Wednesday, June 30, 2010

My friends took bets,

on when we would have a baby.  I'm not sure if I mentioned this before, but it came up in conversation with my friends the other day and I wanted to blog about it.

To recap, there's KC and I, plus 2 other couples getting married in the next year and 4 (very) single guys in my group of friends we frequently hang out with. Turns out that after they wedding (while we were on our honeymoon) they all bet $5 and gave a number of months after the wedding to when they thought we would be pregnant.   A few of them have lost already, a few of them are close to their bets and some are 6 months or so away.  Mind you I have not discussed any of this with them, only here and with 1 girlfriend.

We don't get together with them more than once a week lately because we're so busy, but regardless it comes up in conversation almost every time.  Why do my friends find it so interesting to discuss our time in the bedroom.  As a matter of fact, when we were at the beach for my birthday, one of the guys and I were standing at the water's edge and he says, "So Lauren, what are my chances of winning this bet?  I've only got 10 more days."  I just looked at him and said, "I'm sorry to say you will not be winning this bet."

Umm, hello, if we had a kid, I think we might lose half the single guys as friends and they'd never hang out with us or come over again, only talk to KC at work.  I can't even imagine their reaction, partially because I can no longer be the 'group mom' and make sure stuff gets done, but that's a story for a different post.

Yeah so, my friends took bets the week after we were married about when we would be pregnant.  My parents aren't even bugging me about grandkids but my friends bring it up in conversation almost once a week.  If they weren't so fun sometimes, I'd start looking for new ones!

Monday, June 28, 2010

Miscellany Monday


{1}  This weekend I had high hopes of being extremely productive, but with little success. I wasn't busy, I just got to a point of doing what needed to be done or I wanted to do and forgetting everything else I had planned.

{2}  Thanks for Holly's fabulous tutorial, I started making a market tote last night.  So far so good, but I'm worried I may have been a little ambitious for my first project.  If it turns out ok, maybe I'll give it away on the blog.

{3}  I find it weird that it took me almost 2 weeks the read "Heart of the Matter" since I had been waiting for it for a while, and only 4 days to read "Good Things".  I did like them both, time to find the next one.

{4}  I'm on a roll, I booked the wrong flight, the AC was broken when we got home and now the dishwasher won't turn on, like at all, no lights, nothing.  Anyone got a handy man I can borrow?

{5} Does anyone else ever find themselves on a blog and have no idea how they got there?  The other day I found myself about 4 blogs away from the one I started on. Oops!  

{6} This is the first time I've had to work 5 full days since the beginning of May.  I don't know if I'm going to make it.


{7}  I'm not afraid to admit that I'm excited for Eclipse to come out on Wednesday!!


{8}  I finally got my wedding dress cleaned and I have to go pick it up today, it only took me 13mos.

Have a wonderful day!

Friday, June 25, 2010

Boring and Drab Cubicle

On this lovely Friday afternoon, most people are out of the office on vacation and it's just me.  Looking around I decided that my cube is boring.  Beige and Cream, blah!  I have some frames with pictures on my desk but not too many.  Hanging things up can be tricky because if they're heavy they don't hold too well.

I've been trying to come up with ways to spruce up my cube on the cheap.  I'm hoping to just find things around the house and maybe but a few items but I'm just not sure what to do.  I looked up online for some suggestions and found a few sites and even a book on Amazon!

I also stumbled on this article again of the Saddest Cubicle contest, I'd seen it before, it makes me feel a little bit better about mine.

Most of the suggestions consisted of:

  1. Pictures/Posters
  2. A plant
  3. A lamp
  4. Postcards
  5. Calendars
In the meantime, I found these awesome cubes that I couldn't wait to share.





Images above courtesy of Wired


Similar to this, before my husband went full time he worked as a student at his company, he had to return to school for 3mo. but was going to have the same cube when he returned.  When he returned his cube looked similar to this, only with water bottles, took him 3hrs to clean them up his first day back!



I don't plan on doing anything this drastic that's for sure, just something to add a little color and life to it.  Anyone else have a boring cube they're tried to spruce up a bit?  What did you do?

