Rambling Monday / 185.4

I'm back at work. wonderful, lovely work. I found out one of my best friends on my team accepted a position on another team. It made me want to cry finding out he's leaving. True, he'll only be about ten cubicles away from me on the same floor, still, it won't be the same. Things change, people come and go, it's called life. Sometimes it sucks.<br /><br />Today is day four of the rest of my life. Three days in my pocket where I ate healthy, tracked my food, and worked out each day at the gym for an hour. Three days. Doesn't sound like much does it? Yet it makes me feel strong and capable of staying with this plan. Seeing the 185.4 on the scale this morning made it worth it. "It" being the hunger I felt these last few days. I'm starting to become accustomed to the slight feeling that I want to/need to eat. Often I don't even know if it's real or all in my head. <br /><br />The 190.6 I saw last Friday morning was horrifying. I didn't really express how upset and scared I felt when I saw that number. So very close to 200.  There's always that little "what if" voice talking to me in my head. What if you can't rein this in? What if you gain back every pound and more? What if you kill yourself with food? <br /><br />Did I mention before I left on vacation I purchased three pairs of blue jeans, all size 16, different brands? I didn't even try them on. They're all baggy and too long. I don't care. They feel great. Sort of like pajamas. My nieces told me I should have bought a smaller size, the 14's probably would have fit. Who goes from a size 12 right into a size 16? I was tired of the 12's cutting me at the waist and my muffin top overflowing. No muffin top now. Loose pants are good.<br /><br />I skipped the gym this morning. Too tired. Now I have to pay my penance and go tonight. I detest evening workouts but it's not optional. It's part of the plan to lose the fat.<br /><br />This post is all over the place. I really have nothing newsworthy to talk about. It's part of my new commitment to the blog every day. It helps me stay focused. Whether it helps anyone else, well, probably not today.

Rambling Monday / 185.4

I'm back at work. wonderful, lovely work. I found out one of my best friends on my team accepted a position on another team. It made me ...

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HilJoe Competition - Week 2

<div style="text-align: left;">I guess it was only a matter of time that I'd have to face a beating from Joel.  Hopefully this will only be one of a few I'll have to endure.  <b> </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.beautyandwell-being.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/weight-scale-400x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.beautyandwell-being.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/weight-scale-400x400.jpg" width="200" /></a><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Joel</b> <b>(6')</b>: 239.6</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Hilary (5'8")</b>: 258</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Honestly, I'm frustrated with myself for yet again another gain.  When am I going to get it together? I get one thing under control (exercise), only to have the other one suffer (eating).  I'm not one of those people who can simply 'eat right' <i>alone </i>and lose weight - I need both elements.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm not giving up.  </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">And so we move on to Week 3.</div>

Gain HJ Competition HilJoe Competition - Week 2

I guess it was only a matter of time that I'd have to face a beating from Joel.  Hopefully this will only be one of a few I'll have ...

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Shake the job search blues

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.cbdr.com/artieimages/m9/ar5m1s872166487nchm9.gif?time=3/9/2011%203:53:59%20pm" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://emj.cbdr.com/artieimages/m9/ar5m1s872166487nchm9.gif?time=3/9/2011%203:53:59%20pm" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><b><span id="cbArticle_lblByLine">Kaitlin Madden, CareerBuilder writer</span></b></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><b><span id="cbArticle_lblByLine"><br /></span></b></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><b><span id="cbArticle_lblByLine"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></b></span><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">In both his books and speeches, Donald Trump often <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHpNweVn6bQ" style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">mentions a story</a> that his father told him when he was a child that goes something like this: There once was an entrepreneur who started a soda company called Three Up. Despite the man's passion for his company, though, Three Up eventually went under. Undeterred, the entrepreneur started another cola company called Four Up, which also went bankrupt. He persisted on, but after Five Up and Six Up failed as well, the man was tired of struggling and gave up. A short time later another company came along and invented 7 Up, which was wildly successful. The point of the story, according to Trump, is that if the man hadn't quit, he would have created 7 Up.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i></i>If you're a job seeker, you can probably relate to the entrepreneur in the story. It may seem hard to stay motivated in the face of rejection and success can seem elusive -- you might even feel like giving up on your job search or settling for a job you don't really like. But, if you quit when the going gets tough, you may miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime -- like the entrepreneur did.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The job search blues can certainly be tough to conquer -- but it can be done. Here's how to get through the tough times in a job search.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Pay attention to your thoughts</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">"Listen to the things you say to yourself about your job, your abilities and your chances of achieving your career goals," says Colette Ellis, founder of leadership consulting firm InStep Consulting and author of the e-book "Focus on your vision."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">If you realize that your "self-talk" is predominately negative, make an effort to change it any time a negative thought pops into your head. "When you hear your negative messages and begin to feel badly, say 'stop!' and replace the thought or message with a more positive statement," Ellis says.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Dave Sanford, an <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/executive+vice+president/" style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">executive vice president</a> at recruiting firm Winter, Wyman, agrees: "You can't force hiring decisions to go your way. But you can control your reaction to the circumstances. Allow yourself that healthy moment of disappointment and then pick yourself up and dust yourself off. This will help you move on a lot more quickly, which is imperative to your search," he says.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Set goals</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Let's face it: The modern job search can be a long and tedious process -- but that doesn't mean it can't also be rewarding. Set smaller goals throughout your job search to keep you focused and give you a sense of achievement.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">"As part of your job search, you will certainly have set goals for yourself, [like] the number of networking meetings you will have each week, how many résumés you will send out per day and the [number of] hours you will dedicate to researching opportunities," Sanford says. "Feel good about completing your objectives and find ways to celebrate your accomplishments."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Be careful not to be too hard on yourself when setting goals, though. When outlining your job search goals, don't limit yourself to an overly-stringent time deadline for getting a job. "It may feel proactive to say 'I will be working by June 30' but you are really setting yourself up to be let down," says Cheryl Heisler, <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/president/" style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">president </a>of Lawternatives, a career coaching firm for <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/lawyers/" style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">lawyers</a>. "Concrete goals are good -- as long as they are within your control. Do commit to goals that you can reach, like 'I will make five new contacts each week.'"</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Talk to people</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Making an effort to talk to people in your industry can give your job search a much-needed boost for a number of reasons: It's great for networking, it can provide you with a renewed sense of motivation and energy, it'll help you stay abreast on what's new in your field, and it can present you with options and opportunities you may not have known you had.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Best of all -- talking with your industry peers can help you get a job faster. "After speaking with someone once or twice and building a rapport, they are much more likely to bring up potential job leads or contacts for you, rather than you having to ask for them," says Kathryn Minshew, co-founder and <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/editor+in+chief/" style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">editor-in-chief </a>of Pretty Young Professional, a <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/blog/" style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;">blog</a> and online resource for young professional women.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Is there someone in your field that you'd like to know, but don't? Reach out and ask the person for an informational interview. "I firmly believe in informational interviews," Minshew says. "Everyone loves being asked for advice, and sometimes the best thing you can do to get your foot in the door is to find people who work at the company or industry you're targeting, and ask them if you can meet."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Take a break</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Although it's important to maintain momentum and keep up a steady job search, it's also important to take time out of your day to de-stress. "Stress can be palpable and you don't want to present yourself to prospective employers or networking contacts as someone who will crack under pressure," Sanford says. "Whether it's a morning yoga class or walking around the block, find what works for you and incorporate it into your daily routine."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Reducing stress also means fighting the e-leash during "you" time. While you may feel compelled to check your e-mail or voice mail every five minutes, fighting the urge will help you relax. "Access your voice mail and e-mail a few times a day -- and then let it go," Sanford says.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>Kaitlin Madden is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, </i><a href="http://www.theworkbuzz.com/" style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><i>The Work Buzz</i></a><i>. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow @Careerbuilder on Twitter.</i></div>

Shake the job search blues

Kaitlin Madden, CareerBuilder writer In both his books and speeches, Donald Trump often  mentions a story  that his father told him when he ...

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Sleepless in Seattle / 186.6

