I am sick. Really sick.
My doctor doesn't want me to get on a scale for awhile so I won't be updating with weekly weigh-ins for a few weeks. My body is a mess and I'm off to go multiple specialists.
I will continue to help my body by eating healthy foods. I'm not giving up but I am being realistic.
October 30, 2011
October 26, 2011
Countdown to NaNo Warm-Up #4
Ten Creative Writing Prompts in Ten Days
Seven days until NaNo!
Ode to My Sweater
I love that you are black
And fir perfectly across my back
You warm me up when it is cold
I will even wear you when you are old
You wait on the back of my chair
Until there is a chill in the air
One time I lost you my sweater
I didn't know how I would handle the weather
I looked for you wide and far
And found you in the backseat of my car
____________________________________________________________________________
Ok, let's be honest here. This one sucks. I don't like rhyming but I thought I would try it. It doesn't work for me. Also, I was supposed to post this last night and didn't Note to self: Finish blogging before you take cough syrup. Moving along....
Seven days until NaNo!
Ode to My Sweater
I love that you are black
And fir perfectly across my back
You warm me up when it is cold
I will even wear you when you are old
You wait on the back of my chair
Until there is a chill in the air
One time I lost you my sweater
I didn't know how I would handle the weather
I looked for you wide and far
And found you in the backseat of my car
____________________________________________________________________________
Ok, let's be honest here. This one sucks. I don't like rhyming but I thought I would try it. It doesn't work for me. Also, I was supposed to post this last night and didn't Note to self: Finish blogging before you take cough syrup. Moving along....
October 24, 2011
Countdown to NaNo Warm-Up #3 -- The Near Year's Resolution
Ten Creative Writing Prompts in Ten Days
Eight days until NaNo!
The New Year's Resolution
"Happy New Year!" Alan leaned over to kiss his wife, Marla, before he took another sip of champagne. After another dance with Marla, they left the party and headed home.
"Hey, Al, what do you think your resolution is going to be this year?"
"A resolution? I haven't made a resolution since I was in third grade and my teacher made us write one. That was the same year I decided I hate resolutions."
"Hate resolutions? What?" She laughed. "It's just like making a goal. This year, my resolution to lose 20 pounds."
"Marla, honey. First of all, you can be more creative than that. And second, you don't need to lose even one pound."
Marla laughed again. "Oh Alan. Come on. Make a resolu-- make a goal with me."
"Ok. I resolve to not kill anyone this year."
"Not kill anyone?"
"Well, it should be pretty easy to accomplish."
Two weeks had gone by. Life was returning to normal after the usual holiday craziness. Marla had taken down all of the Christmas decorations. Alan was hiding the last of the cookies from his two children. He was busy at work and knew he would need a little sugar rush when he got home.
He kissed Marla good-bye and headed to work. Alan felt a little dizzy but shook it off and thought to himself that maybe he shouldn't have had that third cup of coffee.
All that he remembers of the rest of that morning was turning right onto Maple Ave and a sharp, hard pain in his head.
He woke up in the hospital. Marla was next to him with her head on the side of the bed. He softly stroked her hair. She sat up.
"Oh Alan!" She hugged him tight. It hurt but he didn't stop her. "I was so worried and scared."
"What happened?"
"You passed out while you were driving to work. You have a broken leg and arm and some cracked ribs. The doctors are running tests to find out the cause."
"Did I hit a tree?"
"No."
"A street sign then?"
"No." She looked away. She couldn't look him in the eyes.
"Marla. Tell me what happened after I passed out."
"You hit a pedestrian on the sidewalk. His name was John Milner. He was 79 years old and out for his daily walk."
"Was? Honey, what did I do?" He was shaking because he already knew the answer.
"He died yesterday."
Eight days until NaNo!
The New Year's Resolution
"Happy New Year!" Alan leaned over to kiss his wife, Marla, before he took another sip of champagne. After another dance with Marla, they left the party and headed home.
"Hey, Al, what do you think your resolution is going to be this year?"
