There was a lesson at church a few weeks back about men will start doing more "feminine stuff" (grocery shopping, helping with the kids, etc) and women will start doing more "male stuff" (using tools around the house, enjoying sports, etc) than past generations.
My friends and I went "Huh?" as I already fit in this mold. I spend most of my time in a gym, I have season tickets to watch my Bengals play football and I am active in most of the remodeling projects at the condo (the bathrooms being the exception). I draw the line at wearing a jock strap and putting a razor on my face!
Today, I decided to take some time off today to get "some girl stuff" done. Yes, I may do some guy things, but I still like girlie stuff too!
The mystery of the day: Why in the world do gals have so much more things to do before a trip then most guys? I really put some thought into this and didn't come up with a good answer. Some of the guys in my life will laugh at this and make some smart ass remarks, but they would be the first to notice if I didn't do some of these things!
No matter...I am still happy that my nails are done, my toes are pretty, I won't have to shave (gotta love wax) and loads of other things that I am going to get done before the trip. If I'm not mistaken, I think most of my male family / friends couldn't be paid to be waxed! Hmmm...Can we say "Wimps"?
Namaste.
"I went to acting school with a lot of people who were far more talented than I was... but they took a day job, lost patience, or got discouraged and quit -- and I didn't. So here I am, the last man standing." - Tom Hanks
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Un-flippin-believable!
I was excited when I got to say that I lost 50lbs.
70lbs was mouth-full.
I was so reaching for that 75lbs.
Never in my life did I think that I would say that I had lost 81lbs!
But I did on Monday...
Sadillac even witnessed the weigh-in (and took a pic)!
SEEEEEEEEE!
70lbs was mouth-full.
I was so reaching for that 75lbs.
Never in my life did I think that I would say that I had lost 81lbs!
But I did on Monday...
Sadillac even witnessed the weigh-in (and took a pic)!
SEEEEEEEEE!
Today, I was scheduled to have the dreaded caliper body fat test done.
I was so nervous.
Handy was my voice of reason and kept me from canceling.
I was actually shaking.
Then, I got the results. I almost cried.
WOW - I've reached a level that I only dreamt I would: the 160s below 21%.
NOTE: The measurements are from Monday - hence the date at the top.
What did I do, you ask?
First, I headed to the gym (obviously, or you wouldn't be ready this).
Then, I celebrated with some ice cream (yum!).
Finally, I sat on the back patio (OK, I was sitting there when I ate the ice cream) and did some thinking.
Yes, it looks like I am heading for 15%. :)
No, I'm not crazy (I don't think so anyway).
It's just that I still have some "flub" to loose in two areas.
AND more importantly, I am not in my goal-size jeans.
Wish me luck!
Namaste.
PS. If this post doesn't warrant comments - then I don't know that I will even have a comment-worthy entry!
Monday, June 11, 2007
Lots of Work! Lots of Reward!
I was fortunate enough to participate in an event this past Saturday called "Give Back Cincinnati's Paint the Town". Nearly 1,000 volunteers painted 35 houses in one particular area of town.
It was a lot of hard work.
It was very messy.
It nice to meet some co-workers from other departments who I didn't know.
It was challenging staying on my diet, especially when the ice cream sandwiches came out. But I did (yes, I took my own food)!
It was kewl to work with the home-owner (he kept saying "Unbelievable" and "Great job girls!").
It was a great experience for which I am thankful!
I even got my rear off of the ground onto a six foot ladder, then a ten foot ladder and finally a 12 foot ladder. The six and ten footers were needed to get the job done while everyone else was busy. The 12 footer became a challenge to myself to prove that I could do it. I do not have a fear of heights, but I do have a problem with not feeling like I am on steady ground. I refused to get on the extension ladders, but these regular "A" shape ladders and I decided to come to an agreement to get the job done.