<b>My night from hell </b><br />Last night was a real struggle for me to not binge. My husband went to bed at 10 p.m. since he was exhausted from yard work. Although I was tired from pulling weeds and planting the Gerbera Daisies and Lobelia (they're beautiful), I didn't feel sleepy. This always happens when we get a nice spring day here, yard work up the wazoo. Today it's back to gray skies and rain. Although I have to admit, everything is a brilliant emerald green, hence the label of the Emerald City.<br /><br />I had managed to drag myself to the gym at 5 p.m.,and got in an hour and twenty minute workout. It wasn't something I wanted to do, but I told myself, very firmly, that not going to the gym wasn't an option. I'm dying without my StairMaster, and was forced to use the elliptical again for cardio. It's not my favorite, but better than the treadmill or the stationary bike. I lifted weights for forty minutes, but noticed I felt weaker than normal. The 20-pound dumbbells felt much heavier than I remembered. Maybe it's because I was tired from the yard work, or because it was late in the day, but it was a difficult workout.<br /><br />My eating for the day was pretty close to perfect, and I had entered every bite into eTools (two days in a row!). I was under by six Points  but since I had eaten five fruits I figured it all worked out okay. I'm still a little opposed to the idea that fruits are free on Weight Watchers PointsPlus. A lot of people think this is the greatest thing they've every heard of. For me, an avid fruit eater for years, I tend to overdo the fruit. Especially when that wicked little voice in my head says, "Hey, fruit is free! Eat up!". Fruit has calories too, and it's a challenge for me to not overeat on fruit. <br /><br />I finally went to bed around 11 p.m. last night and couldn't sleep. When I did sleep, I dreamed about food all night. I tossed and turned, woke up several times, practically every hour. I felt like I was starving to death, but my eTools told a different story. I ate more than enough for a "normal" person. I even dreamed I was sitting in a Weight Watchers meeting, something I've never dreamed about before. All night I had to fight the urge to not get out of bed and head to the kitchen, where I could satisfy the hunger.<br /><br />It was a hard-fought battle last night, but I'm happy to say I won this round. I know many of you will agree that if you can just get a day or two under your belt of healthy eating and exercise, it gets easier every day.<br /><br />Cutting out all processed sugar is really helping too. I can already tell the cravings for sweets has diminished tremendously. I still use a little <a href="http://www.nunaturals.com/productcategory/20">NuNaturals Stevia</a>, my favorite sweetener. It doesn't have any added chemicals and is pure Stevia. The trick is to not use too much. I use a little on my fresh strawberries, especially since I can't seem to find a strawberry in this part of the country that is sweet. I also add a little Stevia and vanilla to my Fage 0% yogurt, with a half cup of frozen fruit. This is my replacement for the frozen Weight Watcher bars I was hooked on, which are essentially junk food. I totally quit buying any of the Weight Watcher products over two months ago (and proceeded to gain ten pounds, but that's not why).<br /><br />Now I have to get through today. I know that sounds terrible, like I'm struggling just to get through the day, but it's the truth. This fighting the good fight against fat continues to be a battle of wills for me. I keep thinking it will get easier, but I know from my past that I can't let my guard down for any length of time or I will zoom right up to 240 pounds and most likely, even more. I could easily see myself in the 300-pound range in a matter of months. <br /><br />I really did think that at this point in my life, 55 years old, this would have become easier for me. I read other blogs where the people (usually much younger than myself), have figured it out. They don't seem to struggle like I do, or at least, they don't talk about it if they do. They seem to maintain their goal weight with ease. I'm envious of them, but I have come to the conclusion that's not my lot in life. I suspect this will be a battle until my death, and one I will not give up on easily.<br /><br /><b>Another book for us fatties -- Designated Fat Girl</b><br />Right before I left for Fairbanks I purchased a book to read on the flight (no, I haven't been "Kindlized" yet). <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Designated-Fat-Girl-Jennifer-Joyner/dp/0762759623/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305482514&sr=8-1">Designated Fat</a> Girl by Jennifer Joyner. I'd never heard of this book before and just happened to see it at my local Fred Meyers (a grocery/everything store in the Northwest). It was tucked down behind some other books and didn't appear to be a best seller.<br /><br />When I read the first two lines of the description on the back of the book, I knew I had to read it. It's the story about the author, Jennifer Joyner, and I could completely relate to these two sentences:<br /><br /><i>Jennifer is slowly killing herself with food. She is powerless to stop. She weighs 336 pounds.</i><br /><br />Then the last sentence of the description:<br /><br /><i>In the end, it is also a story of recovery and survival.</i><br /><br />The author tells about her life as a morbidly obese woman, and tells about her journey with gastric bypass surgery. It's strange because I had just read an article that gastric bypass cures diabetes in 95% of the people that had the disease when they went into surgery. It cures it by the next day. It cured Jennifer's diabetes by the day after her surgery. That alone is a miracle. If I had diabetes, I'd seriously consider gastric bypass. <br /><br />Her story is interesting, and I could completely relate to her secret eating of massive amounts of food. Unfortunately, I think it may have done me more harm than good. Knowing there was someone else out there just like me wasn't as comforting as I thought it would be. It made me just that much more aware that I have a serious illness when it comes to food. I'm still on the fence about being a food addict, which Jennifer talks about. I'm just not sure if someone can actually be addicted to food. <br /><br />It's still a great read, and she's very honest about her struggles. I would highly recommend it, especially if you're considering gastric bypass. Unfortunately for Jennifer, she almost died from complications after the surgery, yet she still said she'd do it again. I don't think I could ever agree to be surgically altered to lose weight, whether gastric bypass or the lapband. Neither of these paths are an easy way out, and although I understand they're the answer for a lot of other people, it's just not for me.<br /><br />By the way, I've seen several blogs recently where people that weigh less that me, in the 170 to  180 range, have had lapband surgery. Personally, I find it odd that someone that needs to drop 40 pounds is undergoing surgery and that a respectable doctor would perform the surgery. That's just my opinion, maybe they had a reason for it that I don't understand (and they never mention on their blogs). I'm not against it, it's just that surgery of any type is always my very last resort.<br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>Lazy Sunday</b><br />I'm feeling super lazy today, and only have a couple things on my agenda. One is to make my most favorite soup in the world, <a href="http://katieinthekitchenherethere.blogspot.com/2011/03/chicken-and-veggie-chowder.html">Veggie Chicken Chowder</a> (a South Beach recipe), and then hit gym before noon (which means I'd better get going!). Afterwards I'm going to catch up on my blog reading. A nice, lazy Sunday afternoon, my favorite kind.<br /><br /><i>Postscript:  I just went to <a href="http://jenniferjoyner.com/blog/">Jennifer Joyner's blog</a>. I read some of the reviews on Amazon about her book, Designated Fat Girl, and someone mentioned that Jennifer never tells us her weight in her book. Whether she's 5' 1" or 5' 11" makes a huge difference in her weight of 336 pounds. They also mentioned she has a blog, which I wanted to look at. What I found on her blog, posted Friday, May 13, 2011, was a little troubling. Jennifer is struggling big time. Even though her gastric bypass surgery helped her lose a lot of weight (I can't remember for sure, but it was over 100 pounds), she's still fighting her inner demons. Interestingly, she says she's tired of fighting and just wants to  "be". Hmmm...where have I heard that one before? Oh yeah, inside my own head. :)  </i>

Sleepless in Seattle / 186.6

My night from hell Last night was a real struggle for me to not binge. My husband went to bed at 10 p.m. since he was exhausted from yard wo...

