Monday, September 21, 2009

Where The Heck Have You Been???

And to answer that question, I present you with a link to my new blog. One that will, for about the next 18 years, take up most of my time:


Since this info is very private, and since - in this day and age - the world can be a scary place, if you'd like access to my new blog after Oct 1, 2009, please either email me, leave a comment here, or PM me on Facebook with your email so that I can add you to the approved users list. After Oct 1 the blog will, unfortunately, be set to "Private - Authorized Users Only" status.

I've enjoyed my time blogging here - and may start up again from time to time - I'm sure there is a whole world of new Mommy shopping that needs to be discussed and reviewed - but for now most of my attention will turn to our new blessing.

Thanks for your support and following over the past year(s). It really has meant more than you know! I hope you are all blessed each and every day. Sincerely, Kristi

Friday, May 22, 2009

Holey Donuts

Ok so a while back I mentioned I went on a "research" spree. I've already reviewed my new friends the Bumpits below. The other purchase was a number of flavors of Holey Donuts (www.holeydonuts.net). They purport to be much better for you - in some cases 4x less fat - than typical donuts. AND they're not made with fake out ingredients (no tofu here folks!) - just good old fashioned normal stuff. I was not hopeful upon ordering but still couldn't help myself.

On my first round I ordered the Boston Creme Oreo, the Assortment #4, the Original Glazed, and the Cinnamon Rolls. The first one I had was the Boston Creme Oreo. The directions say to microwave them (they come frozen - packed in dry ice) for 15-20 seconds. I ended up having to do that plus another couple of 10 second hits. The down side was that all the frosting melted and ran all over the little plate the donut was on. Not that I couldn't scoop it all back on, but it didn't look as pretty and darnit I'm a sucker for packaging.

I am happy to report that the donuts were delightful! The fact that they are lower in fat/calories means they will not be 100% identical to a Krispy Kreme people. But for me that's a-ok - those double K donuts just are toooo cloyingly sweet for me anyway. The Holey Donuts I've found are still plenty sugary to satisfy a donut craving but aren't so sticky sugar filled that they mask the great flavors inside.

I've since had the basic glazed and the cinnamon rolls. Both get two thumbs up. I have not tried any of the others but considering its my duty as a blogger (and there's a holiday weekend ahead of me) I plan on it.

If there is a downside here its price. A six-pack of donuts (without shipping included) is almost $12.00. Yeah that's $2.00 a donut. And they won't ship any order under $35.00 so buy in bulk and save em in your freezer. But since these are hand made, and are a rarity (a good donut that you can feel good about) I say the price is worth it. BIG HINT: get on the mailing list right away before placing your first order. Quite often they run specials and sales that will include either free shipping or free-with-purchase donuts.


And in the "to be continued" column, I've recently made a new purchase that is winging its way to me. Its from the COMO Shambhala spas. I'm on a major kick lately to stop putting artificial chemicals in my body. To that end, I'm trying to locate products from make up to laundry detergent (and of COURSE foods) that don't have anything in the ingredient list that I can't identify! I read about the Shambhala bath gel in a famous mag and decided I couldn't live without it! I also got sucked in on the website and ordered a soap bar and some massage oil as well. With the tricky EU exchange rate I ended up paying about 1.5x what they "cost" but hopefully my body and mind will thank me for it! When they arrive from across the pond I'll give an update!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

The Amazing Bumpit Review

Ok so maybe the review won't be that amazing - but it will be a review of my new Bumpits!  Ok, the technical:
  • Price:  $18.95 + shipping (normally around $19.95 - $24.95 for a full set - you can get cheaper "partial" sets for around $10-14)
  • What you get:  5 "Bumpits" - 2 regular, 2 mini, 1 rockstar/hollywood
  • What they are:  pieces of plastic - we like to call them my "hair scaffolding" - in an arch shape with teeth all around to help you get that great "hair bump" at your crown without teasing your hair within a inch of its poor little life.

Here is what they look like:



Whe I got my box I opened them anxiously.  I used the brunette though they do also come in blonde, redish, and black.  I HIGHLY suggest matching then to your hair color as closely as possible.  That way if they end up peeking through a bit over the day's wear, it won't be so obvious.  But I'm getting ahead of myself....   In case you are wondering, the tiny Bumpits are apparently if you want to pull just your front bangs back and pouf them up.  Not an issue for me since I just cut fringe about a week ago.  Oh well.

Figuring there was no time like the present, I decided to use my Bumpits the next morning and see how they would hold up through an entire work day.   I pulled my hair straight up, teased just a bit at the base, put the Bumpit in and pulled my hair over it firmly (they suggest you do this very firmly so that the hair sticks to the little arrow-like teeth).  I also wiggled and jiggled my hair into place just to be safe.

I quickly realized that one Bumpit would not do the job.  It left a drop-off shelf-like appearance on the back of my head.  So I left the first one in where it was but repeated the process with the second Bumpit about an inch or so behind the first.  I made sure I kind of wiggled each Bumpit in place when I was putting it in to get it really snarled into my hair and also sprayed a bit of hairspray on each one.   After I got both into place, (and I had to re-do each a couple of times) I pulled my hair into a low ponytail at the nape of my neck.  The pull of the ponytail made the second Bumpit pull downwards and I ended up with  a leaning tower of Bumpit.  I had to remove it and put it in a little closer to the first and with a little more teasing at the base.  Once situated I put my hair back into my pony.

