News for today's 2018

June 2011 Goals

12:17 PM Tukiyooo 0

At the beginning of May, <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/05/may-goals-hiljoe-competition-week-2.html">I published the goals I wanted to accomplish for that month</a>:  <br /><br />1. <a href="http://watchmybuttshrinking.com/10k-a-day"><b>10K a Day in May Challenge</b></a>: I failed.  I tried to keep up with this but I found it floating to the way side as I quickly became overwhelmed with school, and annoyed with my pedometer that kept shifting on my waist-band and not counting my steps accurately.  Now that I own a MyTrak, I realize how severly innaccurate my pedometer was - probably mostly do to the unsecure attachment to my clothing.  The MyTrak stays snuggly against my waist and in a given workday I almost always go over 10K steps (providing I go to the gym as well).  <br /><br />2. Stay On Plan:  I did not do this perfectly either, but I still managed to lose some weight this month and I'm grateful and content with that. <br /><br />3. Move: While I didn't meet the goal of moving by the end of May, we did find and secure a place of residence by the end of May and we are set to move on June 15!<br /><br /><b style="color: #660000;">My goals for June</b>:<br /><br />1. <b>Pass Anatomy/Physiology:</b>  I really want to pass both classes (lecture + lab) with an 'A'.  So far, so good. I also want to do so while maintaining that little thing called sanity!<br /><br />2. <b>Plan Meals:</b> By doing this, I should be able to meet May's goal of 'staying on plan'.  Now that I'll be in my own place in just a few more days, I know this will be so much easier!  I missing cooking like I used to - I love spending hours in the kitchen...<br /><br />3. <b>Find a New Gym:</b> It will most likely be Gold's, which will be right down the street from me.  It was a sad day on Tuesday saying goodbye to Stanley.  Stanley is the manager of the gym I go to now - I <i>love </i>this gym.  It's large in size, but small in the amount of people who are members there, and many of the people who go there regularly are so personable and friendly.  This gym will always hold a special place in my heart - it was the place <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/04/drawing-inspiration-from-places-other.html">where I was finally able to get myself refocused on removing this weight</a> once and for all, especially after such a long period of time of not having that focus.  I hope that the new gym will develop a special placeholder in my heart as well!  <br /><br />4. <b>Meet My First Weight Loss Goal:</b> I want those shoes so badly, and I want so badly to say I've reached the first goal I've set for myself! Meeting goals are such great motivators!<br /><br />Tomorrow is weigh in day and I <i>hope </i>I can report back to you with a loss - Happy Thursday :)

At the beginning of May, I published the goals I wanted to accomplish for that month : 1. 10K a Day in May Challenge : I failed. I tried t...

There is light at the end of this dark tunnel

6:14 AM Tukiyooo 0

For the first time in weeks I woke up feeling like life is good. I'm not dreading going to work. I'm looking forward to heading off to the gym in a few minutes. Even though the sky here in the Northwest is dark, there's a promise of "sun breaks" today (a popular Northwest phrase that  means it might rain, but we might get to see the sun too). I feel...well, happy. For the first time in what feels like forever.<br /><br />We had a new guy start on Tuesday. I'm mentoring him. I'll admit that I was dreading this task. This was going to be the third person I've mentored in the last five months. It's a challenge to mentor someone, and one of my mentors didn't turn out well.<br /><br />This guy is great. He's easy going, funny, laughs at my jokes and he's super smart (much smarter than myself, but that's not really saying much). It's only been two days, but so far, so good. I have high hopes this one will work out.<br /><br />I've eased up on myself about the weight thing. I went through a bad few days that included sugary, junk foods. Something I haven't indulged in for quite a while. Thankfully that only lasted a few days, and I've been back to healthy eating for several days now. Although the scale isn't going down, I'm hanging steady at 188.<br /><br />I decided to give myself a break and stop beating myself up so much for my 30-pound weight gain. Yes, it's horrible, but it's not the end of the world. It's just something I have to deal with, and recently I just couldn't deal with it and my work situation too.  <br /><br />Now that I've calmed down a bit about work, I feel able to tackle my weight problem. Number one is back to Weight Watchers and back to tracking. I haven't done either for over a month. My best friend has dropped out of Weight Watchers. She just gave up after months of not really trying. I've had months of not really trying too, but I refuse to give up. <br /><br />Number two, back to reading my favorite blogs and commenting. I've been reading a lot of your blogs, but I wouldn't comment a lot of the times because I felt empty inside. It's hard to encourage someone else when I was feeling hopeless myself.<br /><br />I'm finally seeing the light again.

There is light at the end of this dark tunnel

For the first time in weeks I woke up feeling like life is good. I'm not dreading going to work. I'm looking forward to heading off ...

The Adorable Blog Award!! :)

3:30 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNwRH_hXiLhgzfxK7kMQiCLLBX5MsY94AjXDZWHu9fP5N4zfydmZBFNIEt-wc5DYLlBJycAgZNmmUItQA3UbIqE4B9OE8aP_j-rr0paCAO_S0iefSpXfBf2bptt3TBOczBNbUG7xr7cA/s1600/Adorable+Blog+Award.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNwRH_hXiLhgzfxK7kMQiCLLBX5MsY94AjXDZWHu9fP5N4zfydmZBFNIEt-wc5DYLlBJycAgZNmmUItQA3UbIqE4B9OE8aP_j-rr0paCAO_S0iefSpXfBf2bptt3TBOczBNbUG7xr7cA/s1600/Adorable+Blog+Award.jpg" /></a></div>On June 1, I received an exciting little blogger award - my first ever!  I received this awesome award from <a href="http://spoonfulofme.blogspot.com/2011/06/adorable-blog-award.html">Spoonful of Me</a> - <b><i>Thank You So Much</i></b> for thinking of me here at The Big Weight!<br /><br /><u>The Rules</u>:<br /><ul><li>Thank the person who gave you the award with a link to their blog. </li><li>Tell us 10 things about yourself.</li><li>Nominate other bloggers and let them know about the award.</li></ul><br />1. I LOVE to read. (And also have <a href="http://prittygoodbooks.blogspot.com/">a blog devoted to my book reviews</a>.)<br />2. I own a very <strike>adorable</strike> (read: <i>spunky</i>), all-black cat named Charles.<br />3. I have dated my boyfriend Joel for 4 years.<br />4. I am back in school again, for the second time, to become a nurse.<br />5. I'm originally from western Pennsylvania.<br />6. I love me some Vera Bradley - hardcore!<br />7. Chai Tea is my morning drug.<br />8. Keystone Light is my beer of choice... unless some Sam Adams Blackberry Witbier is available - then I'd have to go with that!<br />9. Country music is my preferred genre :)<br />10. My favorite condiment ever is HEINZ ketchup - not Hunt's - HEINZ!!!!!  If it ain't Heinz, it ain't sh*t!<br /><br />I would love to share this award with some others (who most likely have no clue who I am and/or have never even viewed my site! - no hard feelings :) ):<br /><br /><a href="http://momonamission2bhealthy.blogspot.com/">Sam @ Momma on a Mission to Get Healthy</a><br /><a href="http://thisfat.blogspot.com/">Faith @ I'm Too Sexy For This Fat</a><br /><a href="http://biggerthanababyelephant.blogspot.com/">Jodie @ Bigger Than a Baby Elephant</a><br /><a href="http://watchmybuttshrinking.com/">Jennifer @ Watch My Butt Shrink</a><br /><br />I really enjoy reading your blogs ladies, and I look forward to following along with you on your respective journeys!

Random Weight Loss Thoughts The Adorable Blog Award!! :)

On June 1, I received an exciting little blogger award - my first ever! I received this awesome award from Spoonful of Me - Thank You So M...

