News for today's 2018

Applefest 5K

8:07 PM Tukiyooo 0

Happy day 2 of the weekend! I hope everyone enjoyed theirs to the very fullest! I would like to think I did! :) <a href="Alright my wonderful blog friends I’m ready to hit the hay! Hope everyone has a fantastic week!">Did you miss my Saturday post? I had found some great deals shopping & enjoyed a football game!</a> Kyle and I <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/10/shopping-football.html">didn’t get home</a> <strike>Saturday night</strike> Sunday morning until after 2 am! Needless to say when our alarm went off before 8am we weren’t ready to get out of bed with only 5+ hours of sleep….but we did! We had a 5K to run! And to top it off the start line was about 1 mile from our house! Score!!! It was a chilly 34 degrees, so hats & gloves were welcomed with open arms! Packet pickup was a breeze. We pinned our numbers on and headed to the start line with right around another 100 runners. Not bad for a local race! The gun went off at 9am sharp and we were off. Kyle stuck with me for about the first 1/2 mile, but was feeling good and I told him to run ahead. Doesn’t it just stink that guys are so much faster! He hasn’t run since July 22nd, but I’m proud that he decided to this race me. Ok back to the race!<img alt="DSC08875" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlgJ5AtoQC60DW_f0VOcnRBQt_ADgKw5HitGF68WNCSwUjFisL8QnsX0soWy_ErVJ399_S_lSP2Rmx0wbqZ3xc3IwDLBDX88HWZ7X2zg8MOwLl8SlSy6DaBeM8jNWXaxDDVY-_oCMzObd/?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="DSC08875" width="404"> The race went through town and a few neighborhoods. I welcomed a “new” route, but it was fun to be familiar with the surroundings! My legs were quite tight & sore from yesterday’s run, but I pushed through and maintained right around a 10 min/mile pace. I turned the last corner and gave it all I had. It was probably a bit too early & I was hurting, but I saw Kyle at the finish line and that was my motivation! My finished time was 32:15 and I was happy with that! Not only was there a long sleeve tee (my fav!!) included with our race registration, but also made to order omelets!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3HbKhFfBUY-slBMlrIBN_locriZXf0F_YqGo9p3EjwrPM5wqHqMdyxiDFFHY_W0F4wPxSV1oz54H4EsZGEdPuNQW80UzmVVXnKOFP6QYIjE-iutAmNFsAfdI3Lcn8nmryxX3Fo-aW0IK/s1600-h/DSC08876%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08876" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLENG73PEKfuX8NGUMgJ4_FNigpUHJCVL39VIsVadnwQRtjCnQ2eZDeIBLdeSZ02vyFcLHGPVOdolQPsMae2iFgw999EkDSlTpDxaLw3AF7GcjYAWbwVWmI_ODsp0BSeFTOHCdhqHx8H3t/?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="DSC08876" width="404"></a> I had ham, green peppers, & cheese on my omelet. And going along with the “Applefest” celebration I had an apple muffin. Also un-pictured a carton of skim milk & 2 orange slices. Total breakfast was 11 points. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpomwTiz4RMkVq5AmZRIaZATl9kRWFlHaeTxAOYGki1_lufVhN9ckc6fDzV49eVZ_99uXdwjXiYL9IlwgjQT7QSLWTKBFJH8hNgZG-o-Lz_BWQ-oX-ziSidjzV4rkIfRnbfXk2qRtLWKgO/s1600-h/DSC08877%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08877" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdT9fkfQhrZ-n8DmsU3tOUp_Itq__VsAHpGKgrYf1RqoPh6poVtxun3gQgU7GjvPdAoecvnVufXnGQE4Is5_wF1kjlJcl5lUSsWJIRnno1nU69tNWwd83WUQ-_p028rBzbNEcA1a2B9Ph/?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="DSC08877" width="404"></a> Afterwards we headed home, but ended up being unofficial 10K race cheerleads/staff! There was a 10K race that started an hour after our race and the route went RIGHT by our house! There were quite a few turns on the race route so Kyle & I volunteered to help keep the runners on course. It was SO fun! Maybe we’ll have to volunteer to help with more races! Oh and in the meantime I got a text from a friend and said there was an awards ceremony after we left and Kyle got 3rd place in his age division with a time of 28:15! Way to go Kyle!!! 3rd place with no running  in 2+ months, I’m impressed! They are going to mail him his medal. After the 5K & cheering on the 10K runners, I headed down my Mom’s house for lunch!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2_lyfUrtMaXzfmPxanzZfIejxou8p2-UfzbdwKXHjdrvW5p7Aeh4lSWN3mJr3-sbzJrACV0BuWLj-wOCkl7kHDnnJ4We11TnVrYC7JJcDQ97228aeqw2THP2Cbta9L5_hHvNh1ZUhpaF/s1600-h/DSC08882%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08878" border="0" height="471" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioRLnK1gEHPdeIk_7cTiXPqG98u0J_6Uauj9KS1ycwZpJqEnHQ3gWdebmjJRHF-fV6yTEMC0k9uxSzAfD2ufdsv5ZEiiCsDzN5wyXDWtXUt1_JY_ozOs5MeJOC_IU9uCUZmF6lxIn0KIpW/?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="DSC08878" width="354"></a> My sister & BIL were in town! Gotta get some nephew time in! ;)<img alt="DSC08882" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1i6zQvBRkB_hqz_Omk9Y-Mq62voJizni6vzRbC3BqYFkMRgGatBDvunuoFit6X_I4n5vSa-31Pi1dh7eyOHYhhSsb_UNyh5sg2Yez1Lw1UplQoNCq26adyBlzLrnIIe1iU3f7wkzTqKS/?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="DSC08882" width="404"> I wasn’t too hungry and went with very small portions to curb mid afternoon eating! I had 1 small maidrite (minus 1/2 the bun). <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMtZFLtpa6J0dG7peWxgDgtyO_inTugrqWj14cK28kwDdUW8zipC_HONKMSAEB037yBgj29tZ7haRIFfiKz2Pofs-WGCqZ27d8bI6-tHSYpdxQrW7-gaIyJdXx_XrxAn9aY48L5FFOTT_/s1600-h/DSC08879%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08879" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMGHXq5OMQ4qPaJ9TrkvzpZwWvSQ9EDhsVaLgKIaQpZHiLNPZ18-AIj6G-yzWq3LWezoR1xtKDlWjOd_FWPZiJYnOn4V9gBfBsEfK-LXDMKaNsPrPPVtW1voVc8m8akA_qFLL-Y6P8Z2oO/?