Day 5 & 6: Hanging on by my toenails

It's sure not easier the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">hundredth</span> time around the block with this weight loss stuff. It's almost as tough as it was at the beginning, but I'm hanging in there.<br /><br />This cold has really knocked me down. The coughing is making me crazy. I'm going in to see the doctor for some codeine cough syrup tomorrow. I need to sleep through the night before I hit Edmonton on Sunday.<br /><br />My husband is going with me to Edmonton. It's the first time he's joined me on a business trip. When I told my coworker that's also been doing these trips, to different cities than me, he asked me what's wrong with him...why does he wants to see you in all kinds of crazy? Well put.<br /><br />I've booked a room with a fireplace, hot tub and a king sized bed. My husband wants to go to the mall on Sunday. Did I ever mention I kind of hate shopping? Being in the world's 3rd largest mall isn't exactly my idea of a good time.<br /><br />I was looking at my 2008 weight loss calendar where I write my weight almost every day of the year. On December 31, 2008 I weighed 164.8. This morning was 175.4. Three weeks, ten pounds? I know it's pretty much a ridiculous thought. Maybe five pounds if I put my mind to it. I'm going to try my best to not gain and lose at least a few pounds by December 31, 2009.<br /><br />Tomorrow I'm going back to the gym for a light workout. Nothing too crazy. I've wanted to go but the hacking up a lung made it seem like a bad idea. Tomorrow for sure.<br /><br />The NyQuil is kicking in so I'm off to bed. No crazy eating today or yesterday. Just normal stuff. Normal is always a good thing.

Day 5 & 6: Hanging on by my toenails

It's sure not easier the hundredth time around the block with this weight loss stuff. It's almost as tough as it was at the beginni...

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Christmas at the My House

<p>The weekend before Thanksgiving I decided to get our Christmas decor out. Yes, I know it’s early, but there is just so much and I wanted to be able to enjoy it longer! And I also knew our Thanksgiving weekend was jam packed! So without further ado, here is our humble abode all cheery for Christmas!</p> <p align="center"><em><strong>Welcome to our home…please come on in!</strong></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NtVFmXuOhx9P6xoBhPfVtpyy9T10_5L0cQrxFTlN0bRbsz4byQ3PkNZdxPMGyPYKGYSpEddpxb6CtAOpUVAFE7XfAu6uBYUG5tNgRJ03oxpyp6UjYPn1NT9eH_av8Ea98CujPxbw2Nda/s1600-h/DSC05272%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05272" border="0" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjkGux9LNlOwK3FLHer7f2dcCNhZPJJeEeIwbJ_dYrZsb6KsUHiMASo252OdBMTQDVqbcNBhrOUE8SHtAWksstiKEF-SazOZCBNQ0A3nSAnqah1zmFM38HC-ICE4pEd7mVKv0MOLi4jf0/?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="DSC05272" width="405" /></a></p> <p align="center"><strong><em>These are a few of the things you’ll see when you first come in the door!</em></strong><img alt="DSC05254" border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2EaNLTTjYvAfh3w-BIgX1mhkFmvvMvDWgoy6UT7i_kH-pY313YlUr4XbtpWkyeScZcJIEG2RmVFpOY5U6kZMxi77HrlW9GX8G6qqClyga4bD4g8M1IQ9Nb0ko8R8xobC2zZA6fdHFUyr/?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="DSC05254" width="264" /><img alt="DSC05256" border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirs_co5x08wHxthRS0-hjR61fwfx_-8a8YyR8rFrYnWpInbO3oRFXbtIHgUfYo2MlHTFnE2ckQk27QzraEso_NTkUXKyDUHEscuH97bU0-a47Bj5WeIqlJr145mbRNi_E3Af_nXEKqRCz5/?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="DSC05256" width="262" /><img alt="DSC05258" border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8v6WTc6AWjF_lQ_qOv3Ve84hNWA5l3vHWCnkb9XXWM2gEUHTIHFAzu25hHuruLmKSrjXPYe7-eNvW4afQ3oMF7if4U2iRQb9V_OQawgRpl_0Iez3tALu0AVHekDnRPSGT-L5t0rFWTAg-/?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="DSC05258" width="264" /><img alt="DSC05259" border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCT1d7bbPurv6tojo9Rfh0e3X3kId0AmNeg_sZZG3Kam_r0MrDcCiPz3d0bxE-EjJwKbGk-d0kYQ2iNewkU7igyRsOmuqfrD037R2k10qjuiGzTA2FYZzRXCz23xvDA9Fr2GcOj5N3vsGr/?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="DSC05259" width="264" /><strong><em></em></strong></p> <p align="center"> <strong><em>And this is what you’ll see upon entering the living room!</em></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1KJHNwx0CdG_k3SNYra4KR6CiLdKQX8ai_Z2FiJQMIfkyFB9iPoeoq0iwtAVPewwMJhccfplQS7wo1xAlCGydMFRefvU6YwDZmu8OLoUITh6Pmsk_A3rqakPkF-oRi5_zm_ETnGUm6lcw/s1600-h/DSC05149%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05149" border="0" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSc6vwf_8DFHgi2E0XCg93DXlxojMkVrNaYEHGSJ1SOedqIuTHPBdahsuaUMz0RS7kkGvuggCdjz9_coM2kfhi3pju3mAgsojkgzMAnjgd0CkyH814B6N0pUJliBwkih4u9NyPyC0Iu6X/?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="DSC05149" width="404" /></a></p> <p align="center"><strong><em>And here is our tree!!</em></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kdfZxExbgnFUUzOkTsLtH5hSPijX9k2f6AWg4vSckCmd6ZAasSI3dBPn7dran-8GBMtapM_QuI-AVcMrR24YV_8Honxr-yJLz2w3c68QZHg0vILNkOji7wnuEXE3IjnIEXuxjZ1uDJty/s1600-h/DSC05264%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05264" border="0" height="729" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmdrLp4YFackkX50XXLcfrcGYbt68VjG8m-Cr19Dene4IMQqUHP-8zlBr3-Yvy53jdB73UYrJtQMZmOXs69E5Lz1qc4YpdYPRptAzgSmLFvYh7ayIIGyflv92cHhMtEh1GldSyPEa_Qac/?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="DSC05264" width="410" /></a></p> <p align="center"><strong><em>I decided to go “green” for Christmas this year!</em></strong>  </p> <p align="center"><img alt="DSC05266" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBh-HRoUQJ-_Q4xZh5AxoHGBNFxxpHoFnI_ZMqnvBfO-8ApfXQhg6-EqBZPS6V-TBzVuIZOAuw0feqmxt_rcgBPepTfGlOBOJCsAYhgTfCYv04QPqrzs8CAG5HYMnWtf1yyo4Xe-TGYUba/?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="DSC05266" width="404" /><img alt="DSC05154" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRvvColMIHbdKOxQ-ulfX4DGzUr-oV3qmNwtRsUtgGoSGioA_vRoE2dwzfyDgh_zg892-Lw_ObV-0pkzkZRkge8rheBfYATSZtgcjxsWUF4oW-spUb0TnDJVHDV43c11kBoOII_Gz2txh/?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="DSC05154" width="404" /></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1Aevdo0LmnPM5bzvS5bjh8HEzkHwpWNHn5tK9HZ1Ebwd692_iq8ysen_j4cu09eHsk8EBiYAS17rtongTKzSc4vUiKvvcvqJC0LydaDkjjfxXzoPfME_rPJ2HeWThLQIQPJY6MUOJ3Ni/s1600-h/DSC05152%5B3%5D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="DSC05152" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYSOXMFDdkyGAUzbopJRSC_7aOPL-OnW8f2KyyVyWIAfwQl0FV-Z3HnP0e6GafTOm5ZDP-R1IAMaVF-vC8jKNZ45zB4Y3Zq_NdrYt_ZBJ0_fXRU9fzO9BCgeryBxpXPaizxvyT2N8_YH_/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC05152" width="404" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTspH_PRPWatYivDzaU1VjNOPg6TXSU3skMo_0d60t-pNa_2BYgFsaim1rD7IyWBtkptsGgvfr1pxNaqbA9Jr21G12xDTk6Zz6z7_Eyjks2oOGStc1u9LEbWriqvrbYXeK6W_jFRpbRU9/s1600-h/DSC05150%5B4%5D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="DSC05150" border="0" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_coti7Vq9TTs2evu6Vvdgq-zM-O4VI98gcVEuwSe4OGdQKldqAszwWRNZDCBMu-zyFEuy5ffAFB6fL5j4IAd8q2VWob6V9q2G3Evt1fsWrAwd5Eef-BVxdMy7HsHzh7jraE-z49gnpLB8/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC05150" width="404" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em><strong></strong></em></p> <p align="center"><em><strong></strong></em></p> <p align="center"><em><strong></strong></em></p> <p align="center"><em><strong></strong></em></p> <p align="center"><em><strong></strong></em></p> <p align="center"><em><strong></strong></em></p> <p align="center"><em><strong></strong></em></p> <p align="center"><em><strong></strong></em></p> <p align="center"><em><strong></strong></em></p> <p align="center"><em><strong></strong></em></p> <p align="center"><em><strong></strong></em></p> <p align="center"><em><strong></strong></em></p> <p align="center"><em><strong></strong></em></p> <p align="center"><em><strong></strong></em></p> <p align="center"><em><strong>I upda</strong></em><em><strong>ted our curtains to match the “pops” of green in the living room! Only problem is that to the left  of the bay window there is a single window that I forgot to get a panel for and they are all out! :(<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDvpJ_oemEghBnDisnljcSrT6-UIen_aEpzzHpveclpljHMUyMNG2js3q45cb-vijyg19-TI6V7kzVnHLd2e7rFktgaxOpB_4XpyOaDy4svRKYK4HAC0UMpUj8XUtA_zG08RLpGKpd2g3/s1600-h/DSC05235%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05235" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZmwSX3MoyUeMcx7-IFFNbGt95BPMPL8SArln_nN_W_jFnKKCo5Yr1OAFiovn0hQPYJgTEfYh41FtpTmihA0RGymm4EN3PBorp75XntfRJhxis3_uy96KaT3fUtv2MQBQHx-DfAqrL2e0/?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="DSC05235" width="404" /></a></strong></em></p> <p align="center"><em><strong></strong></em></p> <p align="center"><em><strong>I even added a few little things to the guest room!<img alt="DSC05267" border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoCNNOysjc7GiYg1AjNJobQPmK_VbEAqgOz-UsMOs7rNdpEHDL8qflb9puSPbyE-GdiopudTJEUWRSMlZbRpgroDphYGZAC7fPjyRAhKxEgqXjarOLYItkEpz0lNIg-iYZeIoa80_qoYB/?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="DSC05267" width="304" /><img alt="DSC05268" border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdF0lKvuBqAG6KzMrhj8AI1YRlm-5Tn4Lod36TpB2gwEYLsKS2M9AhntdfIWfe6UIJ8V6s8MlgOPnF5mxqXfflndLNIIZxvF7mXB1z9uYpMtiH9ajXTIgC_PiINzFObARHnMYnn5z0ydmu/?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="DSC05268" width="329" /><img alt="DSC05270" border="0" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh542eDp8VcqhD5r1hQZKXwQo_rcUswtEa9CKqOEswMQj6h37Cwy2hMXo6qsmv8Nd0Go0cY2IQVhYqcTdh4jXYNe-_1LChLyY_d8Ooae_tspJHU4fuFbCASpCOPV-7wu21gBafcDb9iNCnq/?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="DSC05270" width="404" /></strong></em></p> <p align="center">       </p> <p align="center"><em><strong>This is our “light-less” Christmas tree in the office. For some reason this was the year that all our strands of Christmas lights decided to die! So you all know what I’ll be doing after Christmas (clearance Christmas light shopping)! ;)</strong></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IUWMDkeMEJ6q65Xcj2ZmN1IVzUeWqu46ZQP-39DO8Jkoy6J_5krE9ex1PDpj9KR3Y3XM4kjLSbomxs69EiBBtVPm2zHS-GvZeaB444BRVN4agXEBdrovbt_EVpVo0MSS6oJyUSJZFPL-/s1600-h/DSC05217%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05217" border="0" height="679" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmn8vrFIjlnVpF9MbULSqhsBF-rI7d7lPm69AuXHGvXnVYnROlBxSQHObG93dZnl2y8rt5_OwdQJZYB5W6kBJStZ109fObSDm4oZDfT9BjHf3WK56qX550_Pt1K4bAvmynRD4ibIH0OHLk/?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="DSC05217" width="346" /></a></p> <p align="center">  <strong><em>Abby got something new for Christmas this year…a cute little shirt and some new food and water bowls!!</em></strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinY96deLOhauv-HSWQWh_c0uZSoAmyYM5SzSnYkOehNMPHes2n5cRwoOM5l1cQ7lMAHQQu476Z7luSAOBH0Nov3Cuj5u1XP9BzTe0AgaQDZa-mnsQZ9wrPAVLgSqUFroj8j-1Y_pjNDe9k/s1600-h/DSC05224%5B8%5D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="DSC05224" border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46UwAsX_zNTdSzFe2b9tG9WRocDhLMu99qBNp7k5TGcTzMuIKGPy5_4d0yn8WV7vCEu8Xd9kkSPJC1yHVzTRVKGcvWsdtav6yALB1WKSObUdww-BQ9hyxDU7yPnoLyxPsTjTkkAj4S2C0/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC05224" width="454" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">  </p> <p align="center"><em><strong></strong></em></p> <p align="center"><em><strong></strong></em></p> <p align="center"><em><strong></strong></em></p> <p align="center"><em><strong></strong></em></p> <p align="center"><em><strong></strong></em></p> <p align="center"><em><strong><em><strong><em><strong></strong></em></strong></em></strong></em></p> <p align="center"><em><strong><em><strong><em><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdTDRBdPApYmJUU0GfyHVyO0EEhlR46ibfTVRGZBhnTJFeVmbDM-2bEEEQ9IvNvWb5sEKXvFTjtl6h-LBu3D25XsD323Qjnf1tW9h32zDdzZf658GH3I4VcYnRemFLOu8-mhyphenhyphen_nd1p2u6/s1600-h/DSC05216%5B3%5D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="DSC05216" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipX14wciJybn1D69bsW6BeETpJFls4m2DUYsb0eKKTjJH4vLaf8KZ4PSP5F9rLsgSo_IXKfc37NDKkm_vD37dBI5VT0TpnJvlhYfMz06TvGM28vne6YEl_zyT886biPRdbwtPrbKh4t0cr/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC05216" width="354" /></a></strong></em></strong></em></strong></em></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><em><strong>Another tree in the office! Right now we have 6 trees up…including little ones like this! And I still haven’t got our 3rd big tree up yet. Kyle says I have to though because it’s usually decked out with Hawkeye ornaments in the basement!</strong></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmSa__gHTw8Cxz33Q8a4X-DVjfFv7SfHfYEwalA9_skquWr6z_Sbrrqtx1mcBc39tmdoU0O7kklMiteN5cjOy30iY81LuYOUt-fKl36GJ93vaI17ozTA9LYKgu0MUpucEwzj8uxt2tQj2/s1600-h/DSC05218%5B1%5D.jpg"></a><img alt="DSC05218" border="0" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UHAY8CjtderNwyPyBRCaM51wuFLBYPaKSXMGtldbwwG3sei9lUzoPezhtDgLWZOYCeEXZVeBUOeguv8FLCuOyzZL4rEVN0RojP73-dubCiyoRV3lPm6Joz725GsMyp9SQguA7bOqglKS/?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="DSC05218" width="404" /></p>        <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center"><strong><em>And that concludes the Christmas tour of our home! Hope you enjoyed it</em></strong>!</p>