Sidenote:  I'm feeling a bit crafty sitting here, hopefully I can find a new project to try for the weekend (maybe to decorate my cube!).  Any suggestions?  Sewing or Paper or cube related?

Thursday, June 24, 2010

How do you read your blogs?

I read a lot of blogs (ummm, probably too many).  Back when I started I struggled with visiting them all each day to check for updates which can became tedious, especially when some don't post frequently or some post multiple times a day.  At some point I discovered Google Reader and it was amazing!


I've been trying to figure out a sorting mechanism and way to organize items and read them and I was wondering how everyone else organized theirs?  My biggest complaint was when I've starred items, I end up having to scroll through a whole bunch of different posts to find them again.  I read blogs about Sewing, Cooking, Paper Crafting, Personal Blogs, and still a Wedding blog occasionally so there are starred items interspersed that are not related and it was driving me crazy but I may have figured out a solution.


I thought I would share some tips, but I was hoping you might have some other tips for Google Reader as well.  I found some other tips you might find useful here.
  1. Organize Feeds in Folders - When you add a feed to your Reader, click on Feed Settings and choose your Folder to add to.  If you don't have any made yet, click on new folder and create the one that you want.  I like to organize mine by subject, but some people like to organize them by importance.
  2. Use Keyboard Shortcuts - Some of the most common shortcuts include:
    • j/k: item down/up
    • o: open/close item
    • s: toggle star
    • m: mark as read/unread
    • t: tag an item
  3. Rename your subscriptions - Sometimes feeds don't have names that I recognize easily, so if you click on the subscription, there's an arrow on the right, if you click on that, there's an option for 'Rename Subscription'.  Renaming it might help you recognize it easier. 
  4. Star Posts - If you like something and would like to refer back to it, use 'Add Star' at the bottom of the post
  5. Tag Posts - At the bottom of a post there is an 'Add Tags' 'button'.  This allows you to tag a specific post and categorize it vs. tagging the entire feed like you would do in a folder.  This is how I started organize my starred posts.  To better sort through my Starred posts, I started to Tag my starred posts with different tags that would help be go back and find them again.  Like, Recipes to Try or Sewing Tutorials. (I'm a bit of an organization freak, so once I've tagged them all correctly, I'm going to go back at some point and probably tag them more descriptively, like Dinner Recipes or Salad Recipes, because it's bugging me already :-) )

    (I cleaned up unread posts just for this picture :-) )

  6. Clean Up Monthly - Sometimes blogs are not of much interest to you anymore, sometimes bloggers abandon their blogs.  I try to go through monthly and unsubscribe and clean things up.
  7. Update your Blog Roll - Kimberly Michelle posted this great tutorial on how to use your Google Reader subscriptions to keep your Blog Roll up to date.  I did it here.
Those are some of my suggestions for Google Reader.  Does anyone have any others that would be useful?  Do you use Google Reader or visit blogs directly (or is there another feed tool that I don't know about)?

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

A day of mishaps!

We almost didn't make it back to NC after our weekend trip to NYC.  I know I haven't recapped the trip just yet, but I felt that this just deserved a post all on it's own.

Monday morning we woke up, got ready and checked out of the hotel.  We left our bags at concierge service and would head back for them at 2:00 to head to JFK for our 4:30 flight.  It was about 9:00, we grabbed lunch at a bakery and went to sit in the park we had walked by multiple times during the week.  We were sitting there chatting when I said to KC, that's weird, I didn't get a check-in email from JetBlue to which he replies, neither did I, weird.  I pull out the itinerary and look at it and it just doesn't look right but I can't put my finger on it.
 I stare at it and then I just about died.  You don't see it either?  Oh, well take a closer look:

Yeah, I booked the flight home for the third Monday in July, not June.  I was mortified, we were supposed to be back just in time for a softball game.  We'd parked our car at a Park & Ride so we didn't have to rely on anyone for a ride and so we could make it to the game.  Maya was staying with my sister and was running low on food and having trouble on a leash vs. being free outside.