Now, I have a lovely burnt orange colored Paint the Town shirt covered in light tan and white paint! The sunburn only lasted one day and somehow I didn't get one splash of paint on my white Who Dey hat! :)
It was a lot of hard work.
It was very messy.
It nice to meet some co-workers from other departments who I didn't know.
It was challenging staying on my diet, especially when the ice cream sandwiches came out. But I did (yes, I took my own food)!
It was kewl to work with the home-owner (he kept saying "Unbelievable" and "Great job girls!").
It was a great experience for which I am thankful!
I even got my rear off of the ground onto a six foot ladder, then a ten foot ladder and finally a 12 foot ladder. The six and ten footers were needed to get the job done while everyone else was busy. The 12 footer became a challenge to myself to prove that I could do it. I do not have a fear of heights, but I do have a problem with not feeling like I am on steady ground. I refused to get on the extension ladders, but these regular "A" shape ladders and I decided to come to an agreement to get the job done.
Now, I have a lovely burnt orange colored Paint the Town shirt covered in light tan and white paint! The sunburn only lasted one day and somehow I didn't get one splash of paint on my white Who Dey hat! :)
Did I mention that the house looks awesome?
Here's a 'before' picture of the house.
I will try to get an after picture to show what a great job we did!
If you get the chance to be a part of this in the future - I highly recommend it!
Namaste.
Namaste.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Another Pet Peeve?
I will be the first to admit that in text messages, I.M. messages and even conversational emails with friends/family that are quick - I do not watch my grammar, capitalization and such. I don't even have a problem getting a text message that says: "how r u?". Have you ever tried to text? It takes A LOT of effort!
However, emails from people that I do not know full of bad grammar, run-ons and misspellings are fast becoming a pet peeve of mine! I believe that spell check exists in most email programs - use it people!
I get emails on occasion about my family genealogy. The one I got today - I had to read it about three times to even try to understand what was being said. I also get a lot of messages in myspace that are near impossible to read. Now, myspace doesn't have spell check (that I have found) and I have been guilty of sending some typos, but damn - at least reread your message to see if it makes sense! After all, why waste your time sending me a message when I probably will not respond as I am usually not in the mood to decipher coding.
Unfortunately, one person, who spends time on messages before sending, is on this 'must wait three to six days before responding to each email'.
Note: That doesn't make me want to respond much either.
Namaste.
However, emails from people that I do not know full of bad grammar, run-ons and misspellings are fast becoming a pet peeve of mine! I believe that spell check exists in most email programs - use it people!
I get emails on occasion about my family genealogy. The one I got today - I had to read it about three times to even try to understand what was being said. I also get a lot of messages in myspace that are near impossible to read. Now, myspace doesn't have spell check (that I have found) and I have been guilty of sending some typos, but damn - at least reread your message to see if it makes sense! After all, why waste your time sending me a message when I probably will not respond as I am usually not in the mood to decipher coding.
Unfortunately, one person, who spends time on messages before sending, is on this 'must wait three to six days before responding to each email'.
Note: That doesn't make me want to respond much either.
Namaste.
Friday, June 08, 2007
Do-er or Take-er?
I was raised with good values, morals and ethics. I bust my ass to make sure that I can take care of myself, that all of the bills get paid and that I can enjoy life.
I am a "Do-er".
There have been some rough times in my life, but I always did what needed to be done. To pay for college, I would work three jobs in the summer. During the school year, I would miss out on many social opportunities in order to get that paycheck or to keep the GPA for the scholarship.
When I first started working in the real world, I kept the free/garage sale furniture and missed out on vacations in order to put a down payment on my house. It was years before I had a cell-phone. To this day, I do not have cable.
None of those items were enjoyable, but I did what I had to do. I did not make someone else do without so that I could do with.
Are you a "Do-er" or a "Take-er"?
I have had many "Take-er"s in my life and I am okay with that. It is a part of my experience and I know how to deal with them. I have learned hard lessons from some, but I am better because of it.