"A resolution? I haven't made a resolution since I was in third grade and my teacher made us write one. That was the same year I decided I hate resolutions."
"Hate resolutions? What?" She laughed. "It's just like making a goal. This year, my resolution to lose 20 pounds."
"Marla, honey. First of all, you can be more creative than that. And second, you don't need to lose even one pound."
Marla laughed again. "Oh Alan. Come on. Make a resolu-- make a goal with me."
"Ok. I resolve to not kill anyone this year."
"Not kill anyone?"
"Well, it should be pretty easy to accomplish."
Two weeks had gone by. Life was returning to normal after the usual holiday craziness. Marla had taken down all of the Christmas decorations. Alan was hiding the last of the cookies from his two children. He was busy at work and knew he would need a little sugar rush when he got home.
He kissed Marla good-bye and headed to work. Alan felt a little dizzy but shook it off and thought to himself that maybe he shouldn't have had that third cup of coffee.
All that he remembers of the rest of that morning was turning right onto Maple Ave and a sharp, hard pain in his head.
He woke up in the hospital. Marla was next to him with her head on the side of the bed. He softly stroked her hair. She sat up.
"Oh Alan!" She hugged him tight. It hurt but he didn't stop her. "I was so worried and scared."
"What happened?"
"You passed out while you were driving to work. You have a broken leg and arm and some cracked ribs. The doctors are running tests to find out the cause."
"Did I hit a tree?"
"No."
"A street sign then?"
"No." She looked away. She couldn't look him in the eyes.
"Marla. Tell me what happened after I passed out."
"You hit a pedestrian on the sidewalk. His name was John Milner. He was 79 years old and out for his daily walk."
"Was? Honey, what did I do?" He was shaking because he already knew the answer.
"He died yesterday."
October 23, 2011
Week Seven
Week One: 225.0
Week Two: 222.0
Week Three: 220.4
Week Four: 219.8
Week Five: 218.0
Week Six: 218.6
Week Seven: Break from the scale
I have been sick for over 3 weeks and am taking medication for it. Due to this, my thyroid medications is interacting with it by NOT WORKING. Instead of getting upset by the numbers on the scale over something I can't do anything about, I thought I would take a break from the scale this week and instead measure my progress in another way.
Week Two: 222.0
Week Three: 220.4
Week Four: 219.8
Week Five: 218.0
Week Six: 218.6
Week Seven: Break from the scale
I have been sick for over 3 weeks and am taking medication for it. Due to this, my thyroid medications is interacting with it by NOT WORKING. Instead of getting upset by the numbers on the scale over something I can't do anything about, I thought I would take a break from the scale this week and instead measure my progress in another way.
This is me in jeans that I haven't been able to wear for a long, long time! I feel awesome in them! Yay for victories off the scale as well.
Sundays in the Kitchen - Russian Tea
Boil 6 tea bags in 8 cups of water.
Steep for 15 minutes.
Add in 6 more cups of water, 1 cup of sugar, 4 cups of orange juice, 4 cups of pineapple juice, 2 sticks of cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon of whole cloves.
Simmer.
The finished product is darker than shown above. Russian Tea doesn't photograph well.
This is go good and is perfect in the winter time and for the holidays.
Countdown to NaNo Warm-up #2 -- Punxsutawny Phil
Ten Creative Writing Prompts in Ten Days
Nine days until NaNo!
Punxsutawny Phil
Punxsutawny, PA
Punxsutawny Phil, born in Punxsutawny, Pennsylvania, died on February 2, 2012. He was 12 years old and died doing what he loved: predicting if there will be six more weeks of winter or six more weeks until spring.
He leaves behind a wife, Philippa, and 2 children, Philipina (age 2) and Philip Jr. (age 3).
Punxsutawny Phil was most known for his celebrity on Groundhog's Day. He predicted correctly 38% of the time but people still came from miles and got up before the sun rose to watch Phil make his year prediction. He was also featured in a movie, he has Beanie Baby named after him, and was a guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show.