Turns out when I booked these in May, the calendars dropped down for 'Date to Leave' with May on the left and June on the right.  When the calendar dropped down for 'Date to Return', June was on the left and July was on the right.  Instead of looking for an actual date, I just counted to the 3rd Monday and that was that.  Not realizing they had moved the calendars.  On top of that, there's only one letter difference between the abbreviations of June and July.  I just cannot believe I did that.  I was in shock.

Thank goodness for iPhones, I found the number for the airline and called them up.  Turns out the next available flight wasn't until 9:40pm.  Well I had no choice, we had to be back for work the next day, so we booked it to the tune of $330 more.  JetBlue charged us $100 each to change the ticket plus another $60 each for the difference in flight cost, that is just plain ridiculous.  I don't know if we could have cancelled it and gotten a flight back on a different airline for cheaper but I still cannot believe the exorbitant prices that airlines are charging for something as simple as changing a flight.

So we had another 5hrs to cruise around and check some things out.  Which we did the best we could with, but at that point we were just tired and wanted to go home!

That 9:40pm flight boarded on time, but we proceeded to sit on the runway for 1hr+ while the airline finished paperwork to change flight routing or something.  I'm not one to complain much but after my own mishap, sitting on the runway, really kinda stunk.

We finally arrived home around 1am to a house that was 93 degrees.  Why so hot you ask?  Oh, because the fan motor on the AC burned out some time while we were gone over the weekend.  I just wanted to sleep in my own bed, but that was not happening.  We then opened all the windows and slept downstairs, where it was a little cooler, on the couches (because both air mattresses had holes in them).

I am proud of myself for not freaking out about this whole thing once.  I was calm and collected and we worked with what we had.  I laughed along the way after I got over the fact of how much it was going to cost us to fix my mistake (until I learned how much it would cost to fix the AC).

At least we'll have a funny story to look back on (go ahead and laugh at my expense, I'm OK with it now)!  Lesson learned, make sure you check the month when booking a flight.  Oh and if you did something crazy like this, let me know, so I don't feel like the only one. :-)

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Hello there!

Somewhere along the way last week things just got too hectic.  The career post really put me in a funky frame of mind that I couldn't shake easily.   Then we left on our trip to NYC on Thursday and I was unprepared on the blogging front.  After a later return yesterday than planned, we had another issue at home and, I'm running on 4hrs of sleep (from the couch).  I'm ready to put my head down at my desk and take a quick nap.  I think we should get nap time at work like we did in school.   Anyways, sometimes life just gets in the way and we need a break.

While I get my self back on track, I thought I would share two posts that I read recently.

  • Helping Small Blogs Grow - The Less than Domestic Goddess - This was a great set of tips that I hope to apply to this blog.  There are even some great tips in the comments section as well.
  • Ten Secrets to a Happy Marriage - Meet the Hessons - This past Thursday, KC and I celebrated the 5 year anniversary of our first date.  This post was a great reminder of how we can turn those 5 years into many more years to come together.
The last week seems to have just flown by and I don't know where the time went.  It's hard to believe that yesterday was the first day of summer!  Things will just keep going, I know there's no stopping, time to hold on, keep breathing and enjoy the ride!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Yummy Potato Salad!

Yesterday I mentioned the Chipotle Potato Salad that I made last night and I thought I'd share the recipe.  I went to a cooking class at Southern Seasons one night and we had a delicious meal.  They give you the recipes to take home in a take-out.  I tried to recreate it last night with some success.  Of course I didn't take any pictures.  This isn't my recipe, it is from the class. (c) Sandra Gutierrez

Chipotle Potato Salad  (I halved it)
6 Large Yukon Gold potatoes
2 Chipotle Peppers in adobo sauce
2 teaspoons adobo sauce
1 cup finely minced yellow onion
1 cup finely minced celery
1/4 cup finely minced Italian parsley
1/4 cup finely minced cilantro
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream (can use lowfat, but not non-fat)
1/3 to 1/2 cup of live juice (or to taste)
1/4 cup minced chives
2 garlic cloves, very finely minced
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Paprika

Note:  For the Chipotle Peppers and adobo sauce, I bought 1 can and put it in the food processor and pureed it.  I then just used 2 teaspoons (for 1/2 recipe).  For the rest, I dropped them into teaspoon fulls on wax paper and froze them.  I'll put them into a plastic bag and thaw them out for next time.