Overall it actually took longer to do all of this than it takes me to do my normal dry and style.  However to be fair, I think once I got the hang of it, it would become pretty quick.  It did take some wrangling and my arms got tired from being up in the air for so long!  But I was happy with the end result.  I wore them all day and even some into the evening (put them in around 6:30am and took them out around 7:00pm) and they held up fine.  They take some getting used to - they itch a little while they're settling in and at first you can feel them move ever-so-slightly when you walk (after an hour or so I stopped noticing it).   I also did feel self conscious about  them - wondering if the teeth or the strips were showing.  I found myself touching my hair ALL the time just to check and that got annoying throughout my work day.  I'm not used to worrying about my hair around others.  And since you can always feel the little jabby teeth when you touch your hand to your head, you get scared they're showing.  I did have a couple of co-workers do some spot checks for me and one time they could see the Bumpit showing so they had to help me fix it.  She did say that it only looked like a few bobby pins showing or something so I'm assuming what she was seeing were the teeth poking through.  

Here are my photos - I will say that when I put it in I felt like my hair was 2 stories tall.  Now looking at the photos it barely looks like it has any height.  Funny.  But of course I'm not a big hair teaser so maybe that's why.  And yes, I'm an Internet-photo-phobe, so sorry for the "edits".

So the final verdict is that they do work and I'm pleased with them overall.  I haven't used them again since last week.  I'm sure I will use them again, but not sure I would use them again for work.  For work, a standard pony is probably fine.  But for nights out and fun time, I've seen a lot of bloggers who have found really neat and creative ways to use these (french twists, helga braids, etc) so I look forward to experimenting.

The Pros: They do what they say they will.  They are wearable for long periods of time.  They come in many colors to most closely match many hair shades.  They appear to be quite sturdy and long lasting.  With time I imagine they will become easier and quicker to use.  They don't hurt your head even after long wear and surprisingly weren't hard or "ouchie" to take out.

The Cons:  There is definitely a learning curve.  They are better suited to thick hair - those with fine hair have to really work to get the Bumpits covered and concealed.  They can take some getting used to (itchy and feel odd for a bit until you get used to them).  I wish they were just a smidge shorter - I felt they were too long and almost hit my ears which made the ends harder to cover (not as much hair there).

So there you have it.  Go forth and Bumpit!

Sunday, May 3, 2009

I'm back.... I think.

Ok so for the first time since starting to blog (I think) I've missed an entire month - the entire month of April.  Ooooops.  Ryan and I have had a lot going on and life has just seemed to keep us busy enough that my "on-line" time suffered a little.  

I also realized I was getting away from the original focus of my blog.  SHOPPING and all things FABULOUS.  :)   So... purely to support the blogesphere (as far as my husband knows) I have ordered two new buzzworthy items and will review them for you as soon as they arrive on my doorstep.  What have I procured you ask?

#1 A set of Bumpits.  Yes Bumpits.  No, nothing to do with armpits, these little contraptions claim to get you a great Brigitte Bardot poof at the top crown of your head with little to no teasing.  The Bump.  I've never been good at teasing to get the right amount of poof. Ask my bewildered stylist.  And with fine hair, even if I can get it high and mighty it falls flat as a pancake within minutes.  I've read a bunch of online reviews of these and the majority do seem to love them.  There is a strong vocal minority who think they're horrid however so we'll see.

#2 Holey Donuts.  No, not kosher or religious donuts.  Apparently these treats are super low fat and low cal.  To the point of being about 1/4 the fat of a normal donut!  People do the math - that means you can have FOUR for the fat of one.  Yum.  And with flavors like Banana Cream Oreo Cookie and Apple Graham Cracker as well as lemon-filled donut holes or even cinnamon rolls how could I not be sucked in?  In the name of reliable and impartial blogging it was my duty to order as many flavors as I could reasonably handle (i.e. as many as I could before my husband pitched a fit).  

So dear reader I will post photos, reviews, and perhaps even some video if necessary to drive a point home, once my lovelies arrive!  And I promise to never leave you all alone for so long again.  I hope.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Things I Want Before I Die

While there are many, here are currently 10 things I want to have before I die hat I currently do not possess....

1) Judith Leiber Crystal Clutch (in some great whimsical shape)  Like this one; Or this oneOr this one,!

2) Shoes that cost over $500 and look great on me.  For instance, these.  Or these.  Or maybe these.

3) One pair of really great expensive jeans (a la True Religion, Rich & Skinny, etc)

4) A staple pair of flower diamond earrings (don't ask - I just need them) to be worn at all times.  These would work.  Or these.

5) An almost-gaudy diamond necklace.  Like this one.  Ok maybe this one is a tad too much.  Maybe not.

6) Either an old two-tone pickup truck in decent condition.  This one would work.  I like this one too.  Or an International Scout.  Like this one!  

7) A Ridley motorcycle.  This one please.  But perhaps more in this color scheme.

8) A photo session with Annie Leibovitz with makeup/hair/fashion done by the best of the best.

9) A classic Chanel suit.  Something like this.  Or this.

10) Something with blue or green diamonds in it - all the better if its antique Tiffany jewelry.  This is quite frugal really.   This is not.

So there you go.  Will I ever have any of them?  Likely not.  And if I could afford them, would I really spend the money on it?  Again - likely not.  But its still nice to have the list... just in case!

Friday, March 20, 2009

NutriSystem - Day 14 - The Dream Is Over

Well, I just canceled my membership at NutriSystem and got a return authorization for the remainder of my food. I just can't do it anymore. I weighed in this morning UP 0.2lbs - enough was enough. And for you naysayers who tell me its not appropriate to track weight more than once a week, even if I had just weighed in each Friday, I have officially GAINED since this day last week. I am UP 0.3lbs from last week. That means one whole week making myself miserable with no results and an in fact the opposite of the desired effect. I'm done.

