Friend making monday

 

 

           When I was a kid…

1. My parents told me…that I was special.  I could do anything I set my mind too… 
2. I wanted to grow up to be a…I believe a nurse or a teacher, depending on the day…
3. I refused to eat… I did not like greens.  They smelled horrible cooking.  Now?  I LOVE them!  I believe I began liking them when I was pregnant.  Weird, huh? 
4. My favorite thing to do outside was…Play hide and seek.  Have no idea why that memory sticks with me!
5. I broke my…arm skating the summer before ninth grade.  I fell once and it hurt.  I fell the second time and didn’t get back up without help!
6. I liked to wear…jeans when I was with my cousin.  I only had dresses/skirts/culottes in my wardrobe
7. My parents always…included me in most everything they did.  I even went on their honeymoon with them!  (my mom is married to my stepdad!) 
8. I thought that Santa was…awesome!  He is still one of my favorite men!
9. My favorite cartoon was...Bugs Bunny and Friends! Still! 
10. I was the…oldest.
11. I got in trouble when… my dad had a friend over who brought his son.  I did NOT want to play with that boy and I got in trouble!  I’m still peeved over that!
12. My bedroom was… my favorite place
13. My favorite food was… liver.  I called it steak
14. My parents always made me… wear dresses
15. My first crush was… Jid.  I was CERTAIN we were destined to be together
16. My favorite toy was… My Ms. Peep doll.  I remember little old ladies would think she was a real baby when I would carry her around a store!
17. I thought school was… horrible.  I got sick to my stomach on a daily basis in elementary school
18. My biggest fear was… I don’t remember having many fears.  Am I that old?
19. My favorite story was…  Mr Bells Fix-It Shop.  My baby brother would make me read that to him all.  the.  time.  If you tried to skip a page, he knew it.  I can still recite parts of that book!
20. My favorite memories… playing in a round metal washtub at my grandmas.  and washing my hair under the waterhose.  FUN!

Wanna link up?  Slide on over to Kenlie’s blog and join the fun!!

I bit the bullet

I have always dreamed of being a runner.  I never thought I’d actually be able to do it though.  If you will glance over at the sidebar ——>, you will see that I’ve paid to run my first ever 5K. 

I have also began the c25k program.  It is tough!  I have horrible shin splints, which Heather of Then Heather Said fame suggested some stretches.  I’m doing them but apparently it wasn’t enough.  I was able to do a portion of day one and have been plagued with a bum heal since.  I have bought tennis balls to roll my arch with, an ankle brace to sleep in and have been laying low for a couple of days.  I plan to restart it in the morning.  Which brings me to morning exercise.

The bane of my existence. 

Janetha at Meals and Moves has issues a challenge entitled Adventurous April.  I am really quite excited!  My week one challenge is going to be morning exercise.  I’m going to do it 3 days.  We shall see how that goes!

And just because I can’t have a pictureless blog post, I’ll leave you with a snippet of dinner last night.  I had an onion ring the size of my face!

Foodie pen pals!!

I was SO excited to participate in the adventure this month!  I had so much fun shopping for my penpal!  If you want to see what I sent her, head on over to Julies blog and take a looksie!

I received a wonderful box from Nescett.  Let me tell you a little story! My box arrived on a Saturday.  Kevin and I were running all of our errands, including grocery shopping.  We had come home to put away all of the perishables and were headed back out to the health foods store that is local to us, I needed PB2, as I’d never had it and got it in my brain I needed it RIGHTTHEN, and Kev decided he needed almond butter.  Anyway, we stopped at the post office to grab my box and of course I tore into it right away…  Well, take a look at this!

SHE SENT ME PB2!!! It was like she was inside my brain!  Verdict?  It is delish!  I love adding it to my oats to get that flavor boost without the calories! I’ve also never had the ThinkThin bars.  There were fantastic! The Nut Thins are great with hummus!  I already love peppermint tea so I was thrilled to add that to my collection.  Double points because it is a Trader Joes product and I don’t have one local and have never been to one either.  The Odwalla Protein Shake is still in my fridge.  I’ll probably have that this weekend! I loved the addition of the magazine!  She said she was recycling and I thought that was the most fantastic idea!  I read it that very afternoon!

Again, I am SOTHRILLED to be partaking in this and I hope you will join us!