Wash and scrub the potatoes and put them in a large pot with cold water.  Boil potatoes until they are fork tender (25-30 minutes) and make sure that they keep their shape.  Drain the potatoes, peel them and cut them into cubes in a large bowl.  Stir in Chipotles and adobo sauce, onions, celery, parsley and cilantro.  In another bowl, mix mayo, sour cream, lime juice, chives, garlic, salt and pepper.  Toss dressing with potatoes and chill salad for at least 1hr before serving.  Season with the paprika.

Let me know if you try it.  I hope you like it!

Career Satisfaction

Yesterday, I talked about a new opening at work but I didn't think I was going to get it (which I didn't).  I'm fine with that, well kinda, but I'm not really looking for sympathy or anything.  Actually, I'm struggling with where I want to go with my career.  I've been at the same job for 4 years now and I've come to realize that it's simply not what I want to do for the rest of my life.  But do I really know what I do want to do?

Do you ever look back on your college experience and wonder how did I get through that.  I was in a 'nerdy' major but I don't think I was a nerd.  I was just the girl who worked hard and got ok grades.  I most certainly didn't go out of my way or above and beyond, but I did well (graduated with Honors).  I wasn't the student who tried things out just to see how they worked.  But really, looking back, I can't remember anything.  I don't really even know if I want to keep learning about this stuff.  

With the ever changing technology industry there is always new things to learn, but I just don't have the desire to go above and beyond.  I did it for the first few years at work but then didn't feel like it was getting me any further so now I do the minimum ( and get great reviews).  And, frankly, it sucks.  Where's my motivation?  Where's my desire to excel?  What happened to me?  

I know that I'm not satisfied with my career and I can blame that on my manager, my teammates, my company or whatever, but really it's me, it's my fault.  So what do I do?  Part of me is ready to call it quits, head back to school and get a degree in something else (I don't know what though).  I feel like I could go in any direction.  I wouldn't mind going back to school to teach or work with children, but I also think that I might like management, just scared I wouldn't do well in that role.  The other part of me says suck it up and deal.  You have a job (for which I am extremely thankful), and it pays respectively.  Why shake things up and have to learn something new?  Or I could go out and apply for more jobs (which I've done).  Or I could try to build up a small at home business which I've always wanted to do, I'm just not sure in which direction I'd like to go.  

Kids are most likely in our not so distant future, or at least that's the plan.  So that puts a whole other card in the mix.  We've chosen to live a lifestyle, of a two income family.  I'd love to be a SAHM but not as we live right now.  I know we could, we'd just have to make changes and sacrifices.  KC is completely supportive of whatever choice I make.

The problem is, I'm just not sure what is going to satisfy me.  Somehow I need to figure out what's going to work for me, I'm just not sure how.  

So, has anyone made any major career changes?  Did you go back to school?  Become a SAHM?  Start your own business?  How was your experience?  

Monday, June 14, 2010

Miscellany Monday


{1}  This weekend was the Komen Race for the Cure in our area.  There were over 30,000 participants according to the news.  What a great turnout.  My time wasn't that great because of the heat, but I'm ok with that, it was for a good cause.

{2}  Today marks 2 years to the date to when KC made me climb up a mountain and then ask me to marry him.  This picture is right after it happened.


{3}  I spent most of my weekend making bridal shower invitations.  I cut each and every one of them (60) out by hand.  Thanks goodness I'm done with that.  I will definitely start on the invitations for the Jack and Jill earlier.

{4}  Potato Salad isn't too popular at my house, but I made a Chipotle Potato Salad last night and it was delicious and went over very well.  I'll post the recipe soon.