I'm going back to Weight Watchers. I realize it will be slow going - at least slower than I want - but it is the only thing that has worked for me. I can eat the things I want, not feel deprived and still say within my appropriate range. I'll also be throwing in an evening walk or bike ride with hubby now that things are warming up.

With all the bad effects (gas, bloating) and the bad taste (bland food, weird aftertaste, limited menu), and the concern over quality (grade of beef/chicken, no need for refrigeration, high preservative content) it was just not worth sticking with something that cost me $300 a month.

This does not mean I will be going hog wild. I will not have biscuits and gravy for breakfast, lasagna for lunch and Chicago-style pizza for dinner. For instance this morning I'm having an egg beater omelet with tomato and shredded cheese. But I will be able to be a normal person, functioning in a normal manner, and not feel either deprived, left out, or boxed in.

END RESULTS:
Overall Grade: C-
Weight GAIN s of morning weigh in: 0.2
TOTAL WEIGHT LOST: 4.4 lbs

Yes, 4lbs in 14 days is not shabby. But when you look at how it all played out, most of that loss was in the first three days and was likely merely water weight. For the money (and the misery) it just wasn't worth it for me. Best of luck to you, dear reader, should you try and make the NutriSystem Journey.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

NutriSystem - Day 13

Ok, so almost 2 weeks gone on this little diet voyage.  The problem is that - while I had a nice loss today of 0.4lbs - I'm still not any further than I was a week ago.  And that is a real bummer.  But it seems that my body was really in starvation mode because I ate more yesterday than I had any other day prior and lost more than I had all week.  So we'll just try to stay around 1200 - 1300 and see what happens.  I also broke today and had to have something not prepackaged and not salad.  My family was having fried chicken and I picked a few pieces off hubby's serving.  Yes, I've resorted to vulturism.  I may have over-estimated the amount of chicken I ate when figuring calories but I'm trying to be rather safe than sorry!

I also noticed along this journey that I seem to have more - um - gas than usual.  I just happened to be talking to a friend who is a nurse who looked through the ingredients of my foods I had that day. She noticed a lot of Sorbitol.  This is a sweetener/preservative apparently that the body cannot process so it shoots right through.  Bottom line its known for giving you gas.  Mystery solved.  I wonder if this is what is contributing to the weird sweet/bitter aftertaste.  

Breakfast:
  • Yoplait Light
  • Nutricrunch Frosted Cereal
Morning Snack:
  • String Cheese
Lunch:
  • Garden Salad (no cheese) w/ tomato, carrots, black olives
  • Light Ranch Dressing
  • Diet Rite Soda
Afternoon Snack:
  • NS Fudge Graham Bar
  • String Cheese
Dinner:
  • Flatbread Pizza
  • Fried Chicken (approx 2 oz)
  • Green Beans
Dessert:
  • None as of publication time (trying to hold out due to cals already consumed and the thought of the aftertaste is really starting to turn me off to the foods)
Grade:  B
Caloric Intake: 1228.8
Weight lost as of morning weigh in: 0.4 lbs
Weight lost overall: 4.6lbs 

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

NutriSystem - Day 12

Bottom line here is that I weighed in UP 0.1 lbs today.  *sigh*  However after posting a message on the NS support boards I'm pretty convinced I'm actually not taking in enough calories and my body is in survival mode.  So today I tried to up my cals to at least 1200 and succeeded.  

There isn't anything new to review so nothing to comment on below.  I will say that as of today I'm really jonesing for SOMEthing that does NOT come in a vacuum-sealed pouch!

Breakfast:
  • Yoplait Light
  • NS Nutrisquare Cinnamon Cereal

Morning Snack:
  • String Cheese

Lunch:
  • Garden Salad (no cheese)
  • Light Ranch
  • Imitation Crab 
  • Chow Mein
  • NS Fudge Graham Bar

Afternoon Snack:
  • Almonds (6)
  • Starbucks Decaf w/mocha & caramel (one pump ea)

Dinner:
  • NS Thick Crust Pizza
  • Green Beans

Dessert:
  • NS Chocolate Caramel Bar
Grade:  C+
Caloric Intake: 1227.5
Weight GAIN as of morning weigh in:  0.1 lbs
Weight lost overall:  4.2 lbs

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

NutriSystem - Day 11

Ok - new format here.  I'm only gonna review things I haven't reviewed before.   Today's weigh in was a little better... down .3 but still not what I was hoping for.  All I can do is keep going!  I can say that the cravings are going away quickly and now when I go down to my office cafe to eat don't even bother looking at what's on the menu - just head to the salad bar - and don't feel deprived because of it.

New items:  
  • Cheese Ravioli in Tomato Basil Sauce
It was ok.  The rest of the fam was having spaghetti so I really wanted pasta to feel a part.  The ravioli (you get 2) were large - larger than you get in most restaurants - and it wasn't all sauce the way past entrees.  The cheese was a little chalky but not bad.  All in all I'd eat that again.
  • White Cheddar Soy Chips
Not as bland and "rice cake-y" as I thought.  Not great - a bit of a weird after taste but all in all nice white cheddar taste and salt (ooooh how I've missed salt).  If you like Vic's White Cheddar popcorn - these will suit you.

I tried to skip all snacks and even my lunch entree today to make up some calories.  I also went for a bike ride last night to kick up my metabolism.  I also had NO caffeine today.  We'll see if it helps!

Grade:  B+ for the lack of hunger even with low caloric intake
Caloric Intake: 990.7
Weight lost as of morning weigh in: 0.3 lbs.
Weight lost overall:  4.3 lbs.