Making Good Choices

6:09 AM Tukiyooo 0

Last Friday, I found myself reading <a href="http://momonamission2bhealthy.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-have-choice.html">Sam's post about having a choice</a>.  I'm glad I did!<br /><br />It was a Friday afterall, I actually had to go into the office (I typically either work at home on Friday's or I have that day off), and so a large part of me really wanted to nix the workout for the day.  I wanted to get the weekend started!  (Why was I so anxious, when I knew all I'd be doing was studying, afterall?)  Anyhow, <a href="http://momonamission2bhealthy.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-have-choice.html">Sam's post</a> helped me realize that even though I was tired from a grueling work week with with not only work itself, but also school work, and TOM as well.... that it was ultimately my choice for doing or not doing a workout.  I knew I'd feel badly if I skipped the Friday workout and I knew the after effects of skipping a workout could cascade throughout my weekend.  <br /><br />As I was making the drive home, I realized I didn't have any reading material for the gym with me.  I didn't want to stop and buy any magazines because I have SO many at home I need to catch up on.  I also didn't want to drive home, get the reading material and then drive back to the gym.  I also was in no frame of mind to attempt to suffer through a workout while doing nothing...I was having a hard enough time as it was convincing myself to do something in the first place.  Then a light bulb went off!  It was an absolutely beautiful day - I could go for a bike ride!  So once I got home, I quickly changed and loaded up my bike into the Equinox and took off for the <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/04/bloooower.html">Indian Head Rail Trail</a>.    <br /><br />I love this trail so much, and I'm sad that I'll be moving further away from it next week :(.  I'm so glad I decided to go for a ride though - what a perfect ending to a hectic week... <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4esvSF30o0SOM0y-zB75ORVLpBOkhN8mgiC9Tjs9m5V_NvBkjj6whO3shnieA9KVvPUJooYDJt81wkpVh39UEaiu_bxHs3ypVPVBQGcGlc_Mbyy1cw8XFh2O3SlqncXDR1zpiwbNULEk/s1600/bike+ride+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4esvSF30o0SOM0y-zB75ORVLpBOkhN8mgiC9Tjs9m5V_NvBkjj6whO3shnieA9KVvPUJooYDJt81wkpVh39UEaiu_bxHs3ypVPVBQGcGlc_Mbyy1cw8XFh2O3SlqncXDR1zpiwbNULEk/s400/bike+ride+004.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mattawoman Creek</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzxAaQ5DHwkT0OixNQUWPb_uk8-YrS_ZZfMEKy24NSjmOiTukUi48HbEEHTPH-CE3UjprWRxcTazuvYZMqVr1KA4fDWOG4RFu_DicajeaD5MijltDyjmVhHwDtkCndNsls5yc7mqUFa4/s1600/bike+ride+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzxAaQ5DHwkT0OixNQUWPb_uk8-YrS_ZZfMEKy24NSjmOiTukUi48HbEEHTPH-CE3UjprWRxcTazuvYZMqVr1KA4fDWOG4RFu_DicajeaD5MijltDyjmVhHwDtkCndNsls5yc7mqUFa4/s400/bike+ride+005.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love rail trails - flat and scenic!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvXOc6Cv0opkUwHp2PYZWZsYWX0XiOogfSTf32scUU-SyuZfXXjDgp9QFLgP5fuH0olOdYU5Xaax6PaIYWzCjFxIlV4Y9VHSbr73GpeWILVa_OYf8wl2pSOcZ1kWEl5tkm1HV0enmd2k/s1600/bike+ride+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvXOc6Cv0opkUwHp2PYZWZsYWX0XiOogfSTf32scUU-SyuZfXXjDgp9QFLgP5fuH0olOdYU5Xaax6PaIYWzCjFxIlV4Y9VHSbr73GpeWILVa_OYf8wl2pSOcZ1kWEl5tkm1HV0enmd2k/s400/bike+ride+007.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end is in site!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuk-z2wNwKZ-227QbbSz5WTBbHQkFXt6okE9x42C8EIBl3Yvf98CEx6KKJOsm9yJcFEo-FkemMFWiGbYaLafuZmoLNcGNck_k1jlsoeTIUr2Jft9b5BDhwR3fbsCPgf1URBO0VMrHd164/s1600/bike+ride+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuk-z2wNwKZ-227QbbSz5WTBbHQkFXt6okE9x42C8EIBl3Yvf98CEx6KKJOsm9yJcFEo-FkemMFWiGbYaLafuZmoLNcGNck_k1jlsoeTIUr2Jft9b5BDhwR3fbsCPgf1URBO0VMrHd164/s400/bike+ride+009.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me @ the end - you can see where the train tracks start up again in the background</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJeYVp_MMpXbOTxEkASjiM03TCwpxWSAPHJ1oZ0oa-dwRFGVj0OqwItro4YU_eZ6XgrQB7fZ9w8Ferx_jZBKCg59guldFMQFDc9G_f0cULF5Vy2FnvOPQxo99IaP-f_GIHiRFvltcXTZ0/s1600/bike+ride+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJeYVp_MMpXbOTxEkASjiM03TCwpxWSAPHJ1oZ0oa-dwRFGVj0OqwItro4YU_eZ6XgrQB7fZ9w8Ferx_jZBKCg59guldFMQFDc9G_f0cULF5Vy2FnvOPQxo99IaP-f_GIHiRFvltcXTZ0/s400/bike+ride+013.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pieces of old track</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvBqowjSAc0tuWya14g4a7dAw5af7C8ygm756NXu3EUIuwB8Gn1cTZQ0bzovVLmJMKwt1OzoBwsvcJhypz3KY9dhJG8nUKeaQTkxIpxi-eX0_Bbes6Ep8ujfcCLb0Rr88yw2pfdQEAqg/s1600/bike+ride+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvBqowjSAc0tuWya14g4a7dAw5af7C8ygm756NXu3EUIuwB8Gn1cTZQ0bzovVLmJMKwt1OzoBwsvcJhypz3KY9dhJG8nUKeaQTkxIpxi-eX0_Bbes6Ep8ujfcCLb0Rr88yw2pfdQEAqg/s400/bike+ride+014.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1d7HQUdIpGX_Xq6LMLqumRirbG2Ipa7YpSP00hDvfvtNoCIH5gdVR0AdV4t0q8_xukgk0q7cnL9pJHK4-Ycu_Ut_irt_bbfQ1JJUGWbdgvxrOaA058dRktYU8yJbdJJH85InvZmI5CE/s1600/bike+ride+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1d7HQUdIpGX_Xq6LMLqumRirbG2Ipa7YpSP00hDvfvtNoCIH5gdVR0AdV4t0q8_xukgk0q7cnL9pJHK4-Ycu_Ut_irt_bbfQ1JJUGWbdgvxrOaA058dRktYU8yJbdJJH85InvZmI5CE/s400/bike+ride+016.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My bike and the tracks :)</td></tr></tbody></table>Hopefully I can grab another ride or two on here before Joel and I move to Virginia next week.  It's not like we'll be living <i>that far</i> from this, but it won't be a mile down the road anymore :(.   <br /><br /><i>P.S. I had been meaning to check how far I rode that day, since I don't have a gauge on my bike, and it turns out I rode 6.4 miles!  Yay!</i>

Exercise Success Weight Loss Making Good Choices

Last Friday, I found myself reading Sam's post about having a choice . I'm glad I did! It was a Friday afterall, I actually had to ...

dear daughter…

7:11 PM Tukiyooo 0

<p>To our baby girl, </p> <p>To say we are excited to meet you is an understatement. Only ten days till your scheduled arrival date. Just like you have been hearing from Mommy & Daddy lately, we would not object to you coming early!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzRiFearBkdxhyCJTTuHhtFiBPyTn3q_dazHX4wT-crM5Qh9qzidrwXb_oCEVn9LaVXXJkB4OA0CvDs0TN9FH6mx75MdBCnocq7Ve0-o-yuFVmGqaccNB5ysmKuMFWg9Hd9FDc4pXmtWj/s1600-h/DSC3410edited-2-L%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC3410edited-2-L" border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgds9DBA0MTVc7uzvgP2YeufmSBgLTFJAVnR-JGEVMdbOktEI9yZm0kUp2YrcVzKpIW848MxM3iKspjQ5335gUIrZLdWcngVPQbTL6JnJJE7aPhrNGXRSDu-o5NTAmy72pfvI1pY68wRL07/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; padding-left: 0px; float: none; background-image: none; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC3410edited-2-L" width="404"></a></p> <p>The doctors are saying you are healthy little girl, estimating your weight over 8 1/2 pounds. Each week we visit the doctor’s office we love hearing that “thump…thump…thump” of your little heart beating inside Mommy’s tummy. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9_EP40diTYVATKQKqSpYJeHLz_aZ4AfMT5e7a30bNqlagf1GNbGOSaMieRjtEIMMiP7nb3M-gVRuGgN0Vje0QW8h_T9Aqy0wNqvXO3l-Gzga9DU-mNpzIVG0KtL4cUKpqPqGjgPbsJrX/s1600-h/DSC3436edited-1-L%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC3436edited-1-L" border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNCQWPwy9Yv-l6iC9r_auO_SzrX3zSYBa8xx6kMiLKJBNBFk9tV4xzczofbEjgGxNfnL7yUGQ9nHfyvdfadfRqEWZ-c1ZaJNhmcRAYLfoEF8qW19dnS0SDbWvSOpedh9W22e711Is20QP/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; padding-left: 0px; float: none; background-image: none; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC3436edited-1-L" width="404"></a></p> <p>We have prayed & dreamed about you since the day we found out you were growing in my tummy. You have been so good to Mommy these past 38 weeks and we pray that continues when you decide to enter this big world. Mommy loves feeling you wiggle and move in her tummy all throughout the day. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjys6ayh72wbCDRl6j5s0VSxZSPtmO0Z8tNI0HaqOZzuA4EglRdcI1w2EtQ-Ndy3bpGtMsZss0dVpJuZ1iDX_MXkirUB7y9oaWaiku5T4O7FZV6fhFLSH6JtvDL8vDfhc1RVeknFY0F-Bgs/s1600-h/DSC3321edited-1-L%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC3321edited-1-L" border="0" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5E7VXKk8f_tsK5q_lgtGresJPTpGpLV7Idarsya8PLpjzwxISg22hUGNw9Ce14lBKyXVs16AIpaXawevnQ4FittOZAujpDc4MX6SC8scpQGZRrgOXacMD8JK3OGmtMYQ-8UpD1Noo4Kh/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; padding-left: 0px; float: none; background-image: none; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC3321edited-1-L" width="354"></a></p> <p>When you found out you were a little girl it brought tears of joy to our eyes! Of course we would have been happy if you were a boy, but God knew Mommy had dreamed about you for years. Your room is all ready for you, complete with all things pink! We had so much fun getting it ready and cannot wait for you to come and make our home complete. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGXBcKHbrOpaNV5NEbKI7PIGCzanGw21a_i-c12o1Mc4jh3SIH1uaDcwoz8U4mXBIAfAXx41onz3Xm0IGmEnuMS53Q4xZxkJX5p6WQnRkvgVeUBAU-BmqIEChDfPu9bQ_EuBb2fDqOAkq/s1600-h/DSC3384edited-1-L%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC3384edited-1-L" border="0" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcr81fBYC6fo5SP5Zj51Be_WnC3QoWnkc36xFCMjj36O7nzAHfcK1_-ldtvFJQ9T3jL0sOubxg2Aa-0JFCXW4HEs6jQLVDW1O_UNlaVMDXhyphenhyphenM1hjM_fj6taWF_Rz1WIcOP8tEJsB4GVtr/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; padding-left: 0px; float: none; background-image: none; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC3384edited-1-L" width="354"></a></p> <p>Just because you are a girl doesn’t mean we can’t go play in the dirt or participate in sports. We cannot wait to spend our Saturdays as a family in Iowa City cheering on our favorite team, the Iowa Hawkeyes.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQubGIeWNPOlBc5ywues4ElhcehjCSwihXFViap5gqC236Zo4vZaIecsBYtdiRusO1YeffGm_t6ktdt8nsY1rXDultWhrMEiYhONSX7aAOuohZ5Peh7_P6MbAj6b3jk0FwIEEZZwBG_sLz/s1600-h/DSC3350-L%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC3350-L" border="0" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcD8EPaFNKheFlZbrTDtF0BnnZhLR68JMSgor_7eQH-ZsdPcdqxg9WZCq_JrLXOsIDdDbUOXIi3iOxm9jMkzSUc80JRmvPX1eLByaMhR25wAiy36bP5HwzHd2ia8qdLSWd52S93GNXPS-/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; padding-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-top: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC3350-L" width="354"></a></p> <p>Daddy loves pretty much any sport and will teach you anything you want to know! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVZS_dW8i7fgsqfLGTz-or78kbk5dS0XfXcvDS7usncw55irIJ6hQNlzTWk7j2akwvxFxSumEdPsyf3_q2MOq44zO97HJPj-PQ8DElqMXCoNnnc9dwAZILecjIlkuL1c09q2j-kakwf68/s1600-h/DSC3471edited-2-L%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC3471edited-2-L" border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2owOGAU5E5snqcWz0nbnSuYfkywzifDygVY9GTGfqY2aK0UB9QsJ97g5pWviF2L4H1W4E13hLU3CKtgwECq2tIzsXQe7fD8lfus0qx3J0B3AkwhZiwpkZ9rv5lLbeNNRDoWwSK6m7L7S7/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; padding-left: 0px; float: none; background-image: none; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC3471edited-2-L" width="404"></a></p> <p>We cannot wait for that first time when we get to see your sweet face and cute little feet for the first time. We are longing for that moment to hold you in our arms. We are very excited to be your Mommy & Daddy. We know we won’t be perfect parents, but we plan to do our best to raise you to love others, your family, and, more importantly God.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZmhOjZSxibY9OPjlqEfsMsQe77Xq0EF_poVQdtAOjYcMp4qejEZrRbIdLITmzgv3HPG_XxPdghzKAdtnPrrUbtr9q90vvyD5dZnXePxNAur3XllwQD_gdBKocSnLsGhWXGL98zWovYKi/s1600-h/DSC3452edited-2-L%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC3452edited-2-L" border="0" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYbsae_uq57mTapxli5gI_7NlhzQdLMKv6LW2sM9v1JHLIsBc3i9wu1FAw-P4GGkadKal50fXmk1Ca6MLRoKakRWwPnUBdhEdZmmyYPbp-HajeJBBLA3xCbAiGxyIw5_ZLIaXY_TX5leR/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; padding-left: 0px; float: none; background-image: none; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC3452edited-2-L" width="354"></a></p> <p>You have so many people that are so excited to meet you. Mommy & Daddy already love you more than you will every know. You are our gift sent from above!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUem3YFLpaUYN8oREkg_AmXDP6X2HLteHyyA8QxV5m5DI3gkpMX9vB0nP46SrroudCA8NfQb0eB3uGRtZ7nGg2lNhMdFoFme2e4JpWLNcJxPguMuEYipaynewyPjVbYAO87zwQ1uivllIs/s1600-h/DSC3340edited-2-L%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC3340edited-2-L" border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHAjzg7HQF0W4m1eGc3iUCFDG4h2qOy8bAON-OCRDdxuWmc3AbzFwbe38nWVwSNQvzye2-pXZsGcrlaPzwK-c3HkmlfUy3-iTFkSSW03GZE-mi7kDYtwDB9p-b0c-b4io2TmGiSNnog6QK/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; padding-left: 0px; float: none; background-image: none; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC3340edited-2-L" width="404"></a></p> <p>All our love, </p> <p>Mommy & Daddy</p>