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Tweet Baby Girl

<p>A few Saturdays ago my sisters threw me an AMAZING baby shower!!! I am so blessed to have these 3 wonderful women in my life! <img alt="_DSC4765" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp21swj3Bkp783bZxKnDRC4dKJ7Ul5ZNWZONaSbFMA8t9_0AEYMUbDnJbVq3tvm0LAV8DoaAG5EgFEan5gR5twU-_ACTBiVaUax_cPhIPA38VUuWCyJA9ZRi5osCFVifx2wm2A4Gu1NesY/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC4765" width="404"></p> <p>Warning:picture heavy post! ;)</p> <p>I arrived slightly early, but got a sneak peak of the place!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzuTnxIT2IvYAlOyow3OgqJPS58uwspDjqOc8vNeQl81kE8lo4HqEf1EV56rlvBgWMxUqwQbonmhOXaNhbxSFM2LYpsinLNywSR34VBnKXAErcKYWB8NuevJMSrjHYcF14pPvJnXMugu5/s1600-h/_DSC46873.jpg"><img alt="_DSC4687" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgga7fCqUtrtY1zOKtM698Rkz58CwXYIdVRtxg7zY7M7ZlslIihzbxf7RL4O0Gxjx5Ujj8trbyS61-SPTCELBjk7ooajbGJ23ehkUx2zGLxm8JKwubJwivmxSbG3JFWBewGZ6BgtepzL5uH/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC4687" width="404"></a></p> <p>The food table looked great! I loved the decorations and of course the food too!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2EkpeSJrdmX7z7u5d6PLltbXl9AeoZl35z0FF8Z8hIvQX3rwY7_kZMHIvliCZlgiFvX9iibZASd3W3nN04jh3U2fLvvSHGVPXBWGQMRk-S35f1HldbCwiEJTpCxMngw3rUhPTWagpJdz/s1600-h/_DSC4694%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="_DSC4694" border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UUUAIyeeeuHZXZ7S8jdE8RePX_cm2n8vbdFwrmUd1euYdPBvNWusiFi41e9_TbpCjbfjZg2W4D07bEr-SCZWjAEZRhiQcf0zYbO4uaRf0pEkNMoJHP3xWzLxaWK-auDvduWtOrPcdr4_/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="_DSC4694" width="404"></a> <img alt="_DSC4696" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSQuNAH-cFPIE0-ZJo35DIoklJyX-AToxMyxNtqf12m0WeD5uFlZyrAn5UKgsyZyzPjxT3sjayPnU-hiIXaEgc0E3MIX6nps2Vxyotbh1tKzQbPaUPAlFSTHb-yIFhv4AVOiFE6pKCPKV/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC4696" width="404"></p> <p>They served mini quiches, roll ups, triple chocolate cake, mini “bird’s nest” cupcakes, and Larita’s cookies (they are famous in my town!). <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKVrAxO6UOeHnhHorZCj32Fv7obofOYdRht7g_yCOHLz0Qvfy1kitI4v5kUfoQgJ3EgLUWtSTw-adMISB0e-WLtPxYeWaNDsowHPURJ4zufXdwj8NFcpAVr3IuIP_3mSk14Wc8S1imSbQ/s1600-h/_DSC46953.jpg"><img alt="_DSC4695" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0l6bqWFQReOZhVXb_oeTVSgQgo6oZdI0oNFk8-mYiJbb-bunTukY0nPoeDVRU1ajp5vgy1VXZ0ZQPleXo-OdHIy3mMuVg_Gp_9g3i2mv_sLJw8RVvgdtFF1ZCAIauJkOqzkFrWxg9XKsm/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC4695" width="404"></a></p> <p>The theme was SO cute…”Tweet Baby Girl”!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtas2PZ8R8psQ3Vc-hG9HJxCVzd166cvK2iwuNEpmfPoJDPOJRGfgT8if2rMuE_Dginzeaii1wIt_uXw3HTPa3Y3Fq5-vPUkbBSf66D2IO9YRNC_t6Q2CssyypUMDaelyTEGh-JAc2c8Yh/s1600-h/_DSC46973.jpg"><img alt="_DSC4697" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzsKpvRHnjWI9PL3xu75BC5sA7DYmUGuWUodcafBNZNK7Gykr6WxqXx0ghprh3iNAKB_1QyBUAj_PCXDLXGv8qIAI6sSRIXK-QMAbtqwa35hXN0M_G7gwv9szbqhfFWsJS3TP8ieTTz3R/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC4697" width="404"></a></p> <p>The sign in table did not disappoint! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvOxJHuTYS_GMQ-_jy8UKhPkYkhQGlBj17SAm4oOgpbqY_Lvh8sfOebk4qw0ptkBzoolwBNdHEhM9SuX56G_bIxbmJuR6_uywCQVEa3k-I5E5KWIed8pJjAAVk0sgegTbGfkIK1KUpnne/s1600-h/_DSC47013.jpg"><img alt="_DSC4701" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkHb_S77HyyHr_dpdZVAG7QbOdLVbtTGqbbe-js3HZLtFJWcjUVFTEl_F9ZvwBnD_oaaoef_NQSCy8gUnS24T8qjFItGV6XMQVWwwNaWbNqmFj1kj6K_d6nElH-a2E99fN5U47MkeND_2/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC4701" width="404"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38XN_EhhrSH99t-yD81dlaIp4c3AyuPBcg7rfuN1Ely7ZNqTyppAgaLJ_H6K0IFr_h9t4uUvdiYu4bfuk-Aop8a0uXM5xnKGmj9dcsbz6HIXsM7jqAaby1SOTELgYHFFTus3tBQFvHLcG/s1600-h/_DSC47033.jpg"><img alt="_DSC4703" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEine7edOFwT7tlO2bIkhwXfBmuwzfZtdcvGTm3tdX3SLEihEzJilJTatyuwq4Y2sHq5Aiv5wsBlry428i5so4gcuikGnD9mGYWES_rZ0YJw3gVpSfIhtEBjM6VwBVPhf266Iw9glv0E7Rk8/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC4703" width="404"></a></p> <p>Let the party begin!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSWWsDf-tKt-JzggvhYZrhWaMq4NQOIPsPucETPzhUYfOxq1V2udEeSqQ2014-LfAX5513OvaMJbAnbeLOZdpnPFPmgLMQ3v0wUeUsfDO1aOW5QOhbc7tJr0tV0FhKVB05gUWyrAuqSIr/s1600-h/_DSC47063.jpg"><img alt="_DSC4706" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUWTp0KGIj4OWGlM-fb9us44BWx67Gr8lJhu-UJd0nCo6-di61pR61njWfXKiHCXylUCtzEUylDzE06xQ1k4qzVDXosiDF8hPq2Y3UkRZwl5fWfXXVHqc1maU-ToLnAWjSk3QX7EKumuu/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC4706" width="404"></a></p> <p>There was a great turnout for my shower!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9B4j1eZgD9vYcwZkuUx6wnJJMHTMuxrcXDxk-tFFtwUCSq9HM7gsAFh492vLfjXK9hK5PRcjL1FWNC4DQW4fHe_BTzfyAYWvmyGjBOKDESKwwVISECJN_pueltvOYrFzbUziZ9e3E2JF/s1600-h/_DSC47083.jpg"><img alt="_DSC4708" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRW1-4MQZKLTcfru3jw06ozRIwHPecG91HzJRhEEj2wjgzs8Oq4u5g-iv-xs1rhbadmXFgoXadPEYWoFNJOndFWwDrTEN8nd_dfwPb8X5lhIEOvNvQ6m5cOGuFih7jK59DQlhtepSGFlck/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC4708" width="404"></a></p> <p>So many friends came to shower “baby bangert”!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzSvOc_spNS9kvO4MjXC2SHM4pZc5H2F2Zv9oj8qJqU-u-2JqiICu4t9-R9V83ZJWbsvGNTQ2KRio8aOJMrvaAkxTTNcVviZm6YraWSORUYUaTxajb3wCSgwUedlzv1Q0W0DQdB5l2CTv/s1600-h/_DSC47134.jpg"><img alt="_DSC4713" border="0" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoILafbeIEc2YrKp0tQni1x5dJ3xJYriI2xzu0z1yx_Ozh_EtSYEH1OLmm8jfrFTOQNQ3ai-ecn6V1td-QRRnMwo8ncw2_SSLYZ8T4Nd_59mx8yuvmBjMwMXTV5FhuXhWfOY-mQhYzTOJ6/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC4713" width="340"></a><img alt="_DSC4729" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAUbI0wc_WljlfaveCJPSKR3zyJDtba9Inl_Rfm7fddrhKSTtw13FKdPDDCYGbV7Znwo-XEcczkyHumQoFat1KRphcOAUURc5-98ao8XHTNEzzCbsi7Ft6TuYExhhwbhJj1jJ5BvMycYi/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC4729" width="404"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtt1xf8dNDRmI3P_eE_jmFrax_QmCYZD2gf8YRG5wZgPJ5AwYaZOTD-zeyzf8MoE-xWsFaU9odPPM9rDcla3hsKGQvhrJZbDDxpBzFjs8aGCI4V8gZji0Hr4wFCxkn8tgODW8GsYbzQKe/s1600-h/_DSC47143.jpg"><img alt="_DSC4714" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyXguU9pqH2Ltl2wAN5s91xZDjrj7MUTjroWZb6zyanNmy0AIWJXqgIHj6KVNvXRg_q1e_zB1lkuw5AZZnzO56tMSYPpKpXwGFmk-jpNVvYSX04i4olwxFj4jXj85y070TaWAVPqUT_Gy/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC4714" width="404"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5suHt9VdOHUf8L4W3CbW_6TYTNd60UQLbNCf3J74x60jMsBtUSWiOukSiT6uh34J5URZWATxtIstAmx5Bmu8haTWaFEyDq6TPAxLo-zWAy0B3ZQBk35B8u16RrB65xkuTzQiHQ3x04D_/s1600-h/_DSC47313.jpg"><img alt="_DSC4731" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kPw94LwRvoTOIF_zTldGFFlN_JIEIqVxrMWPyBEDW5NAs04S2DwrhFZfwgC6-yy4f97hqg9kdH8sMPf_UrOSP8epYg-MQfXh5dG97lIgPkE65s6-Q8I7oDtucGD8ZZaMjga50ffh1Xan/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC4731" width="404"></a>                    <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLm83RBADbQY8go40LppT4x5nTknnPtcjvx4ZwLNTTTRRB7aTZS0L_rrvyb-k0xsMuNP3AHxh6NupIHw31h7xTq-K6p-mPO4jcihp8W70CTj7IAabapBpmUnmAWaOj9trOs5_yH8aVJIju/s1600-h/_DSC47154.jpg"><img alt="_DSC4715" border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyquLuYBqR07nQ2_2J-_nqYp_IOMZCXg_Yo4cCBAHO16ZZ9kil5ccCSnVdtqsKllMHQb1VRrQ48uzatiy-UNxIoBoDoyMfK2rF_ol4L6sjVOYWbiI1tcSa7RHC2jTMugHDCnTMCO71DfdZ/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC4715" width="314"></a></p> <p>We even allowed a few cute boys into the party!<img alt="_DSC4734" border="0" height="455" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XNAgFmTH6Iid6OS4Z3H4aWa31vnz_-QMpM5M3_ziSNS6Uij6hcfOoEcglstwFfhCZ-saP_rK8hDhtIu8KYWubRQRGlnOfDGXZ5TUd2j29Zo8qTySZfnvCp-7lanHsaS2L97lTrnmr8ew/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC4734" width="404"></p> <p>To say that I had a lot of gifts to open was an understatement! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHP8snLgC4qmEHfIZhbZnm7cm_bh8QdrgOYHCpdxYzDM-IT1dDSBipvmBr0s4AKyPTMm2lpgC83q_WzNU4AWEKFSc0qhXFSPQlw28EY5AhTNsqiq684XfxFQUnzkJ3hvLhwTS1kW7jcwdg/s1600-h/_DSC47183.jpg"><img alt="_DSC4718" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieryrLKu25p9_MVpr8T1TH-MPD_bx3RdXaAuhLxCpWrB2Yc1K-UAkzsrLD4W_-zNCTWyJr_0bs8GgVn7DT9Ru_4Vc-EwR6p8KlahpoFnK7DfPQ5aBr9ZvcDkW1tP6p1isaieYORH8fEamm/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC4718" width="404"></a></p> <p>This little girl is already blessed beyond belief and she isn’t even here yet!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0zusHVOc3B0QstbcublVFNN9wARxMZZ5S0KWGPknIA3RgpTogXE3BWlOSZIwBXSTQONIOuxjLzY18aybsKL8A_0zvrVMlJHnDCa7-l0VanPT445MFudUips4eCPiQzYcnZ-o02hyphenhyphen9WJI/s1600-h/_DSC47203.jpg"><img alt="_DSC4720" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3nYs3pLAIjNnkE9wJ2fyO-2inKHeIx46dQ20D2fnjJ8NcyefX_ApjDlMVvV7rLqyvKGV7JfUkreDI_ULmsTwsDPa4u9EMjHqzowXdHWeo9Wz66fNi_0FuDvTkAMHfE0ctFDskv86s6Lr/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC4720" width="404"></a>          <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCXVUi4c1fLQ7MpkPI60Z5DvTtEm8IZb2aWZ139p9G7q2j7QAcs5L6nTLV0A7JujdDLzskkUI9KuXBrvVH8Aq1BEVFzky1EW_LleIlwWmMVUfrWvsGdSL2XOlq88S_naa2i8xPdLr9sN-/s1600-h/_DSC47303.jpg"><img alt="_DSC4730" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1G7jspZVvsrTRTYbT2zsrrHw4D16talybPoW4tChEhPPLnItFzlx0nWHItQrHIt0cIS4E8yvl4bvv2fvR6NWOqPAijrrcXkUT7V8_w1Yf0FfkE-APJ8BWl7XeplSYiFYXmTv3MnhG5W2c/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC4730" width="404"></a></p> <p>I had a few little “helpers” with the gifts too!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlng6f85qdPC_mnKogtWWczQeVMZh1ZVpP-BuTj8TvyL0Xl30v5tcGGsEJ7fQNybKKnkr9_JY3EVvHuph-LgaY85AcI8naJ7LNEWSbjjQC9GvTBWvJcfCHOgFFfd6yr-bN9lWZ-IsIxBXo/s1600-h/_DSC47363.jpg"><img alt="_DSC4736" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEFZb9wgZfnbykfLBdgO28jlODPmzEHAkGW4BmkLl2w4fpf2Ar-fBaKz3FvGhYLqCycH-urYdJudvBhKzvOEZKemFSKlStTmBGHscklgeBuI10EGzRM0M1Kuwi6RwL0btjgRKtIqMNF4v/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC4736" width="404"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGcChe5HGddreBFpJB6KN6SUSIW0n6ETJ6vXVA9NknXwU0ZBQezkk39ersgeLQy7vB5GcOxTHMjaUv_NyKFb-zYA_t5YRrcWc4cm_rJjaxnumlsWNGDIe5Scl1PXLZM2veyT6qnvRIcyI/s1600-h/_DSC47435.jpg"><img alt="_DSC4743" border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCSVe2EccWYv1Tz0NUL_7KvUOsHeycDMIraSzW200lQDH0RueXT93VGJTFxmNbyN4Lc8LqE8jRMpzHfiAfLBRxf3vAOItvOHMsZpsP78OTJG-jdGGVtkn7j_RGZ-i4aAkPA-R5rxjzU5R/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC4743" width="404"></a></p> <p>Needless to say, I’m pretty sure we have everything we need and more for this little girl!</p> <p>Afterwards we snuck in a few family pictures! My Mom…aka Grandma!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPDtUQo7lsmbPARFLSahtAuTlKZuXqltsYT1vgrf_Ea1upODPfkT398VKqBlaG6bBm6NWuJwBqUGzd-bQodyXF1KY8IgXsZh8pA7iilohWd9L8a3X3bCdpB7DzIHhl_Yq2WGdMCHqgXHF/s1600-h/_DSC47555.jpg"><img alt="_DSC4755" border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnAdggeZtRQc0TVkbQDonqcM3zr0uG1hAXtqjIowQKePlpNUzylfrFBuMNQ6_R6Mc7w5EJ85q_gqgoGNwB3fL_qJ2vp_6qdwkp0lpvnnUeHOLidVHJWpi4FYJse_4VuHCBy_vgq6YpgxU/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC4755" width="404"></a></p> <p>Me and Grandma…or should I say Great Grandma! :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsTPOpgBf_jANRX9mm_pWYDtPQ3WqYB8RmONQ323-j8MgzKpp9onuY9XQxju6KX1S7oqWHw817Lq1O4LR-xNG7Hkjs27gA5PNOSzTBWRq_CMNrU2QVrm5mCxDID0KhsWwW9dyY-ov6skH/s1600-h/_DSC47604.jpg"><img alt="_DSC4760" border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrn5pDN9eBZmdlWUyRBsUXNV9m91yzAmui4tpc0CsgZQd4af6c-tkyE-i6RXVwFFi4P56cI04eo06NDOkJDcfhGueT_jwLY4e_lbDhLpCk5fRQUw5DFHHvOjyFWoCheVEr3a5arWq6ffe4/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC4760" width="291"></a></p> <p>And we cannot forget 3 of my bestest friends…my sisters!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4wXHRyCznm0p5MZmpcqRGH9ruLXLiVoNQpk1mfR1WW0-vPopDR8YlZgKZ61OyCuFAqoHfx8DUIpHZrt7zQDMFbZbUaEtvPuwBPykfnLcxB72aTQuTqcXqU_4EJp4L2ImPJwxyqWEm1qV/s1600-h/_DSC47665.jpg"><img alt="_DSC4766" border="0" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF88b3Ozgu3o1LUNaAx6vqquYmboi3pXzQDC__QTcKenlE2Nmfl1-vGk6m9WRt_oZS0OFGq0PuULxczTJUmmrqIqNEHhyphenhyphenfpFYKyIu7ZPSJnxoQiI2jgxVlsIJ94sSu2PNwVIXYBIXceuMW/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC4766" width="404"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6apEEaK7U4H8MZjAOYVap0Emd-rUCjg8oB8JB_vQcKW8AZ7PeSPeq6ssfSWhQKmL07QQMxa5HFhfTVCkkNLJtlbkO10WvgwU9X25Vf6_KbmXibhCi-1-7Wu9NFJR8TE0xYhMzHilmBGum/s1600-h/_DSC47673.jpg"><img alt="_DSC4767" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefGXnfNP7PQOKLLKO7xwlWZdXWPAK__lEsqBWsoUWkFfHcdAtoSeTGQ0SdG20A6Mn14BdfhYu9R4iea7K_YPNOjjFlaOj_Nb960yqU1NtiZIRfkh7QOSQG_ZsJyDVtQY1kvk7aWOhFWwX/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="_DSC4767" width="404"></a>  </p> <p>Stay tuned this week for more baby updates! I’m a few weeks behind on my weekly posts…and I had ANOTHER baby shower…and a few projects I want to share!! Have a great week everyone!!  </p>

Tweet Baby Girl

A few Saturdays ago my sisters threw me an AMAZING baby shower!!! I am so blessed to have these 3 wonderful women in my life! Warning:pictu...