But I feel the need to say that it burns my but when I see "Takers" walk all over people that I care about. In some cases, I have to bite my tongue to stop from stepping in to stop them from being "taken".
"Take-er"s should note: I can only bite for so long before I will step in.
I am a Leo, after all, and I WILL protect my own.
Namaste.
I am a "Do-er".
There have been some rough times in my life, but I always did what needed to be done. To pay for college, I would work three jobs in the summer. During the school year, I would miss out on many social opportunities in order to get that paycheck or to keep the GPA for the scholarship.
When I first started working in the real world, I kept the free/garage sale furniture and missed out on vacations in order to put a down payment on my house. It was years before I had a cell-phone. To this day, I do not have cable.
None of those items were enjoyable, but I did what I had to do. I did not make someone else do without so that I could do with.
Are you a "Do-er" or a "Take-er"?
I have had many "Take-er"s in my life and I am okay with that. It is a part of my experience and I know how to deal with them. I have learned hard lessons from some, but I am better because of it.
But I feel the need to say that it burns my but when I see "Takers" walk all over people that I care about. In some cases, I have to bite my tongue to stop from stepping in to stop them from being "taken".
"Take-er"s should note: I can only bite for so long before I will step in.
I am a Leo, after all, and I WILL protect my own.
Namaste.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Lyrics
I need to see the words of a song before I can connect with it.
Yes, I know. . .I'm a little out there.
I have found another song that has made me stop to look at the lyrics a bit closer. My hope is that someone will make the songwriter a lot of money and record them (listening to the CD doesn't do much for me as I don't connect with the songwriter's voice very well - my issue, not his).
So, the newest lyrics that have made me do some thinking lately:
"Life's a mystery. Where it leads, we'll see
Life's a mystery and I enjoy it for it teaches me
The more we learn, the less concerns,
The easier to breathe
Whatever you see look a little deeper
And you'll uncover another piece of life's mystery." -Cliff Rubin
If you have read my blog before, the songwriter's name might seem familiar. I used another set of lyrics from him as a blog afterthought previously.
Namaste.
Yes, I know. . .I'm a little out there.
I have found another song that has made me stop to look at the lyrics a bit closer. My hope is that someone will make the songwriter a lot of money and record them (listening to the CD doesn't do much for me as I don't connect with the songwriter's voice very well - my issue, not his).
So, the newest lyrics that have made me do some thinking lately:
"Life's a mystery. Where it leads, we'll see
Life's a mystery and I enjoy it for it teaches me
The more we learn, the less concerns,
The easier to breathe
Whatever you see look a little deeper
And you'll uncover another piece of life's mystery." -Cliff Rubin
If you have read my blog before, the songwriter's name might seem familiar. I used another set of lyrics from him as a blog afterthought previously.
Namaste.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
The Last Week
It is the last week of the weight loss competition.
WOW! What a rough time!
We started with 12 people. . .We are now down to six.
I think it is harder than before because I am so close to being done completely - I am getting my body fat checked (with calipers) within a few days of final weigh-in. I am a bit apprehensive about that fact as my goal has always been a body fat %, not a weight number.
But, I have to admit that I am ready to go into maintenance mode:
To be able to go out for a meal once a week.
To be able to have ice cream once a week.
To be able to have Lean Cuisine Paninis (yes, that is what I am craving the most!).
To be able to buy clothes and they still fit a week later!
Wish me luck - I'm on the home stretch!
Namaste.
WOW! What a rough time!
We started with 12 people. . .We are now down to six.
I think it is harder than before because I am so close to being done completely - I am getting my body fat checked (with calipers) within a few days of final weigh-in. I am a bit apprehensive about that fact as my goal has always been a body fat %, not a weight number.
But, I have to admit that I am ready to go into maintenance mode:
To be able to go out for a meal once a week.
To be able to have ice cream once a week.