dear daughter…

To our baby girl, To say we are excited to meet you is an understatement. Only ten days till your scheduled arrival date. Just like you hav...

HilJoe Competition - Week 5

12:48 PM Tukiyooo 0

I'm going to have to forgo sharing Joel's weight because neither him nor I can remember exactly what it was - doh! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.beautyandwell-being.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/weight-scale-400x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.beautyandwell-being.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/weight-scale-400x400.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Joel (6'): 237ish</b><br /><b> Hilary (5'8"): 254.6</b></div><br />As you can see, I did manage to remove some weight this week and for THAT I am grateful!  It was not a super great week for me, especially after a weekend of celebrating our 4 year dating anniversary (March 27).  I tried to eat as best I could while we were away over Memorial Day weekend, but it was tough.  Also, I think what helped me out was the shear amount of walking and sweating I did all week long!  Holy cow was it hot in the nation's capital this week - a freaken heat index of 100+ degrees almost every single work day!  I sweated.... a lot.<br /><br />Regardless of how those pounds came off, they came off and I hope to keep those numbers going in a decline pattern.  I'm SO close to meeting my first goal :).  Just 1.6 pounds away!!<br /><br />I'm repeating this mantra every single day this week:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"One day at a time Hilary, just one day at a time."  </i></div><br />As it's no surprise by now, I'm very busy with school.  Joel & I also move in 9 days.  I want to get this work week over ASAP so I can devote time to packing <i>so </i>I can regain some of my sanity and actually start to feel like I'm somewhat prepared for when the movers show up next week...

HJ Competition Success HilJoe Competition - Week 5

I'm going to have to forgo sharing Joel's weight because neither him nor I can remember exactly what it was - doh! Joel (6'): 2...