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Day 1 down and the rest of my lift to go / 188.6

<b>This is only the beginning, again </b><br />I made it through yesterday, eating exactly my PointsPlus allotment of 29. I only had three servings of fruit all day (my personal limit), but lots of vegetables. I even managed to follow all the healthy eating guidelines (except for dairy - I can never get in three dairy a day).<br /><br />The day wasn't without challenges. It started first thing in the morning when I opened our refrigerator in the garage to check on how many fresh vegetables and fruits were on hand. It's our "overflow" fridge when the one in the house is full. There wasn't a fresh vegetable or fruit in sight in the house fridge. I honestly don't think my husband would ever eat either one if I didn't insist on it.<br /><br />Instead of fresh fruits and vegetables in our extra refrigerator I found a giant cheesecake from Costco with two slices missing. What the hell?! My husband gave me some lame excuse that it was for a party at work but he forgot to take it into the office so he decided to have a couple slices. I'm not sure if that's the real story, but he insists it's true.<br /><br />When I got to the gym BOTH of "my" StairMasters were out of order. Seriously, both of them, how could that happen? I had my heart set on a good StairMaster workout. It's the cardio machine that gives me the biggest bang for the buck, easily getting my heart up in the 140 range. It's just about impossible to cheat on the StairMaster (because people are watching me it's embarrassing to slow down the speed).<br /><br />Instead of the StairMaster I decided on an elliptical workout. That's when my iPod stopped working. It wasn't that it wasn't actually working, but the wheel thing stopped working. It was on a low volume, which I couldn't adjust. I couldn't get to a playlist, but had to listen to the songs with the performers listed alphabetically. I had no idea I had so many <b>B</b>lack Eyed Peas and<b> B</b>ritney Spears songs. It was really annoying. I finally took the time to sit down on the floor and do the reset thing and now it works just fine. Of course this was after my cardio workout, which by the way was hell. The fatter I get the harder it is to do cardio. <br /><br />I didn't binge last night or eat anything that wasn't planned yeserday. Everything was entered in the online eTools. That's the first time I've done that in about two weeks.This is just the beginning. I have the rest of my life to stay on plan. <br /><br /><b>What I learned the last two weeks</b><br />There's something I've learned from my week of "not really eating that much" but gaining five pounds. It's that I have to pay attention to what I eat. I almost have to be obsessed by it. I will probably never learn to "relax" and "be at peace" with food. I know a lot of people are capable of doing this, and not stressing out about their food and they learn how to eat "normally".<br /><br />My lesson learned is that I'm not one of those people. We're all different in this world and what works for a lot of people doesn't work for me. My peace with food means that I have to be completely committed to eating healthy and smaller portions, and I have to aim for this commitment 100% of the time. I can't go off for a week and eat full-fat cheese and candy whenever the mood strikes me. The resulting weight gain is simply not worth it. <br /><br />Of course, I realize I can't be 100% perfect all the time, but it's my goal. I'm not a failure if I fall off now and then, but I can't fall off for an entire week. <br /><br /><b>Daisies</b><br />Now I'm off to plant my Gerbera Daisies I bought at Costco this morning (where I stocked up on fresh fruit and vegetables, salmon and chicken...and no cheesecake!). They're so gorgeous I can't wait to get them planted and take a picture to post here tomorrow. <br /><br />Then the gym later today when it's suppose to start raining at 5pm. Right now it's 61 degrees and sunshine. Around here you've got to enjoy that sun while you can, because it'll be gone in a few  hours and not return for days (Seattle, need I say more).

Day 1 down and the rest of my lift to go / 188.6

This is only the beginning, again I made it through yesterday, eating exactly my PointsPlus allotment of 29. I only had three servings of fr...

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I Love the Today Show!

This is a late post about an awesome experience I had on April 30 at the <a href="http://www.umd.edu/">University of Maryland's</a> <i><a href="http://www.marylandday.umd.edu/">Maryland Day</a></i>.  <br /><br />Joel works for the police department as a police/911 dispatcher at UMD.  Each year, he participates in this Saturday event in order to fingerprint children.  Maryland Day was created a few years back in order to showcase what the university's departments are working on.  This year was the second year I attended.  My original intent in going was simply to get out of the house.  I had some computer stuff I wanted to do and was looking for a change of scenery in which to do it, and plus I love hanging out on college campuses - it brings back fond memories of the <a href="http://www.psu.edu/">Blue & White</a>. :)  Then on Friday, the day before the event, I happened to be perusing Facebook and realized that <a href="http://www.joybauer.com/">Joy Bauer</a> was going to be in attendance for MD Day, thanks to her Facebook status update!  Joy Bauer is a <a href="http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/20823138/ns/today-today_health">health correspondent to the Today Show</a>, the health columnist in Woman's Day magazine, and the nutritionist for the NYC Ballet & American Ballet Theatre.  I was sooooo pumped!  I LOVE the Today Show!  I watch it religiously when I work at home!  Yes!!<br /><br />So my plans for MD Day shifted because of Joy, who happens to be a UMD Alumni.  Basically, in conjunction with dining hall chefs from the university, she held 30 min cooking segments throughout the day - cooking through her latest book - <i><a href="http://astore.amazon.com/joybauer-20/detail/0061834777">Slim & Scrumptious</a></i>.  At the end of each cooking session, samples were passed around to the audience - I didn't have a sample I didn't like!  In between the cooking segments, she held mini sessions related to nutrition, fitness and weight loss.  It was all very inspirational and I learned some important things.  One of those things is that you should always have 5 go-to meals - 5 things that are easy and quick to make that don't require much thought.  By having these 5 meals, you're more likely to stay within your nutrition goals and not feel overwhelmed with choices, possibly resulting in a diet bomb!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2rDgUrP5nLKPkNGtKwQ_f8x1-PKfp4Y3h5iNHosT84GB6JZARlKSRRR9fX45eteOoLed3kMqpxN_uESygAZqAsbIGiw7ZBtMF_2ZyqDLmD4aEUSNMmLf6IBbf4RSZ6BqEmc7vj6Z9Wk/s1600/mejoy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2rDgUrP5nLKPkNGtKwQ_f8x1-PKfp4Y3h5iNHosT84GB6JZARlKSRRR9fX45eteOoLed3kMqpxN_uESygAZqAsbIGiw7ZBtMF_2ZyqDLmD4aEUSNMmLf6IBbf4RSZ6BqEmc7vj6Z9Wk/s320/mejoy.jpg" width="188" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was SO excited!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMot9w1diU8yDWf6l2tOD159RiMqwe58kjR8g8rZRkqtS6EMdw2KJIhJVjRjRIhZADZ9yEFrROeOuDhj4PuAJ3o5V6qC_XBXXGkX9kXYbx1kHs9-nMpe078AKAtbr3gpSz-7rtsGG9_0/s1600/May+2011+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMot9w1diU8yDWf6l2tOD159RiMqwe58kjR8g8rZRkqtS6EMdw2KJIhJVjRjRIhZADZ9yEFrROeOuDhj4PuAJ3o5V6qC_XBXXGkX9kXYbx1kHs9-nMpe078AKAtbr3gpSz-7rtsGG9_0/s320/May+2011+031.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3JgDdXocBPlDBUh7MqNmbRdslYAocFP-Z2yS-nfPQ_K_RrNo38kokPpDvpZad1AvqmlOL1kYFHcmsufIyawtX31xP2jej2YvCN10_B1_XTsk0whrPF2i_Y-ZWrsPLAN0As2Un4Miwmw/s1600/May+2011+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3JgDdXocBPlDBUh7MqNmbRdslYAocFP-Z2yS-nfPQ_K_RrNo38kokPpDvpZad1AvqmlOL1kYFHcmsufIyawtX31xP2jej2YvCN10_B1_XTsk0whrPF2i_Y-ZWrsPLAN0As2Un4Miwmw/s320/May+2011+027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Somewhere in the mix of cooking and speaking presentations, Joy stopped to sign autographs in her book.  I bought 2 of her books, <i>Slim & Scrumptious</i> and <i><a href="http://astore.amazon.com/joybauer-20/detail/0061665754">Your Inner Skinny</a>, </i>had them signed AND had my picture taken with her.  She also gave me her personal email address and asked that I send in 3 diet/nutrition questions for the Diet SOS segment on the Today show!!!!!!!!!!  She said she'd pass the questions on to the producers and then I could Skype in and ask them live on the air.  Holy moly!!!  I have yet to send in my questions - I'm still thinking about what to ask.  But I'm so pumped!<br /><br />It was a Saturday well spent at the University of Maryland - if you're in the area I'd strongly recommend checking it out next year!

I Love the Today Show!

This is a late post about an awesome experience I had on April 30 at the University of Maryland's Maryland Day .  Joel works for the po...