{5} There's an opening for a job I would love at work.  I spoke to the hiring manager last week, but she looks to be going in a different direction and I'm kinda disappointed.  

{6}  I feel like I need a new wardrobe, I can't find anything to wear when I get dressed in the morning and when I do it's the same 4 or 5 outfits over and over again.  Lots of the latest styles don't work that great for my shape though so shopping kinda stinks!

{7} Looking at that picture makes me miss my long hair, I think it's time to grow it out.

Have a wonderful day!

Friday, June 11, 2010

Makeover finished!

So if you remember, about 2 months ago, I blogged about making over our living room and dining room.  I'm happy to report that we're finished!

I'm also happy to report that we stayed with the striped chair and are very glad that we did, it looks great!

I'll save the talking for later, have a look at some pictures first!

Dining Room:
Before:


After:
(Sorry about the coke on the chair and other boxes, shopping at BJ's makes it hard to store bulk!)

(Maya wanted in the picture!)

Living Room:
Before:


After:




I would post links to furniture etc, but for the couch and chair and the dining room table, I did not have a good experience with either company so I would rather not, if you want to know where I got anything specifically, let me know.

This room is definitely much more my style!  We quickly got everything painted and then played the waiting game for the furniture (couch & chair).  Once we had that, we struggled to find end tables and then curtains.  It felt like it took forever to finally find everything and get it set up, but I finished before M came, which was my goal.

It's such a clean and bright look.  I'm now happy to go into these rooms!  Some of my favorite things in the rooms are the wine cork holder in the dining room (we got it in Savannah) and our cake topper in the living room on the shelves (from Paul Pape Designs).  Unfortunately I didn't get a close enough picture to share this time.  The ottomans are great and hold our board games and decks of cards.  Hopefully we'll get more use out of them now.

I am still looking for a few decorations to go on the shelves and end tables, but for now I'm satisfied with how it turned out and I hope we will sit in there and enjoy it a little more.

Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Playing Catch-up

I'm finally getting back into the swing of things.  I had a great long weekend.  For now, I'm playing catch-up at work and in my Google Reader.  Just thought I'd jot down a few things.

  • M left late yesterday to head back to the West Coast.  :-(  We had a great time while she was here, hanging out, catching up, going out and enjoying the beach.  I am now making it my mission to find her a job on the East Coast.  

  • My mom got me a sewing machine for my Birthday!  M gave me a crash course on it and then we made a pillow.  If you have any suggestions for a beginner, I'm all ears!   Any beginner projects you would suggest?  Do you have tutorials or sites that post lots of tutorials?  Any suggestions for where to get fabric?  Anything you couldn't live without for tools, supplies, etc?  Any blogs you'd suggest?
  • I won a giveaway at Linny's Vault to Sunglass Warehouse.  I could definitely use a new pair of sunglasses, I just can't decide which ones to get.  Which ones are your favorite?
  • We're heading to NYC next weekend.  If you have any site-seeing or restaurant suggestions while we're there, let me know.  I have basically nothing planned, which is so not like me at all.
  • I have to make 50+ bridal shower invitations to go out early next week.  I have to manually cut each one and I haven't started yet.  Yikes!  
  • Thanks for all of the Birthday wishes this weekend!  
  • I just found out Lady Antebellum is going to be in town a second time this summer.  I can't wait to get tickets!
I know it's weird to say this on a Wednesday, but I hope everyone had a great weekend!  Hopefully I'll catch up on my blogs soon and leave some comments.  Have a great day, we're halfway to the weekend!

Sunday, June 6, 2010

The big 2-7!


Happy Birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me-e-e…..HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Whoa! The big 2-7!