Monday, March 16, 2009

NutriSystem - Day 10

Another pretty disappointing weigh in.  Down exactly 0.0 lbs.  *sigh*  I'm being told that it may be my body going into a little calorie shock but only time will tell.  I didn't have much for snacks today (instead using my lunch entree as my snack) in hopes that the little extra kick would get my weight loss going again. My goal of 20lbs is pretty outta reach now so I'm hoping for 16lbs.

Breakfast:
  • NS Chocolate Chip Scone
  • Water
Nothing new here

Morning Snack:
  • String Cheese 
I would have skipped this snack all together but I had a late meeting before lunch and was afraid I'd get hungry then splurge on lunch.

Lunch:
  • Garden Salad (no cheese)
  • Light Ranch Dressing
  • Imitation Crab
  • Chow Mein Noodles
Again nothing new here.

Afternoon Snack:
  • NS Fudge Graham Bar
  • Almonds (6)
Dinner:
  • NS Beef Tacos
  • Lettuce
  • Sour Cream
Nothing new here either.  Wow I'm boring.

Dessert:
  • NS White Chocolate Chunk Cookie
The cookie was a little weird at first bite and kinda hard (which was also odd) - it had its usual weird aftertaste.  But the white chocolate chunks saved it and made it something I was ok with.

Well today was anti-climactic.  On one hand I'm glad I didn't gain anything back I suppose, but I'm also really disappointed I didn't lose any either.  But as I suspected it was much easier to focus on other things at work and there was no "cheat food" calling my name right at hand.  The only thing I can do is keep pressing on and hope to get to my goal!!

Grade: B
Calorie intake: 1094.2
Weight lost as of morning weigh in:  0.0 lbs.
Weight lost overall:  4.0 lbs.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

NutriSystem - Day 9

Today it all came crashing down - my delusion of 5lbs a week weight loss.  At this morning's weigh in - I GAINED .9 lbs.  Curses to yesterdays cheats!  Ok you know how you don't really miss Oreos until you have one.  Then somehow the day AFTER the Oreo is the hardest day to try and NOT have an Oreo.  Well after cheating yesterday... and then after today's REALLY disappointing weigh in ... it was very hard to get through today.  For some reason I was just CRAVING "normal" food.  Today for lunch my hubby had a bologna sandwich and my daughter had a hot dog.  It about killed me.  But I just keep reminding myself "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels"

Breakfast:
  • NS Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
  • Decaf Coffee
Ok, I've reviewed the maple brown sugar before and this one is pretty much the same with the addition of a few pieces of apple within.  

Morning Snack:
  • String Cheese

Lunch:
  • NS Chicken Salad
  • Wheat Bread (1 pc)
  • Water
To try and feel normal I pulled out the little foil packs of Chicken Salad.  Whatever it shows on the packet must be an artist's rendition.  It shows nice chunks of chicken - I had my light mayo and wheat bread ready to go.  Then I looked on the ingredients and found the might mayo and relish was already mixed in.  I opened the packet and pulled out a gloppy mess.  There were no flaky pieces of chicken.  There was instead a creamy-lumpy pile.  To be fair, it tasted fine.  I just needed to have a "sandwich" to feel normal.  I would have LOVED to have had some baked chips, or a cookie after but contained it.

Afternoon Snack:
  • Cherry Coke Zero
  • Peanut Butter (2tsp)
Dinner:
  • NS Thick Crust Pizza
  • Green Beans
  • Water
Nothin new here.  I am noticing the aftertaste of most ALL of the NS items, more and more lately.  Tonight I was kinda psycho about it and had to have my last mint crisp bar just to help get rid of the after taste for fear the standard chocolate crunch bar would leave a similar taste. I don't know if its the added fiber, whey proteins, or the preservatives (doesn't seem quite natural to have cheese and chicken breasts that don't need to be refrigerated).  Whatever it is its kinda starting to get annoying.  On top of that my hubby and family had his famous chicken out on the grill (coated with butter, butter and more butter) of which I could have none!

Dessert:
  • NS Mint Chocolate Crisp Bar
I'm looking forward to the day I'm done with this diet.  First just due to the hopeful weight loss goal.  Second just to be able to have normal food again.  That's starting to be my sticking point.  I'm sure I'll do better during the week at work since I'm keeping busy and since I won't have my mother bringing home bakery cakes and setting them out on the counter *eye roll*.  I have a feeling once this first month is over, I'll go back to Weight Watchers.  It is a lot more labor intensive (having to track and record points) but I get "cheat" days and I get to eat normal food. So if I'm craving a hot dog I can have one and then eat sensibly the rest of the day.  Don't get me wrong - NS is exactly what I need right now - something to jump start my better eating and to help train me that I don't need a ton of food to be full.  However once I've got it down and made a good start, I can try and handle it on my own from there.

Grade:  D
Caloric Intake: 1017.8
Weight GAINED as of morning weigh in:  0.9 lbs
Weight lost overall:  4.0 lbs

Saturday, March 14, 2009

NutriSystem - Day 8

Ok, today I let myself down.  This was the first day I actually cheated.  Twice. The first was totally within my control and a bad choice (m&m cookie after lunch) the second, I did the best I could but went out to dinner (already planned and you can't live life in a bubble) and the menu was not diet-compatible. I did the best I could with a salad but it came with a ton of shredded cheese on it (which I tried to pick through) it was huge (I only ate about 1/8 of it) and they had no light dressings.  Argh.

Breakfast:
  • NS Blueberry Flavored Pancake Mix
  • Syrup - 1Tbls
Still like em.  Not much else to say.