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="DSC08879" width="404"></a> Just a few potatoes…<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDqZUyTGqqs6E1tldkA8seSe7d1tbQIZ6hsnT6FfRUnhc4i9tTehvABn4Q5eNDud3Vo4C79AoGuOQI2-2CjbFP8i8HImGWJdZ2xPpF297vhAsvzK29352cLV6Q8MlSIw6Mtu96M8czuBH/s1600-h/DSC08880%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08880" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILO_dYHSlI6TC0emAqhddX822mAbo3rzIPpCjGbte3lrFMjuZ_iJMM7YNvAkxaCpZ1T7AY0avIpWNnrYnhNs3lsOq_9XtuJuoEUaLiW1HuLLI7am0pUJDem-X5_7Yv2jmkWQ1on3sgUFw/?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="DSC08880" width="404"></a> And rounded out  my plate with some watermelon for a total of 5 points. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzVKl6f6wlQBepbKDZ_zLf7WZK8vETPzX9QOnM9fhnq9lDmrZoYloJl6QRbe_3xEKz64DJs8id8_SiBVF1-DtZUyZ5y9FUCp1FVc85KcFhPASVb9TG6pHrbBIzkuSEUwrUT03BiC5btly/s1600-h/DSC08881%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08881" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRijDxRuUrcNaK3J8oPvhTICdSzqIGB4xmHhXt7T1R7A2dru460DBCvsaEJOKQBmq4trfaCcRT6yuzH1oM3BIlCTuDZcyOI0AZWtYEFybrx84bvskOTKPfP3oJozObkHAQBM7G2aDC964R/?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="DSC08881" width="404"></a> I said no to the warm applecrisp right out of the oven! It sure did make my Mom’s house smell delicious though!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYEQmq8qEs8a9GyFtcctnpHtfZ-dZAQA_nhIqhFc4byZGaT4mlkAgamcMFEwytx1gwgCMkvUSIh9dZfBLDf0dVHVASLqV1Agp9rYIMag0pTXuqHLG58U7WU4tbuR6BG_B93sTHCg0mtEJ/s1600-h/DSC08886%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08886" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9Rt-EmazuNHfOQOPsYcGWBjAk84tOwIq7oKBdjeVaArXEc7fZv6m7m-VPxfXs0iLceCFdYgB1e_9da2jVwmwTnIT7v1KCjlV0rS0dkrMTN6xbsQWDAWe-nxCjyBq_vWT2P6fPM3Ew_fS/?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="DSC08886" width="404"></a> We spent the afternoon chatting, watching football, and getting some Hayden time in! Even my Grandpa, aka Great Grandpa now!!! :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1uz6SKCNV8fucxkuBa-ps7eBhRszzgEWmay6R9TWdAQ1uK1CkHgG6iHc2ck8HVEzzfXRqhixBFR_UAoaxYLC34nSsvGlW-YGOV032cEqgbD0P1HpdXZYdPAbUnKbRp2rZWt_hfD16Tr3z/s1600-h/DSC08884%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08884" border="0" height="471" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbn4ItObTShqMBcW8rKteMHENdT5TXWCy-tuFWmnNxNlStllozghk2zDy2KvnziXxf1zb0E7QGY6RaTxnBKP6bg5xjrboCqZfb-WXFOfxEjJRa_R1FlVhCsuqJXhaTa2QKIcd-dGpmyDNL/?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="DSC08884" width="354"></a> The sunshine and beautiful fall day was calling our names so we all headed out for  walk! I think Hayden enjoyed himself! He was bright eyed & awake the whole time (even tho he looks a little perplexed in the picture)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3zVMVbhhJokokgzimINcM488DKtXHQBzlObasJfDkBogclb1tr4PMIEoiHWxciGl_s_DHymUNCbH5nLfn7Wk7LNW0LSYC2wvE_UzZGPWYX4eLzk2ITFg37WKqEUBWcSLI-iVyU8_Hz0F/s1600-h/DSC08888%5B3%5D.jpg">!<img alt="DSC08888" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCs3muUOBDL58R_iI654yprA4Gz6JgGuq2uBV38mU0gCoBJ7KHh_Gw2qvWxCwH3QdCSsR6e6eLlDwIZUHAvCONdHkWNG3mq6IBel_kz_TwUF7QMvPgMlwjMzlhnsRC5FOIqCrOzujcTYB/?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="DSC08888" width="404"></a> I headed home to my hard working <strike>student</strike> hubby! He is so diligent with his school work! I got busy in the house and I’m pretty sure I put away about a month’s worth of laundry, got my clothes ready for the week, cut Kyle’s hair, did some work I brought home, and got all our tailgate things put away. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBiEJvB6jhULx7mskKGG8q6pOAB4GEqeuWpaJ2VUtAD86c9jkKDeb7GbnAOwdHHkCt3kEcUs2Ca8R8M33B_0fVlflkdVxk1vi2kl73H4Zh_N-Bxe2fBbU1gwKsvaVdAntcLFVimcmQKhP/s1600-h/DSC08889%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08889" border="0" height="471" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VWZ_CQj09Spc6bcVJ_t5u2u8fZf1iFwOWxIOrfBQfYmoglizYMHDPRMG5Wta9kCWs1AXyN5GJSjN05Tj2gDYBGDRxFc_BuALOc-s0TynZGQMtaDBirwGK4vNnOYoP07WPDYmfnGCAmcx/?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="DSC08889" width="354"></a> I made a quick, veggie filled supper! 2 oz whole wheat pasta, 1/4 ff mozzarella, yellow squash (thanks to my Mom!), and zucchini for 4 points. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2VrNkLSLzq5cx-2dbNixlYZicPDRrjhulg98idZa5LaobuGkA6HAVn8QsLlPp29UGwYoUPzktmfgOR-9HYZF4wHEOSHwz0oatasj5N2VG5yrb1s4EAIy8N_k4Ns1-xJ4jkWQw-4p_427/s1600-h/DSC08890%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08890" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qznr_ydNchG_pdhMYDINE5FQFrXj4zAe2wqFJt5qhHbJtMXHYK-M1i4VF6DwDAA9FA7piPdbOgnrYF10eyRR_NXmxLaostQvef0yNtwSogngGkmXYEf8v0B7z-bIXTiRJiLqEjAfuSyH/?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="DSC08890" width="404"></a> SUNDAY’S STATS POINTS = 20/23 WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 1 used/34 remaining ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED = 5 today/12 week H2O = 96 oz EXERCISE = 3.1 mile run Alright my wonderful blog friends I’m ready to hit the hay! Hope everyone has a fantastic week!