Location, Location, Location: Catalina Island

11:40 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqdNI8dVaLtHY5wxKfsrFrwYx17coBSYPjRW3vWKY8N4kX3_vclwpH8oxyRBI9bDB-0p4JGexJ2SkQlaBN5nkR7moBWvzlXIa7VMEVw70toCwxrbSCUm_cVmoTmIvcxRe5Jp9spSovL_v/s1600/cropped+1934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqdNI8dVaLtHY5wxKfsrFrwYx17coBSYPjRW3vWKY8N4kX3_vclwpH8oxyRBI9bDB-0p4JGexJ2SkQlaBN5nkR7moBWvzlXIa7VMEVw70toCwxrbSCUm_cVmoTmIvcxRe5Jp9spSovL_v/s400/cropped+1934.jpg" width="338" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Norma Shearer, Paulette Goddard and Charlie Chaplin off Catalina, 1934</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>A Film Location and Celebrity Haunt Since the Early 20th Century</b> </span></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Santa Catalina, one of California's Channel Islands, is just 26 miles SSW of Los Angeles. Once called Pimu, it's been inhabited for more than 7,000 years and has weathered the Spanish conquest, an influx of otter hunters and infestation by smugglers over its long history. It is best known today as a playground for those with money and celebrity and was once a popular location for filming Hollywood movies. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /><a name='more'></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tQLTAvi13DCbsMl8zs1MF1Gu5oHobWpxNsHawS_DhRTncxpOcAqc88EUVPKt_pftDGFXKK9099EViF-uyZiKSBI4lkpyoud6H9eHdJ8OfmSe2GnPvOHFdPnIIzSpkxmDpCM_I1FUq_Qt/s1600/catalina+ferry+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tQLTAvi13DCbsMl8zs1MF1Gu5oHobWpxNsHawS_DhRTncxpOcAqc88EUVPKt_pftDGFXKK9099EViF-uyZiKSBI4lkpyoud6H9eHdJ8OfmSe2GnPvOHFdPnIIzSpkxmDpCM_I1FUq_Qt/s320/catalina+ferry+map.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">22 miles from shore to isle</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Back in 1891, Catalina was purchased by the Banning brothers who planned to develop the island as a resort. Avalon Harbor was their primary </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">focus, but roads and hunting lodges were also built in the interior. A devastating fire and World War I eventually forced the Bannings to sell off the property. In 1919, William Wrigley, Jr., founder of the chewing gum company and owner of the Chicago Cubs, bought controlling interest in the island. He soon set about building a dance hall on Sugarloaf Point - the Sugarloaf Casino.</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Not long after, in 1920, Al Jolson recorded "Avalon" and popularized the song about Catalina's resort town:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxU66jHDWLhocPc6s-XWhjQoWUUb1uCpiuf8bUQD9-xNEHJcjrgNzm4RIT64XT6dw_6OFJqEaqqasM0waIqaVZ98pt5kXVnso23SCjfNILbsisQHs7QvZz_lAF2xonyX0vAG1VGsoBQNP/s1600/avalon+song.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxU66jHDWLhocPc6s-XWhjQoWUUb1uCpiuf8bUQD9-xNEHJcjrgNzm4RIT64XT6dw_6OFJqEaqqasM0waIqaVZ98pt5kXVnso23SCjfNILbsisQHs7QvZz_lAF2xonyX0vAG1VGsoBQNP/s200/avalon+song.jpg" width="145" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"Avalon" sheet music</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I found my love in Avalon</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Beside the bay.</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I left</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> my love in Avalon</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">and sail'd away.</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I dream of her and Avalon</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> from dusk 'til dawn.</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And so I think I'll travel on</span></i><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>to Avalon.</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As it turned out, the song's tune was similar enough to an aria from Puccini's<i> Tosca </i>(1900) that the composer's music publisher filed and won a plagiarism lawsuit.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyVtwybS9rRyrnRCn4plgDdvLsbGj8AO5oXrEsXp7KvcAIPhDg_G-K6GTVuGVEfwdVmsuma-G2TZjuMdGMgqMiNfcI8TJXRttPeWT8ge_zQbe27BpRkVg4ag_22mI9G0VQiZiZ1cD17GT/s1600/the-ten-commandments-1923%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyVtwybS9rRyrnRCn4plgDdvLsbGj8AO5oXrEsXp7KvcAIPhDg_G-K6GTVuGVEfwdVmsuma-G2TZjuMdGMgqMiNfcI8TJXRttPeWT8ge_zQbe27BpRkVg4ag_22mI9G0VQiZiZ1cD17GT/s200/the-ten-commandments-1923%255B1%255D.jpg" width="146" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>The Ten Commandments </i>(1923)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">From Hollywood's earliest days, Santa Catalina Island provided a shooting location for film crews. D.W. Griffith was one of the first to use the island for this purpose with <i>Man's Genesis</i> in 1912. Other filmmakers followed suit. Classic silents with a Catalina backdrop include Fox's <i>Treasure Island </i>(1918), directed by Sidney Franklin, DeMille's <i>The Ten Commandments </i>(1923) for Paramount, and <i>Ben-Hur </i>(1925), directed by Fred Niblo for MGM. The island portrayed locales as exotic as North Africa and Tahiti and three diverse island areas were most often used for filming - Avalon, Little Harbor and the Isthmus - which eventually became known as "the Movie Colony Isthmus." Some of Catalina's palm trees were originally planted by film companies, and the island's buffalo herd was the result of a movie production. Legend has it that the animals were imported for Famous Player-Lasky's Richard Dix vehicle, <i>The Vanishing American </i>(1925). Though this is unproven, it is true that the picture was filmed on the island at the same time the creatures first appeared.</span><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFB39o8PtKuaViGs8Et0-dk214CYf5r9vMQ9acxXMUtTSPSScNFmnJZf7h3FwvMfdcelwpeH-ziSrhvE5YFtEaQabtIdVgqWRICW-_kUQGOfeADt7cUGoPF_YPMnmjqobVPub7nRRRdls2/s1600/avalon+ballroom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFB39o8PtKuaViGs8Et0-dk214CYf5r9vMQ9acxXMUtTSPSScNFmnJZf7h3FwvMfdcelwpeH-ziSrhvE5YFtEaQabtIdVgqWRICW-_kUQGOfeADt7cUGoPF_YPMnmjqobVPub7nRRRdls2/s320/avalon+ballroom.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The  Casino's Avalon Ballroom opened in May 1929</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Throughout the 1920s the island grew more popular as a resort destination and William Wrigley decided to raze Sugarloaf Casino to make room for a newer, larger structure. Construction on the Catalina Casino, a ballroom and theater, began in 1928. Architects Sumner A. Spaulding and William Webber created a design described variously as Moorish Alhambra and Mediterranean Revival. Fixtures and furnishings and art were designed in the Art Deco style. John Gabriel Beckman, known for his work on Mann's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, designed the murals.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The new ballroom opened in May 1929 with the Maurice Menge band providing dance music for 2,500 couples. The theater opened with <i>The Iron Mask</i> (1929), a silent film<i> </i>starring Douglas Fairbanks enhanced by the musical accompaniment of the theater's organ, the largest Page organ in the world. <b><a href="http://youtu.be/4LAp8mukNqM" style="color: #990000;">Click here</a></b> to visit the interior of the Casino theater and ballroom and hear "Avalon" played on the Page organ.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OvLMQprdh2XAPU_5mvxQ23ZcS3IHN5GPxkgRMlOtC1z5TY9uE3EsptuTEisxOfmn9_ewB_jo3ssiICLUgZ30FJOXoKfazHa-jl2WbCY9-hmZRVXoXqhepHzWUA-e9ZAvnwhR8vReAYbO/s1600/avalon-theatre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OvLMQprdh2XAPU_5mvxQ23ZcS3IHN5GPxkgRMlOtC1z5TY9uE3EsptuTEisxOfmn9_ewB_jo3ssiICLUgZ30FJOXoKfazHa-jl2WbCY9-hmZRVXoXqhepHzWUA-e9ZAvnwhR8vReAYbO/s320/avalon-theatre.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Avalon Theatre</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In 1929 sound permanently took hold in motion pictures. One early talkie filmed on Catalina was Sam Goldwyn's <i>Condemned </i>(1929) starring Ronald Colman and Ann Harding. Critic Mordaunt Hall, writing for the <i>New York Times</i> in November 1929, referred to it as an 'audible film.' In <i>Condemned</i>, Catalina provided the French penal island locale.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The island went on to appear in several classics of the 1930s: <i>The Island of Lost Souls </i>(1932), <i>Rain </i>(1932), Victor Fleming's version of <i>Treasure Island </i>(1934), <i>Captain Blood </i>(1935), <i>Mutiny on the Bounty </i>(1935) and <i>Captains Courageous </i>(1937).</span><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnG_EnCjiyGL5w_yEkFKQgDSB9BPiKMYUP6kal-gE6L0kjKkU2825zt6vD4e1dAJn9g7-GSd365BSCV9HLY231k5J6GULPyCFeRNSaJMdqv8ovBHJBhGPnYO3BMOxVFz9k4qXusklRA3u/s1600/flynn+on+the+sirocco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnG_EnCjiyGL5w_yEkFKQgDSB9BPiKMYUP6kal-gE6L0kjKkU2825zt6vD4e1dAJn9g7-GSd365BSCV9HLY231k5J6GULPyCFeRNSaJMdqv8ovBHJBhGPnYO3BMOxVFz9k4qXusklRA3u/s1600/flynn+on+the+sirocco.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Errol Flynn on the <i>Sirocco</i> just off the island</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Filming on the island introduced movie casts and crews to the pleasures of Catalina, and those who could afford it sailed and vacationed there. Some of the biggest names in movies spent time on and around the island...Chaplin and Paulette Goddard (pictured above on Joe Schenck's yacht) reportedly enjoyed fishing for marlin in the nearby waters. And Errol Flynn, a devoted sailor and carouser, ended up on trial following one of his many sojourns to the island.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Beginning in 1934, the Casino Ballroom hosted legendary big bands that were broadcast nationwide as they played live. Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Harry James, the Dorseys, Woody Herman and other top bands played to ballroom crowds that, over 28 years, averaged 4,000 per night. A record crowd turned out 6,200 strong for Kay Kyser and his band in 1938. The Avalon Ballroom's live big band broadcasts lasted far into the 1950s.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In the mid-'30s MGM produced this 19-minute musical revue featuring Buddy Rogers and his band (the California Cavaliers), Chester Morris, Leon Errol and others. Filmed in beautiful 3-strip Technicolor, the short includes cameo appearances by Cary Grant, Errol Flynn, Mickey Rooney, Virginia Bruce, Lee Tracy, Randolph Scott, Marion Davies and Lili Damita. Avalon provides the sea- and sun-kissed setting.</span><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/czIGtYPpKrA" width="425"></iframe><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkH1qD6z7SEX-zSNGBSw1hPHlR8ZTPionheyRcsaNX-Ak-cAZXRTGYxUR2AOhHHRe-meVO1cDSADzGYIDQSqUWsFOlLj-qpfDYTL-AySjBJgv4JiCvEpi7IgXMyshuDxk3Jjup6vsz8jMT/s1600/Jaws.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkH1qD6z7SEX-zSNGBSw1hPHlR8ZTPionheyRcsaNX-Ak-cAZXRTGYxUR2AOhHHRe-meVO1cDSADzGYIDQSqUWsFOlLj-qpfDYTL-AySjBJgv4JiCvEpi7IgXMyshuDxk3Jjup6vsz8jMT/s200/Jaws.jpg" width="168" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Jaws </i>1975</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">When the United States entered World War II, the island was closed to tourism and decreed off-limits to film production for the duration. Following the war, domestic and international air travel boomed and studios began shooting on location in Africa, the South Pacific and around the world. This didn't end Catalina's life as a location site, however. The island and its surrounding waters have been featured many times since in films like <i>Around the World in 80 Days </i>(1956), <i>The Glass Bottom Boat </i>(1966), <i>Rosemary's Baby</i> (1968), <i>Chinatown </i>(1974), <i>Jaws </i>(1975), <i>Dick Tracy </i>(1989), <i>The Hunt for Red October </i>(1990), <i>Apollo 13 </i>(1995), and <i>The Thin Red Line </i>(1998). Beginning with the silent era, Catalina has appeared in more than 200 films. Of course, the island has been featured on TV many times, too...</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Ientt9E9ewNwvabT2r4Uon8j9FbLKOfMjhKeCrkO6GaC9Q4SZjYGs2IFaw1_upKNTgMfrMpAxZSFq1xjln7CLqRNcdAB3FYre60tw6f7712d4bgVmmJW8pyiKAgM_yTvhZFGLqFO-JM6/s1600/Bogart+and+Bacall+Santana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Ientt9E9ewNwvabT2r4Uon8j9FbLKOfMjhKeCrkO6GaC9Q4SZjYGs2IFaw1_upKNTgMfrMpAxZSFq1xjln7CLqRNcdAB3FYre60tw6f7712d4bgVmmJW8pyiKAgM_yTvhZFGLqFO-JM6/s1600/Bogart+and+Bacall+Santana.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Bacall and Bogart offshore</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Once World War II ended, movie folk returned to the island. Bogart, Bacall and friends sailed often to and from Catalina on his beloved <i>Santana</i>. Elizabeth Taylor and Eddie Fisher spent part of their honeymoon on Catalina. Marlon Brando rented a house on the island while <i>Morituri </i>(1965) was shooting offshore. In 1972, Liza Minnelli threw a party in Avalon to celebrate her Oscar win for <i>Cabaret</i>. Celebrity couples from Warren Beatty and Julie Christie (dancing at the Chi Chi Club back in the day) to Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw to Barbra Streisand and James Brolin have been spotted on Catalina over the years.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">On a sadder note, Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner were spending Thanksgiving weekend 1981 in the area on their yacht, the <i>Splendour</i>, and it was in the waters off Catalina that she drowned.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">During William Wrigley's ownership of the Chicago Cubs, the team's spring training was held on the island - a tradition that went on for 30 years. But in addition to developing and making use of the island, Wrigley wanted to preserve it. In 1972, P.K. Wrigley fulfilled his late father's wishes when he established the Catalina Island Conservancy and transferred family ownership to it. Ever since, most of the island has been held in trust by the Conservancy...and buffalo still roam in the uplands (<b><a href="http://youtu.be/95EWO554CaA" style="color: #990000;">click here</a></b> to watch them roam), schools of Garibaldi fish still swim in the coastal waters, gray whales continue to pass by during their annual migration and dolphins are often sighted not far from shore.</span><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_J86waQKI44FVSBHejyNFN51OXT4Z8teXi739LR5RuHWKo0Gy4RkuZO18rFHqN5KO8oOu2keBvDDDyLP8O9E8C3u9j-tVaRZvtAEtmgSjCsU-HsCLDkYhyphenhyphen3z1JdIKnFDH6grXiXZHQbb/s1600/CatalinaIsland%255B2%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_J86waQKI44FVSBHejyNFN51OXT4Z8teXi739LR5RuHWKo0Gy4RkuZO18rFHqN5KO8oOu2keBvDDDyLP8O9E8C3u9j-tVaRZvtAEtmgSjCsU-HsCLDkYhyphenhyphen3z1JdIKnFDH6grXiXZHQbb/s320/CatalinaIsland%255B2%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Avalon Harbor</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIMZePAnogicBE87-t2YbNc5b_Lcbvj_6yeFqnyEYLQ5zx98in04cgjUtOibosRwOYcMIlq3070ZrdK_bXkFNTNkzF_3DRHDTpxQyaGsrhPHvOFSVktgK18N-TllfFkf5vfmwfKMRari-/s1600/casino+entrance+full+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIMZePAnogicBE87-t2YbNc5b_Lcbvj_6yeFqnyEYLQ5zx98in04cgjUtOibosRwOYcMIlq3070ZrdK_bXkFNTNkzF_3DRHDTpxQyaGsrhPHvOFSVktgK18N-TllfFkf5vfmwfKMRari-/s320/casino+entrance+full+shot.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Catalina Casino entrance</span></td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8H1jTXvDIH2ZNVPWKZFLEsdSKXlVStm-c3KR005z_TZYXHHx8079x1UnmBEE7QP0X8fbSIg_El92O0WTXnrGujCc3QGEf9ez7h2CteMD-lwUCu8FpbUHkoUm3n5tgdoKmlRCD0BNUbx2O/s1600/casino+ballroom+and+theater+entrance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8H1jTXvDIH2ZNVPWKZFLEsdSKXlVStm-c3KR005z_TZYXHHx8079x1UnmBEE7QP0X8fbSIg_El92O0WTXnrGujCc3QGEf9ez7h2CteMD-lwUCu8FpbUHkoUm3n5tgdoKmlRCD0BNUbx2O/s320/casino+ballroom+and+theater+entrance.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Casino entrance detail</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjks3_fqVk2rLH-0PBSfya6yIXdJEDryXmbMjoBLQXhzgTanJXFDKY_T5_Mitmd7T5GqBEdUh8snGkh2HBEgHW6tPlacJcxBGq0ylpbiUaq-PS-Nlj1EwrD4gyX7sJkHWyUiNdCmTRlTX-8/s1600/Ronald_Colman_Condemned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjks3_fqVk2rLH-0PBSfya6yIXdJEDryXmbMjoBLQXhzgTanJXFDKY_T5_Mitmd7T5GqBEdUh8snGkh2HBEgHW6tPlacJcxBGq0ylpbiUaq-PS-Nlj1EwrD4gyX7sJkHWyUiNdCmTRlTX-8/s320/Ronald_Colman_Condemned.jpg" width="209" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Condemned</i> 1929</span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyOjkqyjep9CbCkvRkNLe0sW7ZYv8HwlQJ_N6xGiaXfsnQb-S2RYfyMW3IQa31IfWQR6xxhG3-dsL2qtehifhJU9rOIwOPxV_qoreR6XUSdQFkjhx9zkkQ13YwL8yFXc6jgf3GCpV8PC_/s320/Captain+Blood.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="224" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Captain Blood</i> 1935</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMGzWUiwIGCggo5rVJ0u815A0hVksVLlaA6Tz5BONSjlItCZjC42v4Eso2MyKdOxgoYA2-o_p9HvYIOnoyZvfZgQz8jSo19QjYhQHobFkt4QgTA-hO0PSzA75DgX7N6kf_APQvZwrJHso/s1600/Muntiny+Bounty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMGzWUiwIGCggo5rVJ0u815A0hVksVLlaA6Tz5BONSjlItCZjC42v4Eso2MyKdOxgoYA2-o_p9HvYIOnoyZvfZgQz8jSo19QjYhQHobFkt4QgTA-hO0PSzA75DgX7N6kf_APQvZwrJHso/s320/Muntiny+Bounty.jpg" width="177" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Mutiny on the Bounty</i> 1935</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeEw7imwKKswXy-frczss6Udraqix2jlwUWt8DwsjGcW6MfbghrwTdo9VyMQNXrknxwKGM-rY4giRPh8fHiu1dxpT_b5XTg6HOnY_FamVXJIH1cILpYrk7twc7DQrrBfyOnDkTa592GUp/s1600/Rosemarys+Baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeEw7imwKKswXy-frczss6Udraqix2jlwUWt8DwsjGcW6MfbghrwTdo9VyMQNXrknxwKGM-rY4giRPh8fHiu1dxpT_b5XTg6HOnY_FamVXJIH1cILpYrk7twc7DQrrBfyOnDkTa592GUp/s320/Rosemarys+Baby.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Rosemary's Baby</i> 1968</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Location, Location, Location: Catalina Island