Morning Snack:
  • String Cheese
  • Starbucks Decaf + Mocha/Caramel (one pump ea)

Lunch:
  • NS Fettuccine Alfredo
  • M&M cookie
Yeah.  Cookie.  Freakin weekend.  

Afternoon Snack:
  • String Cheese
Dinner:
  • Garden Salad w/ Shredded Cheese & Chicken
  • Ranch Dressing (1 Tbls)
  • Diet Pepsi
This was where things continued to go downhill.  The most "diet" thing I could find on the menu was the buffalo chicken salad. I ordered it without blue cheese, used only one small strand of chicken and left the other two, ordered the dressing on the side, and only ate less than 1/4 of the salad.  I didn't have any NS entree to try and do everything I could.

Dessert:
  • NS Chocolate Chip Cookie
Ok this was better than the double chocolate almond one.  Almost like a real cookie, but again, it still had that weird silghtly vanilla/sweet/bitter aftertaste.

Grade: C  (for the cheating)
Caloric Intake: 1119.7
Weigh lost as of morning weigh in: 0.2 lbs
Weight lost overall: 4.9  lbs

Friday, March 13, 2009

Nutrisystem - Day 7

One week down!  Woo hoo.  Ok its Friday night so this will be quick.  I'll edit tomorrow with deets.

Breakfast:
  • NS Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins w/ ICBINB Spray
  • Water
Once again I was pleasantly surprised at the muffins.  I warmed them in the microwave which helped.  They still had that taste that seeming all NS items have - some kind of weird aftertaste I just can't place.  But I'm getting used to it I suppose.

Morning Snack:
  • String Cheese

Lunch:
  • Garden Salad
  • Citrus Vinaigrette
  • Edamame w/ Soy Sauce
  • NS Fudge Graham Bar
  • Diet Coke
Nothing much new to review here!

Afternoon Snack:
  • String Cheese

Dinner:
  • NS Chicken & Dumplings
  • Water
This was a little questionable.  It was a little bland which is no big deal - I can add salt.  The odd thing was that you couldn't really tell chicken, from glumpy gravy from "dumplimgs".  No kidding.  I didn't even know when I was eating a dumpling - never "found" one.  I assume they were in there somewhere.

Snack:
  • NS Cheese Puffs (3 puffs)
  • NS Zesty Herb Mix (1/4 pack)
  • NS Nutrichocolates
  • Water
Ok, here is where we ran into to some serious trouble.  I wanted to try and branch out from the chocolates into some of the more "savory" snacks.  Big mistake.  Apparently whatever they can cover with the chocloate and sugar does not translate to cheese puffs and snack mix.  Stick the the chocolates.
Grade: B-
Caloric Intake: 1178.0
Weigh lost as of morning weigh in: 0.9 lbs
Weight lost overall: 4.7 lbs

Thursday, March 12, 2009

NutriSystem - Day 6

Well things are going much better.  Either day 3 really was my low point due to detox, or who knows what.  But since day 4 I've been doing great, not feeling hungry and my energy has been good.  Not even contemplating quitting now.

Breakfast
  • NS Cinnamon Squares Cereal
  • Yoplait Cinnamon Roll Fat Free Yogurt
  • Water
I'm not a cereal girl.  Even normal cereal.  Its just not my thing.  So I got a few NS cereals for one purpose - putting them in yogurt.  It worked out great.  The cereal tasted fine and stayed nice and crispy in the yogurt.  This felt like a "normal" breakfast and the Yoplait diet yogurts are amazing and come in so many flavors.

Morning Snack
  • String Cheese
Lunch
  • NS Pasta Parmesan with Broccoli
  • Garden Salad (no cheese)
  • Light Ranch Dressing
  • Imitation Crab
It seems each day has to have a dismal failure.  The NS Pasta was today's.  Its another "cup o noodles" deal so I filled it up with my hot water and waited 5 minutes.  The smell of overcooked broccoli was almost overwhelming.  When I tasted it, I got through 3 bites before I had to just throw it away.  Good thing I had my salad (which I sprinkled a few chow mein noodles to make up for my disappointment... or that's what I told myself).  I actually really didn't need the NS entree - the salad did fine for me.  [and for those of you wondering, yes, I actually DO like broccoli normally]

Afternoon Snack
  • String Cheese
  • Almonds (12)
  • Mandarin Orange
  • Cherry Coke Zero
Dinner
  • NS Beef Tacos
  • Decaf Coffee
I wasn't sure about beef that comes freeze dried in a packet that you have to add water to and then microwave.  However I was very pleasantly surprised.  It tasted, for the most part, just like taco meat.  I was also really surprised at the serving.  The package shows 2 round "shells" (more like chips) and I figured there would only be 2 and that they would be the size of Tostito round chips.  There ended up being 3 shells and they were about the size of a coaster each.  I put some lettuce and a very small dollop of sour cream on each (you are allowed a dairy serving with dinner).  I didn't need anything else with dinner.

Dessert:
  • NS Mint Chocolate Crunch Bar
Nothing else to say.  These are awesome.  Lurve them.

Ok well its almost been a full week.  I'm kinda dreading the weekend since that is prime snacking time since my family is around and food is within reach at all times.  Plus, there are chips, cookies, ice cream, and other baddies ALWAYS staring at me.  *sigh*  But I found the NS community boards today and posted a few messages.  Hopefully I can strike up some weight loss buddies to help me through the journey!