To be able to have Lean Cuisine Paninis (yes, that is what I am craving the most!).
To be able to buy clothes and they still fit a week later!
Wish me luck - I'm on the home stretch!
Namaste.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Hooked and Stuck
Music plays a big role in my life. I very rarely watch TV, but there is usually music playing somewhere in the condo. There was even a time (1998, I think) when I was going to concerts more than I was. . .Well, more than I was doing a lot of things!
Right now, I am searching for 'work-out songs' to get an i-Pod populated for the gym (suggestions are welcomed). It's getting rough trying to get a long cardio work-out done with the sad music videos that the gym plays over and over and over. . .
On occasion, I get hooked on a song and just keep listening to it over and over and over. . . Lately, I have been hooked on more than one song - which is good in one way and not so good in another! This is also the first time that some 'old favorites' did a revisit to the hooked list.
- "My Little Girl" by Tim McGraw
- "In Repair" by John Mayer (credit goes to Handy for this one!)
- "Don't Cha (techno mix)" by Pussycat Dolls
- "7" by Prince
- "The Promise" by Tracy Chapman
- "Believe" by Cher
I have them on my play list and listen to them at work throughout the day.
I'm hoping to get unhooked soon as they are starting to get stuck in my head and drive me batty!
I think I act crazy enough as it is - don't need to add batty to the mix!
No comments from the peanut gallery!
Namaste.
Right now, I am searching for 'work-out songs' to get an i-Pod populated for the gym (suggestions are welcomed). It's getting rough trying to get a long cardio work-out done with the sad music videos that the gym plays over and over and over. . .
On occasion, I get hooked on a song and just keep listening to it over and over and over. . . Lately, I have been hooked on more than one song - which is good in one way and not so good in another! This is also the first time that some 'old favorites' did a revisit to the hooked list.
- "My Little Girl" by Tim McGraw
- "In Repair" by John Mayer (credit goes to Handy for this one!)
- "Don't Cha (techno mix)" by Pussycat Dolls
- "7" by Prince
- "The Promise" by Tracy Chapman
- "Believe" by Cher
I have them on my play list and listen to them at work throughout the day.
I'm hoping to get unhooked soon as they are starting to get stuck in my head and drive me batty!
I think I act crazy enough as it is - don't need to add batty to the mix!
No comments from the peanut gallery!
Namaste.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Started To. . .
I started to post a "Transformation Update", but decided it was too soon for that.
I am in the last two weeks of a major push to make some serious progress and will post my stats after those weeks of hell are over. :)
Namaste.
I am in the last two weeks of a major push to make some serious progress and will post my stats after those weeks of hell are over. :)
Namaste.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Confusion
Ever been in a place where confusion seems to be the norm?
I seem to be in that mind-set lately.
I'm not sure why.
There are some areas in my life that I know where I want to end up, but the journey to get there is not so clear. What makes it even worse is trying to figure out if I am creating confusion within the journey unnecessarily or if it is necessary to get to the end.
There are things that make me happy, but don't seem to work with my journey. Do I keep them for happiness today or do I let them go for happiness of the future? As I have no idea when this life will come to an end, I believe that I am going for happiness today.
There are things that no longer work with my journey, but I have made commitments that I will honor. Who knows, at the end of my commitment - they may work again.
Confused? Welcome to my world!
Namaste.
I seem to be in that mind-set lately.
I'm not sure why.
There are some areas in my life that I know where I want to end up, but the journey to get there is not so clear. What makes it even worse is trying to figure out if I am creating confusion within the journey unnecessarily or if it is necessary to get to the end.
There are things that make me happy, but don't seem to work with my journey. Do I keep them for happiness today or do I let them go for happiness of the future? As I have no idea when this life will come to an end, I believe that I am going for happiness today.
There are things that no longer work with my journey, but I have made commitments that I will honor. Who knows, at the end of my commitment - they may work again.
Confused? Welcome to my world!
Namaste.
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