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Home sweet home / 190.6

<b>The wicked weigh-in May 13, 2011</b><br /><br />The first words out of my mouth this morning when I stepped on the scales for the first time in over a week:  HOLY SHIT!<br /><br /><b>190.6 </b><br /><br />The last time I saw this number was June 2008 (I checked my stats). I'd been on Weight Watchers for about four months at that point. I had gone from 240 to 190 in five months. I passed it quickly and never returned. Until now.<br /><br />To say I'm horrified and scared is a BIG understatement. Have I been beating myself up all morning? You bet.<br /><br />I gained five pounds in seven days. I didn't think I ate that poorly, but it would appear I was wrong. I barely moved off the couch in seven days since my sister was still recovering from pneumonia. She was doing much better and just had a mild cough, but she was very tired. Normally, she goes to the gym five days a week, every week. She's been doing this for over three years (she's 72 and normally the picture of health).<br /><br />All week all of us (my sister and two adult nieces) sat around all day, talked non-stop, watched a little TV, went out to eat a few times, and I ate two things that never pass my lips normally:  full-fat cheddar cheese and candy (darn those grand-kids and their candy). These two things are my kryptonite. Extra sharp Tillamook cheddar cheese and every variety of candy you can imagine.<br /><br />This extra weight is very uncomfortable. It's depressing, and I'm angry with myself that I let this happen.<br /><br /><b>What's next?</b><br />Number one on my plan to get back in control is the gym. I can honestly say I've missed it terribly in the past week. I know my consistent exercise has kept me from re-gaining all my weight. It makes me feel good and happy. It builds my self-confidence, and I really think it helps me keep better control of my eating. <br /><br />As soon as I publish this post I'm heading out to the gym. I'm actually excited about it. It's become a huge part of my life and it's something I'll never stop if I can help it. <br /><br />I have a plan for my eating too. Back to the basics. When I first went to Fairbanks I was following a Detox diet that some of my friends talked me into doing with them. One of them has a daughter that's a nutritionist and she'd put together an eating plan that was suppose to detox the body of toxins.<br /><br />I tried the detox for the first couple of days. Since it's very restrictive and there were some things we were suppose to eat that I couldn't stand and things we weren't suppose to eat that I love, I was miserable. After two days I said to hell with it. That's when I started eating cheese and candy.<br /><br />In addition, my sister is barely eating since the pneumonia (she barely eats much when she's feeling good). I counted her calories for a couple days and she was eating about 400 calories a day. She's just not hungry and she refused to eat. Getting her to even eat the 400 calories was difficult. <br /><br />The result was I'd go long stretches without eating. Of course, I could have eaten anything I wanted at any time. I'm very relaxed at my sister's house, it's just like being at my own home. Yet I found I'd try to go long stretches trying to not eat since she wasn't eating and hoping I'd eat less overall. That did NOT work. When I finally ate something, I'd be starving and I'd overeat. <br /><br />So when I say back to basics, it's back to eating basic food, and eating every three to four hours, and following the <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=2071&sc=3010">Good Health Guidelines</a> (Weight Watchers, and why in heaven's name is this so freaking hard to find on their website? ).<br /><br />The Good Health Guidelines <br />1. Eat at least five servings of vegetables and fruits each day, (nine servings if you weigh over 350 pounds.) <br />2. Choose whole-grain foods, such as brown rice and oats, whenever possible. <br />3. Include two servings of milk products – low fat (1%) or fat-free – each day. If you’re a nursing mom, teenager, over 50 years old, or weigh more than 250 pounds, you should have three servings of milk products each day. <br />4. Have 2 teaspoons of healthy oils (olive oil, canola, sunflower, safflower or flaxseed) each day. <br />5. Ensure that you are getting enough protein by choosing at least a serving or two of lean meats, skinless poultry, fish, beans, soy products, and lentils. <br />6. Limit added sugar and alcohol. <br />7. Drink at least 6 8-ounce glasses of liquid a day. Water is the best choice. <br />8. Take a multiple vitamin-mineral supplement each day.  <br /><br />That's all there is to it. It's simple, easy, basic, nothing fancy. Just back to what worked before and I know will work again.<br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>A note about the hCG Diet</b><br />I have three friends doing the stupid hCG diet, where you get injected with a hormone from a pregnant woman's urine, eat 500 calories a day, and you're NOT suppose to exercise (other than short walks). These are smart, intelligent women doing this diet. Until now I couldn't find a really good article about the hCG diet. I finally found one in the June 2011 issue of Prevention magazine. Check out this article:  <a href="http://www.prevention.com/health/weight-loss/diets/the-hcg-diet-side-effects-and-health-risks/article/2959e8baeb5df210VgnVCM10000030281eac">Diet Spotlight:  Does the hCG Diet work?</a><br /><br />I knew this was a bad idea!<br /><br /><b>A few Alaska pictures from my vacation</b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"> About ten minutes from the Anchorage, Alaska airport </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJfSY9qK396q7H6zaGXyZBHplKpEl-r6VJtOCplLH17e_63_Ir-Auxsp_0ioUvmdc3hWbysN7dZ9jo0nLDoLn58B7sWZ2uRWF1Qe9iMpdzYOyyWDBtX2KG_0TmU5qpBZg3PIH1I_vUm9H/s1600/P1020847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJfSY9qK396q7H6zaGXyZBHplKpEl-r6VJtOCplLH17e_63_Ir-Auxsp_0ioUvmdc3hWbysN7dZ9jo0nLDoLn58B7sWZ2uRWF1Qe9iMpdzYOyyWDBtX2KG_0TmU5qpBZg3PIH1I_vUm9H/s400/P1020847.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> More of the same </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jZOzg3q6NbqMqIOQ2w6GZDJalhv1dE8BO459KP9hTOu-AlVD-SyxslxdvpFJQ9uKbFCAZUhf-UuiTjiONk27SKYgjrrSWPp45SmvfM2zBuG86NukqNT5pWCvl1iR5KZ8-EpvB6GBOLee/s1600/P1020831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jZOzg3q6NbqMqIOQ2w6GZDJalhv1dE8BO459KP9hTOu-AlVD-SyxslxdvpFJQ9uKbFCAZUhf-UuiTjiONk27SKYgjrrSWPp45SmvfM2zBuG86NukqNT5pWCvl1iR5KZ8-EpvB6GBOLee/s400/P1020831.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> About a minute before landing in Anchorage</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbak-PIvqU3N3FGH6Ok5x9ExJ3QWft0DgvOKwCD2OsHyGKPhcoqvoFh9TkElfg0O8tLyef_DE6WdGJIJvkuy_SRtRLkCFKzqMGEfiV_DMfaJPdoiflC3p9XoIV2imtRbLIn3O7hrl_Zff/s1600/P1020844.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbak-PIvqU3N3FGH6Ok5x9ExJ3QWft0DgvOKwCD2OsHyGKPhcoqvoFh9TkElfg0O8tLyef_DE6WdGJIJvkuy_SRtRLkCFKzqMGEfiV_DMfaJPdoiflC3p9XoIV2imtRbLIn3O7hrl_Zff/s400/P1020844.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> Obviously, I love mountains!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTTL72Ji2sPm9rNRbBles04Mp6qUuamdI2qG26Oqx0rcGWcNxezD6gaCwUqmvnRo5KtFo5hV5gTWo9Y1vL-fdYxDwpghuGTKVm2So1jjcUPJRFzy_pLwvMBqvD991rn7ShGThYYpn_inY/s1600/P1020842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTTL72Ji2sPm9rNRbBles04Mp6qUuamdI2qG26Oqx0rcGWcNxezD6gaCwUqmvnRo5KtFo5hV5gTWo9Y1vL-fdYxDwpghuGTKVm2So1jjcUPJRFzy_pLwvMBqvD991rn7ShGThYYpn_inY/s400/P1020842.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> The view from my sister's house, off the front porch.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> There's a moose out there, but you can barely see it on the left. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvgK06Dg6v7GqUsmKAoQjl_h0mPxT7o-WtXmZTarfOtNC0mcPqvhL4UzhSnCPBk75DZ5XvZI9VEjs89LlZsraqTq1vM-iQsUJft7yA68zexKttGApC7ncekNe6KPvhWDt6yt4cYGBYlKI/s1600/P1020851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvgK06Dg6v7GqUsmKAoQjl_h0mPxT7o-WtXmZTarfOtNC0mcPqvhL4UzhSnCPBk75DZ5XvZI9VEjs89LlZsraqTq1vM-iQsUJft7yA68zexKttGApC7ncekNe6KPvhWDt6yt4cYGBYlKI/s400/P1020851.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The view to the other direction</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjaq-IUQ9nL9JQeOQ0Q3U5wKt5v1DDrVhpmxfUmmn-AriU13VCaOuwdx5OB0bz4g4ImkcP5cly598Xkb76hWsxKf-yDCTFOrmKhxwqpOAdGeXzE0DRCrXhpGZqyA94FAQ7LZaZbq6gdSV/s1600/P1020866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjaq-IUQ9nL9JQeOQ0Q3U5wKt5v1DDrVhpmxfUmmn-AriU13VCaOuwdx5OB0bz4g4ImkcP5cly598Xkb76hWsxKf-yDCTFOrmKhxwqpOAdGeXzE0DRCrXhpGZqyA94FAQ7LZaZbq6gdSV/s400/P1020866.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>

Home sweet home / 190.6

The wicked weigh-in May 13, 2011 The first words out of my mouth this morning when I stepped on the scales for the first time in over a week...

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Going home today

I'm still in Fairbanks, getting ready to pack up my suitcase and flying home to Seattle later today.<br /><br />I've had a great seven days with my sister. I'm so very blessed to have her in my life. Even though there's 17 years difference in our ages (she's 72, I'm 55), we have a very close connection.<br /><br />It's funny that we are so close now, but we barely had a relationship at all for the first 47 years of my life. We lived in different states, she was married with four children. I didn't marry until I was 33, and I never had children. We thought we had absolutely nothing in common.<br /><br />Then our mother, that we both adored, became ill about eight years ago. We spent three weeks together, taking care her. Just my mom, who was very sick, my sister and myself.<br /><br />We discovered a lot about each other during that time and realized we have a lot in common. In fact, it's almost like we're the same person. We have the same sense of humor, the same view of life, and the same struggles with our weight. We think the same and like an old married couple, we often finish sentences for each other because we know what the other is thinking.<br /><br />We've had a great visit, actually getting some time where it was just the two of us. I love my brother and my two nieces and their families, but sometimes I just want to talk with my sister. This is the first visit since my brother-in-law passed away that other people didn't stay at the house while I was here. They were over during the day, but they went home at night. My sister and I stayed up after midnight most nights just talking. I'm so blessed to have her in my life.<br /><br />I leave on the 5:15 p.m. flight, non-stop to Seattle. It's a three and half hour flight. I'm eager to get home, but at the same time, sad to leave my sister.<br /><br />The good thing is I'll be back in July when my brother's daughter and her family fly in from New Jersey. I haven't seen her in over twenty years. We're all a little nervous since we lost contact for several years (my brother divorced her mother about 33 years ago). I think it'll be a good visit. I've talked to this niece on the phone lately and she seems like a really sweet, dear person. It'll be fun to get to know her better, along with her husband and 10-year old daughter that none of us have ever met.<br /><br /><b>The diet & exercise  </b><br />I've been doing my usual of eating at night. Perfect all day, then raiding the refrigerator at night. My sister sleeps upstairs and my room is right off the kitchen. My favorite food of choice lately is Tillamook extra sharp cheddar cheese. My sister keeps a 2-pound block of the stuff in the fridge. She eats about 1/2 ounce a day. I've been eating about six ounces a day. Add in some of the grand-kids candy I've been snacking on in the middle of the night, and I'm sure I have a weight gain.<br /><br />Exercise has been non-existent. My sister is still a little sick from the pneumonia she had a couple weeks ago and hasn't been going to the gym. She normally does water aerobics five days a week and never misses a class unless she's ill, which is almost never. The pneumonia really knocked her down hard, and although she's almost well, she was still too sick to exercise.<br /><br />I walked down to the Tanana river with one of my nieces one day (about three miles round-trip), but that's been it for my exercise. There's the treadmill upstairs that I could have used, but honestly, it's like we wanted to squeeze in as much visiting time as possible. I didn't want to go upstairs by myself and exercise. It just didn't seem right and I didn't want to do it.<br /><br />Tomorrow I'll get back in the exercise routine, and I'm just itching to get back to the gym. I can honestly say I really miss it. Today I'll eat lightly and healthy, since there won't be any more cheese in my life. :)<br /><br /><br />Plus, I haven't read any blogs all week, and I miss you guys! I've barely been on the computer at all, which is really weird for me but at the same time, sort of refreshing. It turns out I can live without spending hours on the computer (although I really do sort of miss it).

Going home today

I'm still in Fairbanks, getting ready to pack up my suitcase and flying home to Seattle later today. I've had a great seven days wit...

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Activity Ideas Please!