Christmas at the My House

The weekend before Thanksgiving I decided to get our Christmas decor out. Yes, I know it’s early, but there is just so much and I wanted to ...

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Days 3 & 4: Still among the living

Someday I'll learn to listen to my body. On Sunday, I was wiped out all day, barely able to get dressed and get to the gym by 5pm. It was cold out, 32 degrees and my throat was sore. I just thought I was being a lazy, sloth-like person and forced myself to go to the gym.<br /><br />The workout hurt like heck. I was sweating, but that was before I even started the workout! I felt clammy and chilled to the bone. My breathing was difficult and labored. I couldn't understand how I'd gotten so out of shape in such a short time.<br /><br />Well guess what? I have a cold (or maybe it's the flu, I'm never sure). I've been flat on my back for two days, waking up and not knowing if it was a.m. or p.m. My body aches and my mind has been in a fog. I've been coughing up gross, nasty junk from my infected lungs. Tonight is the first time I ventured into the kitchen looking for food.<br /><br />I'm going to work tomorrow since I have to get things ready for my Edmonton trip next week, and I'm actually feeling a little bit better. It's my last trip on this project. Hallelujah! I can't wait to have my normal life back.

Days 3 & 4: Still among the living

Someday I'll learn to listen to my body. On Sunday, I was wiped out all day, barely able to get dressed and get to the gym by 5pm. It wa...

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It Is Happening Again

"It is happening again. It is happening again." -- Twin Peaks<br /><br />For context, see the previous 2 posts.<br /><br />So I went out the door on Monday morning and there was another ornament hanging on the door handle. It was a silver colored "Peace." A lovely thing really.<br /><br />More about the snow man. There is a little switch on the bottom. Flip it on and the snow man lights up in alternating colors, red, blue, green, pink, etc.<br /><br />And we already had the perfect ornaments for the white plastic tree -- a lot of small plastic pink flamingos in various tropcial attire.<br /><br />This is the best kitchy Christmas tree ever. We decorated yesterday while listening to O Tannenbaum on the ipod.<br /><br />We are considering installing a security camera in hopes of learning the identity of our secret Santa.

It Is Happening Again

"It is happening again. It is happening again." -- Twin Peaks For context, see the previous 2 posts. So I went out the door on Mon...

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7 Worst Career Mistakes You Can Make