He will be missed by many until next year when he is replaced with another groundhog.
Nine days until NaNo!
Punxsutawny Phil
Punxsutawny, PA
Punxsutawny Phil, born in Punxsutawny, Pennsylvania, died on February 2, 2012. He was 12 years old and died doing what he loved: predicting if there will be six more weeks of winter or six more weeks until spring.
He leaves behind a wife, Philippa, and 2 children, Philipina (age 2) and Philip Jr. (age 3).
Punxsutawny Phil was most known for his celebrity on Groundhog's Day. He predicted correctly 38% of the time but people still came from miles and got up before the sun rose to watch Phil make his year prediction. He was also featured in a movie, he has Beanie Baby named after him, and was a guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show.
He will be missed by many until next year when he is replaced with another groundhog.
October 22, 2011
Countdown to NaNo Warm-Up #1 -- The Cookie
Ten Creative Writing Prompts in 10 days!
10 days until NaNo!
The Cookie
I looked at the clock as I strolled into the office. 8:33. Eh, not too bad for leaving 10 minutes late. I walked past my mailbox. Empty. I love when my mailbox is empty. Less work to do before my second cup of coffee. I dropped my bags on my desk and chair and went to the kitchen in search of more coffee.
When I returned to my desk with a steaming cup of java in my hand, I saw something on my desk. Was this here earlier and I missed it or did someone just put it on my desk in the past 5 minutes?
I look at it closer. It's a cookie. I look around. No one is watching me. No one is walking around with a basket of cookies, delivering goodies to everyone in the office. I look at the cookie again. Chocolate chip. Mmm. It smells good. I wrap it up and put it in my desk drawer to save for after lunch. An hour later the cookie is calling to me. What's wrong with a mid-morning snack? Nothing. And I eat it.
The next morning I walk into the office to find another cookie on my desk. I asked my co-worker next to me if he got a cookie. He said no. I asked him if he saw you put this cookie on my desk. No again.
This continues for weeks. And months. I'm grateful for the cookie every morning and I've wondered if maybe I was being poisoned. I wasn't getting sick even after eating the cookies everyday for 3 months.
Then, one day, I come into the office and instead of the usual cookie sitting on my desk there is a deck of cards with a note attached. The note reads "Meet me tomorrow night at 7:30. 325 W. First Street. When you walk in, ask for Smith."
My curiosity won out over my apprehension. The day crept by. The next day was worse in anticipation for what was coming in just a few short hours.
Finally, I was standing in front of 325 W. First Street. The sign read Bengal's Bar. I looked at my watch. 7:33. I walked in and was greeted by an attractive woman who was dressed all in black. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a tight pony tail. "Hello" she said with a smile showing off her bright white teeth. "Can I have the name please?" "Yeah, umm. Smith?" I cleared my throat trying to read her reaction. "I mean, I think." I sounded as unsure as I felt.
"Great!" she said with another bright white smile. "Follow me please."
She led me through the dark bar. I looked straight ahead as I followed her, weaving through tables and chairs. She took to me to back of the room to a red door. "Right in here, sir. I'll send a server in to check on you in a minute." Bright white. She tossed her hair and strolled off. I stood there staring at the door for a minute. Why was I here? What was I doing? I checked my cell phone. No missed calls. No new messages. 7:36.
I opened the door.
10 days until NaNo!
The Cookie
I looked at the clock as I strolled into the office. 8:33. Eh, not too bad for leaving 10 minutes late. I walked past my mailbox. Empty. I love when my mailbox is empty. Less work to do before my second cup of coffee. I dropped my bags on my desk and chair and went to the kitchen in search of more coffee.
When I returned to my desk with a steaming cup of java in my hand, I saw something on my desk. Was this here earlier and I missed it or did someone just put it on my desk in the past 5 minutes?