In my mind, I am now officially in my late 20's.  I've got mixed emotions, today it is excitement.  There are lots of new things ahead of me this year.  I've only lived just over a quarter of a century, and cannot wait to live a few more quarter centuries! 
So, here's 27 things about me to celebrate!
  1. I was 9.0lbs when I was born, my dad used to call me the sausage roll when I was little.
  2. I got to name the dog we had as a kid and named her Rudy after my favorite show at the time, 'The Cosby Show'.
  3. Sometimes during the summer in middle-school, I'd read at least one Baby Sitters Club book a weekend (and repeat them!)
  4. I was a band geek and started playing the flute in 4th grade and all the way through High School, even summer marching band.
  5. I participated on the High School Whiz Kid team, and I don't think I answered more than 1 question right in our competitions.  Thought we were so cool on TV in our button-down jean shirts.
  6. I won the Superlative for 'Most Athletic' in High School, playing Soccer, Basketball and Softball, every season from 7th grade to 12th.
  7. I hate it when people call me by my last name (maiden or married).
  8. I set the alarm at least 20 minutes early so I can hit the snooze button twice
  9. I absolutely love ice cream, I would eat it every day if I could.
  10. If I lived alone, I would probably eat plain pasta or a salad and baked potato for dinner every night.  
  11. When KC goes away for the weekend sometimes I spend my Sunday afternoons watching movies on TBS (or Lifetime) and eating Air-Pop Popcorn
  12. I don't have a favorite color, I like shades of purple, blue and teal.
  13. I don't like pink, mostly pastel-y pink.  I can deal with a darker pink, but if I ever have a baby girl, her room will not be pink.
  14. I fractured my hand last year (2008-2009) on NYE playing dizzy bats (Yes, drinking was involved, enough said).
  15. I always thought I would grow up to be a teacher (I used to think it was because I have neat hand-writing), sometimes I think about going back to school to be a teacher now.
  16. I am very particular about the type of pen I like.  Pentel RSVP Fine Tip please!
  17. My friends say I have OCD because I like things to be cleaned and picked up.
  18. I make To-Do lists just so I can cross things off the list.
  19. I would love to open my own business (I have no idea of what) but I'm too afraid of failure/risk (my husband is the risk taker).
  20. I used to drink regular Pepsi, until I gave it up for Lent, then I stopped drinking Pepsi and switched to Diet Coke, but I don't like regular Coke or Diet Pepsi.
  21. I love strawberries and if it has mushrooms in it you can count me in!
  22. I like cake (preferably funfetti) but would rather have it without the frosting.
  23. I love white-chocolate, like milk-chocolate and don't like dark-chocolate
  24. I love a nice hot glass of hot cocoa on a cold morning, but not from Starbucks, yuck!
  25. I never read blogs until I started planning my wedding and was too chicken to start one until after.
  26. I've been a New York Yankee lover for as long as I can remember!  
  27. I'm a country music girl!
Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Thankful on a Thursday

Lately I've been doing lots of thinking and I realized that are lots of things that I'm thankful for and I don't always say it.

{1} For all my mom and dad who have shown me what's it's like to growing up in a loving family.

{2} For my friends, even though I found out they took bets on how long after the wedding it would be before we were pregnant (most of them have lost already).

{3} For M who is coming to visit and spend a long weekend!!  (That's the last time I mention it, I promise!)
{4} For everyone who has donated to support me when I participate in the Komen Race for the Cure next weekend.  

{5}  For Maya, who is always excited to see me when I get home, no matter what hour or kind of the day it is.

{6}  For my little sister, who moved out of our house a few weeks ago and is carving her own way in this world.


{7}  For my grandparents, celebrating 54 years of marriage next week.  An inspiration to KC and I and hopefully to other newlyweds!

{8}  For the blogs I read and readers who comment, thanks for sticking around.

{9}  For KC, there are too many reasons to list them all!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

the post about weight


I've been drafting this post in my head for a while now. As is the case with many bloggers I've read and many ladies in my life, there's always a battle with weight.  It seems every woman has insecurities about her weight.  I was never really insecure about my weight until mid-way through college.  In High School it didn't seem to bother me.  I knew I wasn't one of the smallest girls in class, but that's why I played soccer, basketball and softball and wasn't a Cheerleader.

These days, I tend to gage my weight by how well my clothes fit.  When I graduated college, I put on a few pounds but refused to buy new clothes when my old sizes weren't fitting me.  If I have to go up a size in something, if I don't need it that bad, I probably just won't get it.