Avalon Bogart Captain Blood Catalina Island Charlie Chaplin Chinatown D.W. Griffith Errol Flynn Jaws Mutiny on the Bounty Rosemary's Baby William Wrigley Jr. Location, Location, Location: Catalina Island

Norma Shearer, Paulette Goddard and Charlie Chaplin off Catalina, 1934 A Film Location and Celebrity Haunt Since the Early 20th Century San...

Eat What You Love: Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal

12:06 PM Tukiyooo 0

Since Joel and I are moving in 11 days (yay!), we're trying HARD to eat up a lot of our food.  I had some rolled oats left over from the first time I made this oatmeal months ago, so I decided to use them up this week and make it again.<br /><br />The oatmeal is adapted from Marlene Koch's <i>Eat What You Love</i> and is called Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal:<br /><br /><b><u>Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal</u> <i>(7 Points+) </i></b><br /><i><b>Ingredients:</b></i><br /><ul><li>1/2 c. rolled oats</li><li>1 c. water <i>(you made need more depending on your box's cooking instructions - read those instead)</i></li><li>2 packets of sweetener of your choice <i>(I only used 1 packet of Sweet 'n Low this time)</i></li><li>1/2 tsp ground cinnamon</li><li>1/2 tsp vanilla extract</li><li>1 tsp table salt</li></ul><i>Optional Ingredients:</i><br /><ul><li>raisins</li><li>banana</li></ul><i><b>Instructions:</b></i><br />Cook oats according to package directions.  Once cooked, mix in remaining ingredients. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMIBdS37Gt1_Ch-y7zTxMV_V74pKUWmgapNyRx6GjxXY7FJmISz1r0fu6owMvZrdxkkB8I5YPWb1KjWw-7F42zB4jZNTkwZXGKseuxHgc6ijatwJZp2afE_iwQ16ofd7ocWA1GMGhRLn4/s1600/Blog+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMIBdS37Gt1_Ch-y7zTxMV_V74pKUWmgapNyRx6GjxXY7FJmISz1r0fu6owMvZrdxkkB8I5YPWb1KjWw-7F42zB4jZNTkwZXGKseuxHgc6ijatwJZp2afE_iwQ16ofd7ocWA1GMGhRLn4/s400/Blog+003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />I also added raisins and a banana to mine, which made it delicious and very filling for me.<br /><br />I hope you all have an enjoyable weekend!  I'm spending mine studying at Starbucks and hopefully getting a chance to enjoy some of this amazing weather we're having in Maryland - no humidity for the weekend after a week of upper 90-degree weather with a heat index of over 100! <br /><br />I haven't decided what I'll be making this week for breakfast and lunch.  Do you plan your work-week meals?

Eat What You Love Weight Watcher Recipes Eat What You Love: Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal

Since Joel and I are moving in 11 days (yay!), we're trying HARD to eat up a lot of our food. I had some rolled oats left over from the...