I look at it closer. It's a cookie. I look around. No one is watching me. No one is walking around with a basket of cookies, delivering goodies to everyone in the office. I look at the cookie again. Chocolate chip. Mmm. It smells good. I wrap it up and put it in my desk drawer to save for after lunch. An hour later the cookie is calling to me. What's wrong with a mid-morning snack? Nothing. And I eat it.
The next morning I walk into the office to find another cookie on my desk. I asked my co-worker next to me if he got a cookie. He said no. I asked him if he saw you put this cookie on my desk. No again.
This continues for weeks. And months. I'm grateful for the cookie every morning and I've wondered if maybe I was being poisoned. I wasn't getting sick even after eating the cookies everyday for 3 months.
Then, one day, I come into the office and instead of the usual cookie sitting on my desk there is a deck of cards with a note attached. The note reads "Meet me tomorrow night at 7:30. 325 W. First Street. When you walk in, ask for Smith."
My curiosity won out over my apprehension. The day crept by. The next day was worse in anticipation for what was coming in just a few short hours.
Finally, I was standing in front of 325 W. First Street. The sign read Bengal's Bar. I looked at my watch. 7:33. I walked in and was greeted by an attractive woman who was dressed all in black. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a tight pony tail. "Hello" she said with a smile showing off her bright white teeth. "Can I have the name please?" "Yeah, umm. Smith?" I cleared my throat trying to read her reaction. "I mean, I think." I sounded as unsure as I felt.
"Great!" she said with another bright white smile. "Follow me please."
She led me through the dark bar. I looked straight ahead as I followed her, weaving through tables and chairs. She took to me to back of the room to a red door. "Right in here, sir. I'll send a server in to check on you in a minute." Bright white. She tossed her hair and strolled off. I stood there staring at the door for a minute. Why was I here? What was I doing? I checked my cell phone. No missed calls. No new messages. 7:36.
I opened the door.
October 19, 2011
12 days!
12 days until NaNoWriMo and I am super excited to get started. I finished a rough outline of my plot. Next I just need to iron out the wrinkles and develop my characters a little more and I am set.
Everything is top secret for now. After NaNo I will divulge the plot description.
Everything is top secret for now. After NaNo I will divulge the plot description.
October 16, 2011
Week Six
Let's get right to it.
Week One: 225.0
Week Two: 222.0
Week Three: 220.4
Week Four: 219.8
Week Five: 218.0
Week Six: 218.6
Week One: 225.0
Week Two: 222.0
Week Three: 220.4
Week Four: 219.8
Week Five: 218.0
Week Six: 218.6
I gained .6 this week. I have mixed emotions about it. First, my thyroid is out of whack again and my medication had to be changed. Anytime there's a change in thyroid medication it reeks havoc on a person's body until it has regulated itself. I may even see a gain next week until my thyroid levels stabilize again. Second, as my WL buddies helped me to see, this is about a lifestyle change. Of course, it stinks to gain but I have to keep focused on the long run. My focus is on better health and getting these health issues resolved, not on the number on the scale. The number on the scale is one tangible way to measure the steps in this journey but it's not the only way to measure.
Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.
Day Zero #23 Learn how to bake bread/Sundays in the Kitchen - Bread
I just HAD to try out my new KitchenAid stand mixer. It was a wedding gift and I love it! I decided to try making bread. I had never made it before and I learned a few things along the way for next time.
The recipe I used is from the KitchenAid mixer book.
Ingredients:
6 to 7 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
3 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 packages active dry yeast
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 cups very warm water
First I had to make sure I had some good jams going. This is a crucial step. I decided to play songs from our wedding since I was using a wedding gift.
Next I gathered all of my ingredients together. I am notorious for starting a recipe and then realizing I don't have all of the ingredients.
I put the dough hook in my KICK ASS mixer.
Now. On to the mixing.
5 1/2 cups of flour, the sugar, salt, dry yeast and butter all go into the bowl.
Turn the mixer to speed 2 and slowly add the water. Let it mix for about 1 1/2 minutes. It will look like mush.
Continue mixing on speed 2 and gradually add the remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time. The dough is ready when it is clinging to the dough hook and the sides of the bowl are clean.