Applefest 5K

Happy day 2 of the weekend! I hope everyone enjoyed theirs to the very fullest! I would like to think I did! :) Did you miss my Saturday p...

Shopping & Football

9:28 AM Tukiyooo 0

Happy weekend to all of my favorite blog friends!!! Check out the fun Saturday Kyle & I had! Sunday I am running a 5K here in the town we live in. So I decided to go ahead and run the route so I’m familiar before the race! It was only 46 degrees and quite windy!! But I did it, I ran 3.1 miles in about 35 minutes. Obviously not my best time. But the reason I signed up for this 5K was to get back into running and it’s doing just that! Got home, cleaned up, had a quick breakfast(4 points), & we hit the road for Iowa City!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUKsam-q5-BuLHhDwv39WVUV9FEyqrro-vF3uWiEhgiqWkIvTB_W5Vo-grMdyY-4Ri4bE_gntE9hTTZc0Yg8oFBxu7HGPFyqLR5rXvCPE9-6q5M2pao6WRu92UIfruhDjCNPttCppIW_P/s1600-h/DSC08844%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08844" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZv8JDQBq9-PPtccwcWcbAGbT0LODaFHJZKwy13vbgg4HWxqFYCkCQN9WKgPpMTZltdnmOKom-sYgXhL_-tPnVeyG6XbajjZ7LWSRGtJCvFKDGjv8sC2Dg7pzqaw1BymAzjI4aJC9KTIg/?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="DSC08844" width="404" /></a> We stopped mid way in Des Moines for lunch. I had about half bag of Sun Chips for 2 points. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-Of-XmJMzFDPAc7iZF2los5nAmaOC1_4bGpiP4kVitzVZvJUhnCAkNvnnQz5Cg4tvTyzkYWO4_hnl_PBp7LZrRwDNmlYFDAoR_QrBGtFE5aMERqgMppcuygu7Bngi3tZJE8aJDyazOAn/s1600-h/DSC08845%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08845" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLLM8xC343Hagnr4_zVmyw3EMFEXrKP_ql789ICfe0HetBWZuom3LXiZEo3Rj04XJFRIvV6V9byxFk6EwJkZ51um7D0fTKPqZgn8l0Rbq05CNteFGlJDsOO8j-Rzv477H4HX_j5vrHiZQ/?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="DSC08845" width="404" /></a> And a ham & turkey sub for 6 points. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEugcVbqczoADW-a8dltRPhDpc5XEo8ZmxiKwCyC_F3jtrn2mGWM69bvIL9C2MYsp5Kdx-B8DOzUGFXbJ7kABq48YlX6qlF4UL49G2YoHCFVBC1qrb4JFulmEIfYlzP8LKQXH-IXsUTiQa/s1600-h/DSC08847%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08847" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4J8b8jv4nRId4KtckPxbzR8oUXrq2jePvODu8mxUSoL72VISYpGh-io0VcEo2hU7-PGHzJ9RmWGp2tPXfUXQ0rLovKmKdkhQMT1oS9NLiKAjsjXYgRe7uQddYzypTch9PZxRuzkGvlBz/?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="DSC08847" width="404" /></a> I had the awesome idea to shop and cut our tailgate time short! Luckily, Kyle went for it! ;) I found some great deals! Gap = MY FAV!!! Yellow tank, $1.38<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbRS8w5SnwBEEgXam9sFGyfICF9IeoxpEwbRS65M5e07PbgLlQj1hFwfzwRutZECJa-KGiWYNpkmTHhtSbQHkc0c54zvSnuq2YDPW0N1i5r9klfDxuhyXgAY5zAGhT_x-9m1WO4oZhIHz/s1600-h/DSC08849%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08849" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRGV_TK3PLRhv4eHLlsfK7pQYZb77IlQfYM6ftWUQfyMAHkJQNhCD39nsxQM8zffsOjEqUahDV8DzVKUSRFWGdOg-qeDEO5MkUQBDdp8i7gHT2lrMy9zHtVorpCW7x5V6qjLlcRnBnX_O/?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="DSC08849" width="304" /></a> Purple tank, $6.99<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4_fFUWmQlyL_0tSIo8hOVPJBDbAf4j_xEpLE1DehEcq_dXqfu6DBHAIHHdWtumOqhNM-4Jcp8bBFEm0C-7k4l5zyKtdju5s_OS7WJ0FyZvNwhFQVR5YR5UB_udx6-IMm2dCsWMg7D2w0/s1600-h/DSC08850%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08850" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCxJehTekS646_rJuxY0CsH_-oCW7zP0HG8m0_O1gqqzKAWeOkgqZMUb92BYsfVSpXVXXZxicg3KsblInHPhZbLSaKnWDpwe5XwD81mVJFH0FtSnRWiMPz3EdqA_iGogvFP7dEWkQrP-g/?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="DSC08850" width="304" /></a> Purple sweater, $10.30<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIvd9kNp22PE5RX9xBISVR9BL6OzFTZr_Hq7GI9GB7PNEY_2gw9w2TaFn3KNrlS7n9IkDcRzkBep5mt5z5-q91mJrMBkkFPviz0ctOdxlOPYXuLRq-d2yw70-lGdyFN9lYvDjHut4-87C/s1600-h/DSC08853%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08853" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOWN4g23ZGe423Z-Yffm9LYmE96Pziy92zKvpGbr0RMMHizbW8N-pX6grrdENsGHx0yTvVxs4FbvOhO9y6P_-OClVtu5_jJPEP6KrgZzh2_eFscLGBXSHAUi0vNLAX5LfUFBQjrPfKd46/?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="DSC08853" width="304" /></a> Pink striped tee, $5.59 (got one in green too!)<img alt="DSC08855" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVREIq7yA2ALUQjCWP8Wv__lYxW_wjfrhyphenhyphenzGdINRh-HLqo2pw3ukUBa3vMeKNPScajLSRhFGED4-cE2HJggTJFd6YHRkVCEnwQbhhwqAxXVUEjADP4KZmvFsX3liDOCR6cKaDMVNHWgO03/?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="DSC08855" width="304" /> I got quite a few other things I forgot to photograph and of course a few things for my fav nephew, Hayden!! :) I got 18 things for $110! I <3 Gap!!! We had a short 20 minutes left to get to Iowa City. Once we got to our parking spot and got settled I couldn’t wait to have this Larabar for 5 points. Found it on sale at the grocery store for $0.75!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAU0S09k_I8KmBlfiCrTvrXNnjjDukNkHSZMAx8c0BHgdKiYkzhEoVdKUg9LqPrm7dPXkYQ2x8d9iJvMFlvEaNYKIpv3Cuj2i6VJa32E-R8fuapcVRzDlAYmO6iTMl_xPr_g9Try_Xa4o/s1600-h/DSC08856%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08856" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_y3XD14jf4TIeLPjY4xYAGRdB3aV4Wfx2h1aBE1q_1d9QHtxeGmsEMkD4cmL9UN1JmFXp-Wq6H-5xR5F3VSqtyNdqiMfqZnUCCHrKjBmO7dZ6vOV2zGR1uqcLqt4JdZGotmr2VFq97Lu/?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="DSC08856" width="404" /></a> We walked around a bit and saw a few friends. Remember Heidi from <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/03/third-final-guest-post-heidi.html">this post</a>? She’s a rock star, just signed up for an Iron Man next summer!! She is my fitness idol!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIZPz09LbPlpvpkMH4Xw-t7Qlpk1MPlJ0xOzLD0wVwICRAPwUK_9UssMIsSvtbLs3SIBSSoMbyZth6fXZPUDz3zyhr_KQ9W0wnJNqFT0yR1w4Nxb1sZFlalFLYSEc6xvvxcEX4T54T5vk/s1600-h/DSC08860%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08860" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHHRa47FdHsvevYsV_wemmoPbWs_HI8PPmbznlSHu8006-gopbnfaVnFfBaSj2c4HfGFp3gdbnws-kDbeYg_5DltIxhr1fN7lLlMwf5WJMupWhGUE5c8bRcZnQ49COfV4O-2qXrz9Chp7/?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="DSC08860" width="404" /></a> We grabbed a quick sandwich for supper, as well as a granola bar & some grapes for 7 points before heading to the stadium. Game time came around and the stadium looked AWESOME!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9y9IdWeWwhNQlAl0LdQRnqKj2LVOVz2SBKFHZb1upnmXDU4sX77SdaKWk9MJHQPpXYI2EAaiKDfJiHC3hssIpMDPs_kaOlcVgeETBCGZqShCMwySSYnuUkXHc_PLO_JS31JpEzIoxah73/s1600-h/DSC08868%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08868" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5M3m9PGR-5Uwgz8YoeRhLMMfxH7je1-6n5kmMiT0ZxlQmdgyYyC_PaAsmwSSmvuslTCtsVYvpOYICoL3l8bCL2rlsG5nR1puei7jXNKkfyb3xp5IcEca-lGPQtCfNEh03LRw-ZO2-_kRj/?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="DSC08868" width="404" /></a> It was Homecoming and we played Penn State. We had an awesome 1st half, a dull 2nd half, but pulled out a win, 24-3! I <3 Hawkeye football!! We jetted out of there right away, game got over after 10pm and we had a 3+ hour drive home!! SATURDAY’S STATS POINTS = 24/23 WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 1 used/34 remaining ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED = 5 today/7 week H2O = 104 oz EXERCISE = 3.1 mile run What is your favorite store to shop at? Gap is definitely a staple in my wardrobe!

Shopping & Football

Happy weekend to all of my favorite blog friends!!! Check out the fun Saturday Kyle & I had! Sunday I am running a 5K here in the t...

Planning de la semaine du 04 au 08 octobre 2010

10:24 PM Anonymous 0

<h2>Permanences </h2><ul> <li>Le Conseil Général du Loiret sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans - le lundi 04 octobre de 9h à 12h30, - le mardi 05 octobre de 9h à 12h30 et de 13h30 à 17h, - le mercredi 06 octobre de 13h30 à 17h, - le jeudi 07 octobre de 13h30 à 17h, - le vendredi 08 octobre de 13h30 à 17h. <li><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2007/11/solidarits-nouvelles-face-au-chmage.html">Solidarités Nouvelles face au Chômage</a> - mercredi 06 octobre de 10h à 12h30 <li><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2007/11/boutique-de-gestion.html">Boutique de Gestion</a> (sur rendez-vous) - lundi 04 octobre de 13h30 à 17h - vendredi 08 octobre de 09h à 12h30</ul> <h2>Ateliers </h2> <ul><li>CV - mardi 05 octobre de 9h à 12h30 et mercredi 06 octobre de 13h30 à 17h <li>Lettre de Motivation - mardi 05 octobre de 13h30 à 17h <li>Préparation à l'entretien - jeudi 07 octobre de 13h30 à 17h <li>Pôle-emploi.fr - vendredi 08 octobre de 10h à 11h30 <li><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2009/07/atelier-situtilises-tu-trouves.html">Sit'Utilises tu trouves</a> - vendredi 08 octobre de 14h à 16h</ul> <h2>Visite d'entreprise </h2> <ul><li>Visite de l'entreprise <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2010/09/souvrir-les-portes-des-metiers-du.html">TP BAT</a> - vendredi 08 octobre à 14h</ul>

Planning de la semaine du 04 au 08 octobre 2010

Permanences Le Conseil Général du Loiret sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans - le lundi 04 oc...