37 weeks

9:10 AM Tukiyooo 0

<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjG6kPf77E01m5nFpn1HoS3Bhlv5KJS9shM2mmyx8BCsiPFBn1Oonr3sKE1vJ7zRTHnPHs6Pc8yZWvEE_CQ5TmWKl6mGLNP3FBZ5RWSW0ZajGCZsp_K5LpSh6vueFTxTmYoi-rk59wssO/s1600-h/37%252520weeks%252520-%2525205.31.11%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="37 weeks - 5.31.11" border="0" height="471" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu8PClbOktjjCTZgaTHAi58mkZhVQrcN4JLvC7-woobjCWke3azt_ZkG3v1fzuvwa3et_xJ1rOAKiMe3FV8fdBxyzxapyahbmYWIMxP0Sv5SwMd16lNJNUhasa8XaKOETCNM5KEbfOqsAO/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; padding-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-top: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="37 weeks - 5.31.11" width="354"></a></p> <p>I’ve been slacking on my weekly posts lately. I couldn’t believe the difference in my belly from my <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2011/05/33-weeks.html">33 week post</a>!</p> <p><strong>How Far Along:</strong> 37 Weeks, 5 days! (day of picture) Today, 6/3/11, I’m 38 weeks, 1 day  <p><strong>Size of baby:</strong> According to thebump.com Baby Bangert is the size of a watermelon, over 6 pounds, and over 19 inches long from head to heel. BUT…I had an ultrasound last week and they are estimating Baby Bangert at 8 1/2 lbs already!  <p><strong>Maternity Clothes:</strong> Pretty much ALL maternity…minus a few t-shirts from the hubby!  <p><strong>Gender:</strong> It’s a girl!!! We’re still working on names…we’ve had 2 deadlines come and go and still no name. We are down to 3! Pray we pick one soon!!  <p><strong>Movement: </strong>She is a busy little girl, too bad she can’t just kick her way out of my tummy! I feel her moving around all throughout the day. I love it though…there is a tiny little life inside me!  <p><strong></strong><strong>Sleep:</strong> Pretty much non-existent! But everyone tells me its getting me ready for what’s to come. Tuesday night I think I may have gotten 2 hours total. <img alt="Sad smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-sadsmile" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO91cTVnKuiVGFP2rr6HurT0pRNSf3dYDtB61Qqs7A3J73fcQEAE6rKvsN4FHD37CDrRgZV5JMPGzfu6kw_kQIqjbbAHT9ztqlhEKJIeV80xao7lxyKOxh3rDqSH32IKzf5ZQwA-qqiL-f/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-bottom-style: none">  <p><strong>What I miss:</strong> Sleeping on my stomach, a bigger selection of clothes, sleep, and buying regular clothes (the maternity section needs to expand)!  <p><strong>Cravings:</strong> Nothing out of the ordinary. Ice cream and Mexican…but those are favs whether I’m prego or not!  <p><strong>Symptoms:</strong> Feeling well for the most part, just <u><strong>very</strong></u> achy & tired by the end of the the day.  <p><strong>Best Moment this week:</strong> We spent our long holiday weekend with some of our friends from KC! They were so hopeful Baby Bangert would make her arrival while they were in town. But no such luck. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDw6M68TbXW0ycsVJWpGeyML5a8Hazf1qhuMwtyirpRMqOe_uAYv-2W4TrEOneQ1vAMyQB1SQPH4W-NkHOnkx2YAcUsX6grfEfIEmkmCSibJdLmrEJAw4VZnBdDzXlrUAPP6t0fLVcjf_/s1600-h/Picture_277%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Picture_277" border="0" height="471" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NMAqRyVQENbl3PWkbaqbcwt01vcTy-9N9lbowbYagKcPJgKYXgKVhBKi-y3EBrFIF04ugpzoXenUmPD0fjTa57iL4uadMuYObpZnw-T_d0HfG1Z-IaJcHx6TqBIvyeshBYdHYTjvWjxv/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; padding-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-top: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="Picture_277" width="354"></a>  <p>At my 38 week appointment I was dilated 2+ centimeters and my Doctor is hopeful I’ll go this week. But I think that is because she is on call this weekend! <img alt="Winking smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbixrT5mtQiIZ-sB22YJoUMGVL1BrZIQ5vVM9iqudM1c2Zp5DHBTyaCKvqsHhUr0DB2CNE4kuCYT3w6R54tIvx6AW3Xh4dpWiMseYtnkHoYj_xZb_wvOPrJ5qlu2mnRoLcEL-1yy_lJJmQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-bottom-style: none"> I am more than ready to meet my little girl! I’ve been walking every night in hopes it would help get her here sooner!</p> <p>And I have to give a shout out to Callie over at <a href="http://wannabeathlete.wordpress.com/">The Wannabe Athlete</a>, her and her husband welcomed their little guy into the world this week! And I read a post she did last week that was just what I needed today. So for all you prego’s out there that are anxious and ready to meet your little one, click <a href="http://wannabeathlete.wordpress.com/2011/05/27/choosing-patience/">here</a>!</p> <p>Happy Friday everyone!</p> <p>Oh and in case you missed the nursery tour, click <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2011/05/nursery-tour.html">here</a>!!</p>

37 weeks

I’ve been slacking on my weekly posts lately. I couldn’t believe the difference in my belly from my 33 week post ! How Far Along: 37 Week...

Weight Watchers Walk-It Day Challenge

4:29 AM Tukiyooo 0

As you can see, I'm a little behind on the posting :).  Again, please bear with me these next few weeks - <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/05/busy-bee.html">my life is consumed by anatomy right now</a>.  <br /><br />On Sunday, May 22 I participated in what I think has been my favorite 5K so far!  The <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/templates/marketing/marketing_utool_1col.aspx?pageid=1171941">Weight Watchers Walk-It Day Challenge </a>took place in College Park, MD at Lake Artemesia.   <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpLQX-3W_hkSfWOGsfXuGjl61njRMi4B_ZBCxbEFSe2O3XE9X2YcFhVdni3OPZYYS1QmhcylDVHUn57AldZg9sJO_bqFVOglII3TIUv2YksU1tmBkylkpkE5hyN2gr9TUCHFqado_nCU/s1600/LA+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpLQX-3W_hkSfWOGsfXuGjl61njRMi4B_ZBCxbEFSe2O3XE9X2YcFhVdni3OPZYYS1QmhcylDVHUn57AldZg9sJO_bqFVOglII3TIUv2YksU1tmBkylkpkE5hyN2gr9TUCHFqado_nCU/s400/LA+1.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so pretty - a perfect 5K around this lake!</td></tr></tbody></table>What I liked about this 5K was the scenery!  We did 2 laps around the lake as part of the 3.1 miles.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmeGmaYugpTHok1LVaQXBoJdzGNp2hFknk9HOMk2Fb4-gojEJ8JTJHv5yn-EUI-T2Ut-mKtmoA8lTkQWYD2e4EzuJBoiockYCo1xrX3QjcwJ5pDqOze5g2UjHE4k7oo3HNfKGeflXHgQ/s1600/LA+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmeGmaYugpTHok1LVaQXBoJdzGNp2hFknk9HOMk2Fb4-gojEJ8JTJHv5yn-EUI-T2Ut-mKtmoA8lTkQWYD2e4EzuJBoiockYCo1xrX3QjcwJ5pDqOze5g2UjHE4k7oo3HNfKGeflXHgQ/s400/LA+2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rest of the 5K took place through woods</td></tr></tbody></table>The path was perfectly paved and wide enough for people to pass one another.  Also, because this event is related to the eating plan I follow, it made it that much better!  The snacks at the end were calculated with the Points+ values, and they were ALL healthy snacks - no pizza & pop afterward like most of the 5K's I've attended.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3Z3jt6Hr1Byby0hZYUc3oeQ58dZ2pbNDshp5_HjXByB1UPHP4CgFOCf_GqQFJ7l6fQ4an3XZTQ9nVDkrrpgNI5fWmx0c6UYjCk8BNTiCwIfpykrtuEGI0p9e_KC5YuWmyPphyphenhyphenXVIvIQ/s1600/LA+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3Z3jt6Hr1Byby0hZYUc3oeQ58dZ2pbNDshp5_HjXByB1UPHP4CgFOCf_GqQFJ7l6fQ4an3XZTQ9nVDkrrpgNI5fWmx0c6UYjCk8BNTiCwIfpykrtuEGI0p9e_KC5YuWmyPphyphenhyphenXVIvIQ/s400/LA+3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>The event organizers were also amazing - very encouraging and positive!  There were several of them along the route at various intervals cheering us on.  I also enjoyed the fact that in order to do this challenge, you had to be a WW member.  This made it extra special for me because it felt like you were really doing those 3.1 miles as a team.  Also, everyone there has been through the same struggles I'm going through.  Having Weight Watchers be the commonality between all of us was absolutely perfect - no one was looking down upon the next person for not being as fit or fast as they are.  In other 5K's I've done, people are strutting around in their skimpy running gear and everyone seems to be trying to outdo the next person.  I <3 Weight Watchers members!<br /><br />I was also happy with myself because I think this was the most distance I've jogged during a 5K.  I have no real way of knowing that for certain, but I felt really strong that day and I felt like the running was easy for me and it was not hard for me to keep going.  That almost NEVER happens.<br /><br />At the finish line they greeted you with what was my very first race medal! *Tear*<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_aD-KmBRB9X59ppI69vGqKjXqjWIDDmR9rVyvBUd4hljqwvfP3CrQ_OsnnAQPgE-vVbBK-TggTd787s1FrqKblgj7hM-OjLuzpnXZ0l110TWbhHMubggbGtSkPcKhXRXdgu8UkqiUFI/s1600/LA+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_aD-KmBRB9X59ppI69vGqKjXqjWIDDmR9rVyvBUd4hljqwvfP3CrQ_OsnnAQPgE-vVbBK-TggTd787s1FrqKblgj7hM-OjLuzpnXZ0l110TWbhHMubggbGtSkPcKhXRXdgu8UkqiUFI/s320/LA+5.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>That made my day!  It was as though I was being rewarded not just for completing this 5K, but for all the others I've done over the last few weeks.  Also, at the finish line they gave us a bag of WW friendly treats.  After everyone finished the walk, they gave away 50 prizes - I was so close 2 times!  They called numbers 301 and 303 :(!<br /><br />Oh, and we got this AWESOME shirt for signing up for the walk:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1tKA1ABWGfCejAQIUOkJnqXJwwHAvWTOo6ngJjw4mSUaHhP1lfAvZ5XBkCH4EslfCiajRprGXkaQ7LPVNWYqffGB45nXvw8oNDq190Ul5Iw2bsR0HGO2DPpx7NcA4ClgBpQLstkH8Wk/s1600/LA+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1tKA1ABWGfCejAQIUOkJnqXJwwHAvWTOo6ngJjw4mSUaHhP1lfAvZ5XBkCH4EslfCiajRprGXkaQ7LPVNWYqffGB45nXvw8oNDq190Ul5Iw2bsR0HGO2DPpx7NcA4ClgBpQLstkH8Wk/s320/LA+4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>This is blurry because I didn't want someone to walk in and see me doing a self-photo shoot!  But, that t-shirt I'm wearing is that silky, moisture wicking material.  It's SOOOOO nice!  I've never owned a shirt like this before and it is now my favorite exercise shirt.  I never understood the thrill with this type of athletic clothing because I really felt like my cotton t-shirts did the job just fine.  But man, these shirts suck the sweat away from your body and then you don't feel so disgusting!  <br /><br />If you're a WW member, I would highly recommend doing this walk next year!  Ours was so well put together and I just loved all the people who participated.<br /><br />My next and final 5K is this Saturday on the National Mall in Washington, DC.  It is the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure.  I'm kind of excited that this will be the last 5K for awhile.  I'm not currently committed to any others as of yet, but I'm going to hold off for the month of June until after we get moved and I'm done with this hell... or, I mean, school!