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/78/ar5b0206hns5953t6s78.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/78/ar5b0206hns5953t6s78.gif" /></a><br /></div>7 Worst Career Mistakes You Can Make - Leadership lessons from the game of tennis Jeffrey A. Krames, author "The Unforced Error: Why Some Mangers Get Promoted While Others Get Eliminated" <br /><br />Tennis and business have a lot more in common than you may think. In 1982, a tennis professional coined the term "unforced error" to describe what happens when one player who is in position to return the ball makes an error by hitting the ball out of the field of play -- or missing the ball altogether. That same kind of error happens all of the time in the business world. <br /><br />Research shows that even the smartest managers can make the worst career errors. Once again, the same is true in tennis. Even the best players in the world make unforced errors in every match. In professional tennis as in business, the player with the fewest unforced errors usually wins. <br /><br />Research also shows that at the top levels of corporations, unforced errors have taken a greater toll than ever before. For example, CEO turnover was up 60 percent between 1995 and 2006 and shows no signs of slowing down, according to the consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton. However, you do not have to be a CEO to make a costly unforced error. <br /><br />In my career of nearly three decades, I have had a front-row seat to countless numbers of unforced errors in the workplace. Much to my surprise, I have witnessed egregious, stupid errors made by people I regarded as the smartest, most effective of colleagues. <br /><br />So what kind of tennis mistakes translate to your life and career? Consider the following: <br /><br />Mistake No. 1: Always playing with a singles mindset<br />"Playing doubles," alongside a partner, is more realistic than acting like the Lone Ranger who does everything on his own. There are some individuals -- think of them as cowboys -- who have no ability to delegate or work with colleagues. This could be a huge unforced error; given the complexity of today's operating environment, every employee and manager can use all of the help he or she can get. <br /><br />Mistake No. 2: Not facing reality at all times<br />Many great tennis players have wasted precious time arguing with referees insisting that the ref's calls were wrong (think John McEnroe and Serena Williams). In business, the same phenomenon occurs all the time. For example, managers cannot come to terms with the fact that their latest new product is a failure and they pour more good money after bad, chasing something that should have been abandoned.<br /><br />Mistake No. 3: Not taking learning seriously enough<br />This is another problem that exists in both the tennis and business worlds. In tennis, players need to put in the requisite practice hours to improve their game. John McEnroe says that Ivan Lendl became the incredible champion he did through "sheer rehearsal." In business, one needs to take learning just as seriously. Former GE CEO Jack Welch affirmed that when he said that it is the responsibility of every worker to find a better way of doing things. <br /><br />Mistake No. 4: Not experimenting on a consistent basis<br />Celebrated tennis writer W. Timothy Gallwey once said, "Perfect strokes are already within us, waiting to be discovered." Tennis great Billie Jean King explained that champions keep playing until they get it right. In business, a perfect stroke might be a marketing presentation that wins a million-dollar account, or a strategy presentation that helps you to win that elusive promotion. <br /><br />Mistake No. 5: Not being prepared at all times<br />Being prepared counts for a lot in business, as it does in tennis. And unlike other traps, this one is entirely within your control. For example, if you go to a meeting and your boss asks you about a project that is your responsibility, can you give her up-to-date-information on the account? Do you know important deadlines? What land mines must you look out for? These are the kinds of things that a manager must be prepared to answer at all times. <br /><br />Mistake No. 6: Not protecting your flanks<br />Tennis players need to see and be in command of the total court. Businesspeople need to be in touch with all aspects of the game if they are going to have a good chance of success. Everyone is affected by turf wars and power plays that take place every day in your office. The key, says career expert Dr. Kathleen Reardon, is that if you "choose any two competent people, the one who has political savvy, agility in the use of power, and the ability to influence [others] will go further." <br /><br />Mistake No. 7: Not taking ownership of your part of the court<br />Not taking responsibility is another of those tricky unforced errors. The mistake is not in something one does, but in something one doesn't do. So this is an easy mistake to make and one of the more common of unforced errors. While you can't control everything, step up and take more responsibility -- within reason -- whenever you can. If nobody is addressing a problem that you notice or taking advantage of an opportunity that you identify, think about whether you should be doing it yourself. <br /><br />By Jeffrey A. Krames the author of the just-published book "The Unforced Error: Why Some Mangers Get Promoted While Others Get Eliminated" (Portfolio, 2009).

7 Worst Career Mistakes You Can Make

7 Worst Career Mistakes You Can Make - Leadership lessons from the game of tennis Jeffrey A. Krames, author "The Unforced Error: Why So...

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Day 2 continued: Paying for my sins

For most of the day I sat around in my pajamas curled up next to the fireplace, reading magazines, and watching several episodes of Snapped while cuddling my cat. Plus listening to my husband hack and cough and complain as he's recovering from the flu. It was basically a pretty good day. I felt relaxed and warm and comfortable. Happy to be at home.<br /><br />At 4pm I forced myself to get dressed for the gym. It was utter torture working out today. The extra weight has made my workouts painful. My left knee hurts, my left heel hurts. My lungs were screaming at me while I was on the StairMaster for thirty minutes and then the elliptical for another thirty. My arms are still achy and sore from yesterday's workout, and I could barely left them above my head to pull on my workout shirt.<br /><br />This is my penance for having eaten like a pig, not exercised on a regular basis, and gaining 22 pounds in the last few months. Today's workout was painful. Looking back, the last few months really weren't worth it. It wasn't that fun to eat what I wanted, or to skip my workouts. If I had it to do over, I would have done it differently. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Day 2 continued: Paying for my sins

For most of the day I sat around in my pajamas curled up next to the fireplace, reading magazines, and watching several episodes of Snapped ...

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Day 2: It's not easy to start over

This is my second day back on track. I forgot how hard it is to go from eating junk to eating a healthy, low-calorie, low-fat diet. And the exercise. Oh my gosh! I've heard of muscle memory but I think mine forgot everything they ever knew.<br /><br />After 40 minutes of cardio and 40 minutes of upper body weights yesterday I could barely lift my arms last night. I looked in my exercise journal and my last serious weight lifting workout was Nov. 18. No wonder I'm in pain! I've had a few treadmill or elliptical workouts, but no strength training in almost three weeks. I felt weak as I lifted 20-pound dumbells. I hate that feeling. Plus it hurt like hell.<br /><br />My food choices the last few months have been horrible and got worse as time went on. Last week was my absolute worst week. I was eating cookies and candy like an addict. Oakland airport had See's candy booths everywhere (San Francisco is the See's candy headquarters).<br /><br />Unfortunately the Oakland airport was a smorgasbord of unhealthy options. Sure, they had healthy things too, but those weren't what I chose. My attitude was bad and my food choices were just as bad.<br /><br />After just one day of clean eating and exercise I feel like my mind is clearing. It's like I've been in a fog and now it's finally lifting. I think fat and sugar have a very negative effect on my thinking and my happiness. I've been terribly depressed and didn't even realize what was wrong with me. I know the lack of exercise probably played a big part in the depression. Add in the terrible food choices and it's a miracle I made it through these past months.<br /><br />I'm drinking a lot of water, something that's barely passed my lips these last few months. I was living on Starbucks as my beverage of choice. Normally I rarely drink Starbucks since to me it's just wasted calories. Even the "light" or "skinny" options are ridiculously high in calories.<br /><br />Yet I just didn't care and was ordering at least one grande or even venti "light" pumpkin spice Frappuccino every day (sometimes two!). Having one of these beverages first thing in the morning would set my mood for the entire day. Since I'd already "blown" it, it didn't matter what I ate for the rest of the day. And if I eat bad, I don't exercise.<br /><br />Today it's black coffee with a dash of 1% milk, and my normal food which is amazingly delicious. Yet a part of me is thinking about the snickerdoodles and the brownies and the See's candy. I'm like an addict craving my drug.<br /><br />I'm sure I can do this, stay on the straight and narrow. It's not the easiest thing in the world but I know it's possible. After all, it's not the first time I've been down this road.<br /><br />Interesting tidbit in Prevention magazine Jan. 2010 (a really good reason to get to a healthy weight!):<br /><br /><em><strong>What Your Scale Says About Your Brain</strong></em><br /><br /><em>If it registers a healthy weight, your mind is likely youthful too. In a recent UCLA study, overweight people had 4% less brain tissue than normal-weight adults--the equivalent of their minds aging 8 years. One possible cause: a high-calories or high-fat diet, which clogs arteries in the brain, restricts blood flow, and causes cells to shrink. --Lauren Geiman</em>

Day 2: It's not easy to start over

This is my second day back on track. I forgot how hard it is to go from eating junk to eating a healthy, low-calorie, low-fat diet. And the ...

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Planning de la semaine du 07 au 11 décembre 2009

<BR><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Permanences<br /></span></strong></h2><ul><br /><li>Le <strong>Conseil Général du Loiret</strong> sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans<br />- le lundi 07 décembre de 9h à 12h30<br />- le mardi 08 décembre de 9h à 12h30 et de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le mercredi 09 décembre de 13h30 à 17h<br />- le jeudi 10 décembre de 13h30 à 17h<br />- le vendredi 11 décembre de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2007/11/boutique-de-gestion.html">Boutique de gestion</a></strong><br />- lundi 07 décembre de 13h30 à 17h<br />- vendredi 11 décembre de 9h à 12h30</li></ul><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Ateliers</span></strong><br /></h2><br /><ul><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2008/12/atelier-parcours-emploi.html">Parcours Emploi</a></strong> - mardi 08 décembre de 9h30 à 12h<br /><br /><li><strong>CV</strong> - mardi 08 décembre de 9h à 12h30<br /><br /><li><strong>Lettre de Motivation </strong>- mardi 08 décembre de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2009/07/atelier-situtilises-tu-trouves.html">Sit'Utilises tu trouves</a></strong> - jeudi 10 décembre de 10h à 12h<br /><br /><li><strong>Préparation à l'entretien</strong> - jeudi 10 décembre de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong>Pôle-emploi.fr</strong> - vendredi 11 décembre de 10h à 11h30</ul><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Informations collectives</span></strong><br /></h2><br /><ul><li><strong>Intervention Maison de la Justice/CIDFF</strong> à destination des jeunes de la Mission Locale - mardi 08 décembre à 14h<br /><br /><li><strong>Boutique de gestion</strong> - vendredi 11 décembre à 10h</ul>

Planning de la semaine du 07 au 11 décembre 2009

Permanences Le Conseil Général du Loiret sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans - le lundi 07 dé...

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This Girl’s Been BUSY!!