It's not allergies

8:37 PM Tukiyooo 0

I woke up this morning feeling extremely tired. My nose was itchy and stuffy. I thought it was just allergies. It really didn't occur to me I might have a cold. Even though my coworkers and my husband were sick this past wwek with a cold, I just assumed because I'm so strong and healthy it wouldn't take me down. I was wrong. I'm beyond miserable right now. You know the feeling. Stuffed up nose, sore throat, agony. Other than that, I had a good day. 1.) I restarted my scarf. 2.) Read another chapter in "Such A Pretty Face". The further I get in this book the more I love it. 3.) Grocery shopped. 4.) A great gym workout (36 minutes cardio, 40 minutes weight lifting). 5.) Stopped fighting with my husband. Last night we had a very bad disagreement. That always seems to happen when one of us gets totally wrapped up in work. We've made our apologies and things are good. 6.) Dropped off another bag of <strike>junk</strike> treasures to the Goodwill. My closet is looking good with almost bare floors and empty shelf space. I love getting rid of stuff. It's so freeing to just let go of things. They're just things, not treasures to me. 7.) Had a go-around with my pharmacist. Long story but it didn't end well for me. Someone messed up my asthma prescription and the pharmacist said I'd already picked it up today. Not true. Insurance wouldn't pay for a second prescription in same day. If I wanted it then I needed to fork over $340 dollars for a one month supply (Advair). Um, no, I don't think so. Hopefully I don't stop breathing over the weekend. My mistake for letting it run out...I guess. 8.) This is BIG - I tracked all my food today! Every single bite. 20.5 Points. I earned 7 Activity Points. I get 21 Points a day and usually eat the extra five (35 weeklies), plus lately, a bunch more. Today, I'm just not hungry. 9.) I discovered the Honeycrisp apples I've been eating, the gargantuan are actually 4 Points. Ouch. And with that last thought, I'm going to bed.

It's not allergies

I woke up this morning feeling extremely tired. My nose was itchy and stuffy. I thought it was just allergies. It really didn't occur to...

The non-weight loss goals

2:09 PM Tukiyooo 0

I'm trying not to put all my attention on my weight loss efforts because, well, because it makes me nuts. Totally and absolutely nuts. Not to mention it's as boring as watching paint dry. For three years it's been my focus. Oh heck, it's been my focus for the past forty plus years. Off and on for all those years I worried about my weight. I'm still concerned about it, but I can't give it 100% of my attention 100% of the time. The two non-weight loss goals for the week were knitting and reading. It turns out I love both! I knew I loved reading, but the knitting is a bit of a surprise to me. The knitting is so much more rewarding than I remember. It's fun to actually create something useful with my own two hands. Sadly though, I was half-way done with the scarf when I realized there was a problem. Way back on about row four (I was on row fifty) it appeared I had dropped a stitch and there was a hole in my scarf! I counted the stitches and sure as anything I only had eleven on the needle, I was suppose to have twelve. I don't know how I didn't notice it before but I noticed it this morning. I had to rip the entire thing out and start over. Oh well. The book I'm reading is one that I can't put down, and it's not about diet or exercise or intuitive eating. It's completely fictional, a novel. What a "novel" idea for me. The last few books I read that weren't health related were non-fiction murder stories by Ann Rule. I decided it was time to branch out on my reading and read something a.) non-fiction and b.) non-violent. The book is "Such A Pretty Face" by Cathy Lamb. It's a story about a 32-year old woman that has lost 170 pounds through bariatric surgery. It's not about the weight loss or the surgery, it's about her life afterwards, and her crazy family, as well as about her life that led up to her gaining 170 pounds. It's entertaining, funny as heck, and I'm loving it. In fact, I could barely put it down today. I finally had to force myself to set down the book, put on my workout clothes and now I'm just about ready to walk out the door for the gym. Thank you I want to thank each and every one you that leave comments on my blog. I've been really bad lately about visiting other blogs and leaving comments, which I fully intend to rectify this weekend. I just want you to know that I read every comment, and I'm amazed at the kindness and consideration of strangers. But you aren't strangers to me at all. You're real people, and I greatly appreciate your comments. Your encouragement and your kind words mean the world to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

The non-weight loss goals

I'm trying not to put all my attention on my weight loss efforts because, well, because it makes me nuts. Totally and absolutely nuts. N...