This morning, I put on some capris and well they didn't fit that great.  No bueno.  Not happy.  I'm at a crossroads right now.  I'm running and don't do much exercise outside of race training because I want to follow the routine as much as possible.  The thought of maybe starting a family and not being able to lose that weight is scary.

About 3 years ago now (those college pounds had crept up), I did a program at the fitness center at my company that worked amazingly for me.  They measured your RMR and helped you to determine your calorie intake and how much calorie intake per day for 1 lb./wk loss, etc.  It was a 10 week program, with a weekly class.  We learned about making changes and substitutions as well as triggers for our eating and how to deal with things.  I lost about 12-15lbs and kept the weight off for a year.  

Over the next year or so, I gained some of it back (~8-10lbs) but have tried to maintain.  I'm not quite at my heaviest weight as when I started the program but I know I need to make a change to stay happy.  I tried to use the iPhone - 'Lose It' app a few months ago, but became frustrated, I don't measure my food portions well.  I know what I should and shouldn't eat in terms of kinds of food and try to stick with them now.  It's a lifestyle change, I realized that back then.  I've done fairly well at eating more on the healthy side of things with a few small indulgences here and there, but I haven't been able to stay where I should be.

I know I need to go back to tracking my intake and controlling my portions, so that is my first step.  I'm considering a few changes to make as well:
  • Body Bug
  • Cutting back to 1-2 Diet Cokes a week vs. 1/day
  • When drinking (alcohol), limit to 1-2 beverage maximum.
  • Not doing 1/2 marathon training and working towards gym visits and workouts instead
  • Accountability - I've tried to make deals with myself before, no shopping, no this or that until, but it doesn't work.  I'm thinking more of when I get here, then I can do this/get this.
Right now, I'm on a path to figure out what is going to work for me to make me comfortable.  I don't have goals of being 'skinny', I just want to be comfortable and happy.  It's not really about the number on the scale, but about the way I look and the way my clothes fit.  I've done it before, I know I can do it again.  I just need to find my commitment to it.

I won't be blogging much about getting there, so don't worry, this hasn't turned into a weight loss blog, but it is something that is going to play a big part in my life in the coming months so don't be surprised if you see a few posts about it.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Summer TV

From September to May it's a battle to keep up with all the shows we watch/DVR.  I enjoy when the summer comes around and there is a lot more time to spend outdoors, playing sports, doing yard work, BBQing with friends and bonfires to occupy the nights.  There are a few shows that are on during the summer that I enjoy watching and I'm looking forward to them this year as well.  


Returning Shows
Army Wives on Lifetime
I am not an Army Wife, but I love watching this show.  Not only do they discuss the issues of Army Wives but they cover other real life issues (i.e. domestic violence, marriage troubles and miscarriages).  


My Boys on TBS
I've mentioned before how sometimes my group of friends reflects many of the characters of My Boys.  I'm drawn to this shows because of the 'randomness' of it and the lives of the groups of friends.


Flashpoint on CBS
I've watched practically every cop drama/show there is.  Some might say that this is just another one, and I would agree, but the personal mixture in this one along with the 'cop' nature make this one a little more appealing to me to keep watching.  I like the 'flashback' nature to this show as well.


If you're looking for some new shows to add to your summer line-up, I'd recommend both of these.


New Premieres
Losing it with Jillian on NBC
This year I started watching the Biggest Loser and I started seeing the ads for Losing it with Jillian.  I think the appeal to this show is people are trying to make changes in their lives for the better.  It premieres tonight on NBC, so I'll let you know in a few weeks what I think of it.


I tend to not watch a ton of reality shows which is why you don't see The Bachelor or Bachelorette, America's Got Talent or So You Think You Can Dance, but I'm not entirely opposed.  I have mixed feelings about watching the Gosselins again, though I will admit I have watched them previously (please no mean comments).


Any shows you watch over the summer I should check out?  Any new premieres that you're looking forward to?