<p>Happy Weekend everyone!!</p> <p>I started out my Saturday VERY early!! I was planning on sleeping in, but I heard Kyle’s alarm and couldn’t get back to sleep. You know what, I never hear Kyle’s alarm M-F…why is it that when Saturday rolls around and I can sleep in…I don’t?!?!? Who knows!! Anway I got up, before 6am, and got my workout done. The gym isn’t open that early on the weekends so I decided to find Jillian and have her give me a good workout! So I did level one of 30 Day Shred. I kinda forgot what a great workout that is for only 20 minutes!</p> <p>After getting my workout in I got right to work. I dusted, vacuumed, and picked up a few things in the living room. Then moved to the kitchen, office, guest room, and master bedroom! Woa…I think I should count all that for AP’s! After everything was cleaned I finished decorating for Christmas. I got the living room, kitchen, and bathroom done the Sunday before Thanksgiving, but didn’t have time to do the office or guest room. So I also got that done this morning. And during all this I kept laundry going…remember that <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2009/12/orange-italian.html">horrid picture of my laundry room</a> well it NO longer looks like that! Yep…I got all those dirty clothes washed, dried, folded, and put away!</p> <p align="center"><em><strong>Feels so good to have a clean, warmly decorated home!!</strong></em></p> I was so busy cleaning and decorating I didn’t realize it was after 2PM already!! Yikes!! I was hungry for breakfast! The inspiration for my meal was my sister Stef. <a href="http://bangertfam.blogspot.com/2009/11/sister-time-in-omaha.html">Me and my sisters went to visit her in Omaha</a> last week. She was a GREAT host and one morning she made egg burritos! <br />Mine consisted of <strong>3 egg whites, salsa, 1 slice ff cheese</strong>, and a <strong>flat out</strong>. All for only <strong>3 points</strong>! And I also had some <strong>strawberries</strong> and <strong>2 clementines</strong> on the side for another <strong>2 points</strong>! This was sure worth waiting for…even though that’s not food for you, I know! <p align="center"><em><strong><img alt="DSC05203" border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmdk_8H-zLRjsN5Xkm0aM6PMKXQed-ALuMUEwzLitybsAapmeBPJ4_shlcfDiC8G2XPZy3sqTRoqpWNJEEMnKnBIGuxNcOwFcUOMIGFzTTy6wp8o_5IZ9beOuHPOvkBi0K1unv3ntgaj1/?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="DSC05203" width="304" /><img alt="DSC05202" border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4kux5Cs4SHcnRMMzNGEc1Gh3MCAE-A2jRQ2cQl6tj3sF52v1p8MUsv9BEUricRhb5usT7c8fElcxBHJ6S_7UxjIZ-OVgZx_fwpsNMLj-wsncFiaC75OQp70SSVr7wtiPoMQZQSFbnLTT/?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="DSC05202" width="454" /></strong></em></p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="800" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td align="center" width="400">I was so busy cleaning and decorating I didn’t realize it was after 2PM already!! Yikes!! I was hungry for breakfast! The inspiration for my meal was my sister Stef. <a href="http://bangertfam.blogspot.com/2009/11/sister-time-in-omaha.html">Me and my sisters went to visit her in Omaha</a> last week. She was a GREAT host and one morning she made egg burritos! <br />Mine consisted of <strong>3 egg whites, salsa, 1 slice ff cheese</strong>, and a <strong>flat out</strong>. All for only <strong>3 points</strong>! And I also had some <strong>strawberries</strong> and <strong>2 clementines</strong> on the side for another <strong>2 points</strong>! This was sure worth waiting for…even though that’s not food for you, I know!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdrTzgv02S_inc_uA6-SzMYfPsqmU-FS7bA7FonvHEzXnfLjPALW70cgdGCpa0dRfraW_bErB8mvRDYeugjzwcwCriUqoP6fkZZhM3RXMXwHF0yDeihW1pMa9FZ5oBcEmmN87PN4LmYyZ/s1600-h/DSC052025.jpg"></a></td> <td align="center" width="400"> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p>After my late brunch I finished up a few organizing things and took a blogging break! I had to catch up and see what you all were up to! :p While reading I munched on a few <strong>animal cookies</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4Qw-MY6zw6lVMLU5KF34l0tX0Z1jt4y_RiY6U8tSF4BQUZDrW7FZEVEhQq8x9zW1KMPLiPAZbF9dY7zg5V2dFS5Q3EEYLB7uA0ax1Xjc5Ivgc4tTEW6Xh1Xs4x7W7ZVV3_XJN7ll8YD4/s1600-h/DSC05204%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05204" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgde7VXVnO2HNlHwRn_qf0NTqAvyGIK4OjdVBZwfz4uv9mZkI6qGi_fDlt3CHygy-ettuiVDoI1lwVY-5WSrAM1-bb_IRULDfoXLF8JQjU1xXvaSpssXfoodPJy_J6E9QfZ4HnTQw4-Lk2o/?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="DSC05204" width="404" /></a>I also made a <strong>Target run</strong> this evening. I intended only getting <strong>3 things</strong>…hooks to hang a curtain, mouth wash, and a gift for a friend. Well that <strong>changed</strong>…and I think it does every time I go to Target…I just love that store!<img alt="DSC05205" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdMBUKI8FXoAjoz9abYOMf-WSDPcNQgjyxQ4ejwVcbmjqR_xqS5bUFO8nA3D17YwymKxFRLr6Hk2eI6AahoPhYFAJKr8eNTuj2fqLXtd1yOgr5YKg9X_bhbkv_n5TQJnql8oZHtOo4mO1/?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="DSC05205" width="304" /></p> <p>I snacked on a <strong>100 calorie pack</strong> on the way home. And then I had another one when I got home…I think I was craving chocolate!! Not bad though to get my chocolate fix for only <strong>4 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj228qxQmZr-pF_8JtA_QEzidpLcHD2jwOTXQDgNF15GZIUec-X0j4npDYv2XOr-gheiUfHVbpr3pir1Q38CCH2u2hYUt404CLhOgOTK3N5a3Qkbvu7zbxIhTG6VnBNi-P1neplcBCM55YT/s1600-h/DSC05207%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05207" border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXSHmhd1-eI8kcFRRdpt0J7FeJxj_bS6INX1PUHw1rTtyS1aqUSh1kR1bXa-6CNC6dxpY8utcA2p_SgBgaRKKucyqXV_s6I4uWmwNqTg0KJD63EW8OzrYE4kLAdoLAKfrgEqeGvxKmmB8/?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="DSC05207" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Kyle’s parents stopped by for a bit. They had to measure something that Kyle’s Dad is making him for Christmas. I won’t spoil it…but here’s a hint…it is going to be a <strong>huge asset</strong> to our tailgating experience next fall!! While they were over I snacked on 1 serving of <strong>wheat thins</strong> for <strong>3 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrKaR6jFFmosML1AtTNLZ4-mjvfyohmLFvNc8_Mvn43-6FACO2375-AirScv5htZUXaHCKNcYPZk_LVA9NLhUbeyQNW2sCRMaUl05d4Z3GT8ZaWLweIC7diRLKvfANCgGpLBzxi4j7Wn7/s1600-h/DSC05211%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05211" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtB3_TDr4SKkk2XTTE7G08-slBqsPnNr9z3_Gw0UrOJA5emPKtdaYR2BD4gpJKQGYabko-X2v2Niq7b93JojzIITzlUpweYRcVYB7ngXWpz2Lx1Syxrf9xDo8WBfvkR9ssi4PsS6IAtNRi/?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="DSC05211" width="404" /></a></p> After Kyle’s parents left I realized it was almost 9 and not only had we not eaten yet, but we also had a Redbox to return before 9pm. So I jumped in the car and <strong>zoomed</strong> to the nearest Redbox. <br /> <br />Got the movie returned and stopped at <strong>Subway</strong>, hoping my sandwich was going to be <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2009/12/finally-friday.html">better than last night</a>….and it was! It was delicious <strong>11 point</strong> supper! Oh and I also had a Diet Sunkist..Mmmm!! My favorite!! <p><img alt="DSC05209" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkauADlfCtcDddjw1zCbcOoog9zin6ZepBkrOYreFR8D54H0_oZLUkPVVuWynTwLuKCCZHq6Xdj4rdDRQBCjr1shmjs-yvDOUZ_9AxstgDEaU3snf3iSwvriItdkW0eaojbs48c-ngcXaC/?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="DSC05209" width="404" /><img alt="DSC05210" border="0" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbxANEywI7kXtqLB5JCxf1ta9pvyLchZ6-eR-H2jBSo4dhcL8afXWLhqHnFGhytZ332XluoqGrj7ammB4bRyAGA9JrSRLk6yJ7j2F7Hlhj6yPVp4wp5lig5bdvkybmw8sRCDUc3Cxwv7r/?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="DSC05210" width="404" /></p> <p>When I got home I found this…my <strong>two cuties snuggled</strong> on the couch fast asleep! Kyle had to work all day and he was beat. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_3Pl_HllKDdFO3IXcGEHKwxCK2kWY6C7hBcC6Y6naQjrdXwkcko4iV4iDC4kLw-m6wyfA7OEr_qNmKw0zi6Z5eKy6fV12TQ7lM7hAbJooQaDBvvUlkg0tKjbL1JqlxzbJuB1qeYoV13d/s1600-h/DSC05212%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05212" border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5ZW87f6okFBdd17FcVYw6Z0gKSThAVfIUGqaDHMUOH8ktup_NiOpQRJUNthLt8TG1Gtqx-p2YEOZ_FgKWYq8MvOoZtloKa83DE9o-AQBVkoRHXU3KoNHOd8YLpKCxydP6PYBfrcR3yI3/?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="DSC05212" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Here is a sneak peak (reflection) of my Christmas tree! I hope to get my “official” Christmas decor post up tomorrow. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyeN5yWu694L3mjt_20jV-7hA3oNfuqopuw8IbfrPqvhs5NNvgraL5fMxoMk8fyavNoZRog4j5q3m0W3TwZGWJxadQUg-OkvYvEZc2HXZP9WTM0UfF0jTyd9-SJf_j7_1B-z5hivg8eIYx/s1600-h/DSC05228%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05228" border="0" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3VObsDcn-klR7ocjxzAeDlOAtmEn1UG4YPzUm89jmaeFY6UzNQgLdAgBLXavRkJA2w5VwT0pcDZEvWczHr9lCZhfnHNews3BVlCcV3ALPkr_s8e_kHihsQcChPmJgVonEhUnB5_UdgvU/?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="DSC05228" width="404" /></a>    </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><strong>SATURDAY’S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 24/24 <br />WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 31 remaining/35 <br />WATER = 75 oz <br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED  = 3 today/26 week <br />EXERCISE = 30 Day Shred, Level 1</p>

This Girl’s Been BUSY!!

Happy Weekend everyone!! I started out my Saturday VERY early!! I was planning on sleeping in, but I heard Kyle’s alarm and couldn’t get b...

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Day 1: Does this mean I'm a failure?