Made Over Mexican

6:08 AM Tukiyooo 0

Happy weekend everyone! I think we all agree that these are 2 of our favorite days of the week! ;) Did you catch my <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/10/october-already.html">Thursday post</a>? If not, it’s worth going back for! :) Let’s back up to Friday first though! I started my day out with the usual! 5 points<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCom6lpiSUo7z-8hVD7AumOVtKcIZLJ1eRLrwkeTGhExwEa9VDfpbFF91lP754tWx1Qb3rfmDdgau1rB6SprJYhatlR5zwg5fXKD-Ry7UzeKxEOaKPfEgg4DeZPfdxYWTdQv2MRzKoVLh/s1600-h/DSC08838%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08838" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvE1LCM51Fjh73x3XDYEq63SIYCuxGHghDZaVh_wdqSuWfnl2DYRt25ZzkPSzFcOgKMWaabh9ljKcdy4_hPwWiGx5xklcjHN5xXbpbJLrn-EZmLJsBcmoq8jgyu6-YETS_zcp8z_qYdze/?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="DSC08838" width="404" /></a> Reports & programs weren’t working like they needed to today and that meant a lot of manual processes had to be done! :( I broke out my morning snack of 1 point yogurt around noon because I knew I wouldn’t get to eat lunch for a while with deadlines quickly approaching!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqfXZxCjIXFWZDWcnFEw252Ae930HYgZLcCwLzU_TxT9uUwwTtBhhFQj0Jc2qfz2nIdHx5gA3PdAjZFinet_SclVNHg7JH1stojsj2RslRKGaesAgknuAgeoaXj3eCO-LTDe-w1Lo-9hr/s1600-h/DSC08839%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08839" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKKplx_Yc1qs93wZw6M1kfbThJe2lFp8pAvfzBq0MbWI_xIPDxH8G63esZ9YdebJymtZW52FEHXVi3MFS-_GNd1CqnYyo_LbuuliG_WhslXAv6gG5GVujwzPrfuhr8awAVk_fDM-AUeHd/?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="DSC08839" width="404" /></a> Kyle brought me a Smart Ones for lunch and I finally got to eat it around 3pm! 6 points My tummy was quite happy after this! :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdXEYz3WlqxzMWuh_GY3SjPk1utDMFZEDws6rPhKF-aCr2xkYhUP1Kc_tS2EDs3hKqu_vObq6mtVg1dvzhaNQBJoyrO11Q7yPx4AQiRS1j2SgCgm6qcGaqSFgJznItDkzJgHZPTcUXLjv/s1600-h/DSC08840%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08840" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8ewoMpKOsUFO50zEnSa4xiZBGH3zW5ztBqNPLRQeopTA_3SlnuZPVVn94V3LymOQTijTU8EOYMFulXU2Y25ImKG2s1HBs79h879kCzrsdv34R-JJSLQlJQdbpVVQNcuWbg7vCNLC_yY9/?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="DSC08840" width="404" /></a> Finally got everything done and jetted outta there right at 4pm!! Hooray for weekends!! :) Did you see my <a href="http://twitter.com/darcibangert">Tweet</a> last night?!?!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYTe2Ze6wjuK033RuP8HhUpQGQSUYlL30VuZbHT22vELBb7LS4r-JoOh8Lw-Ky2bn5sTi1WRLAXpb-wAH6eXa62KOU8xq4964DxxdgUd_lydRl7ncDjSiSs6D5in7jmgH3bSRwKdVxM0Q/s1600-h/image%5B4%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnkSUoIixG2lY3SK2EOLB1lzhzLAyY4953e4SLNKSzjL4VDoQbXb0s66k2X_INA9mf_7-4gSWbPucKnELpJLSNIOqTEIV2QGRS_RpNZxawGiGaWG8YGwcMwBmylFMd2-55HDv4a3s16Wm/?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="image" width="404" /></a> I love that I can it’s possible to “make-over” Mexican food into point friendly options! I had the help of my newest cookbook! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXr4Wa_KjhhxvC-SSjPHccfRCzd3Oaf9RB8BkzlAc19bOzCZnizy3vO1Byel6CJdjlLqUkVrhrgzyOzHvfY1XVXNgj-9BEvwCXr6RCSevg9Z49TLrjAGGt1VgcKtc4wL2mHUNBPB_d-uZ/s1600-h/DSC08842%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08842" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_XyzJozRLEmyH5vq7qGsfzL3kDU7aaf_fTVIPH6D0U_qzXiCI661xmd5fZQ9V6vsUiBk0aap_ybozvBeTyFNZQX5tlLwG3GyxGRLkyE9rKIh3WWNyBKwSQjGZMD7e-iN1UCGzrCn5hVM/?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="DSC08842" width="404" /></a> Found it on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Watchers-Take-out-Tonight-Restaurant-Favorites/dp/B000IZ978S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1286023645&sr=8-2">Amazon</a> for less than $4 used!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqw2pIbg3frmbBhAyA0x16KnvnXwIKWVaxORm6puI3kNiiPtb9tamblvGP02dHGLQqRQS6uHljCE7lnPMoSraenSIxjCBfzjjIUFH3mI3VFFQbW3Mf-zRDdjW_TWzN46kOWyuIGjOLuzCb/s1600-h/DSC08843%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08843" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFBDf98H748AislKkVIVQqU0Oxgpw-T467mebhWz8npyBs4pTVliMXrLxVdC4ocOdIPmg2hKQ296BQ-0V-yfdUFtSlgpAWdSGKEpBVg0f0ky1iaHE1M90MHUOUexpF3RE0tRv56TZrWAu/?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="DSC08843" width="404" /></a> I made “skinny chimichangas”!!! Chimichangas aren’t only fun to say, but these ones were only 4 points each! <a><img alt="DSC08841" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbif_ZjHR6KJfs60WMe9y9kdNFETgly0nqhf2jiTOVX0hekBc49GYr3_7Rb5QBSN5IclR7BElSiBj9VZOVaS_pUfT9LK0ZO-1rtDbgZ3ywb3pcLVM8cWZJzfYsYAXy3pBlW5NAe0CH7dk/?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="DSC08841" width="404" /></a> <ul> <li>1/2 lb ground turkey</li> <li>1 onion, finely chopped</li> <li>1 garlic clove, minced</li> <li>2 t chili powder</li> <li>1 t oregano</li> <li>1/2 t cumin</li> <li>1 8oz can tomato sauce</li> <li>2 T chopped mild green chiles</li> <li>1/3 c reduced fat shredded cheddar</li> <li>4 8in ff flour tortillas</li> </ul> Preheat oven to 400. Mix turkey, onion, garlic, chili powder, oregano, and cumin in medium skillet, about 6 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce and chiles; bring to a boil. Reduce heat & simmer for 5 minutes. Spoon 1/2 c of the filling into the center of each tortilla. Fold the sides & roll to enclose the filling. Bake the chimichangas seam side down for 20 minutes. Enjoy! FRIDAY’S STATS POINTS = 20/23 WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 0 used/35 remaining ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED = 0 today/2 week H2O = 90 oz EXERCISE = none What do you think of  the changes on my blog? I like the crisp, cleanliness of it! I’m off for a run and then we’re headed down to Iowa City for a night game! Go Hawks!!!

Made Over Mexican

Happy weekend everyone! I think we all agree that these are 2 of our favorite days of the week! ;) Did you catch my Thursday post ? If not...

The longer I do this the harder it is to do

8:12 PM Tukiyooo 0

I know it just doesn't make any sense, does it? Given all my knowledge about weight loss and Weight Watchers and South Beach and Jenny Craig and NutriSystems and every other diet I've ever tried, this should be a walk in the park by now. So tell me, why does it seem harder now than ever before in my life? I simply don't get it. In the last three years I went from 240 pounds down to 152 pounds, then up to 174, then down to 156 then again up to 174. It's like I'm stuck in a rut and I can pull my self out of it.  Honestly, I'm just sick and tired of myself and my weight. Every day all throughout my day I think about my weight. They say guys think about sex every 30 seconds, I think about food at least that often or more. It's like I've broken whatever it was in me that was doing so well. It's like I almost don't even care anymore. My size 12's are snug. Not unbearably tight, yet. They could be with another 10 pounds. They're not loose and falling off of me like they were at 152 or even at 166. I can't say I'm totally miserable. I still exercise on a consistent basis, cardio and weight lifting, but I eat too much. Therefore, I'm not happy with my body. I feel fat. I am fat. I don't expect anyone to have the answer for me. I know I have to find it inside myself. Somehow. I just haven't figured it out yet. After a lifetime of doing this I still don't have the answers. It seems like the longer this goes on, the harder it is for me to keep doing it. I'm not giving up and throwing in the towel. I'm just saying I feel kind of defeated at the moment. Like there's something terribly wrong with me that I can't beat this thing.

The longer I do this the harder it is to do

I know it just doesn't make any sense, does it? Given all my knowledge about weight loss and Weight Watchers and South Beach and Jenny C...

October already??