And now it’s time for some details about Foodie Penpals.In case you’re a new reader, here’s a reminder of what the program is all about:

-On the 5th of every month, you will receive your penpal pairing via email. It will be your responsibility to contact your penpal and get their mailing address and any other information you might need like allergies or dietary restrictions.
-You will have until the 15th of the month to put your box of goodies in the mail. On the last day of the month, you will post about the goodies you received from your penpal!
-The boxes are to be filled with fun foodie things, local food items or even homemade treats! The spending limit is $15. The box must also include something written. This can be anything from a note explaining what’s in the box, to a fun recipe…use your imagination!
-You are responsible for figuring out the best way to ship your items depending on their size and how fragile they are. (Don’t forget about flat rate boxes!)
-Foodie Penpals is open to blog readers as well as bloggers. If you’re a reader and you get paired with a blogger, you are to write a short guest post for your penpal to post on their blog about what you received. If two readers are paired together, neither needs to worry about writing a post for that month.
-Foodie Penplas is open to US & Canadian residents. Please note, Canadian Residents will be paired with other Canadians only. We’ve determined things might get too slow and backed up if we’re trying to send foods through customs across the border from US to Canada and vice versa. So, I’m going to keep two separate lists and match US w/ US and Canada w/ Canada!

If you’re interested in participating for April, please CLICK HEREto fill out the participation form and read the terms and conditions. You will also find contact information on that page for the UK branch of Foodie Penpals if you’re a blogger across the pond!

You must submit your information by April 4th as pairings will be emailed on April 5th!

Odd Eats!!

I played hooky from work today because I wasn’t feeling well. I ended up enjoying my day immensely! I did homework, completed some random chores I never have “time” for, and was able to have meals I wanted when I wanted them rather than eat whatever I through in my feedback during my half sleeping crazy morning routine.

After I began feeling better, I had a late breakfast of scrambled eggs, spinach asiago chicken sausage and toasted whole wheat english muffin with strawberry jam.

This was enjoyed with a nice view of my patio before hitting the books!

After a few hours of homework and laundry folding, I had a delicious lunch of a chicken breast, drizzled with chipotle ranch, a cucumber, and some mini toast with pumpkin butter. How’s that for random??

Lunch was enjoyed on the patio with a book I’ve been reading. Oh lord! This is how I was meant to spend my life! Glorious!

Snack was eaten over my computer and was filling! I had a pineapple chobani and grapes. Yummers!!

Dinner had been in the crockpot all day. I had a beautiful Boston butt pork roast that I intended to have as barbecue sandwiches. Instead, I baked sweet potatoes and some fresh Brussels sprouts. Again, amazing! I just realized I did not snap a picture. You’ll just have to take my word for it!

I believe I’m going to begin photo journaling my intake here. I did that before and it helped me in a crazy way. I know there are a lot of people who don’t care for that but guess what? This is my blog and I have to do what works for me! I hope my readership grows and I can help others but if not, that’s ok too.

Until we meet again!!

Hamburgers Abound!

After work this evening, I went to my first Weight Watchers meeting in three weeks. It wasn’t pretty. I haven’t even looked at my weight card. I do know I’m up about 3 lbs. oh well. Face the music and get on with it, right!?

After the meeting, I picked up the rest of the family and we went to a new to us place called Taps. It was a nice atmosphere for what it was. Big televisions and live music was the name of the game.

We all ordered sandwiches. Ian chose the buffalo wrap, Kevin, the Gourmet Burger, which was topped with fried egg. I tasted it and wasn’t impressed. I ordered a hamburger wrap. It was OK. I really wanted a salad. Next time, go with what you want!

My favorite author of all time

 

March 7, 2012 will live in my memory forever as one of the best days of my life.  It will also live in my memory forever as a day when I made the biggest fool of myself possible!

You see, I LOVE to read.  I read all of the time.  I read from my phone, from my Kindle (her name is Lovey), from the computer, from “old fashioned” books, basically, anything I can get my hands on I read. 

Well, a while back, some years ago now I’m sure, I was introduced to a blogger turned author by the name of Jen Lancaster.  This woman is my mouth twin!  It really is amazing the likeness in our attitudes!

I read her blog, beginning to current, read all of her books, some multiple times.  Bitter is the New Black is my fave! That book will is so funny it will make me wet my pants every time!

What do you know, her new book tour brought her RIGHT HERE to my quaint little town!  I was sure I would not live to see the day!

My most amazing son got up bright and early on his day off  to show up at the bookstore in order to get my bracelet as that is the only way you could get an autograph.  How amazing was that of him?  I tell ya, he deserves son of the year!