I weighed 154.6 on 2/17/2009. Today I weigh 176.8. That's a gain of 22.2 pounds. I feel like a big, fat failure.<br /><br />My list of excuses for gaining so much weight is long. The main one is I've been on the road a lot during the last four months. Either work, family emergency or vacation kept me away from home and my routine. I don't do well when I don't follow my routine. Even when I was home for the weekends it took me a day to get back into the groove of things, only to leave on a Monday for another trip. I never got a routine down when I was away. I don't know why, but it just seemed impossible and unimportant.<br /><br />My hours were long and erratic. I never knew from one day to the next what hours I'd be working or for how long I'd be standing on my feet, and stressed about the endless problems at work. It played havoc on my body and my mind. I feel like I've been depressed for months.<br /><br />The really sad part is I feel like a complete failure in the weight loss game. It's strange how hard I am on myself. I don't look at other people as failures when they gain weight back, I figure they're just human and that's what happens. We screw things up sometimes. It's just life. I'm not as lenient on myself for a weight gain. Instead I'm highly critical, and consider it a personal failure of the worst kind.<br /><br />One of my favorite <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">bloggers</span> is going through a personal health crisis. I love this person even though I've never met her in real life. Her enthusiasm is contagious. She recently told me about what she's going through and that she doesn't want to blog publicly anymore because she can't stand being a public failure. That broke my heart. She's just like me. I don't want people to think I'm a failure. I want to be perfect. I want to be a poster child for weight loss. I want to be admired and held up as an example of what can be accomplished. Instead, I'm an example of what NOT to do.<br /><br />The fact is, I'm not perfect. Far from it in many areas of my life, but especially when it comes to my weight. It's a fight I've been fighting for a very long time and one I'm not ready to give up on. I figure I'll be fighting it to my death.<br /><br />I know I can lose the weight, again. It frustrates me that I do this to myself. It's damaging to my health and to my mind to gain so much weight. Sometimes I feel like if I don't figure out the real reason for my overeating that I'll never really successful at losing the weight. I have some ideas why I want to eat so much, why I want to be fat, but knowing why doesn't seem to help me conquer my demon.<br /><br />My goal for the present is to lose the 22.2 pounds. I know what to do, count Points and stay within my allowed Points, and exercise. I've been failing in both areas and that's resulted in a large weight gain.<br /><br />I'm also going to try my best to post every day. Not mindless posts about where I am on my trips, but posts from my heart. I've noticed my heart hasn't been in the right place lately. The depression shines through most everything I've written lately. I have to pull myself out of this funk and move on with my life.<br /><br />This is a new day, a new start. No deadlines for me, just one day at a time. I'll also repeat my mantra....I am NOT a failure. I am NOT a failure. Or should I say the positive, I am a successful, worthwhile human being. If only I believe it.

Day 1: Does this mean I'm a failure?

I weighed 154.6 on 2/17/2009. Today I weigh 176.8. That's a gain of 22.2 pounds. I feel like a big, fat failure. My list of excuses for ...

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Finally Friday!!!

<p>This morning I got a BUNCH of stuff together to take to my work. Share What You Wear has been an annual event at Iowa Central since 2004. Last year, the event reached out to nearly 1,000 individuals in need from Fort Dodge and the surrounding area. Participants had the opportunity to select clothing, shoes, coats, toys and household items for themselves and as gifts to be given to loved ones at no cost to them. It is Christmas for some of the people that come. So I got rid of a TON of my clothes that are too big, a bunch of household items that I don’t use anymore, and a vacuum. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5pDuo4yAdJ746EZzSSvGG_R25raj-z0m4InNV3BiqrGHa-o4sSoeSO1RWw4YX-pb-1Zoj3-FKTEBds7CwzytN6raFQ-qfpfy_JYwu5pDxeRBru4RGkB_iQ72QL8yG8j7jCfnBemavjwu/s1600-h/DSC051953.jpg"><img alt="DSC05195" border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFge7j4aR8kODjP09vnUWyllMbsFKbO1cakvbjz9hUHPYyxQxt8GSC5QUyi3W9BXTkZ2rH_J7SnzqencvU5ivOiWArqw-ks3Bte9JUJc7LPQPDr1KosgMpWdmde-RgNEJeCHGTYhic9eg2/?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="DSC05195" width="604" /></a> </p> <p>Oh one more thing I did before I left home is weighed…and I happy to say that I am out of the 170s and <strong>NEVER</strong> want to see them again! The scale said <strong>169.5</strong> this morning and was <strong>SUPER</strong> happy to see that especially after I was unsure on the points value of my <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2009/12/i-new-moon.html">dinner out Thursday night.</a> </p> <p>After dropping off my stuff I raced to the gym (literally…it was about 10 steps away!) It was already 6:40 and I need to be in the shower by 7:10 to get to work on time. So I got in <strong>30 minutes</strong> on the <strong>cross ramp</strong>, but it wasn’t an easy 30 minutes! I pushed myself and burned almost 400 calories!</p> <p>I headed to my office and whipped of my usual bowl of <strong>oatmeal</strong> with <strong>PB2</strong> and a <strong>small banana</strong> for <strong>4 points</strong>. It didn’t look so usual today though…not sure what the deal was, but it still tasted delish!!!  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTDXdDozkBsM8xVkwRAw3ZdvJzin_2xLETwF14RHBZeaVCwRSrvGU9FdIojUX-t0iEkDDoSUT_A0cTnjcV2FljwPmufDAvvSvOHEVLGW4D7c0iM6F40nWTWK4rJhLJgFvKfrieaYfQUwx/s1600-h/DSC051963.jpg"><img alt="DSC05196" border="0" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyb9gDuqdM6A1tINUlyzGIjHht6hDgQfTYbkJdv60X_mk9QHAMqvJVetcG2f_aEHpOkFjje4YCP-s2Q3lGdbXlkX6I2FL6wQy01ROMi9JLZevNrrtKIVet9Js7ndofrjhhzDqt8gYPjZh/?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="DSC05196" width="528" /></a> </p> <p>Since my work puts on Share What You Wear I was able to send half my staff over in the morning to help set up for it. Boy do I wish I would have got picture of that. They have a SEMI TRAILER full of donations that we have collected over the past month that we unloaded and sorted. It’s a HUGE project. I stayed VERY busy since my office wasn’t full staffed. But I didn’t forget my morning snack. I had the usual <strong>1 1/2 c strawberries, 1/4 c grape nuts, and yogurt</strong> for <strong>3 points</strong> this morning. These strawberries have been SO good. I almost didn’t want to mix them in….but I did! :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmBGKSMXAKThlJaUElL0ZASIyM61hCvWooSX_FnaUsRZusej4kwLFb7tzzXe8wJGEzkQf4Ng0SBfazsi0hXXbKi4xSUZyV6E655FlVAWaYO6lyPPyWXtrArEZ7NCd6H6B4Ux64Qs9FZHJ/s1600-h/DSC051973.jpg"><img alt="DSC05197" border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycpSTL0hI1HZFlPfDQFzyo9gI6_bo5I4LjUMokA1Y69NrzlMz7K35cYAWA6yF7NbLBWykwmNtIPuwrzfMdcUKCnJGLehryUX0FQXvTUQrCiOwzhabwDeVEPhhIffO5ivSDRzTDMESGeeW/?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="DSC05197" width="604" /></a> </p> <p>It wasn’t until after 2 that I left for lunch. I stopped at my church to pick up a card off the giving tree. I think I might do some shopping on Saturday. I had an <strong>apple</strong> while running around town for <strong>1 point</strong>. Like my <strong>Under Armour Cold Gear gloves</strong>?!?! They are <strong>SUPER</strong> warm. Kyle and I each got a pair before <a href="http://bangertfam.blogspot.com/2009/10/our-1st-half-marathon.html">we ran the half marathon in October</a> because it was <strong>SO</strong> cold that day!!! And I am so glad that we did…they kept my hands nice and toasty during the whole race! I picked a little girl who is six years old off the giving tree…I loved her <strong>wish list: </strong>boots, tights, dresses, dolls…all things <strong>girl</strong>!! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSI2XrGN5fzJtqAbSw0FtuT9nuRS4bVGEXbXCPeuUTUCvJQ3s3OdugKntdL8t13zYRytQ9u6APs3aVtD7-pdyEf1Km0z4IXg-8wfvnllbcyvfuCM6DCiFvOscUiOVsZv2NhOyG8frhvXD/s1600-h/DSC051983.jpg"><img alt="DSC05198" border="0" height="491" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMjnGqg2pGXxtlgpzf-MOpGHeBYCks7iPEuurqZMbzrrxSRlBoCexI_0YcHSB1YDuc6PCNtjShV-wTBckS4x-zKqHo4bK4dFv13E7q4degY01k1XWgZMyVuIvJHf1nNQdtbrmRRAUbBkf/?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="DSC05198" width="655" /></a> </p> <p>I was just going to grab that <strong>395 calorie meal</strong> I’ve seen advertised from KFC and go back to office right away, but when I went there they said something was wrong with their grill and they didn’t have it at this time. :( So sad! Have any of you tried that yet? I’m curious and want to try it. And I also want to figure out the fat & fiber content so I can figure the points value. Since I couldn’t get that I decided to <strong>$ave money</strong> and run home to make my lunch! (Makes the hubby proud!!) So I had a <strong>turkey & cheese sandwich</strong>, <strong>strawberries</strong>, and <strong>animal cookies</strong> (I call them cookies ‘cause they are <strong>sweet</strong> like a <strong>cookie</strong>, not salty like a cracker and then it seems like <strong>desert</strong> !) for a total of <strong>5 points</strong>. Very yum-o!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yA5Aho0gLfmTAibRYhv_-pyBVuZU0E88epGJCrw6oTpgZdHppoMRtDG_bXkw_OgAILVQZc7iGLe8GFvYzbMH00j_SFacxjW_hCr0Q_jOpWY1wdWNvM0KbuTuXjUPVmeDlt9vONbGOfVA/s1600-h/DSC051993.jpg"><img alt="DSC05199" border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jfGLIiAIXxR2GI0Wnc2OEZwKKpyqV6B7jUMC1RtXUKF7QFzHQOlkpSs0WYi-94BXcGR5yfonVLTGZb6e7vdB2P3OJudgLO7sWgFjyIs4LHNjvDF3c-EJ9GI9HIwKc2j7Py0CPClUIOs1/?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="DSC05199" width="604" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>I got back to work, had 1 of my staff stay back and cover the office and the rest of us headed over to finish helping set up for Share What You Wear. It really puts things into <strong>perspective</strong> thinking that coming to an event like this is some people’s Christmas shopping and really makes me realize <strong>how blessed</strong> Kyle and I are for what we have. I stayed there setting up, sorting, and cleaning till about 6 and then headed home to meet up with Kyle. We were going to head to Des Moines to use our Kohls cash we got on Black Friday (I think we have<strong> $50</strong> to spend!), but decided to keep it <strong>low key</strong>.</p> <p>We were both pretty drained from a long day. So we got some supper and movie and came home. I got <strong>Subway</strong> and Kyle got Taco Tico. My sub didn’t taste right. I think something was wrong with the bread. I only ate <strong>half</strong> of it and then ate some <strong>chips and cheese dip</strong> of Kyle’s. I’m going to count my supper as <strong>11 points</strong>. Two for the very small half of my sandwich I ate and 9 for the chips and cheese. And I think I fell asleep during the first 20  minutes of the movie! Sorry hun!!</p> <p>And folks, that all she wrote for the day…not too exciting!! But I am sure excited for the weekend, lots to get done!</p> <p><strong>FRIDAY’S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 24/24 <br />WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 31 remaining/35 <br />WATER = 125 oz <br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED  = 4 today/23 week <br />EXERCISE = 30 min cross ramp</p>

Finally Friday!!!