12:24 PM Tukiyooo 0

Happy October friends!! Hard to believe it's already here! Time sure does fly! We've been having internet problems, that is why I'm behind on my daily posts! So check out what I did on Thursday! I had my usual oatmeal, peanut butter, and banana combo for 5 points. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbY85z5BmPXmme6_vln145jFGXxyDsTHWylL3MaUtySG-yXCMX7BJDusFCEn3tQ9ZUxAAi-oEVHYR6VSV6Y_rbKKU7UCl-ZnyDm75qjLb5ehdPlacbQJgwpGqjj2tEzOvfR3NJlMH8bs4/s1600/DSC08823.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523165421608367186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbY85z5BmPXmme6_vln145jFGXxyDsTHWylL3MaUtySG-yXCMX7BJDusFCEn3tQ9ZUxAAi-oEVHYR6VSV6Y_rbKKU7UCl-ZnyDm75qjLb5ehdPlacbQJgwpGqjj2tEzOvfR3NJlMH8bs4/s400/DSC08823.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> My morning snack was yogurt with 1/4c grape nuts for 2 points. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZmy9qicInhoUAlj_QDV7tnZAcTBMBEMfF7n1SryUQRmI6pRgCgwEpt1XvKRY62uhAPpvhjl1Nmzqu2MExAp1zy62wDC3Xpb40VZXK3d_35yOekDEfEllrJ7xQaPr_WUEHCGvxz72c71F/s1600/DSC08824.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523165417341992418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZmy9qicInhoUAlj_QDV7tnZAcTBMBEMfF7n1SryUQRmI6pRgCgwEpt1XvKRY62uhAPpvhjl1Nmzqu2MExAp1zy62wDC3Xpb40VZXK3d_35yOekDEfEllrJ7xQaPr_WUEHCGvxz72c71F/s400/DSC08824.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> My lunch break was a major downer! 1) got a speeding ticket in the mail, 2) found out picasa was deleted on our computer (lots of projects saved there), 3) found out our plane tickets for our November cruise are going to be $900!!! *sigh* MUST STAY POSITIVE!!! Back to eats! I had a Smart Ones for 4 points for lunch. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjb3e-pHqit3oX3QckwcQnxphUN8gYG7cp_5mDafiENpCliFlBNTSQ_QeY6r1VQIzjpRkk5fNLgb3uWicFOBywl7Bx1HCKik6Qwaa64xHSWjefvPke5YNa_5mcAQb5bbqDpMLXYUmD0dPY/s1600/DSC08825.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523165414990301122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjb3e-pHqit3oX3QckwcQnxphUN8gYG7cp_5mDafiENpCliFlBNTSQ_QeY6r1VQIzjpRkk5fNLgb3uWicFOBywl7Bx1HCKik6Qwaa64xHSWjefvPke5YNa_5mcAQb5bbqDpMLXYUmD0dPY/s400/DSC08825.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> I knew just what would help improve my evening after that horrible lunch break...time with Hayden!! On the drive down I had a granola bar for 2 points. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9_iRKxCWjaiyjpB_1weuCfixN6LV-gK-RztxfFeIUkEMR_wrpjRw65opxHTpbuZMCXovzeubjlsRgA2x2kJrYMgOELYkFmE8BeAcWDH2uPtOQIh-ufJ5HfoNsUcfUyv4az0eAPTwEkK7/s1600/DSC08826.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523165412430937042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9_iRKxCWjaiyjpB_1weuCfixN6LV-gK-RztxfFeIUkEMR_wrpjRw65opxHTpbuZMCXovzeubjlsRgA2x2kJrYMgOELYkFmE8BeAcWDH2uPtOQIh-ufJ5HfoNsUcfUyv4az0eAPTwEkK7/s400/DSC08826.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> Supper was simple, but really good! I had 1/2 ham & turkey sandwich with colby jack cheese on whole wheat bread for 4 points. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijurslywrdImNgAF_NifnA6CbJG-iB7sh16jgN7VMImpejLPdbQOI7tBrqQ8eNwFGtJeHh_S7URS9eak4Tzo6lQgU6vZJF4Zg2EXfw57FmR8qheSEzPElZtXi1UnqRS-cyMOh4nsrdB7et/s1600/DSC08828.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523165041816788722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijurslywrdImNgAF_NifnA6CbJG-iB7sh16jgN7VMImpejLPdbQOI7tBrqQ8eNwFGtJeHh_S7URS9eak4Tzo6lQgU6vZJF4Zg2EXfw57FmR8qheSEzPElZtXi1UnqRS-cyMOh4nsrdB7et/s400/DSC08828.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> I also had a serving of grilled potatoes for 3 points. SSSOOO good! Thanks for supper Mom! :) <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqs_lA5cJafygua6DX-5yyyDWXriZVxCBe4RR2rL1tBS0rmjClh6QrESId3GasXYOYN4RoLQOSmAPhPApsHJFnIBsHV6iU-qQ3X94-0BJT9nlAUTh9D6JHZ6AQJwHX0pY4J0wowDIQixB/s1600/DSC08829.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523165037192515698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqs_lA5cJafygua6DX-5yyyDWXriZVxCBe4RR2rL1tBS0rmjClh6QrESId3GasXYOYN4RoLQOSmAPhPApsHJFnIBsHV6iU-qQ3X94-0BJT9nlAUTh9D6JHZ6AQJwHX0pY4J0wowDIQixB/s400/DSC08829.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> Hayden had milk for supper! ;) Don't you just love how his little feet are crossed like he is just so relaxed?!?! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wTBYgyOgcRm7DrtnNgXIwkt1Y2a3DKh3Jq2EYkNxCjPJxkhslWDz7hN8SM-1QuYEN6mR9M5KpLvKY6a-pb-J10r7kr9i33aKaXiZIeb720is47FrirD63RlSfg3gilssEPiSQI2EHabb/s1600/DSC08837.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523165030523689282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wTBYgyOgcRm7DrtnNgXIwkt1Y2a3DKh3Jq2EYkNxCjPJxkhslWDz7hN8SM-1QuYEN6mR9M5KpLvKY6a-pb-J10r7kr9i33aKaXiZIeb720is47FrirD63RlSfg3gilssEPiSQI2EHabb/s400/DSC08837.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a> After we all had supper, Wendi, Hayden, & I went out for a walk right around dusk! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6D7TqhHoUEBdufVhfQGI8K9GBLpG4hkzVwgs_-ZSFPSJB445OI3GUouCm5VYHd0AOe13GnTI0bMT_nSPVSBnizqey4tmo3Oq-iWVa7mGW6sckzjUkbnW8FSjfu99TLDU1oZv2WBjre08L/s1600/DSC08830.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523165025845015490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6D7TqhHoUEBdufVhfQGI8K9GBLpG4hkzVwgs_-ZSFPSJB445OI3GUouCm5VYHd0AOe13GnTI0bMT_nSPVSBnizqey4tmo3Oq-iWVa7mGW6sckzjUkbnW8FSjfu99TLDU1oZv2WBjre08L/s400/DSC08830.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> I have to give a shout out to my sis! She gained about 37lbs with her pregnancy (which I would never have believed seeing her 9+mo prego!) and she only has 6.5 lbs to lose to be back to pre-pregnany weight! And Hayden isn't even 3 weeks old yet! Lookin' good "Mama Wendi"!! :) Spent the rest of the evening cuddling with this cutie! Don't ya just love his bib?!?! ;) <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpu5gOTuaUQwhYhGPaetrXGYal7Kqs0g2XRDlfz4_9zmDAYkSIF8eflQOcwaInfySmr8soPl2ZQUHeHb7nL2KrgRcnZes-OzyZzegiQY-zVz59Pef1TjvOt-XZVddVRRDQZ051nGcqgvWu/s1600/DSC08833.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523165021591195266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpu5gOTuaUQwhYhGPaetrXGYal7Kqs0g2XRDlfz4_9zmDAYkSIF8eflQOcwaInfySmr8soPl2ZQUHeHb7nL2KrgRcnZes-OzyZzegiQY-zVz59Pef1TjvOt-XZVddVRRDQZ051nGcqgvWu/s400/DSC08833.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> THURSDAY’S STATS POINTS = 20/23 WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 0 used/35 remaining ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED = 0 today/2 week H2O = 120 oz EXERCISE = 15 min walk

October already??

Happy October friends!! Hard to believe it's already here! Time sure does fly! We've been having internet problems, that is why I...

Happy Hump Day!