I got off of work and went straight to the bookstore in order to be able to see her REAL GOOD.  Also hoping for a miracle that she might browse whilst waiting for her enamored fans to show.  Alas, that did not happen.  Nor did I need to arrive 2 hours early.  They were expecting a showing of 300 and barely 100 were there.  It really was quite sad.  Anyway, I digress.

I awoke bright and early, dressing especially for my meeting with my girl crush, pearls and all.  On the way to work, a bird pooped on my windshield.  I was so hoping that was a good sign.  I don’t think it was.  You see, I was dressed in black and white.  Why?  I don’t know.  I do know, however, I CAN’T WEAR WHITE WITHOUT GETTING SOMETHING ON IT! This escaped my memory as I specially selected my garments for the day. I arrive at work, eat breakfast and sip my coffee as I go about my morning, slowly waking up and as I take a “sip” of coffee, I totally miss my mouth and pour half of my giant mug down the front of my black and white blouse.  Fortunately, I work in a hospital and we have a maternity unit.  One of my dear nurse friends thought to get some baby wipes from there and use them.  That eliminated a good portion of the stain and stink.  Not all of it though, mind you. 

The remainder of the day progressed without incident and I arrived bright and shiny at the bookstore, browsed, treated myself to a Caramel Macchiato and a brownie from the Starbucks inside and waited anxiously for her arrival.  I could hardly sit still. My palms were sweaty, my knees were shaky, my feet were dancing.  My mind raced with all of the possibilities!  What would I say to her?? What if she invited us all to go get a glass of wine after the signing!  I can’t go because I’m to chicken to have a glass of wine and drive!  I will look like a giant pansy to her! 

She did arrive and my early arrival did a little bit of good because I was lucky enough to be in the very front!  I had a completely unobstructed view of my author idol!  I could count every single pearl draped so eloquently around her neck!  I believe we even had matching earrings!  How special is that???

She began the evening with a question/answer session.  Lots of people asked lots of questions.  I couldn’t think of a single one.  I can think of a million now.  Oh well.  She did, however, ask us a question.  One of the things the audience wanted to know was if any of her books were going to make it to the silver screen.  She began telling of how she wished one of her books (I can’t remember which one because this is the point in where I actually died and had to be resuscitated) was being shopped for television and someone important was reading it.  Her question was “Guess Who!??!” Well, me in all of my idiotic glory, shouted at the top of my lungs “Oh My GOD! Candace Bushnell!!” Um, she has nothing to do with TV.  She is also an author.  At this point, Jen, yes were are on a first name basis, looked at me and said, “um, no.  Think actress” with the most curious look in her eye.  I’m certain she thought I was a deranged stalker girl who knew nothing of her books or reason for being there.

Well, that’s not all folks!  When the time came for autographs, I went up there with my books and a blank piece of paper for my Kindle autograph, and while she was signing everything, she said “you know we can chat for a moment?”  My response?  “I’m so star struck I can’t think of a thing to say!”

Could I have sounded more like an idiot this night of all nights? I promise you I have a small bit of intelligence!  I just think the bird poo did me in!

 

 

Unusually mad

So, now that I’ve gone back to Weight Watchers, I’m making more of an effort to keep the correct types of foods in the house.  Let me start by saying I have a wonderfully supportive husband who does everything he can to help me. 

For some reason, I was very mad that I had to “eat right”.  It is sometimes aggravating to watch someone who weighs 80 lbs soaking wet eat a big juicy burger with no apparent worry.  I do try to remember that the person MOST LIKELY arranged their food for the day to fit in that burger, or will do better tomorrow to make up for it.

Anyway, I was mad.  We had a date night planned.  I wanted to eat steak but I didn’t have the points for it.  I told Kevin before we left the house that no matter what I said, I needed to eat at Moes and have a 6 pp+ Joey Jr Streaker.  I LOVE Moes and that is a totally satisfying meal for me.  For some reason, I was just MAD that I had to plan my food like that.  I never got over it and even stopped our date early without going to a movie.  We went to the grocery store to get a few things and I needed hamburger buns.  I chose the wheat buns instead of white and Kevin didn’t like that choice.  It was UGLY in my head.  There were even tears. 

Do you ever get ANGRY because you have to make decisions like that?  I think I never have before and thankfully I’m over it but I’m just not sure where it came from!