This morning I got a BUNCH of stuff together to take to my work. Share What You Wear has been an annual event at Iowa Central since 2004. La...

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The Snow Man Cometh

And this morning, I found a bag on the front door knob. It contained a tree top ornament snow man. We are having the bag dusted for prints and scraped for DNA samples.

The Snow Man Cometh

And this morning, I found a bag on the front door knob. It contained a tree top ornament snow man. We are having the bag dusted for prints a...

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Salon Emploi Seniors

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Zn-aiAPBU9xbaIOPSH-IQ9QXSDdsEs84SjL3b9JoDJzF_4tPNmYsD9-w4BKaMqEHMhZhlYFt65esISBFD3KrbKhgVhO4iYagV0TczQ-ubPWUeB9kvVCpQH73aCn8qNqxZHaEOJVYUg7R/s1600-h/FondHTML112009.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411385775536238402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Zn-aiAPBU9xbaIOPSH-IQ9QXSDdsEs84SjL3b9JoDJzF_4tPNmYsD9-w4BKaMqEHMhZhlYFt65esISBFD3KrbKhgVhO4iYagV0TczQ-ubPWUeB9kvVCpQH73aCn8qNqxZHaEOJVYUg7R/s320/FondHTML112009.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 258px;" /></a><br /><BR><br />La Jeune Chambre économique d’Orléans organise un Salon Emploi Seniors :<br /><ul><li>le Mardi 15 décembre 2009 de 9h à 19h<br /><li>au Centre de Conférences – Orléans</ul><br />La Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans présente sur le forum animera l'atelier <a href="http://www.jce-orleans.fr/ateliers.html" "target=_blank">« Seniors et Gestion Prévisionnelle des Emplois et des Compétences »</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.jce-orleans.fr/exposant.html" "target=_blank">Liste des exposants</a><br /><BR>

Salon Emploi Seniors

La Jeune Chambre économique d’Orléans organise un Salon Emploi Seniors : le Mardi 15 décembre 2009 de 9h à 19h au Centre de Conférences – Or...

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I <3 New Moon!!!

<p>Happy Thursday everyone!! Tomorrow is everyone’s favorite day!! Well, mine at least! I started out my day today just like the previous one…at the gym!  Today I did <strong>40 minutes</strong> on the <strong>treadmill</strong>. A little over half was <strong>running</strong> and then the other part of it was <strong>walking at an incline</strong>. Boy is that a leg work out! </p> <p>Breakfast was sorta a repeat of yesterday, but with <strong>regular PB2</strong> instead of chocolate. Boy do I LOVE this <strong>4 point</strong> breakfast. It’s super delicious and also very filling! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQ1gy3PEYLwqw5z1RSQPN09HmrU0uRGmNT1QNyuFkfjdHRHkFVDV-TS0IvkpJZgpDOYQ43KeCU6abXup7rf-8GpLRPua8c6MHODGe74Jf4rr0y7_rpPqm8rzFQDB96rpm0i-cLAf1zl9f/s1600-h/DSC05180%5B6%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05180" border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NfUtbGTwIaCbV2WSJ6UTpWoPcYoXfF65Xfi8q6kRaeEG8HlyvRSDm4pTIR17Wnr6d4YCfdybo9NUYlmxz8Py6fjZJ8lGFGRmHGuQCROGvhu5JQmwuwduZlP2FpZsyBpvmy9HNc6tC905/?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="DSC05180" width="629" /></a> </p> <p>My morning snack was more like lunch today! Once again my morning flew by and I didn’t get have my <strong>morning 3 point mush</strong> until about <strong>noon</strong>! But it still hit the spot…another combo I don’t think I will ever get tired of! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4LCEaFwjaARHGp4rvjNLBG0CyfB1JAaXzCRF34lCMbp1VAWBqJFJrfGymrtNOicVtSkioZavBuMDDJ6reGThykYAmQf_9Qbwrgz7oYxxknDFnv7askuvPBsUAK8OGDDEXw3ECGZKUMy4/s1600-h/DSC05181%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05181" border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX43SRaLf4BZcEg0Ciwx3WzGrpFpphQSxqdtFAdh1ZuVzkFFPqNBL84gszfIFH_YSR3T7wqFGLJIDQhOapf9hev3cc0SjC0C9d2lpWp5-NW1OANcmaT8bX3agBBoA51m4-eHrShKoeKnDp/?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="DSC05181" width="579" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><strong>Look at what I saw almost all day out my office window in the courtyard:</strong></p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="800" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTa7DAOTG1iUhhxsZOgkCHqk1xsWSpEXlBCWNdBkjgXafY6sfFj24u7qM8-MgGUUheBJ5h6SMsD16Fk3mFqk1H7vm3pOEKPdGp9GqVQhnGlUrWwVgpAS9BpTG0BOFtLdbQa8CR__Rg6PIz/s1600-h/DSC05183%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05183" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehMmsTxs_TjKaJdIMqon72rIuqUGFzt48BY4x1KB1KP7v8_uCtOJ_PDdYLc1PxEeYO3NFxMSqb8zpfUeNyKpIs8vq58xfmxg3wZXEf2sZ1NyWsfbrj1p2HokSn4jBhZWK-sP7GzsiwBsm/?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="DSC05183" width="404" /></a></td> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh484cLNREOz0REZgOHYbYNcwYoXDE4Spvxf3SR_r_mvjYcrBt-RBNj65efl5721gVwJ3hyNll7JIsJzY8s5kXtRasdL6MgZgY1mD0tWPTq3JXAObujNETIk_ZsYc8BTi102yXFDD31Mxgm/s1600-h/DSC05182%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05182" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWWhVAfGdT3QGGRMxapXxUXnrea_7RI9zFkidys17S_alnJRiQJQ2cs-j1njxHXaTwWftK9mtwqHhrZNkqu3yVEJ1dUanw-KDbpsr-nHdlYxwPSz-BQlPMfpb6E9Ach9CWEHJ4mSlBA36/?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="DSC05182" width="404" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p><strong>SNOW!!!</strong> I never thought I would be happy to see the stuff!! But it sure makes it feel more like the Christmas season. But I do have to say I much prefer the almost record high we had on Tuesday for December 1st….like 60 degrees almost! But hey if it’s going to be cold, then bring on the snow! </p> <p>Not only did my morning fly by at work, but so did my afternoon. It was after 2:30 and I still hadn’t taken a lunch break yet. So I decided to skip it and just keep working. So I heated up a quick bowl of <strong>Progresso soup</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong>. Sorry for the icky looking picture…it tasted much better than it looks!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-TtpPgR04UFGbkF_LPygZkotQCfH1sC0L_bW9gaT-M0USEB2lKXX8rky2YlzRhzYZneFlbdNPsDnYWV6YpL9k_DeT-v8S_3GjVXJZHFU1YGymq_arlx2Tg4sMr8rUXEZso_SOGAAz99h/s1600-h/DSC05185%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05185" border="0" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheodPbR4mFwFgOfPOpCqag9lzFuUWhFMGZu8ne-3xbZDuWryfQUqaVBpV1uySWvqHn5zAX6EpwviqbEr6Onjmd8iaTGIj6gAFxsHrl_otSFUh5yfya70WWYLOcHtnAuEaEmq72t0TMe-tT/?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="DSC05185" width="504" /></a>  </p> <p>I finished off my afternoon with one of my most favorite <strong>0 point</strong> items…<strong>DIET SUNKIST</strong>!!!! Mmmm it’s so good!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEeAv13VcfZ_6k8IZrSAToqIe4m3AevnbogpcxWP8bAqdBBAUC6J1eoW40mXZy-y8-tCtF53_2kHZAAkFHnHGPZr72qyUUK48PMN6az4szI1V8NXLB4LqYjUECzQxqEvuNUH3KfSQbmNo/s1600-h/DSC05187%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05187" border="0" height="578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbDusCS3BoFXV7h5FuZGsnE7rc6SJTaPr_ZPC-EY-73Mgr7sKB2ulBD76ml79xEdGwM93OcN3_1sSmys8GD1Gm_VJgyyTjDpF8ebdeTxhAAxZgs3jvb-ObQfVxcZDW6IgzqLm5PONqqAH/?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="DSC05187" width="435" /></a> </p> <p>My sister and I had a date to (<em>finally</em>) go see New Moon tonight. So I rushed out of my office as quick as I could and look what I found! My car covered in snow and it was still snowing…I think it looks like more than just flurries that the weather man was talking about on the news last night! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVX6bg9Q0zDliuZvP1i0llBDAVQg-A9KW1G_Oae3wOj_Mx_YdUMgkQA-uazufug7UTY5iOQe_6ChLUZaWZjImbrHeSswwLqg3Ol_J5WN30KZHlA7RKqE7XP9rKW6uB-jIYpXPQY9s1DTy/s1600-h/DSC05188%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05188" border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrG6n468rvmCKqf2CWh2ikNNhV4MCVRJB4_ysVnMy8bGt3vFp11rcACd73mz7cKIQs56lrnBEf15pytxKV27ggu_4N9xwRmeREqAH-r-liYeFsPFCwywwv2yFmb47aVIkbC48u1UuRf-X/?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="DSC05188" width="578" /></a> </p> <p>My sister convinced me we should try Chen Garden, a new restaurant in town. They have a sushi bar, Chinese buffet, American buffet, and Hibachi (the raw bar where they cook it in front of you)…..a person’s nightmare who is trying to eat well!!! So here are my 2 plates. The first one was filled with bananas, oranges, grapes, and a very small serving of beef & broccoli. And then my 2nd plate wasn’t as good (points wise). It had a small amount of Hong Kong Chicken (I think it tasted like teriyaki chicken), a small slice of cheese pizza, 4 chicken nuggets, and a crab rangoon.</p> <p>Points value = I HAVE NO CLUE!!! Anyone have any guesses??? I know the crab rangoon was probably horrible with all that cream cheese. I think tomorrow I might take some time to figure the points, just so I know how many of my weekly allowance I used. If I get it figured out, I will post an update! <strong>UPDATE</strong>: I googled each food and estimated a total of <strong>20 points</strong> for my supper and I think that was going high on everything because I think I had fairly small servings of each item.</p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="800" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGE6Qkm0IIXLr1k0Y4d1fAXkSyz6bqQHG3yE6lfyBc5sNYwSUj342MRdZtDe2PkQ3adp685D3eU2AaIlM2EvFHOl0UXDAWiIbmTcIbiP1B7VWxsbkdt5srodG42Kj9YvZhXNOCcyVOe9R/s1600-h/DSC05189%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05189" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniqCk9oVrHXaqDUyt48zYdzfiUyo1yQwSMHzvQ8AWptsYYXjE3aqcZqsAOqo1eznPHJ9NblCrWm6JUzFJBm-lh81hmdr4iS1KEoBgkDn44VAMGhBJYmTuLHzS5SQzudh06K6VdpJk9b5b/?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="DSC05189" width="404" /></a></td> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM32uX5xBsOquYtw1d0eOxEOYrpLffiSOUcaBCbBukk78Q812T5rS1XkRUC8PI747gZ0Fq9L6QZHAjWR98vBWv9LoeLEGqsozFoYxCJPfoQRwnyjsMqpSyTHKc2HghaL6m-dgJdWGJDc4D/s1600-h/DSC05193%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05193" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-NdKZg1RzxwpeFkgatgkUjKAi_q4srLi5cIt7g2y76mjdAvFiCtZjv5YSIliJaCsgkMrmnSK25TSNvRx_AHStlaaJMzJAa2yuvt5Hcgy8mZu_CGwbNn90EgUEHpxHs5lfvqg_AntE3Vx/?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="DSC05193" width="404" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p> </p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="800" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td align="center" width="400">I didn’t try the sushi (and probably never will…I’m not a fish person) or the Hibachi part either. There was a long line for that and we were a little short on time. But it looked pretty cool. They set your food on fire and even launch a few bites for you to catch in your mouth!! My sister was a little braver and got a plate of sushi….  <br /> <br /><img alt="DSC05190" border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2PPsljXnkHweJ2MggTXOadMtF7KZeQ5QU_oF6j7zP-FX9H-vhRRobRcF8EFlJHAexbOsFa6aP4n0OhqEDpeV-mlvemhjrisKIyZ-Wb8Ku9pfqhA1hAqHAoHVlmu_6RhkGzFG5nvnG8w2/?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="DSC05190" width="244" /> <br />I don’t think she was a huge fan of it! I tried to get an after face picture…but it didn’t turn out too well!! And that green stuff that looks like guacamole (I can’t remember what it’s called)…isn’t!!! It is some hot stuff and she put way too much on one of her bites… “<strong>Hot, hot, Darci this is too HOT</strong>!” I think those were her words!!! lol</td> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRbOoUpg-bwaWXF6FOOec_fBzz2FXa-Nd-tibZHM53fs-DEQwFTVcARoLXz_-UkX5-vFH7IfTghZbru5dKkh6m9JTFWSiMBzfLgB3x2MMg73CYzfn9mSBox4EKSJQYfZ4jv7gGplb6pfr/s1600-h/DSC05191%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05191" border="0" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0b2HaSDN_g4E94WccdwQNUeXMiu4pDHIZmgMVDH69-fpfOFXxfOnOqqBhemV0jdiMogyn1uKiGsbvz9Xf_ZBkUVyQFN59JqZuVlIKkoAJnRwAvlCmsGJFuPb-GmjKtiFRZ4k1cV9j6YC4/?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="DSC05191" width="379" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p>Then after our dinner we made a quick lap around the mall, which got interrupted by a few shopping stops! And then headed to the theater to see New Moon. And OMG….<strong>did I love this movie</strong>!!! Wow…what did you guys think??? I think it was much better than the 1st and I am <strong>SO</strong> excited that the next one is coming out in June!! And boy, oh boy is Jacob <strong>FFFFIINNNEEEE</strong>!!! ;) But I think I am still “Team Edward”!!</p> <p>I hurried home to Kyle afterwards and just wanted to talk about the movie SO bad, but didn’t want to spoil it for him. He will probably watch it with me when it comes out on DVD. I got a few more loads of laundry done from my <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2009/12/orange-italian.html">huge piles yesterday</a>…I think I only have 2 more to go!!</p> <p>My day just kept getting better and better…I found out that one of my good friends (who moved to KC this summer) is coming to visit next week. I haven’t seen her since September and I’m TOTALLY excited for her to be here!!! Oh and the scale was down this morning too…it said 171…so down 2 pounds and 12 more to go for the “sister challenge”!!!</p> <p>Well my favorites, I need to get going. It’s already WAY past Darci’s bed time and I need to get this girl to the gym in the morning!! G’nite all!!</p> <p><strong>THURSDAY’S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 28/24 <br />WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 31 remaining/35  <br />WATER = 75 oz <br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED  = 6 today/19 week <br />EXERCISE = 40 min run/walk @ incline</p>