Tightly wrap the dough in plastic wrap and then wrap that in a towel. Let rest for 20 minutes.
I made the mistake here of not wrapping it tight enough. The dough will rise (duh) and if it's not wrapped tight the dough will pop out the sides. Oops.
Next, the recipe calls to pull the dough apart in half. (The loaf pans that I had were smaller than what was stated in the recipe so I separated the dough into thirds.) Roll out the dough to get rid of bubbles and shape the dough into a loaf. Place in greased loaf pan and brush each loaf with oil. Loosely cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2-12 hours.
Pull loaves out of the refrigerate and let sit for 10 minutes.
Bake at 400 degrees for 35 - 40 minutes. Remove from pans immediately and let cool.
Mmmmmmm! This was a hit in my house. Warm bread with melted butter. Yummy! I will definitely be making bread again. Next time, I need to get actually loaf pans and a rolling pin.
The Power of Cinnamon
The medication I have to take for PCOS can increase my blood sugar levels. I have to get my blood sugar levels checked every so often because it can lead to diabetes. I've been on this medication for over 3 years and so far my blood sugar levels have been normal. This is good news, but at the same time I am always careful of the amount of sugar I eat and look for ways to combat this issue so that it doesn't become a problem. I would like to not cure one disease by contracting another.
Turns out that cinnamon has a lot of health benefits. It helps to increase metabolism and lower and stabilize blood sugar levels, and helps to reduce triglycerides or LDL -- the bad cholesterol. How can you add cinnamon into your diet? It's very easy. Sprinkle some in your coffee, tea, protein shake, smoothies or yogurt. It adds a great taste. This past week I've been sprinkling it in my coffee. It's tastes great but doesn't always dissolve completely and I had a few chunks of it floating around. I don't like things floating around in my drinks so I'm going to start adding some into the coffee grounds before I brew the coffee. Hey, I'll take any help I can get.
Resources:
Preparing for NaNo
15 days until NaNo starts and I am getting so excited. Yesterday I spent a lot of time on the forums and reading up on tips from writers who have won in the past. To win you just have to have your finished book and all 50,000 words submitted before midnight on November 30th. November is for writing. December is for editing.
I'm looking forward to reaching out and attending some write-ins in the area. A write-in is when a group of people meet up at a coffee shop or cafe and write together for a few hours.
I have 3 ideas for a novel that are swimming around in my head. I have 15 days to narrow it down. I started my character list and possible traits to go along with each idea. It's exciting to see how it's starting to come together and I'm even starting to grow an attachment to some of them.
I've also planned a writing schedule. I'm really looking forward to it and am thinking about starting it but work on smaller pieces until November.
It's going to be a long 15 days. I'm ready to start writing NOW!
I'm looking forward to reaching out and attending some write-ins in the area. A write-in is when a group of people meet up at a coffee shop or cafe and write together for a few hours.
I have 3 ideas for a novel that are swimming around in my head. I have 15 days to narrow it down. I started my character list and possible traits to go along with each idea. It's exciting to see how it's starting to come together and I'm even starting to grow an attachment to some of them.
I've also planned a writing schedule. I'm really looking forward to it and am thinking about starting it but work on smaller pieces until November.
It's going to be a long 15 days. I'm ready to start writing NOW!
October 12, 2011
Day Zero #92 Inspire someone to make their own 101 in 1,001 list
On day one no less! Awesome! My friend Jess at Points of Interest is making a list and I can't wait to see it. If I've inspired you to make your own list, please let me know. I would love to see what you aim to accomplish and keep up with your progress.
If you post your list to your blog, I would be happy to link you.
Update 10/16/11:
2 more people have deiced to make their own Day Zero list. I'm so excited that my friends have decided to join me. Jess (yes, another Jess) at A housewife who bakes....How shocking has started her list. You can find her list on her blog. Also, Alex at Good Girl Gone Wife has started her list too. Good luck ladies! Much love!
If you post your list to your blog, I would be happy to link you.