4:58 PM Tukiyooo 0

We had a BUSY morning today! We had to drop one of our vehicles off to get an oil change, then I dropped Kyle off at work, and then I took Abby (our dog) to the vet & groomer! All before 8am!! Because of all those “errands” I ended up eating breakfast at my desk when I got to work. I had the usual oatmeal combo for 5 points.  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4TFiPcr2xJT6p9gtpe1tbNNCqvczAqIkp1SdJea_d4h0SYBmBjudRNNS7eMmcoYMabo8RhluTMEZuKM4tg2WzEABNpiI35WEhDFd8ajZpm_Tv3_6-259MteYHzg2ArHThKjGg9pGLHYh/s1600-h/DSC088083.jpg"><img alt="DSC08808" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTNyHTmrYp-NWEDP73GoSEpAjX2NxyrSn2UI0xOLE0SRCuibnTSxvGqjoxgCbdL6gvjTuEo9gMc87t_QlxPnj2eP9ZE5IV4Mg_cEUuzT2gyDFjD2TBqgsxMlihN1urwT_bSkmJ-KtC5IN/?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="DSC08808" width="404" /></a> I had a new “try” at lunch today. Sunday when we got groceries I picked up some Green Giant Just for One frozen cauliflower & cheese sauce because I had a coupon. They are 0 points each. I would say this will be the first & last time I will get these. The cheese sauce was NO good! The rest of my lunch, on the other hand, was great! I had a ham, turkey, & cheese sandwich, 1/4 c cottage cheese, and 1/2 c grapes for 5 points. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEeRf8Um18lFR5QuDhmsgJ0Xopr9Vqo4YyzhhT9k_UXpcS4r23L660_cHQvbYoBIHjVHEKc4A9vxubDyiNzr1rJgrlhx169y-jllsgxMECtl0KhJ6qPbvSuKTDDdE0Z2iN8SYDFzAPdpKC/s1600-h/DSC088093.jpg"><img alt="DSC08809" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcG9tu0l2yBLYQsMUu4E01VIdPF1E17M6hQBsDXpVcVIISd8EPiECp2XN-p5HkrXZY2jxw0fREBAOKyYboGWwo3qBfqRh-0OyF1FzPi79CoSG5jj8pO8y9RpI6kDfbHyoWm9kRjyiX0mVK/?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="DSC08809" width="404" /></a> My afternoon went relatively fast and then I RUSHED home! We had a 6pm supper time w/work friends. So that meant I had less than 20 minutes to exercise. I ended up getting 1.5 miles in 14 minutes. My thought is that it’s 1.5 better than 0! We had supper at a pizza place, but I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich. I only ate half the bun & none of those icky chips you see in the background for a total of 6 points. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1sMMKVDMDe1MUQ6-afNjsSMSW8tOjLogCzAkCCyh7iITCnUwDtM_sRKAGqr2GHV1GnXs0-rg6l2QKRpqnVPKkZlWUHn_NlTgDhrMFPBBgneYHX7ih9QIdx0RqJZqjGcYrRtiVOWb8gjf/s1600-h/DSC088123.jpg"><img alt="DSC08812" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5z64TNNvHfcOLjlhr3jaWIT65Wvgzt8K847Mwcy73PxuSQiI2cap7EtOtTzgzthAAT1GLcqJyMSzwnxLze2zP1Quu5PDIk21uetZ_nYKUXa707Vg7648S2T2Wc1NG7RK6QLe25nnCDKC/?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="DSC08812" width="404" /></a> Kyle hung out & chatted the evening away while a work friend & I hit Younkers up for the last day of the Goodwill sale! Let’s just say between when I got Tuesday night & tonight…my shopping is done for the week! (Probably not because we have a planned shopping trip on Saturday before the Hawkeye game!) I’ll have to get pictures of what I got & share with you guys tomorrow, there were some AWESOME sales!! :) I’m going to leave you with pictures of my sweet pup! This is here before her haircut this morning! She could hardly see!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXaTQdfZRSxwNK7VAL0PqW7WxLIShgRQoqsLpymCrl-FOHetZpmfS1qZYU9CkHKjd-r9ZLP6Nl38ksrjxNhthcuEfk2Hvd80BdykZ4WuwUZQ3moiZFj8DJkW5xt1Md3zxx07vlbHirMlF/s1600-h/DSC088073.jpg"><img alt="DSC08807" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50bDTO3HrL5NBpoZUL1cL_FHDPNijZz_yiBdskZVqJ4mPFt9PuWv1KSwUyDwIcE5fleHbucE8xGktD37tUmcr1pbIgba9w3O6R9pYUIeiaKP0FbksNRBFishOWtU5cgYyCwDzFvgeDHtB/?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="DSC08807" width="404" /></a> For some reason she was extra hyper when we got home tonight and she wouldn’t sit still for an “after” picture, but you get the idea! lol<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfBy9lYCR_sWg4hTU7TXb38uZGaMziY01gMbjTd7qMtoRPVGg_ig8rh0fjFDewWnyBp0aL0cRvQCBfQj9o6Uyo3JCPbYJYSzNZyaL3aRjdPlZ6BActu9TyFGZ1-sARmslCugFtBWX4bbb/s1600-h/DSC088133.jpg"><img alt="DSC08813" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxoZbEbUkzKS4tX0Y_7dkR7BkA_dp396f8d132i6EO9_9flSpvbPPyxJSpWfpOxEaEFevLjmkg465zeS0NAG0-QlK5v_wqIZw-GQFlY5yw-FTbn1L1q6EL_MsQUKJW7EVab2jBe0D3WroW/?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="DSC08813" width="404" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKS-9qvSB0KEZRUmhiZnHMEWwtRuF1pk7vX_AdK0s3pbzk2jO004pCzEb7qkM__N7SMDZ-B1Q9WBZExmnNYORY_ZrN5a4vrfg3LYCcqIjBkN4yxDCxMohMKjgNmIo4cZNdcOlxPSJFfd6/s1600-h/DSC088213.jpg"><img alt="DSC08821" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2NsgBqmRY6_G9aCGw-y8s6fa2urjeGEuss7ZeduDGk7KwfKvavgHJcc-G4_52gzxlQOuTddxBaaoon1fFO4JkwFilTI6hcgXlbLOd9XC7dMTya73Fy3qaEVEhvAb1IJr1qSN9rPrawHP/?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="DSC08821" width="404" /></a><img alt="DSC08819" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilz2F4SJ-pa-2fzdLHvYtAYguqtESaGItXpB7R6eSdUqWeGxcP27TsE0dC5HqRvDQU0Kq54-NEZhd0Jw9XXAFa8mVBSNp-uVduokPFR1NXyX1aqlycqJi7LLb9BWRFhY_kJSg5VGr1hs80/?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="DSC08819" width="404" /> This is the closest I got to a good one! If only you could read her mind “put that black thing down & just play with me…please!!!” I just luv her!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1SNly82GGDjCPHqBGYHnDQBEESIuFAoKHfKLrM-T3nCIUyDy9DMb-ODrZTGviilkKDEcm53_bjujf9T-zQWlpOLTQZB5tTtRndoMV5FjPX-qqIbK8qh2uv1pUZoE2bnDxJ6vUvASqwxZ/s1600-h/DSC088183.jpg"><img alt="DSC08818" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPx0j_ZZfrKnpXUptC97NFUp0zUqNfGDLNS6JzkgcJcZehfaT8wlj54CR75GY1NxXJ2kvSohcFutNBcbc2pAblJqeVny8D5ZpHH96SMRtIB66_M_ygebjY3I6o9vayOCgfC-K_XJ9mxrMb/?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="DSC08818" width="404" /></a> WEDNESDAY’S STATS POINTS = 16/23 WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 0 used/35 remaining ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED = 2 today/2 week H2O = 120 oz EXERCISE = 1.5 mile run Do you have a pet(s)? I can’t imagine our life without Abby! I love that she is always happy to see us and always puts a smile on our faces no matter how bad our day was!! By the way, she’s 3 years & a pom-a-poo!

Happy Hump Day!

We had a BUSY morning today! We had to drop one of our vehicles off to get an oil change, then I dropped Kyle off at work, and then I took ...