Lately I've been trying to vary my workout.  Since November I've been going to the gym at least 5 days/week for at least 30 minutes.  In the last month I recently upped this amount to 35 minutes.  By the beginning of July I'll be doing 40 minutes.  <br /><br />However, the gym can be a boring place.  I vary my workout between the elliptical and the ArcTrainer, and I'm one of those people who reads while on the machines.  I've heard a lot of criticism about those who read while working out - i.e. "it's not really 'working out' if you're reading".   I think that's crap.  I still sweat and burn calories - how is that not working out?  It would be extremely boring/agonizing to be on the machines for 35 minutes with no reading material, while constantly glancing at the time.  And in past successful weight loss efforts, this method worked for me perfectly.  Still, it gets boring after awhile.  <br /><br />Since it's almost summertime, and the weather is becoming consistently nicer out, I want to incorporate some other outdoor activities into the mix.  I have four 5K's left, so that helps, though I'm hoping I can find more to sign up for as time goes on.  I also recently discovered the <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/04/bloooower.html">rail trail</a>, so I definitely want to add that in for weekend activity once the 5Ks end.  But those are weekend activities and I'm most concerned with what I can do through the week to mix up the routine? (Mon-Fri)  I'm talking things other than walking outside.  Any ideas?<br /><br />To switch things up, I've recently started doing the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BQ7J70/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000IHY9TI&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1CY9CFHWG0KYYK4W39V1">Biggest Loser The Workout Vol. 1 DVD</a> that I've had for a few years, but never actually made it through the entire thing.  So completing this DVD has kind of become a mini goal of mine.  I've been going to the gym one day, then doing that DVD the next day, and alternating that.  The DVD also includes strength training, which is definitely something I'm trying to incorporate to aid in the massive amounts of poundage I have left to lose.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i43.tower.com/images/mm106996219/biggest-loser-workout-vol-1-dvd-cover-art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i43.tower.com/images/mm106996219/biggest-loser-workout-vol-1-dvd-cover-art.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>Do you have any creative ideas for exercise-related activities other than visiting the gym? Any suggestions on workout DVDs?      

Exercise goals Weight Loss Activity Ideas Please!

Lately I've been trying to vary my workout.  Since November I've been going to the gym at least 5 days/week for at least 30 minutes....

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May Goals & HilJoe Competition - Week 1

Several other people from health blogs I've been reading are posting their May goals.  I liked the idea and thought I'd do the same.<br /><br />1. <a href="http://watchmybuttshrinking.com/10k-a-day"><b>10K A Day in May challenge</b></a>: 10,000 steps a day for the Month of May sponsored by the <a href="http://watchmybuttshrinking.com/">Watch My Butt Shrink</a> blog.  After 10 days into the month, I can tell you I have reached this number (and then some) on just a few days, but most days I have come very close to reaching 10K steps.  I find this especially challenging on the weekends and on days when I work at home.  It's a blessing I don't work at home full time because I would never move!  Still, my goal is to have more days than not at or very close to (within 2,000 steps) 10K steps/day.  I get most of mine from my walk to/from work, a lunchtime walk and my 35 min at the gym.  <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZN1czcDGDEosDPwYkUPW53yknAgixNInGdGADIcAePSy1GYBA0F0s69A8iH3nGLaWbPKgNfrFb3NY7Erqs_ULTjClqqlQCsDb8NQXFOjy2GBYyxR5Bm9ENgdzN-EGqjE-c8elaWKY9eA/s1600/10k.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZN1czcDGDEosDPwYkUPW53yknAgixNInGdGADIcAePSy1GYBA0F0s69A8iH3nGLaWbPKgNfrFb3NY7Erqs_ULTjClqqlQCsDb8NQXFOjy2GBYyxR5Bm9ENgdzN-EGqjE-c8elaWKY9eA/s1600/10k.JPG" /></a></div><br />2. <b>Stay On Plan</b>.  Obviously I aim to achieve this every month, but May is going to be especially challenging.  Stress = eating for me.  My next nursing class begins next Wednesday.  It's a 4 credit class that will only be 6 weeks long.  I'm scared for how hard and time-challenging this is going to be.  I also have three 5K's this month which are all on weekends, which is when I tend to cram in most of my studying.  It's going to be challenging to say the least.  <br /><br />3. <b>Move</b>. I don't mean "move your body" either! While this doesn't seem directly related to health/fitness on the surface, it definitely contributes to my weight loss.  I've been living with Joel's family since October 2010.  After having lived for two blissful years on my own, it was EXTREMELY difficult/challenging/sad for me to go back to living with "roommates".  It's especially hard when it comes to eating.  The kitchen isn't mine, the kitchen <i>stuff </i>isn't mine, and I'm often forced to navigate around other people's cooking schedules.  This often leads to a "screw it, I'm going out for food" mentality.  Needless to say, I'm ready to get my own apartment again.  My goal is to be out by the end of this month.  Why wouldn't it be?  I mean, the classes and 5k's just weren't enough time commitment for me, of course I had to add a move in to the mix. <br /><br />I'll be sure to keep you posted on how I'm progressing as the month goes on!<br /><br />I'm not done yet folks!<br /><br />Last week Joel and I had our second weigh in as part of the <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/05/hiljoe-competition-week-1.html">HilJoe Weight Loss Competition</a>.  I lost a miraculous 3 lbs and Joel lost nothing, so he will be paying up this week!  Go me!

5K goals HJ Competition Success Weight Loss May Goals & HilJoe Competition - Week 1

Several other people from health blogs I've been reading are posting their May goals.  I liked the idea and thought I'd do the same....

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Summer Movie Season: Why Should I Care?

Apparently on May 6 the "Summer Motion Picture Extravaganza" began, which unofficially commences the Movie-Tie-Ins-Till-Your-Eyes-Bleed Season as well.<br /><br />Every year on the first Friday in May <b>THE Major Motion Picture </b>is supposed to resurrect the movie theater industry out of its doldrums and deliver the next big blockbuster that everyone MUST go out to see. This is followed quickly by the <b>Memorial Day Ultrabudget Feature Film</b>, not to be undone by one or two <b>Incredibly Adorable While Hitting the Adult Demo As Well Kids Movie </b>(quickly followed by the <b>Incredibly Stupid Kids Movies With Too Many Fart Jokes</b>). Also in June is the <b>Upstart No One Saw Coming Comedy But Ends Up Making $150 Million</b>, and that film ends up launching the career of a brilliant actor, and also launches the career of the other comedy actors into the <b>Incredibly Stupid Comedy Movie No One Sees </b>(this movie arrives - of course - right after awards season).<br /><br />July brings us the <b>Fourth of July Special That's Felt Like The Trailer Has Been on a Constant Loop Since April </b>and <b>Movie You Felt You Already Saw Before It Got to Theaters Thanks to the Two or Three or Thirteen Ad Campaigns It Has Going</b>, as well as the <b>Movies That Hoped To Piggyback On Normal Summer Movie Success But Everyone Decides Wasn't Worth Their Time</b>. <br /><br />By the time August comes (and with it the <b>This Movie Came Out Too Late in the Summer For People To Care Movie</b>), you have a giant headache from going from extreme hot to extreme cold so many times that you don't even bother with <b>Potential Oscar Movie</b> and you finally decide to, you know, enjoy the outdoors for a little bit!<br /><br />Normally in a summer I am able to limit myself to two or three movies. In the summer of 2007 between May and August, I saw 8. Here's a list:<br /><br /><i>Spider-Man 3</i><br /><i>Shrek the Third</i><br /><i>Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End</i><br /><i>Live Free or Die Hard</i><br /><i>Ratatouille</i><br /><i>Transformers</i><br /><i>Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix</i><br /><i>The Simpsons Movie</i><br /><br />There were some movies from this list, looking back, where I'm glad I was able to see it in the theaters. (<i>Transformers</i>! <i>Harry Potter</i>!) There are others, however, where I look back at my ticket stub and go, "I saw <i>The Simpsons Movie</i> in the theaters? Twice?"<br /><br />So from that summer on, I have put summer movies to a rigorous test to make sure it really was worth forking over all of that money. Here are some guidelines I follow:<br /><br /><b>1. Do I look at the previews and like what I see?</b><br />This is an easy one to follow. If you don't like it, stay away.<br /><br /><b>2. Is the plot any good, and is it executed in the film well?</b><br />Too many times I have gone to a movie and seen a film with a plot the size of a paper clip, or a good plot with actors that cannot act. How did this movie get approved anyway?<br /><br /><b>3. Am I going to like it <i>after</i> I see it?</b><br />It is important when the credits start rolling to look back at the two hours you just spent in the air conditioning and go, "Yea, I think that was worth my time."<br /><br /><b>4. Am I going to remember it a week later?</b><br />Will I look back on the experience and go, "Oh, yea, that was a fun time!" or do I go<b>, </b>"Wait - I saw that movie?"<br /><br /><b>5. The Brother Factor (optional)</b><br />I find that a lot of the kind of movies I enjoy are the ones my older brother enjoys as well. He is very passionate about his movies, and will explain at length why it was marvelous or why it was terrible. If it's a movie that he didn't like but I did, I better have a good case why I liked it, or else it's not going to feel worth the $10 after I talk to him. (This happened with <i>Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End</i>. I like it - I felt it was a decent wrap-up to the double movie, but he couldn't stand it.) But he also is a good decider on if I should go and see it at all! Should I see <i>Transformers</i>? He went first - he loved it - he took me and my dad to see it. Should I see <i>Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen</i>? He went first - he loathed it - I have never watched it. (Should I see <i>Transformers: Dark of the Moon</i>? Only Matt will tell.)<br /><br /><b>6. Would I buy it on DVD?</b><br />This one has to have a disclaimer attached to it. I don't buy many DVDs. Unless it's a movie from my childhood and it's $5 or less, I probably won't get it. <i>Unless </i>I really liked the movie. This has happened three times in the past year - I came out of the theater loving <i>How To Train Your Dragon, Toy Story 3, </i>and <i>Tangled</i>, and immediately knew those DVDs would enter my collections as soon as they came out.<br /><br /><b>7. Is it worth taking the money out of my wallet?</b><br /><br />With the state of my wallet, I am often tight-zipped with my wallet. So if I am going to spend money on a movie, I am going to make sure it was worth it. Most of the time I don't feel a movie is worth it, and will just wait until my local library system makes it available. A free movie is always worth my free time. But a movie I will sit in a dark theater is going to, usually, take $5-$10 away from me, so I'd better not come out and go, "Man, I wish I had my money back! I could have waited till this came out at the library!"<br /><br /><b>8. Am I going to regret not going later?</b><br />I like going on entertainment websites, and sometimes they'll "discuss" the end of a movie in one of their articles. A lot of times I'll just click on it because I don't mind finding out, but last summer I made the mistake of not going to see <i>Inception </i>in the theater. My family saw it, loved it, but when we got together we couldn't talk about it because I had not seen it yet! By the time I realized I should have seen it, it was gone from the theaters. What was worse, the entertainment websites were always writing something related to <i>Inception</i> - its music, its ending, its actors - and I had to literally shut off my computer so I wouldn't click on those articles and spoil the movie! It finally came out on DVD, and for the first time ever, I actually went to a movie store and rented it right away, even though it cost me $4 and I had to return it in 24 hours. I didn't care - I'd been counting down the days till I could find out what everyone was talking about. I remained spoiler-free, and watching it on that Tuesday in my living room was a magical experience.<br />...But I should have seen it in the theaters to save me from the torture.<br /><br />So I do go through quite the procedure to see if I want to see a movie or not. But it will help me save a little money this summer. Will I see <i>Thor, Captain America, </i>or <i>Green Lantern</i>? That will depend on The Brother Factor. Do I need to pull out money on something like <i>Bridesmaids </i>or <i>The Help</i>? I can keep my wallet in my purse and see it from the library later. Is the final chapter of <i>Harry Potter</i> a must-watch-now movie? Um, yes - especially if a theater will show both parts 1 and 2 back-to-back. That would just be awesome.<br /><br />If you would like to save some money, just follow my eight easy steps. You'll come out of Summer Movie Season with two or three <b>I'm So Glad I Saw That </b>movies and more money in your wallet.