Grade: A-
Caloric Intake: 1033.3
Weigh lost as of morning weigh in: 0.6 lbs
Weight lost overall: 3.8 lbs

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

NutriSystem - Day 5

Today was a bummer wake up call. Hopped on the scale this morning and only lost .1 lbs. Point one. As in one tenth of a pound. Argh. That did not set my day off right. Dunno if it was the extra 1/2 a banana, the non-fat-free salad dressing, or merely my body clinging to what is left as a "starvation reflex". Here's hoping tomorrow is a better day.

Breakfast:
  • NS Blueberry Muffins
  • Decaf Coffee with Mocha/Caramel (one pump each)
  • Water
The last time I tried NS, the muffins were one of the worst things I'd ever tasted.  They literally tasted like someone had mixed sand into the batter.  I was UBER hesitant to order more this time around but had heard someone say they liked them so ordered the blueberry.  I was very pleasantly surprised.  While you can still tell something is a little off (probably the stuffed-with-fiber thing) but they were fine.  A lot like the little hostess mini muffins if you've ever had those.

Morning Snack:
  • String Cheese
Lunch:
  • Small Garden Salad (no cheese)
  • Light Ranch Dressing
  • Imitation Crabmeat (2 oz)
  • NS Fudge Graham Bar
Nothing much new here.  I did find out that the light dressing on my salad bar at work is only 45 cals for a 1/4 cup.  That was heartening.  I also found out that 2oz of imitation crab is only 50 cals.  So I could have a nice salad, a few small pieces of "krab" and feel pretty good about lunch. The NS bar was fine.  Nothing great, nothing bad.  Just your typical diet or energy bar.  I wouldn't want to try it as my only lunch item though.  

Afternoon Snack:
  • String Cheese
  • Almonds (6)
Dinner:
  • NS Sourdough Pizza with Cheese
  • Baked Potato & ICBINB
  • Rib Eye Steak (1 oz)
  • Decaf Coffee
The fam had steaks with baked potatoes today.  Argh.  For dinner you're allowed a small protein or dairy so I cut a small slice off one of the steaks and had that with my pizza.  Steak and pizza... totally makes sense.  Right.  But hey I was pushed to my limits.  You're also allowed 2 veggies each dinner so I subbed in a baked potato plain save for ICBINB.  I'm hoping that's ok - we shall see!   Ok so the pizza was fine.  Baked it in the oven and with everything else dinner was all I needed.  Feeling guilty for the potato I skipped dessert tonight.

Dessert:
  • None
Grade: B+
Caloric Intake: 1068.1
Weigh lost as of morning weigh in: 0.1 lbs
Weight lost overall: 3.2lbs

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

NutriSystem - Day 4

Ok - MUCH better day today.  I had always heard that the 3rd day of any major diet change (carb deplete, detox, etc) is the hardest.  Judging by yesterday I hope that is accurate because yesterday SUCKED.  I was very ready to quit, and in fact, "cheated" and ate 1/2 a banana around 9:30 last night.  I just couldn't concentrate on anything else.  Even watching TV was too much effort.  Today is much improved. I can honestly say I didn't ever get ravenous the whole day.

Breakfast
  • NS Chocolate Chip Scone 
  • Water
Already reviewed the scone - still love it.  Wish I had more.  And note - no coffee this morning.  Maybe that was part of what helped but I really did try and suck down the water today.  I also slept with my humidifier on 45% last night to try hydrate some overnight.

Morning Snack:
  • String Cheese
Lunch
  • Garden Salad (no cheese)
  • Light Ranch Dressing
  • NS Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar
  • Diet Pepsi
I'm guessing having the large salad was part of the key today.  After eating the salad (at lunch with a friend) I walked back to work and decided to have my NS item about 30 mins later - so probably an hour after I finished the salad.  The PB Bar was not good.  It wasn't horrid, but when I opened it (after having it in the fridge with my lunch), it had a VERY strong chemical smell.  I almost didn't eat it (but who are we kidding).  It literally smelled like vinyl - like the pages from an old photo album.  After I got into it I guess I either got used to it or it warmed up and was ok.

Afternoon Snack
  • String Cheese
Almost didn't even need this.  Ate it on my way out the door of work at 4:30 just in case I would get hungry before I could get home and make dinner.

Dinner
  • NS Stroganoff Sauce with Beef and Noodles
  • Green Beans
  • Water
The NS entree was good.  Really nice portion, lots of mushrooms and carrots, and the beef was not scrungy!  I would definitely eat this one again.

Dessert:
  • NS NutriChocolates
Loved em last time.  Love em now.  They taste great and you get a ton of them in a pack.  It doesn't feel like until you open it and start munching, but if you eat them one at a time they last a long time.  I'm sitting here now totally satisfied and almost what I would say is "full".  

Overall today was probably my best day hunger-wise and food-wise.  I almost felt like a normal person.  I did have "light" ranch instead of fat free dressing, but I accounted for it in my calories for the day and reconciled it with not having as many snacks later.  The down side was that I only lost .6lbs at this morning's weigh in - even after having a horrid day yesterday.  Bummer.  But I knew at some point the mega loss had to stop.  Unfortunately.  So we'll wait and see what tomorrow brings!

Grade:  B+
Caloric Intake: 1068.7
Weigh lost as of morning weigh in:  0.6 lbs
Weight lost overall:  3.1lbs



Monday, March 9, 2009

NutriSystem - Day 3

Breakfast:
  • NS Chocolate Chip Scone
  • Coffee
Folks we have a winner.  The scone is the best (i.e. closest to "real" food) I have had so far.  I would give it a solid A.  Its a little dense however that is the normal texture for a scone.  Its not going to have the flaky outside that a bakery scone would so hence no A+ but still darn good. I'd eat it even if I weren't dieting.  Plus the portion was very generous - 2 substantial triangles.

