You really use ALL of your muscles for it. I looked a little less composed than this lady
  
• While googling the last image I came across this, and I want it.
• I had a milkshake for lunch today. There I said it. It's out in the open. And you know what? It was everything I dreamed it would be and more. Now a salad for dinner and I should be ok.
• I registered for 2 classes this morning. Did I tell you guys I'm going back to school? Well if I didn't I am. To become a middle grades math teacher. Heaven help me. I'll be taking definitive math and statistics this summer. Heaven help me again.
• I'm more excited than I should be about the prospect of 'back to school' shopping. Pencils, calculators, spiral bound 5 star notebooks, and maybe even a binder!
• This day seems a bit never ending
• I went on a date with a boy on Friday night. Then I went on another date with the same boy on Saturday night and met some of his friends. There's potential... but he's been out of town all week. We shall see!
• I've been dog sitting for a friend's dog for the past 8 days. Is it wrong that I'm ready for the not so well trained dog to go home? I mean, she woke me up puking at 3am this morning because she ATE half of a softball. Who knew they were cork inside?
• I went to Orlando a few weeks ago with the fam. We had such a fun time! My mom and I swam with the dolphins. Here's me and Coral hanging out (or making out, whatever).
• The rest of the pictures from my trip are here. Note the ones of me wearing shorts (this was taken just for proof that I actually wore shorts).
  
• I've worn makeup to work 4 out of 5 days this week. That might be a record for me.

Ok, I think that sums up most of my randomness for today. Who knows, maybe I'll get my act together and write ANOTHER post before the end of May. That would just be sheer madness.

Happy Weekending!

I want to Mix My Granola!

Kelsey is having an awesome contest to win 20 bucks to mixmygranola.com. Check it out.... and then enter (or check it out and DONT enter because I want to. mwahahaha)

News Worthy

Time to check in on the 09 To Do List!

The item of note is #2: wear SHORTS in public (I can't remember the last time I wore shorts in public, it might have been in 2000?)

I haven't owned a pair of "wear out in public" shorts since the summer of 1999 (I did a little research after making the list). Yes... that's 10 years ago. In those 10 years I have worn mesh shorts to mow my lawn and biking shorts (aka spandex) while riding. But in those years I've never gone out to dinner or to an afternoon BBQ in shorts.

Well folks, that ends this summer. My mom fave me a gift card to Old Navy for my birthday and I just finished spending it. One of the purchases was a light green pair of bermuda shorts. YIKES!

They will most likely be worn in the coming week while on vacation with the fam in Orlando. I'll try to get a picture. Hopefully it's not too scary!

Before and After shots

No -- not of me. Of my yard and garden! We had some picture perfect weather here this weekend and I took advantage. I was outside for most of it! Yesterday I went to the dog park in the morning, then on a 3 mile hike with the pup, hit up TJs, worked in the backyard, then went to a dog bar (so cool). Today I slept in until 10!!! Granted I got up at 8 to feed the pup and let her out but I got right back in bed and passed out. It was awesome. Once I got up I went to Lowes and then worked in the yard for about 4 hours. Weeding, planting, mulching... my whole body aches. But it looks much better and I got a little color!

Without further ado (is that how you spell that?) here are the pictures....

Mailbox Before

Mailbox after

Right side of the walkway before

Right side of the walkway after

Left side of the walkway before

Left side of the walkway after

Front yard before

Front yard after (note Maddie's position nearly 4 hours later)

I have a new found respect for people who work in their gardens all the time. It's hard work!!

Happiness Friday

• The member drive at work is over -- and we met our goal! WOOOO!
• Instead of getting here at 6:45 am like I have been for the past 8 days I got to sleep in until 7:30 today and come in at normal time!
• The SUN is out and the sky is bright blue
• I have a cute outfit on
• I even put on make up and blow dried my hair
• It's FRIDAY!

So since there is so much happiness oozing from me. Here are some recent pictures that make me smile. (To see all of my random photos go here)

Maddie sleeping on my leg in bed

Birthday Tulips from Roommate

(Poor cell phone quality) Maddie and her BFF sleeping together

Four dogs in the back of roommate's car -- insanity!

Hike on a greenway in SC -- adorable log cabin

Butt-Print

Sometimes when I'm walking through the long empty hallway to the bathroom at work I feel like I should lunge to the bathroom. I mean it's a long, empty hallway. Perfect for walking lunges. I never do though, for fear that someone will catch me.

Today I was in the kitchen at work. I was toasting a leftover oatmeal pancake from The Flying Biscuit and getting a bit antsy. I saw an open space of wall and thought to myself "Oh! Why don't you do a wall sit while you wait!" I know, I'm totally on crack, but I was just looking for something to pass the time. So I did. I was in a space where if someone were to walk in the room I'd see them before they saw me so I wouldn't get caught. So there I sit... checking my watch every 2 seconds to see how long it's been. I heard the brilliant DING of the toater right at 55 seconds. If I were a real trooper I would have toughed it out for another 5 seconds... but I didn't. I quickly (ok, maybe very slowly and ungracefully) got up and retrieved my pancake. As I was walking out of the kitchen I saw the wall I was just using for my impromtu quad buster.

Apparently the "only washed once" jeans that I'm wearing left a little color behind (ha! no pun intended) on the wall. We just moved into this office about 5 months ago and all of the walls are newly painted. But now... in a corner of the kitchen... you can see this:



It's faint, and may look a bit blurry (took it with the iPhone)... but it's an imprint of my ass. Yup... the seam of my jeans and my two cheeks. Right there on the kitchen wall.

WOOPS!

As if this weren't good enough I later was in the bathroom and caught a glimpse of my profile in the mirror. I noticed part of my jeans looked lighter than the rest! It seems as though the part that got left on the wall is surely missing from my backside. You may not be able to tell in the picture, but what was on the wall is quite lighter on my jeans now. Double WOOPS!


So now I'm torn. Do I continue to make use of my toasting time at work with wall sits since the damage has already been done? Or should I quit while I'm ahead?!