Summer Movie Season: Why Should I Care?

Apparently on May 6 the "Summer Motion Picture Extravaganza" began, which unofficially commences the Movie-Tie-Ins-Till-Your-Eyes-...

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Can bad spelling ruin your chances of landing a job?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.cbdr.com/artieimages/32/ar5m6wy6g90zp1rppc32.gif?time=3/8/2011%206:14:33%20pm" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://emj.cbdr.com/artieimages/32/ar5m6wy6g90zp1rppc32.gif?time=3/8/2011%206:14:33%20pm" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><b><span id="cbArticle_lblByLine">Rachel Farrell, CareerBuilder.com Writer</span></b></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><b><span id="cbArticle_lblByLine"><br /></span></b></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><b><span id="cbArticle_lblByLine"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></b></span><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Almost every time you hear about mistakes to avoid in your résumé or cover letter, you see the same things: lying about your experience, providing too much information or using the same generic résumé for every application. We also preach about spelling.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">If the job you're applying for doesn't require that you have killer writing skills, it doesn't mean spelling errors will fly in your résumé or cover letter, says Barbara Roche, lecturer at The Wharton School and executive coach for Right Management.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">"Job candidates do themselves no favors when they claim to have an attention to detail and then spell it 'atention to detail,'" she says. "Most hiring authorities see typos and spelling errors as an indication of a candidate's performance on the job: low quality and not caring about the impression they make on others."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">While some hiring managers may be more forgiving of minor spelling errors, the majority agree that they just can't happen when it comes to your job application materials -- or otherwise.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">"Quite frankly, there is no excuse for misspelled words, even in BlackBerry messages. It's just lazy," says Roy Cohen, career coach and author "The Wall Street Professional's Survival Guide." "Spell check is available to everyone. Words that are incorrectly spelled or abbreviations often are difficult to decipher [and] can slow down the reading rather than speed it up. It may be more efficient for the sender, but it presents bigger challenges for the individual who has to translate the cryptic language for meaning."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Error-free résumés and cover letters suggest to employers that your communication skills are spot-on -- a vital skill in today's competitive job market.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">"Excellent communication skills can pave the way to promotions for employees," says Sharon Armstrong, president, Sharon Armstrong and Associates. "If you are a life-long learner, you'll continue to work on the skills that will help you grow and develop."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Good spelling (and grammar) also implies intelligence, Roche says. "You are a capable, educated candidate who will represent the organization well."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">And that might be what employers care about the most.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">"Any company that cares about their 'brand' will be put off by bad spelling. A company that cares about the details will want to always show a professional image," Armstrong says.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Generation GapSome experts agree that spelling has gotten worse with each new generation of job seekers, especially with the increased amount of texting and abbreviations younger folks tend to use. While running an internship program at Penn State, Roche ran into this problem often.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">"It's a real problem. College juniors and seniors simply have no awareness that they write in slang and shorthand in all instances until it is pointed out to them. They seem to split into two groups: those that are grateful to receive the feedback and remedy the situation. And those that give you the 'thousand-yard stare' as if to say, 'So?'" Roche says. "This is how stark the difference can be: 'Please accept the enclosed résumé for the entry-level administrator position' and 'Dude, hook me up.'"</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The advents of social media and forums where you only have 140 characters to express yourself aren't doing spelling-challenged job seekers any favors either, says Cohen.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">"Social media has given a lot of people carte blanche to abuse spelling and grammar. In a world of tweets and texts, there's no room for padding," he says. "Words and sentences shrink to symbols and acronyms and have almost become a new language. Think: BFF or LOL."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">When all is said and done, the standard in your job search should be spelling-error free, says Cohen.</div>"Everyone's entitled to an occasional mistake once you're on the job. Not that anyone among us is perfect," he reminds. "The goal is to demonstrate that at least for the purposes of job search that we care enough about the job and our candidacy to pay attention to the details. Although a typo is inevitable even for the most diligent among us, sloppiness at the start usually means the potential for carelessness later on. That's not an acceptable standard for anyone in job search in a highly competitive market."

Can bad spelling ruin your chances of landing a job?

Rachel Farrell, CareerBuilder.com Writer Almost every time you hear about mistakes to avoid in your résumé or cover letter, you see the same...