Morning Snack:
  • String Cheese
Lunch:
  • NS Fettuccine Alfredo
  • String Cheese
  • Water
This was one of the heavy paper cups where you add boiling water (think Cup O Noodles).  It was ok.  The sauce thickened up somewhat... I still wouldn't call it a cream sauce but it had good flavor.  Just make sure you don't use any more water than it states.  The portion was fine.

Afternoon Snack:
  • 6 Almonds (x2)
  • String Cheese
  • Mandarin Orange
  • Cherry Coke Zero
Ok  this is where we ran into trouble.  By 2:00 I was starving.  I ate my 6 almonds, a string cheese and my little Clementine type orange.  By 2:30 I had to get a Coke Zero for the caffeine.  It didn't help enough. At 4:00 I caved and ate 6 more almonds.  By the time I got home at 5:30 I was ready to chew my hand off. I had a huge headache and my muscles were tight/aching like a stress ache.  

Dinner:
  • NS Thick Crust Cheese Pizza
  • Water
This time I did the thick crust pizza I remembered liking from last time.  I also made sure to do it in the oven.  It is only slightly larger than a coaster.  Its about the size of a "Gladware" lid.  I cut it into 4 small "slices" to help myself feel like I was eating more.  The pizza was fine.  There's still a little something wonky with their sauce (its too sweet) but its doable.  I felt better after eating but not full. I chugged a glass of water before running to a 6:30 meeting.

Dessert:
  • NS Double Chocolate Almond Cookie
It doesn't exactly taste like a cookie.  A little powdery, a little dense and not rich chocolate. But its a cookie, its something else to eat and it does have almonds in it.  I'd give it a B-.  

Today was a hard day.  It started off great with a good breakfast where I didn't even feel like I needed anything other than the NS entree.  However it started to go downhill with lunch and by the afternoon it was realllly hard.  In fact I'm hungry as I type (about 30 mins after my cookie)  I'm feeling VERY low energy, my shoulder muscles are tight and achy and I get headaches quite often.  I'm going to try and up my water intake to see if that will help.  All I can say is that tomorrow better show some nice weight loss or I'll be pretty cranky (ok so I'm already cranky).  I will say that after today, had I not paid $300 to do this, I would be really likely to quit.  But I can't look hubby in the eye if I do so onward we go.  [note: NS does have a money back guarantee, but you have to ship everything back and shipping a 40+lbs box is no small trick]

Grade:  C- 
Caloric intake: 1064.1
Weight lost as of morning weigh in: 1.3 lbs
Weight lost overall:  2.5 lbs

Sunday, March 8, 2009

One Last Plea

Peeps, please check out my posting about helping a young man achieve his prom goal by clicking here... we're in the home stretch!!!

NutriSystem - Day 2

Ok day 2 ... harder than day 1 and unfortunately, more calories taken in on top of that.  Definitely noticed being hungry and had some odd side effects?  Here's the report:

Breakfast:
  • NS Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal
  • String Cheese
  • Mandarin Orange
  • Maxwell House Coffee
The oatmeal wasn't what I expected. I'm used to microwaveable instant oatmeal.  This stuff you put the water in but then microwave the whole thing for 5 minutes (which I thought was quite a lot).  It wasn't bad necessarily - just bland.  And a different texture - more "whole oaty" - you could actually "chew" each oat.  I wouldn't say it was bad... just bland and not great.

Lunch:
  • NS Cheese Tortellini
  • McDonald's Side Salad
  • Newman's Own Light Italian Dressing (1/2 pack)
  • 2/3 pack Croutons 
The Cheese Tortellini were also bland.  The pasta sauce was almost too sweet and the cheese in the tortellini was chalky.  Also, when I was done I noticed that the container was mostly tomatoes and pasta sauce though I can't say I left the table hungry. My fun find for the day was that a pack of McDonald's croutons only has 60 calories!  (yes I survived a trip to the golden arches with my hubby and kiddo!)

Snack:

Ok here is where I got REALLY hungry.  I think the 2-3 o'clock hungries are going to be my challenge.  I ate my whopping 5 green olives (seriously) for my "fat" for the day.  30 mins later I couldn't take it and caved and ate 1tsp of peanut butter.  I also finally went and got a cherry Coke Zero.  I'm worried about the caffeine I'm taking in, but its the only thing that helps stem the hunger between meals.

Dinner:
  • NS Teriakyi Sauce, Beef, Rice & Vegetables
  • Non Fat Cottage Cheese (1/4 C)
  • Water
I give this a resounding "ok".  The meal itself had good flavors and did taste Asian-inspired.  However note the title of the entree and it will give you a clue as to what order the quantity of ingredients is based.  At least half of the weight of the product was sauce.  There was a fair amount of beef but it was certainly not prime beef - I actually had to put aside a few pieces due to gristle and fat.  It wasn't horrid and I admit I'm a picky eater when it comes to beef, so take that for what its worth.  There was only about 1/8C of wild rice in a small well to one side of the entree.  I think, apart from water chestnuts, I saw three other veggies total.  The one thing I find odd about this one is that most calorie counters know that the easiest place to find hidden calories is in sauces - we usually steer clear of them.  I didn't finish more than half the sauce and so this makes me wonder if I saved significantly in calories.... but since NS doesn't break that out, I'll never know.  I'd eat this one again though. 