I <3 New Moon!!!

Happy Thursday everyone!! Tomorrow is everyone’s favorite day!! Well, mine at least! I started out my day today just like the previous one…a...

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Fall and Winter Outdoor Education Ideas

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9S0bDNfpVpW6z9buREsyJyP5K4MyIe4H1CLIZHRnmvbHLBNU0dWr7aYlVbhmVxKSdSZl_-cGF7oEkznwmOVq7OiOkigiT0t_BOyZqLQJZRf4hDnfgMKThwxLPvz41MQX03Fy85jspVAV/s1600-h/coldec08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9S0bDNfpVpW6z9buREsyJyP5K4MyIe4H1CLIZHRnmvbHLBNU0dWr7aYlVbhmVxKSdSZl_-cGF7oEkznwmOVq7OiOkigiT0t_BOyZqLQJZRf4hDnfgMKThwxLPvz41MQX03Fy85jspVAV/s320/coldec08.jpg" /></a><br /></div>It's getting to be that time of year again.  Our calendars here at the Division of Wildlife are jam-packed with requests for Project WILD and WILD School Site workshops at schools all over the state. We finished workshops this fall in Reynoldsburg, Mogadore, Greenville, Xenia, Maysville and Worthington, to name a few. These schools are looking to start their school year with a fresh new look at education, from the outdoor perspective. <br /><br /><div><br /></div>One thing we always talk about in these workshops is the struggle we find in just getting teachers to take kids outside...period! Our mantra is that if you don't get used to taking them outside now, no manner of gardens, woods or ponds that may be in the works will get you out later. Taking kids outside for a class lesson can be a real struggle for some teachers. If you're not an outdoorsy person, it never occurs to you to nurture that perspective in your students. However, if you think about it, it takes a teacher 4 to 6 years to develop their own teaching style. We don't expect you to change it all in a 6 hour workshop. And neither should you. It will take some creativity, patience, and an adjustment in mindset in many cases for your outdoor education experiences to be a success.<br /><br /><div><br /></div>So, if you are someone who is about to venture into the world of outdoor and environmental education this year, take it slow. Try a lesson here or there. Don't try to do it all at once. It will be too intimidating and overwhelming and you'll end up getting frustrated. And the last thing you should appear to your students is frustrated. Outdoor education is supposed to be fun, an adventure! You want your students to enjoy the outdoors, not look at it as a chore. One of the best learning experiences a student can have is when they don't even realize they are learning.<br /><br />If you're thinking that you need to wait until spring, now that our lovely Ohio winter has set in, you're underestimating the potential for great winter outdoor experiences.  Here are a few tips and activities to help make your winter outdoor adventures a success:<br /><br />       <strong>Winter Outdoor Education Safety Tips:</strong><br /><ul><li>Make sure the students are properly dressed for the weather.  That means no flip flops for older kids and definitely gloves and hats for the little ones.</li><li>Make short trips outdoors if it's really cold, and be sure to keep moving.  Standing still in the cold just makes you colder.</li><li>Be careful around large water features, especially moving water.  Stepping through the ice can turn a fun experience into a dangerous one very quickly.  Never walk on ice that's less than 4 inches thick and never trust ice over moving water.</li></ul>      <strong> Winter Outdoor Education Activity Ideas:</strong><br /><ul><li>Have students view features of the school during the winter and compare to how they looked in other seasons.  Have students keep a sketch or photo journal of different features, i.e. trees, flower beds, streams, fields, etc. for a seasonal comparison study.</li><li>Try to find animal tracks in heavy snow or muddy areas.  Setting up bait piles of corn, bird seed or other beneficial food to encourage wild visitors is a good way to find tracks.  Look around pond edges, muddy areas along parking lots and playgrounds, and along streams for tracks as well.</li><li>If you have a bluebird box trail, take a peek in the boxes to see if any mice have taken up residence for the winter.  You can leave them be for now, but be sure to clean out your boxes and make any necessary repairs by March 1st so they'll be ready for any early returning cavity nesting birds such as bluebirds and house wrens.</li><li>Keep bird feeders as full as possible during any significant snow or ice events.  If you have enough warning, fill them up the days before a big weather event.  Your feathered neighbors will be much appreciative of the food during these difficult times.  If possible, keeping a source of water open will really draw in a lot of visitors.  This can be accomplished by keeping a waterproof heating coil in a bird bath all winter long.</li><li>Keep a list of what species of wildlife visit your site during the winter versus other seasons. Have students speculate on why some animals are here only certain times of the year.</li></ul>If you have other ideas or have had great experiences outdoors, please share them here! Happy Holidays and get outdoors!!