5K Success Weight Watchers Walk-It Day Challenge Weight Watchers Walk-It Day Challenge

As you can see, I'm a little behind on the posting :). Again, please bear with me these next few weeks - my life is consumed by anatomy...

I'm feeling fluffy / 189.0

11:25 PM Tukiyooo 0

Feeling fluffy for a human being is NOT a good thing.<br /><br />I don't wear 189 pounds very gracefully. It's doesn't feel comfortable. I've passed the point where I'm a little overweight, now I'm into the obese category again. <br /><br />My left knee hurts, I get out of breath easily and my blood pressure is up to hypertension levels (149/ 90--physical next month). I don't like this one little bit. I'm miserable.<br /><br />I wrote a really bad post Wednesday night. I only left it up for about five hours. Only a few people read it before I got up at 5am and deleted it. As my 14-year old nephew said after he posted something awful on Facebook a few weeks ago (he sounded very angry and depressed)...he said "I'm sorry...that's not me. I didn't mean it." I'm saying the exact same thing.<br /><br />It's strange how life slaps you up side the head one day, and you just think you're going to die from unhappiness. Sometimes that day turns into weeks. Then one day you wake up and it's like "oh well, that's life. Stuff happens. I'll be okay." That was me this morning. Whatever that thing was that I was going through seems to have passed for now.<br /><br />My change of attitude came about early today. I had a really good workout at the gym. I didn't want to go, but I had to make myself go to the gym at 5:30am. I've been going, but not as often and not working out as hard as I was a few weeks ago. Today it was different. I felt the old me coming through. The woman that wants to be healthy, and actually gives a damn about her life. <br /><br />Pretty good day today. Even if I am fluffier than I'd like to be. :)

I'm feeling fluffy / 189.0

Feeling fluffy for a human being is NOT a good thing. I don't wear 189 pounds very gracefully. It's doesn't feel comfortable. I&...

Weight Watchers Tracker Cover

9:13 AM Tukiyooo 0

I was an E-Tools Tracker for years and years.  I liked the online convenience and the ability to see charts/graphs of the progress you've made.  I like how you can mark favorite foods and how it automatically remembers what you've tracked previously.   <br /><br />However, I recently switched over to the paper tracker and I've been having more success with it.  When I'm at work, the online tracker is great because I'm always at my computer.  However, when I get home, the last thing I want to do is turn on my computer to log Points+.  I feel the same way on the weekends - I'm not always online.  I have the WW E-Tools App for my phone, but I still find it somewhat cumbersome to log the Points+ that way too. I found that my logging was lacking!<br /><br />The paper tracker has been working out so well for me, but I was finding that it was getting worn out pretty quickly due to the constant toting to/from work or to/from the grocery store (or any other place other than at home).  In my search for buying the paper trackers online, I came upon this <a href="http://myworld.ebay.com/mywhimsicalhearts/">Ebay Store called My Whimsical Hearts</a>.  The lady is a sewing expert and she makes tracker covers that perfectly fit the Points+ trackers!  I thought this was such a genius idea and so I bought one.  I am VERY pleased with this purchase because not only does it protect the tracker, but it's very well made, very cute, and I like the bookmarks that come with it.  They are also available in other patterns.  These covers range in price from either $14 to $26 plus shipping.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tnNPsz4fMh-tXDLMD2ymjIU56Q2Ovpa9rEJgUnuc_Xx0dXVuv_k84mN7p6twrcROAalV78QgKOjftcPjePZGVfQeo7WEgDSFwbM16c7DkrmsMHs2cmPY2VU0tiJFwrLmx3YZdTIRmCM/s1600/Blog+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tnNPsz4fMh-tXDLMD2ymjIU56Q2Ovpa9rEJgUnuc_Xx0dXVuv_k84mN7p6twrcROAalV78QgKOjftcPjePZGVfQeo7WEgDSFwbM16c7DkrmsMHs2cmPY2VU0tiJFwrLmx3YZdTIRmCM/s320/Blog+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pen not included :)</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RKHgTFCJfzTDsp7Ydu5gYBhErw5owoy7M_znXh52GzM3bH_pM7zjGvoW2M_gZXFuRWqRik7OB3aISKbhYywNH7b4r-fyiTxtiWr2EYIE4DlLd1GojgPiO9xNJjO6egdKgL6qCw2KBMw/s1600/Blog+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RKHgTFCJfzTDsp7Ydu5gYBhErw5owoy7M_znXh52GzM3bH_pM7zjGvoW2M_gZXFuRWqRik7OB3aISKbhYywNH7b4r-fyiTxtiWr2EYIE4DlLd1GojgPiO9xNJjO6egdKgL6qCw2KBMw/s320/Blog+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like the elastic strip on the left side that holds your papers down</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxuwao9-AK-RS1z04Hh0kmPN66ZcWZ2Y4EN6TEu15_mbchLd2Xm4Ft9HrfZApLbEanYHKw6nTcZ-GqciD-rOEaiMst0QutvVf_UBbdNmUYd4qEnN3ACVz8ZExM060Fvvi7UCRO13ZNN4/s1600/Blog+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxuwao9-AK-RS1z04Hh0kmPN66ZcWZ2Y4EN6TEu15_mbchLd2Xm4Ft9HrfZApLbEanYHKw6nTcZ-GqciD-rOEaiMst0QutvVf_UBbdNmUYd4qEnN3ACVz8ZExM060Fvvi7UCRO13ZNN4/s320/Blog+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cute bookmark - very handy!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7mgTBWaqyM3c1KIXoQA3T7xYqeo0XKgxPDng6EqfLFyp9G2vMwfKP8WgGFrJ5mwAmyWSiz7RxedjIP_AegRY2xytabg3JoOb0id9XnlBX6_yWcGAkuchU0-qvGvsje-iqEeHgwmnvds/s1600/Blog+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7mgTBWaqyM3c1KIXoQA3T7xYqeo0XKgxPDng6EqfLFyp9G2vMwfKP8WgGFrJ5mwAmyWSiz7RxedjIP_AegRY2xytabg3JoOb0id9XnlBX6_yWcGAkuchU0-qvGvsje-iqEeHgwmnvds/s320/Blog+007.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">inside pocket - also very handy!</td></tr></tbody></table>By the way, I do not know the owner of this Ebay store at all, and she has in no way influenced me to market her product to you, other than the fact that I love this thing!  It's just that when I find awesome, functional things that help me out in my weight loss journey, I was to pass them along to you as well!  Please go check her out!

Random Weight Loss Thoughts Weight Loss Products Weight Watchers Tracker Cover

I was an E-Tools Tracker for years and years. I liked the online convenience and the ability to see charts/graphs of the progress you'v...

North by Northwest - free to the public...