Light, Shadow and Synergy - von Sternberg and Dietrich, Part I

3:07 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfZ4xQRJjREVNiQSdODF2WCNfrWqdHh19gxc_JTh-_qRCbBgQmhjIyDcRknuNrVad5zypmE2IV-NADtQBxezaWDrxjUSqkm6uC6iHIp9hvsK6sZY-1qU_Zq1hFgNbKcpEQdHZ84mGiVls/s1600/Marlene.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520294341038125314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfZ4xQRJjREVNiQSdODF2WCNfrWqdHh19gxc_JTh-_qRCbBgQmhjIyDcRknuNrVad5zypmE2IV-NADtQBxezaWDrxjUSqkm6uC6iHIp9hvsK6sZY-1qU_Zq1hFgNbKcpEQdHZ84mGiVls/s400/Marlene.jpg" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Josef von Sternberg is recalled first and foremost as the filmmaker who, 80 years ago, introduced the cinematic persona adopted by Marlene Dietrich as her own, on screen and off, for most of the rest of her life. It is less well known that before their fabled association von Sternberg had already earned a name for himself as an accomplished, if temperamental, director. His artistic reputation peaked during the years 1930 - 1935, when he directed seven films starring Dietrich. <a name='more'></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_w-h_gju4Jx8QZVzHI0X5DYq_b48lWvo0U8B0dRHBJcsZRqj5YT4iAv1dFwsDg0TnKrmq7OuLT1VYbDKJWDqpLWcy5IWawF_xzBgmymkVVuHSYReYSL2kwkLPojXuRPReX3vtX_eXhI9/s1600/vonsternberg-j%5B1%5D.jpg" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520324979978877858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_w-h_gju4Jx8QZVzHI0X5DYq_b48lWvo0U8B0dRHBJcsZRqj5YT4iAv1dFwsDg0TnKrmq7OuLT1VYbDKJWDqpLWcy5IWawF_xzBgmymkVVuHSYReYSL2kwkLPojXuRPReX3vtX_eXhI9/s320/vonsternberg-j%5B1%5D.jpg" style="float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 200px;" /></a></div>Born in Vienna in 1894, he spent his childhood shuttling back and forth between Vienna and New York City as family fortunes mostly waned. By the time he was in his late teens he was in New York and apprenticed to a man who patched, cleaned and coated motion picture stock. At 20 he received his first film credit while rising through the ranks at World Film Corporation in Fort Lee, New Jersey. <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Von Sternberg made his debut as a director in 1925 with The Salvation Hunters, a picture that attracted attention. Underworld (1927), a "sleeper" that became a pioneering film of the gangster genre, made his reputation (for his contribution, Ben Hecht won the first Oscar given for Best Original Story). In 1928, he directed The Last Command starring Emil Jannings, who won the first Best Actor Academy Award for for his performance as well for his performance in The Way of All Flesh.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Just over a year later Jannings was slated to star in Germany's first full-length sound feature, Der Blaeu Engel/The Blue Angel (1930), and von Sternberg was tapped to direct. Against opposition, he insisted on casting Dietrich, then an actress/entertainer in Berlin, as the cheap cabaret singer who becomes the object of Jannings' obsession.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMgm3Rgi2dvMizG9HOSsy07A7M54OnfGIqCWXuUK1qi4QYZEQuX50SSjNfu9CdG0Zd8YCrsE4QRraOymOAgZA6hedMMH1XiugUa0FgpXDJUxjTQkcZxPHP0uNO19Vlpian9tAYIh7Gp_i/s1600/JvS+and+MD.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="140" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520328260185050178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMgm3Rgi2dvMizG9HOSsy07A7M54OnfGIqCWXuUK1qi4QYZEQuX50SSjNfu9CdG0Zd8YCrsE4QRraOymOAgZA6hedMMH1XiugUa0FgpXDJUxjTQkcZxPHP0uNO19Vlpian9tAYIh7Gp_i/s200/JvS+and+MD.jpg" style="float: right; height: 199px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 284px;" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This was the beginning of a collaboration that made Dietrich an international star and forever entwined their two names. The Blue Angel caused a sensation in Europe and, before its release, von Sternberg was on his way back to Hollywood - such was industry word-of-mouth on the picture. His leading lady followed him immediately after the film premiered in Berlin (to rave reviews). Both signed with Paramount, though Universal and MGM also vied for Dietrich, and made six American movies together over the next five years.</div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">When von Sternberg sailed for the U.S., Dietrich gave him a book to read on his voyage, Amy Jolly: Woman of Marrakesh. Not long after, and despite Dietrich's opinion that it was "weak lemonade," the story was adapted to the screen as Morocco (1930). </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1Xr3H3bi_oHTyGgDcEczeKtuLj2braVHZk0WWAbh2DJWck4URUVKLM-bov2G1oM9n-pfU5j_6n_M8WkCz2tstFM50-DBWI1nEm-Hocrb_EcHNULKX9IbSFJ6OwkwFeyjzyaZF6WChzb_/s1600/morocco+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; height: 169px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 218px;"><img border="0" height="145" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1Xr3H3bi_oHTyGgDcEczeKtuLj2braVHZk0WWAbh2DJWck4URUVKLM-bov2G1oM9n-pfU5j_6n_M8WkCz2tstFM50-DBWI1nEm-Hocrb_EcHNULKX9IbSFJ6OwkwFeyjzyaZF6WChzb_/s200/morocco+2.jpg" width="200" /></a>It was with Morocco that the evolution of the iconic Dietrich character truly began. Lola-Lola of The Blue Angel had been a tawdry temptress, raw and coarse. And though Dietrich's performance as the ammoral tart was electrifying, Josef von Sternberg had a different archetype in mind when he developed Morocco, the film that would introduce her to the United States, where The Blue Angel was not yet in release.</div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In her autobiography, Dietrich recalled, "I had terrible difficulties since I had to speak correct English and appear mysterious at the same time. An aura of mysteriousness has never been my forte. I knew what was expected of me, but I wasn't in a position to create this atmosphere. The Blue Angel had been something altogether different, the role of an ordinary, brazen, sexy and impetuous floozie, the very opposite of the 'mysterious woman' that von Sternberg wanted me to play in Morocco."</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In his 1965 autobiography, Fun in a Chinese Laundry, von Sternberg remembered, "I had deliberately selected a theme that was visual and owed no allegiance to a cascade of words..."</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Once Dietrich arrived on the West Coast she underwent the full Hollywood treatment. Her makeup was entirely redone (under von Sternberg's close supervision), she was assigned a voice coach and put on a diet and exercise regimen to slim down. Then Paramount photographers took portrait stills and Dietrich, awed, thought them, "the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life." The studio, soon realizing it had a potential superstar on its hands, rolled out a massive publicity blitz for its latest discovery...Voila! Dietrich was famous before either Morocco or The Blue Angel were released in America.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In his 1966 book, The Films of Josef von Sternberg, critic Andrew Sarris observed that the director had "...entered the cinema through the camera rather than the cutting room and thus became a lyricist of light and shadow..." In Morocco, this lyricism is revealed to full effect. With Dietrich its fabulous centerpiece, the film wraps itself around her like a long, sensuous caress...in von Sternberg's painstaking hands she is stunning, enigmatic, worldly, intriguing. The landscape of the film is a dream world...an atmospheric fantasy of escape into the exotic and the romantic. Gary Cooper and Adolphe Menjou add just the right accents as rivals of opposing types.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It was in Morocco that Dietrich created a commotion when she famously cross-dressed in a cabaret scene. About the sequence von Sternberg wrote that his intention was, in part, "to demonstrate that her sensual appeal was not entirely due to the classic formation of her legs." And he did.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jO0h190oboE?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jO0h190oboE?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Upon its release at the Rivoli Theatre in New York, Morocco broke box-office records; both the picture and its star received an avalanche of press coverage. Much was made of the way von Sternberg showcased Dietrich in the film. One magazine article aptly observed that von Sternberg "not only gave the picture to Marlene; she took it." Part II...coming soon...</div></div></div></div></div><img height="70" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1Xr3H3bi_oHTyGgDcEczeKtuLj2braVHZk0WWAbh2DJWck4URUVKLM-bov2G1oM9n-pfU5j_6n_M8WkCz2tstFM50-DBWI1nEm-Hocrb_EcHNULKX9IbSFJ6OwkwFeyjzyaZF6WChzb_/s200/morocco+2.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 167px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 1629px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" /></div></div>

Light, Shadow and Synergy - von Sternberg and Dietrich, Part I

Josef von Sternberg is recalled first and foremost as the filmmaker who, 80 years ago, introduced the cinematic persona adopted by Marlene D...