Fall and Winter Outdoor Education Ideas

It's getting to be that time of year again.  Our calendars here at the Division of Wildlife are jam-packed with requests for Project WIL...

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An Orange Italian

<p>I started out my morning the best way, at the gym! I do admit though, I hit snooze for a few minutes, but Kyle was up and getting ready so I jumped out of bed and got going! I got in 35 minutes on the cross ramp and did 10 minutes of abs. Nice little sweat session. </p> <p>I got ready and headed to my office to make some breakfast before the work day started. I had one of my favorite combinations, <strong>1 small banana</strong>, <strong>chocolate PB2</strong>, and <strong>oatmeal</strong>. All for only <strong>4 points</strong>.  Mmmmm, good!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhVVK_ts3JVOHu_zNqxaBIbxNVnng76YPkI_FmLaolNPPmkSn1TsPbWQk-uKX8FhgUzYZjMRGt4EL6q7jU_8R_HvOJaWtDVUQhuwUrtqF8iCVPLp2QtTJdnuso02eaoE1aTRJcd7JXqw5/s1600-h/DSC051683.jpg"><img alt="DSC05168" border="0" height="491" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKtwrI2JpIw2WNK3321Yi81E2RNHMUv5ICW8GppqQsC-r5HD44o-KwWFJFeTDDmC5oC62w_f-8tZifKJ59ikJoAMICtcwesSjG6X1mawS-j0x10L7kTZVZYtrpwkkoD3uLf0k5rmJcO2x/?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="DSC05168" width="655" /></a> </p> <p>My morning FLEW by. My director is out of the office so I feel like everyone is coming to me, which is ok, but I don’t get anything done! So finally around 11am I had my morning snack, <strong>strawberries, grape nuts</strong>, and <strong>yogurt</strong> for <strong>3 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfwvIWdmt8JjzqEaVg42I3wBQFT30FxkTXeW-jFm3xQ1MrpN1uGBOXgQgrvBCc5Nb40RkMprdy5GUIIg-W0E5V5da_DW_nRVgEzcezb2m2TXZZc8NDhyKJeJ9wLihJZ6V-0yMDkP-XwnR/s1600-h/DSC05169%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05169" border="0" height="491" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMAh1hZ0XEO6eogPFiA9xyYCA4y1wYOTGwG9sC_p_kfY1lflkz7OekfrZtMn9bojk6Xv64Lzuvt3lgT7r-St83I1zn5LAW0tcO-Prw4Cy2LdiWzMbLxNFgMx7XOlRvsNECDyUTuXSmihI/?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="DSC05169" width="655" /></a> </p> <p>Not only did my  morning fly by, but the rest of the day did! I was training my staff on a new grant and it was past 2:30 and I realized I hadn’t been to lunch yet and I bet poor little Abby (my dog!) had her legs crossed! I ran to the grocery store to pick up some more strawberries ($2/pound!!). Oh and I had an <strong>apple </strong>for <strong>1 point</strong> on the way, no picture though. Kyle called and said he was on his way home which worked out perfect. I grabbed a <strong>Lean Cuisine pizza</strong> (<strong>7 points</strong>) and went straight back to work!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2zliQjSy4KXdswYIVi06zyFxVEeYcBollTfbLj35xXDBb_6vs6pKXHV0tacfn_J5KC-UiPdepSk1EJOQG_WJnD2FEEAclNLw2rd9_A981Hpdu5fdeJ54JE3vLTgH-mxqNSr2Tjyzmaoh/s1600-h/DSC05170%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05170" border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpVbAv2ejEPtH2mAjpOpR4KU5Pkz30UpVZzne9pj45ZSEZKBdkWe4p4So2JLKCrlFwj0qDWar-gWgfKjl0LYa2QuKzkZk2LK9sBjKkcETWpnNkxJkuKEHnXVqhS_X_4G3llLv97wDgX3le/?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="DSC05170" width="554" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>I stuck around work till about 6 to get a few extra things done. And I knew what was waiting for me when I got home. This:</p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="800" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHL48mGCt3zcHfCnxppVz7piUwpg31t8l-a8QnD4y5dnUOOfp_3TXNWD27CF_U9Gsh20nMQDw3lx-gLgxhBTUmn_uRLhkrbontiwszgdiRBY2TIs4I9ozwEDsLqv6Cr-nYyQkA-2g1ibK6/s1600-h/DSC05171%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05171" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gQLPp-NNj_CKUlgcdCUnDrf9hEh08qyTnnX1v1agnnQ_nh9RGOE3PUN-25czlaMFTkcUMMvdXOnc93Nd78zfoDup1wLvIqbfrFAilui8IHVUwORepYu2lC3_y70UMknK3TfGYEPxFYu7/?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="DSC05171" width="404" /></a></td> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYf_c4Yb98yB4rft_fWYFDAvFF-lqGhbmjqZ6X23htJjbOVV1yZ_UVRFntDSOysK1sro5uyM2OjAz5Y2Xgajzpj2vZ5m0NO4bDj1bVlGlmzS_T7oRtSArpAgZbPeagnS35Xs1CW3pZmqHH/s1600-h/DSC05172%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05172" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgx-K7zZNvaTPv8a4lQq3UMW6FBX_pfkp05X8Vvwxdny4tv5XsYxt1QXKdsQ2gzT3my3jLoVogyDKZY7AnDjHadLY-cu5ibboRx0uWkzeMq3tuGQhP5h-B-Z7zUt7-a0X1k9XGHBa4ND1r/?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="DSC05172" width="404" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p align="center">Loads and loads of laundry!!! 9 to be exact! So if you need to find me…this is where I’ll be!  And you know I’m not sure I agree with my Uppercase Living that I put on the wall?!!?!?!</p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="800" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZ2cMxa4E0QrTEwtoK6FBl5zuk_oSvYcyaW8NF_7DkL2hb3ViznuN-If_8B_l5_9XyUcVsdpC1kq8LmZY4dh33Ad2wYdUPT5WPE0JIoUJ_3m36xt3kPu6k0WhbkWB3ogJoIdTjRwnEfiD/s1600-h/DSC05177%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05177" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXbzYmX9La98C77IdDdrqox2-to1lmMqU3TaWb0qIhj_Q29ninfQFaWMAjaxaGYyicFuDQj-ktJRAvFww8oz4wBPBqyrl0SAy9jaP5oi5I7cSTLWhUPcviLSfxlJwJkoR_LFMW40VqWlw/?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="DSC05177" width="404" /></a></td> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhec6I1GimMSTnXrDfANsFXVckvcGNB7jj07JbEon6vUE1EQfaMy8WVJzDi6UpT2xsvZb17d-x7JPVy7AbJdjrRYCeOOqPI6Kff9dkDrMofyDp3U8pf7KPjO0DqZ6-eoA68r9kk09xcBgCa/s1600-h/DSC05176%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05176" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZko2ercLNJD_wv8QNTp7tYE9iTZm_ou9qAlCevaUWluSqsV3XjDliiqwZqXVFNteV5Hfxbzg4HlmKk_5QF5Ja8YT6qSRN3w-Im83qwujxVDXGrOSjmt7vHkCicChif0sRa3mHWm1bSQv/?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="DSC05176" width="404" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="800" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td align="center" width="400">In between loads I made an odd, but easy supper! Pizza for lunch, cheese sticks for supper and everything is so orange. Kyle said I’m going to turn into an orange Italian! <br /> <br />My supper tonight was some <strong>carrot chips</strong>, <strong>2 clementines</strong>, <strong>ranch for dipping</strong>, <strong>cheesy bread,</strong> and <strong>cauliflower w/cheese</strong> for a total of <strong>7 points</strong>. <br /><img alt="DSC05179" border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56hP83gdnieB88b9nYlUokrzZUyP3Z_JBcEQFuYNF2YLvzY8nUOkxjFlMC2dFTtmgePSEb8gV4nlfNrUe8TBeCQw_7DJRZe4nssXsg8_tg7YH_u2rXmnlAWbVO3euVVS7C-UOMdktedTA/?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="DSC05179" width="244" /></td> <td valign="top" width="400"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3TKgrgtJTrrVrqxKlWnErgg8wRQs4fMAARmADMOkWVS8UKjK-Dt2EQmYwoz1BPaTaZk5wFnfUZGcJ9DSESgLifqrQ_cRwPZaoC87R3rk12Ha03eMVMOaFgHmSmvq9zX0P_nG46i66Fpm/s1600-h/DSC05178%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC05178" border="0" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAJ2dDdRYKsrND8w_J0agQpX79XaQVSkYDhPAaH0jqG240d5aOjCGEQC5ONsmSWJYggfeLq0hFpu4LmcYNKdY9XmaEsbC45BD1FhhvqZ_vh6J2dH4JGhbS4F0dhRPQ1Mz8sTWbVFYFVsK/?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="DSC05178" width="504" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><strong>WEDNESDAY'S STATS</strong> <br />POINTS = 22/24 <br />WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 35/35  <br />WATER = 100oz <br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED  = 6 today/13 week <br />EXERCISE = 35 min cross ramp, 10 min abs</p>

An Orange Italian

I started out my morning the best way, at the gym! I do admit though, I hit snooze for a few minutes, but Kyle was up and getting ready so I...

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