10:42 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr637xG2iyQ_sRktVwa9aEU8Zvq6KuG0SUPERY3uaNJYOQWJP5tDcVNJhZuNEB8d7XMX8uxPQjtczN1SEX8dJsiZlajboQ7Jeg7y0gOswjWpQ0xTvHld3ON4JkaKk91gn6ElX0UtTckIAO/s1600/NxNW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr637xG2iyQ_sRktVwa9aEU8Zvq6KuG0SUPERY3uaNJYOQWJP5tDcVNJhZuNEB8d7XMX8uxPQjtczN1SEX8dJsiZlajboQ7Jeg7y0gOswjWpQ0xTvHld3ON4JkaKk91gn6ElX0UtTckIAO/s320/NxNW.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83aD-6R-rdZTEsPdUtZICQS45Vc1oWGtSvEEZOXg9q-_VzGytTEii0RAMSWQTTT-Wy5ilXYHrCrAQcD4Gu5O_0xILq0jDF1-b2sBfjVLnmedqK1IagbcGezl684kMwhe2A-Kn7xyR-MnK/s1600/nxnw+audience.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83aD-6R-rdZTEsPdUtZICQS45Vc1oWGtSvEEZOXg9q-_VzGytTEii0RAMSWQTTT-Wy5ilXYHrCrAQcD4Gu5O_0xILq0jDF1-b2sBfjVLnmedqK1IagbcGezl684kMwhe2A-Kn7xyR-MnK/s320/nxnw+audience.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">When I was a little girl, the only director whose name I knew was Alfred Hitchcock. Though I didn't see any of his signature films of the era in a theater - <i>Rear Window</i> (1954), <i>To Catch a Thief</i> (1955), <i>Vertigo</i> (1958), <i>North by Northwest</i> (1959) - I must've seen the trailers, because I was well aware that he made exciting, colorful and glamorous movies.</span><br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Psycho</span></i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> (1960) was the first Hitchcock film I watched on in a theater. I saw <i>Psycho </i>(a far cry from his elaborate VistaVision/Technicolor creations of the 1950s) second-run (I was <i>finally</i> old enough) at the local movie house, the Ritz Theater, with a friend who'd already seen it. Pal that she was, she nudged me just as Arbogast, the detective, reached the staircase landing of the Bates home and a figure with a knife darted toward him...naturally, I shrieked long and loud...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">I was fortunate enough to see <i>Rear Window</i> when it was re-released into theaters in 1984, but have seen most of Hitchcock's films on television. There's no question that his work comes through powerfully on TV, but his films were made – carefully - to be seen on full-size theater screens.</span><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjDVlIn6pkex3gmKtAHxtjk1_8AYLjZY_3SmPVd3gyMMbsloLcphtilF64YL6aneiN_gBBTLXtoAEmcjqQfRWAbUGpo0cuXTF_zDgJ8E0zmNJNnFK-1O1pAWOQ-X4_M0vBuJ9OIlEozJo/s1600/Rafaelatnight-300x225%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjDVlIn6pkex3gmKtAHxtjk1_8AYLjZY_3SmPVd3gyMMbsloLcphtilF64YL6aneiN_gBBTLXtoAEmcjqQfRWAbUGpo0cuXTF_zDgJ8E0zmNJNnFK-1O1pAWOQ-X4_M0vBuJ9OIlEozJo/s1600/Rafaelatnight-300x225%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rafael Theatre, San Rafael, California</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Last July the nearby <a href="http://eves-reel-life.blogspot.com/search/label/Rafael%20Theater"><span style="color: #990000;">Rafael Theatre</span> </a>screened the silent version of Hitchcock’s <i style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://classic-film-tv.blogspot.com/search/label/blackmail" style="color: #990000;">Blackmail</a> </i>(1929). The film exceeded my expectations in just about every way possible. I was surprised that it as well-crafted and fluid as it was and that it contained so many elements that were to become Hitchcock trademarks. Live accompaniment by the Alloy Orchestra underscored the action and added dimension. And it was thrilling to be surrounded by an appreciative SRO audience.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Six weeks later, at noon on Sunday, September 5, the Rafael presented <i>North by Northwest</i>, free to the public, as part of its quarterly "Everybody's Classics" series. At 11:40 a.m. the line was long, but good seats were still to be had. By show time Theater 1 was packed and anticipation ran high.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Then Bernard Herrmann's pulsing score began and the crisscrossing lines of Saul Bass's title sequence filled the screen. <i>North by Northwest</i> was upon us and in just a few exhilarating moments I was whisked into the adventure.</span><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjncfTwxhlJ2LRmR7Js0ElvhCP0rydU3WwiZlcaNajjCjteH2h-thupKtdDIKMMWhqDVOae1u3vYpADTARrMJn1gVzZ1b2WssACPfp3TBJfeR46TrNQl3knU-mnnua1ISQmQn54Akoy3td6/s1600/North%252520by%252520Northwest%252520movie%252520image%252520%25283%2529%255B1%255D+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjncfTwxhlJ2LRmR7Js0ElvhCP0rydU3WwiZlcaNajjCjteH2h-thupKtdDIKMMWhqDVOae1u3vYpADTARrMJn1gVzZ1b2WssACPfp3TBJfeR46TrNQl3knU-mnnua1ISQmQn54Akoy3td6/s320/North%252520by%252520Northwest%252520movie%252520image%252520%25283%2529%255B1%255D+b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cary Grant - the adventure begins</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Possibly Hitchcock's quintessential thrill-ride, <i>North by Northwest</i> incorporates many familiar themes and plot devices - an innocent man accused, a romance complicated by mistrust and betrayal, a double chase (the police after the innocent man and the innocent man after the true villain), a backdrop of international espionage...</span><br /><br /><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">North by Northwest</span></i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> has been linked to two of Hitchcock's earlier classics, <i>The 39 Steps</i><b> </b>(1935) and <i>Notorious</i> (1946), but by 1959 the director, at the height of his powers, was in a position to control just about every aspect of his films, much more so than he had been 10 and 20+ years earlier.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">He was able to cast his favorite actor/star, Cary Grant, in the lead. And though he was unsuccessful in enticing Princess Grace back to the screen as his leading lady, he transformed Academy Award-winning method actress Eva Marie Saint into a stunning and complex femme fatale. James Mason, Martin Landau, Leo G. Carroll and Jessie Royce Landis rounded out his first-rate cast.</span><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLm5_dVQc_8P3zWLK5BEr_R1Tz5jlUh_VZVlsnINBG7Gqa80U-UgV_u3ix8BcNzpWIigkkar68CB7NvSlGN5uEDSMGZqZXGUUByPgOnNvbnc9v3toGPGV8MBOS6OOwSWbTTL1oVSftLfi/s1600/nxnw+hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLm5_dVQc_8P3zWLK5BEr_R1Tz5jlUh_VZVlsnINBG7Gqa80U-UgV_u3ix8BcNzpWIigkkar68CB7NvSlGN5uEDSMGZqZXGUUByPgOnNvbnc9v3toGPGV8MBOS6OOwSWbTTL1oVSftLfi/s320/nxnw+hands.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint, hands on </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Bernard Herrmann, who by now had worked with Hitchcock on several films, was just completing the score for the pilot of "The Twilight Zone" when he began <i>North by Northwest</i>. Ernest Lehman wrote the sophisticated and clever script that earned an Oscar nomination. Academy Award winning cinematographer Robert Burks, production designer Robert F. Boyle (also Oscar-nominated for this film) and other Hitchcock stalwarts joined in the collaboration.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">All of these ingredients plus glorious VistaVision and Technicolor added up to produce one of Hitchcock's most successful and exciting films.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">I'd seen <i>North by Northwest</i><b> </b>countless times and felt I knew the film well, but to finally see it on a movie screen was akin to seeing it for the first time.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">To begin with, Cary Grant's starpower was almost overpowering - his screen presence was that commanding. What grace, what confidence…and how impossibly handsome he was. It's not surprising that Bernard Herrmann adjusted his score to match what he described as Grant's "Astaire-like agility."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">As might be expected, the suspense seemed magnified on a theater screen, and so did everything else - the humor was more direct and the seduction scenes more intense in their intimacy and erotic implications. The film’s pacing is acutely precise – with suspense building to an exquisite pitch, then, at just the right moment, relief - via wit or romance. Then, once more, the suspense begins to build…</span><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdsZttYxl-0L4WHyQTs4Fcc1DhOSajvG0gixaqFzmqLNqD1Xs_a0dNjO1k2VV8YgGAVhg8MvaFLMm42kTbYlpNKJ9t4F6SuWzbsqpTOlEFbO764Ez5_RCDRgBe-FwZwfX9vK6tAaW0eX4/s1600/NorthBrand%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdsZttYxl-0L4WHyQTs4Fcc1DhOSajvG0gixaqFzmqLNqD1Xs_a0dNjO1k2VV8YgGAVhg8MvaFLMm42kTbYlpNKJ9t4F6SuWzbsqpTOlEFbO764Ez5_RCDRgBe-FwZwfX9vK6tAaW0eX4/s320/NorthBrand%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climax of a classic chase scene</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">The crop-dusting sequence with its truck-in-flames finale and the moonlit chase across the face of Mount Rushmore are striking set-pieces on a screen of any size. Via the big screen I could almost feel the heat of the truck’s explosion and smell South Dakota’s night air. These scenes are legendary and, for obvious reasons, much imitated. The early James Bond films emulate the crop-dusting scene... Steven Spielberg's <i>Close Encounters</i> (1977) includes a well-known homage with its replication of Hitchcock's night-time Black Hills.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Afterward, I couldn't help wishing I'd been able to see <i>North by Northwest</i> back in 1959 at the Ritz. The kid I was then would've come out of that theater exhausted and elated, convinced she'd just been on the greatest rollercoaster ride of her life.</span><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoihabE6skbsSXUgz8BYBgbrbge-kESZRwqe64NIDi9ldGw2fQW-buTDBrsvEbl9I4TgdIA2BIK_Hl_BIJjkR7xKt3P_x7xfjsrenzHciIQ6fqQS-bow7sC_uSAkm6_j25btSHHNVQiIoY/s1600/nxnw_great_cast%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoihabE6skbsSXUgz8BYBgbrbge-kESZRwqe64NIDi9ldGw2fQW-buTDBrsvEbl9I4TgdIA2BIK_Hl_BIJjkR7xKt3P_x7xfjsrenzHciIQ6fqQS-bow7sC_uSAkm6_j25btSHHNVQiIoY/s320/nxnw_great_cast%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eva Marie Saint, James Mason and Martin Landau</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Alfred Hitchcock has been widely acknowledged for his matchless ability to maneuver an audience's emotions and point of view with ease, and it's hard to maintain much distance from Hitchcock's best films. This could be why I enjoy the <i>experience</i> of his films as much as I enjoy the exercise of <i>studying</i> them.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">As with all Hitchcock films, <i>North by Northwest</i><b> </b>has a few things going on beneath its slick surface. But last Labor Day weekend, inside a darkened theater filled with laughing, sighing, cheering people, I was a child again for a while. Happily immersed in a suspenseful, clever, sexy adventure, I didn't really notice that, from the first note of Herrmann's score to the final shot of a darkened railroad tunnel, I was being swept along as if aboard a sleek 20th Century Limited under the command of a very crafty locomotive engineer.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_eDVg712jVxSH8zKidSYldd3z-4A5O1JdxsUl31TOYTc-3O9sXaHvQtaQOdcWJm3q_kVu0p4IgQVbTrYkGlx0LhM2qJUKEH11HBXDrTQ75ICTRO6McAx9MGwcjc8yfgQGPDdWtN-u6Oz/s1600/nxnw+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_eDVg712jVxSH8zKidSYldd3z-4A5O1JdxsUl31TOYTc-3O9sXaHvQtaQOdcWJm3q_kVu0p4IgQVbTrYkGlx0LhM2qJUKEH11HBXDrTQ75ICTRO6McAx9MGwcjc8yfgQGPDdWtN-u6Oz/s400/nxnw+poster.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div>

North by Northwest - free to the public...

Alfred Hitchcock Bernard Herrmann Cary Grant Ernest Lehman Eva Marie Saint James Mason Jessie Royce Landis Martin Landau North by Northwest Rafael Theatre The Lady Eve (author) North by Northwest - free to the public...

When I was a little girl, the only director whose name I knew was Alfred Hitchcock. Though I didn't see any of his signature films of th...