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EN ROUTE TO ELYSIAN FIELDS

<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0aJXwQuxWCPOIY1ZCUfJxWf87zgroqgih7_D0TcXFOFUcTqNHHpP8S9wIG27Z-bj9oNJXEyiX6zFsbLPs3Hqzvn5Q5WTM439zEw1DZsyjyLtZWC_OGFSv0Km9wTVGA9t_wA3KrddE_5xD/s1600/tennessee+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0aJXwQuxWCPOIY1ZCUfJxWf87zgroqgih7_D0TcXFOFUcTqNHHpP8S9wIG27Z-bj9oNJXEyiX6zFsbLPs3Hqzvn5Q5WTM439zEw1DZsyjyLtZWC_OGFSv0Km9wTVGA9t_wA3KrddE_5xD/s320/tennessee+2.jpg" width="305" /></span></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">When playwright Tennessee Williams decided to pick up where he left off on the play-in-progress he called <i>The Poker Night</i>, it was 1946 and he was comfortably ensconced in New Orleans in a French Quarter apartment overflowing with fine antiques.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Less than a year earlier, Williams's <i>The Glass Menagerie</i> had opened on Broadway. With this play, in the words of playwright Arthur Miller, Williams "lifted lyricism to its highest level in our theatre's history." But Williams struggled before this success came, suffering lean years after winning a special prize given by The Group Theatre in 1938. Though he had received grants, gotten a play produced and even been under contract as an MGM screenwriter during those years, none of it had panned out. His play <i>Battle of Angels</i>, starring Miriam Hopkins, previewed in Boston to good reviews, but created a furor and closed. He flopped at MGM, unwilling or unable to create "a celluloid brassiere for Lana Turner."</span><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSXqEcEfxqPqupOXBM9izq1LQdZHgxN6MHW2x2EwQfl2m-iE9ENHhIECoy3MuLvOpUK_HVc5tiRJaeg5i4be0VUnjvJOz8MPZZroMzts0GhYDVVHFhHHmPAO7NXiMyJXaEKLT-KmuGx30/s1600/laurette+as+amanda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSXqEcEfxqPqupOXBM9izq1LQdZHgxN6MHW2x2EwQfl2m-iE9ENHhIECoy3MuLvOpUK_HVc5tiRJaeg5i4be0VUnjvJOz8MPZZroMzts0GhYDVVHFhHHmPAO7NXiMyJXaEKLT-KmuGx30/s200/laurette+as+amanda.jpg" width="155" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laurette Taylor, star of <i>The Glass Menagerie</i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It was in 1943 while visiting his family in St. Louis, that Williams began work on a play he called <i>The Gentleman Caller</i>. He became the toast of Broadway in 1945 when the play, retitled <i>The Glass Menagerie</i>, opened to rave reviews and was voted the best play of the year by The New York Drama Critics Circle. During the play's run Williams put together a poker game in order to learn and understand a game that would figure in a story that had begun to form in his mind.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A lifelong wayfarer, Williams had spent time in The Big Easy before and found it a most congenial city. When he returned to linger for a while in 1946, he quickly settled into a regular routine. Writing throughout the early part of the day, he would need a breather by afternoon and head for a favorite nearby watering hole. There he indulged in the bar's specialty, a Brandy Alexander, and played the jukebox until it was time to get something to eat and, later, go for a swim.</span><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAAj5DML0LiJ4XNh6dj8_jKwsdeW747yAFTbIXy3SGTnYs4_a_ayFcX9mOhGeqjvQ6u2mjDxLOONik2GXK2fsFy9OKgm_0ZE3yFg0XwUNghcnm_70EYN_ClB2M1Fuy5-E6m7CoBu40qafC/s1600/La+Concha+Old.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAAj5DML0LiJ4XNh6dj8_jKwsdeW747yAFTbIXy3SGTnYs4_a_ayFcX9mOhGeqjvQ6u2mjDxLOONik2GXK2fsFy9OKgm_0ZE3yFg0XwUNghcnm_70EYN_ClB2M1Fuy5-E6m7CoBu40qafC/s1600/La+Concha+Old.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotel La Concha, Key West</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Williams was in the midst of his work on the play when his grandfather, the Rev. Walter Edwin Dakin, arrived in New Orleans for a visit. Widowed, nearing 90 and nearly blind, the beloved old man had been living in some distress at the home of Williams's parents. The playwright decided to take a break from dreary weather and go on a motor trip to Florida with his grandfather. They eventually reached Key West and took a suite at the top of the Hotel La Concha. Here Williams continued to work in earnest on completing his play. Exuberant spirit that he was, he took time to party with friends in the area, Miriam Hopkins and Ernest Hemingway's ex-wife Martha among them. It wasn't until he returned to New Orleans that Williams completed his final draft of <i>The Poker Night </i>and sent it to his literary agent.</span><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Irene Mayer Selznick had been a true Hollywood princess. Her father, Louis B. Mayer, was the head of MGM for more than 25 years, and Irene and her older sister Edie were the only children of L.B. and his first wife, Margaret. The girls' lives were incredibly charmed as well as profoundly sheltered.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Irene and Edie both married in 1930, their weddings only weeks apart. Irene's husband was David O. Selznick, the movie-making wunderkind who later headed his own studio and masterminded the production of <i>Gone With the Wind</i> and the career of Jennifer Jones.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">L.B. Mayer had famously remarked that Irene could've run MGM...if only she'd been a boy. What Irene did run for many years was the complex Selznick household, the at-home version of Selznick's studio...an opulent, frenetically busy 24-hour operation. Selznick may have lived to make movies, but he also gambled, womanized, popped speed and swilled alcohol at a breakneck pace. By 1945, Irene had had enough. Late one night her husband turned to her in bed and asked why she was still awake - she blurted that the the jig was up and she wanted out...then promptly rolled over and fell asleep.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5s5OOWcTMoMZQ9AVijCpiz-DFFJKqvReVPPd1JCPmC_qVDlodc3bG9ZtQOw-RaO3Mvu3Eaa9fJ-qN8eOuzZbj4mGqEVWTQ7GSKrnMLVhZ0i2ihS_aLN5GywXfbvp_R4_MUH2gwaIfKvQB/s1600/irene+and+david+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5s5OOWcTMoMZQ9AVijCpiz-DFFJKqvReVPPd1JCPmC_qVDlodc3bG9ZtQOw-RaO3Mvu3Eaa9fJ-qN8eOuzZbj4mGqEVWTQ7GSKrnMLVhZ0i2ihS_aLN5GywXfbvp_R4_MUH2gwaIfKvQB/s1600/irene+and+david+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Irene and David Selznick</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Though she and David Selznick didn't immediately divorce and her father tried to induce her to stay on the West Coast with a high level job at MGM, Irene relocated to New York. She had dreams of becoming a theatrical producer and, on the advice of good friend Moss Hart, rented an office and hired a general manager. Her first outing was the production of an Arthur Laurents play, <i>Heartsong</i>, starring Shirley Booth. The play closed in Philadelphia but evolved over the years (and with another title) into a Broadway hit that still later became David Lean's <i>Summertime</i> (1955) with Katharine Hepburn.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Irene's first production may not have made it to Broadway, but she was noticed. Soon after, she heard from literary agent Audrey Wood who told her, "My most cherished and important client has a play I would like to put in your hands. It is his best play yet. His name is Tennessee Williams." Irene received the script on her 40th birthday.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Wood, aware of Irene's inexperience but appreciative of her taste, dedication and connections, cajoled and coaxed and eventually arranged for her to meet Williams in Charleston, South Carolina. The playwright asked the up-and-coming producer if she preferred the play's original title, <i>The Poker Night</i>, or the one he was presently considering. And he asked her about the newer title - did she prefer "called desire" or "named desire"? The encounter had begun with both parties ill-at-ease, but in the end contracts were signed and the pair was set to embark on the original production of <i>A Streetcar Named Desire</i>.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6hi7Zrvx5Ys-9qPd7SOrEQIDCxMp3fZeBrj03rNkMzWjKrL6PnDW-m2YCGVzYB8majOx2xuw2sSXUWQuAI56fSrlJkSPRh9XTI7M8S0D_WzSGSnWXOWsKN8i4v3NTYeGmYE061H-yWOk/s1600/irene+gadge+and+tennessee+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6hi7Zrvx5Ys-9qPd7SOrEQIDCxMp3fZeBrj03rNkMzWjKrL6PnDW-m2YCGVzYB8majOx2xuw2sSXUWQuAI56fSrlJkSPRh9XTI7M8S0D_WzSGSnWXOWsKN8i4v3NTYeGmYE061H-yWOk/s320/irene+gadge+and+tennessee+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Irene Mayer Selznick, Elia Kazan and Tennesee Williams</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Irene returned to New York and Tennessee soon followed. Once he arrived he methodically made his way around to town to check on the latest plays. After he'd seen Arthur Miller's <i>All My Sons</i>, his heart was set on Elia Kazan, the play's director, for <i>Streetcar</i>. Irene was originally familiar with Kazan as an actor, having seen his breakout performance in the 1935 production of Clifford Odets's <i>Waiting for Lefty</i>. Kazan had begun to direct major stage productions in the early 1940s. Irene sent him the <i>Streetcar</i> script and he turned it down. Influenced by his wife, Molly Day Thacher, who had been instrumental in discovering and championing Tennessee Williams, and the lucrative contract he was offered, he reconsidered.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Bette Davis was Irene's first choice for the role of Blanche Dubois, the female lead, but she was unavailable. Margaret Sullavan was considered, but Williams didn't think she was right for the part, he "kept picturing her with a tennis racquet in one hand." Fay Bainter's name came up and Kazan apparently mentioned Mary Martin, but it was through Williams that the play's leading lady was found.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgnOSz-_ieyvHEuONGNtd-aUgyiSNGYpeYpfHmHcIZBjdPyo97aLdTqSrO2LUyUgCMBPxy18hBsgQ0y8sYgMJmmdm7VpIpTuG8XcuH2FYKBBwBKwwz0LOa-G0WDo2gLxJVe5aTeAM_-vfT/s1600/Jessica+as+Blanche+1947+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgnOSz-_ieyvHEuONGNtd-aUgyiSNGYpeYpfHmHcIZBjdPyo97aLdTqSrO2LUyUgCMBPxy18hBsgQ0y8sYgMJmmdm7VpIpTuG8XcuH2FYKBBwBKwwz0LOa-G0WDo2gLxJVe5aTeAM_-vfT/s320/Jessica+as+Blanche+1947+2.jpg" width="207" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jessica Tandy as Blanche Dubois</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Actor Hume Cronyn, a financial supporter of Williams in his early days on the scene, had recently produced and directed four one-act plays at The Actor's Lab in Hollywood. Three were by Williams and one of them, <i>Portrait of a Madonna</i>, starred Cronyn's wife, Jessica Tandy. Cronyn arranged to have this play staged for Williams when he, Irene and Kazan were on the West Coast. All three attended and were astonished by Tandy's performance. She was quickly signed to play Blanche. For the primary supporting roles, Karl Malden was the only actor considered for the part of Mitch, and Irene suggested Kim Hunter for the role of Stella.</span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">John Garfield was everyone's first choice for the male lead, Stanley Kowalski. The actor had worked steadily on the New York stage before venturing to Hollywood in the late '30s. His screen career began with a star-making turn in Michael Curtiz's <i>Four Daughter's </i>(1938). In 1947 Garfield was about to begin production on Kazan's film adaptation of <i>A Gentleman's Agreement</i>. He would be available afterward and was interested in the play - but his demands proved to be too great.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Next to be offered the role was youthful Burt Lancaster who had just debuted onscreen in Robert Siodmak's <i>The Killers</i> (1946). Though Lancaster didn't take the role, he later told Irene that he'd "yearned" to. Other actors considered for the part included Van Heflin, Edmund O'Brien and...Gregory Peck.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYQvrJp_nNpSTbMT9P8BWiGsCdmYc3Y3ogBJSxzeBQe0SqJzWbg2OlIe6DHYXzKql5GZ3yNvR5O7qyrXDlT2hYfqFSnnbDs3VseOHqEvvqfAjDLUwknXy3VBjQgVTiWoGSJS2rzODnjHH/s1600/i_remember_mama+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYQvrJp_nNpSTbMT9P8BWiGsCdmYc3Y3ogBJSxzeBQe0SqJzWbg2OlIe6DHYXzKql5GZ3yNvR5O7qyrXDlT2hYfqFSnnbDs3VseOHqEvvqfAjDLUwknXy3VBjQgVTiWoGSJS2rzODnjHH/s200/i_remember_mama+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marlon Brando (center) in<i> I Remember Mama</i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">23-year old Marlon Brando had been a busy young actor since his first major stage role in <i>I Remember Mama</i>. He appeared in <i>Antigone</i> with Cedric Hardwicke, gained notice in Maxwell Anderson's <i>Truckline Caf</i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><i>é</i>, co-starred in a revival of <i>Candida</i> with Katharine Cornell and appeared in Ben Hecht's <i>A Flag is Born </i>with Paul Muni. In 1946 he was voted Broadway's Most Promising Newcomer. According to Brando, Harold Clurman, who directed him in <i>Truckline Caf</i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><i>é</i>, suggested him to Kazan for <i>Streetcar</i>. But neither Kazan nor Irene were completely convinced and the final decision was left to the playwright. After spending time with Brando, Williams was ebullient and the actor was hired; he was the last of the principals to be cast. Williams later compared the "luminous power" of Brando's onstage charisma to that of Laurette Taylor who had dazzled as the star of <i>The Glass Menagerie</i>.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />When the play opened in New Haven, Louis B. Mayer was there. Irene hadn't wanted to be distracted by his presence and tried to discourage him - to no avail. Despite technical difficulties, the consensus was that <i>Streetcar</i> had played well. But Irene was disappointed at the lack of excitement expressed by the group gathered in her hotel room after the show. She recalled that there was "too much respect floating around and not enough enthusiasm." Then her father asked to speak with her privately. He told her "you don't have a hit, you've got a smash...you wait and see," then he told her to go back to her guests - but not to listen to them.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /><i>A Streetcar Named Desire </i>premiered on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on December 3, 1947 and was an instant sensation, receiving a standing ovation that lasted for half an hour. Jessica Tandy, who was universally singled out in the opening night reviews, won a Tony Award, the play was voted the best play of 1948 by the New York Drama Critics Circle and Tennessee Williams won the 1948 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. <i>Streetcar </i>ran for two years and 855 performances and it was the last play of Marlon Brando's theatrical career. The actor soon left for Hollywood, enormous fame and a long, erratic, if often brilliant, film career.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />In 1949 Laurence Olivier directed <i>Streetcar </i>on London's West End. Vivien Leigh starred as Blanche with Bonar Colleano as Stanley. </span></span></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObNT0hrGexOzV6R-xeaXRU9NtIHTxSUw0tGwOz9wa-Nlz9ejAr95RPr9_juR2MMPWpUfo3bdf3bZXpHa9nkxJXiIFsIkNENrXXrTQDiI1eWNDB_S0ni6top6N30aVmFhrXjIbz4hyphenhyphenOHk3/s1600/Marlon+and+Vivien++film.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObNT0hrGexOzV6R-xeaXRU9NtIHTxSUw0tGwOz9wa-Nlz9ejAr95RPr9_juR2MMPWpUfo3bdf3bZXpHa9nkxJXiIFsIkNENrXXrTQDiI1eWNDB_S0ni6top6N30aVmFhrXjIbz4hyphenhyphenOHk3/s1600/Marlon+and+Vivien++film.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />When the play was adapted to film in 1951, all the Broadway principals were retained except Jessica Tandy. The role of Blanche went to Vivien Leigh. Years later Karl Malden observed, "If Jessica had played it, I wouldn't have been in the movie and neither would Kim Hunter. Because Jessica was no star, and neither was Brando. But Vivien, who after <i>Gone With the Wind</i> was the biggest thing you ever saw - she could carry us all." Kazan, who accepted the casting of Leigh, remembered, "She had a small talent, but the greatest determination to excel of any actress I've known." Brando thought Leigh was a perfect Blanche because, "...in many ways she <i>was</i> Blanche." Kazan allowed that her emerging psychological problems may have been an asset to her performance as the disintegrating belle, and Leigh later said that the grueling role had tipped her into madness.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Elements of the play, particularly the seamy details of Blanche's past, were toned down or altered for the film, but Kazan was able to preserve the integrity of Williams's creation, masterfully translating its dark poetry and palpable sensuality to the screen. <i>Streetcar </i>was much celebrated, nominated for twelve Academy Awards and winner of four - including a Best Actress award to Vivien Leigh. It is considered the classic among film adaptations of Williams's work.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">~</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">More than 35 years later Irene Mayer Selznick would look back and reflect on that spectacular evening when <i>A Streetcar Named Desire </i>opened in New York. For all that the play's success meant to her that night, she did not foresee the impact it was about to have. With her first Broadway production, she became an established, sought-after theatrical producer. The play, she remembered, made Elia Kazan "a king" and changed forever the lives of all four of its principal players. Most fittingly, she wrote, "it gave Tennessee enduring glory."</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #660000;">March 26, 2011 marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of Tennessee Williams. The University of Texas at Austin, home of the Williams archive, is presenting "Becoming Tennessee Williams" from February 1 - July 21. The exhibit includes manuscripts, correspondence, photos and artwork.<b> </b></span><a href="http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/exhibitions/2011/williams/"><b><span style="color: #660000;">Click here</span></b></a><span style="color: #660000;"> to learn more.</span></i></span><br /><br /><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/o_lToyPAUyE" width="425"></iframe><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Sources</b>:</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><u>Memoirs</u> (1975) by Tennessee Williams</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><u>A Private View</u> (1983) by Irene Mayer Selznick</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><u>The Kindness of Strangers</u> (1985) by Donald Spoto</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><u>Songs My Mother Taught Me</u> (1994) by Marlon Brando</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><u>Elia Kazan</u> (2005) by Richard Schickel</span>

A Streetcar Named Desire Elia Kazan Irene Mayer Selznick Jessica Tandy Karl Malden Kim Hunter Laurette Taylor Marlon Brando Tennessee Williams The Glass Menagerie Vivien Leigh EN ROUTE TO ELYSIAN FIELDS

When playwright Tennessee Williams decided to pick up where he left off on the play-in-progress he called The Poker Night , it was 1946 and ...

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