Update 10/16/11:
2 more people have deiced to make their own Day Zero list. I'm so excited that my friends have decided to join me. Jess (yes, another Jess) at A housewife who bakes....How shocking has started her list. You can find her list on her blog. Also, Alex at Good Girl Gone Wife has started her list too. Good luck ladies! Much love!
Day Zero #17 Write a letter to myself to be opened in 1,001 days
I thought this was a great one to start with. I promised I would blog about each item but this one I don't want to share here because I don't want to look back on this blog entry and see what I wrote to myself. Doesn't that defeat the purpose?
So anyway, I wrote the letter to myself (which is weird to do. Do I address myself as I, or you?) and it's now in a sealed envelope. I need to find a place to keep it for 1,001 days where it won't get lost. I think I'll put it in the black nightstand in the top drawer. Now I just hope I'm smart enough to remember or to think to come back to this blog post.
One task done. 100 to go! :)
So anyway, I wrote the letter to myself (which is weird to do. Do I address myself as I, or you?) and it's now in a sealed envelope. I need to find a place to keep it for 1,001 days where it won't get lost. I think I'll put it in the black nightstand in the top drawer. Now I just hope I'm smart enough to remember or to think to come back to this blog post.
One task done. 100 to go! :)
October 10, 2011
I've decided to write a book.
November is National Novel Writing Month or NaNoWriMo. Every year I think about participating and every year I end up not doing it. This year I've decided to try it. The goal is to write a novel that is 50,000 words starting Nov. 1 and ending on midnight Nov. 30. That's roughly 1,667 words a day. Seems doable when it's broken down by day.
I've always wanted to be a writer. I wrote a lot in high school and for the first year of college. After that I just sort of slowly stopped writing. I considered NaNoWriMo last year but I just felt like I was too busy starting a new job and planning my wedding. What's my excuse this year? I don't have one. So I guess I'm going to do this. At the end of it I can cross something off of my bucket list even if I never get published.
Well I have 3 weeks to dwell on it until I can begin writing. I'm excited and nervous and anxious all at the same time.
I've always wanted to be a writer. I wrote a lot in high school and for the first year of college. After that I just sort of slowly stopped writing. I considered NaNoWriMo last year but I just felt like I was too busy starting a new job and planning my wedding. What's my excuse this year? I don't have one. So I guess I'm going to do this. At the end of it I can cross something off of my bucket list even if I never get published.
Well I have 3 weeks to dwell on it until I can begin writing. I'm excited and nervous and anxious all at the same time.
October 9, 2011
Week Five
Wow. What a rough week. I've been away from blogging this week because I have been very sick. Friday was the only full day I worked this week. Yikes. I'm starting to feel better but am still struggling with a few symptoms.
Week One: 225.0
Week Two: 222.0
Week Three: 220.4
Week Four: 219.8
Week Five: 218.0
Week One: 225.0
Week Two: 222.0
Week Three: 220.4
Week Four: 219.8
Week Five: 218.0
Lost this week: 1.8 pounds
Lost total: 7 pounds
First, I am very happy to be in the 200-teens. That was one of my immediate goals. Second, I am well on my way to my first milestone goal of losing 10 pounds by New Year's. You (read as I) have to remember that even though these are small goals, I spent close to 2 years gaining weight every week. At its worst I was gaining 12 pounds a month. So to lose any weight at all is a huge victory for me.
In other news.... I really need a pedicure. Come on 3 more pounds.
October 2, 2011
Week Four
I don't like the scale today. Friends off!
Week One: 225.0
Week Two: 222.0
Week Three: 220.4
Week Four: 219.8
Week One: 225.0
Week Two: 222.0
Week Three: 220.4
Week Four: 219.8
Lost this week: .6 pounds
Total lost: 5.2
Looking at the bigger picture, 5 pounds lost is great. That's equivalent to one bag of sugar. I've been sick for some of this week and I think that had something to do with the small amount of weight loss.
Ok, scale, I guess it's not your fault. Friends back on.
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