Treat:
  • NS Microwavable Chocolate cake
This is where things went horribly wrong.  Horribly, horribly wrong.  I was so excited to see a microwaveable chocolate cake.  So excited in fact that I ordered 4 of them.  Big mistake.  I did not expect them to taste like Betty Crocker, but I DID expect them to taste.  My first warning was when I licked the batter off the fork while it was in the microwave... it tasted like some bland mixture of weak cooking cocoa and water.  Then after the suggested 5-minute cool, I tasted it.  The only way I could describe it would be if someone created a water-based spongy paper product and then BARELY flavored it with chocolate. I felt like I was eating a wet newspaper that someone had spilled a drop of hot chocolate on.  Knowing full well I only have one snack a day allotted to me, I actually threw it away and got out another chocolate bar like last night's.  We'll let Future Me worry about what to do about that missing dessert....

NOTE:  I'm noticing some weird things going on with my body.  I don't know if its the diet, if its detox, if its the caffeine, or if its coincidence.  I'm noticing a lot of the same symptoms that I had when I tried to do the juice detox (the Lemonade Diet - you have only juice for 10 days... I made it 2).   My chest, from time to time, feels "restricted" or as if its a little harder than normal to breathe - I notice this more when I'm having one of my "hungry" times.  I'm also noticing the glands in my neck feel swollen - especially on the left side.  Its almost to the point I'd call it a sore throat but not really.  And I have a headache often.  It could be that the Whoppers and onion rings of days past really are detoxing through my system.  Or it could be that my body is in a bit of caloric shock.  Or it could be the increase in caffeine (I used to drink almost NONE before this).  I'm going to see how things go over coming days.

Tomorrow will be my first day at work on NS.  On one had it should be easier - more to keep my mind busy and not as many snacks in arms reach.  On the other I will be sitting at my desk allll day with nothing else to do and will be around snacking and lunch-eating co-workers.  Yipes.  

FINAL REPORT:
Grade:  C
Caloric Intake: 1157.3 (not counting the bite of microwave cake)
Weight lost as of morning weigh in:  1.2 lbs
Total weight lost:  1.2 lbs

Saturday, March 7, 2009

NutriSystem - Day 1

Ok so I have officially lived through day one.  Overall I feel ok.  I did get hungry a few times but either tried to have "ok" snacks per the meal plan (baby carrots, string cheese, etc) or plied myself with caffeine (yeah not so healthy but yet effective).  I noticed my energy is down, but I knew the first 3-4 days would be a detox or adjustment period since I'm accustomed to eating crap in great quantities whenever I feel like.   Another thing I've discovered is that I used food as entertainment or something to look forward to. I caught myself thinking "man I have nothing to look forward to tomorrow" since its a Sunday with nothing much planned.  When I had nothing else going on I used food as an event.  Gotta stop that bid'ness!

Ok, so here is what I had today along with my reviews:

Breakfast:
  • NS Blueberry Pancake Mix made with 2% milk, & ICBINB spray
  • Apple
  • Water
The pancakes were actually pretty good.  Actually really nice - just like normal pancakes.  You don't get a lot.  Enough for either 2 normal or 3 silver dollar-sized.  But that was enough for me along with the apple.  You are "allowed" a tablespoon of light syrup but since I had used 2% milk I skipped that and just used the ICBINB spray.  I felt full and overall good about the meal however we went shopping after and within 2 hours I was very, very hungry. I had to get a coffee to help stem the tide.

Lunch:
  • NS Red Beans & Rice w/ Chicken Sausage
  • String Cheese (Low Fat)
  • Starbucks coffee (leftover from shopping trip)
The main entree was actually really good - a lot of good Cajun spice - and the portion was generous for a diet portion. The chicken sausage was not gristly or overly processed.  Not much else to say here - I did get peckish before dinner but you are allowed one designated "fat" a day so I used mine as an afternoon snack - a teaspoon of peanut butter.  It was really all I needed to not feel deprived.

Dinner:
  • NS Flatbread Cheese Pizza
  • Cooked Broccoli with ICBITB spray
  • Steamed corn with ICBINB spray
  • Cherry Coke Zero
The pizza was the best thing I remember about my last go round with NS.  Unfortunately it was the most disappointing of my day today!  The serving is VERY small.  I remember thinking the old version (the thick crust) was about the size of a coaster.  The flatbread is about the size of a woman's small wallet (i.e. the kind without a checkbook portion).  I tried cutting it into 4 pieces to make myself feel better but they ended up truly being bite sized.  In addition, I was short on time so I chose the microwave directions and got a rubbery crust. I will do my best to make sure I have time to do them in the oven.  Just to give you an idea of size, these little guys only take 5 mins in the conventional oven - not much there to cook.  The broccoli and corn helped me make it through the meal without feeling bummed.

Snack:
  • NS Chocolate Crunch Bar
This was the highlight of the day and I remembered the chocolates being pretty good last time so I intentionally saved it for last when I'd get my evening munchies after I put my little one to bed.  The portion was great - the size of a normal candy bar - and the taste was really good!  It didn't have that odd powdery chalky taste a lot of energy or diet bars have at all!  It was a rice crisp bar (like a Nestle Crunch) but also had a bit of an espresso taste.  So far, its 9:00 at night and I'm still "ok".  (And I ate dinner early  - around 5:30 - since I was so hungry!)

Total caloric intake today: 916.6.  Overall I'd give today a B-.  So, one day down.  34 to go!  Oh boy!

Nutri System Take Two - Review

Once again spring is upon us.  So of course once again that means diet time.  After much consideration and weighing of options, I decided on Nutri System.  I had done NS once before about 2.5 yrs ago with great results weight-wise (13lbs in a month) but not so great results otherwise.  What do I mean?  I thought the food was horrid (cardboard and sand as I called it) and I was so hungry ALL the time that, well lets just say I was not a cheerful wife to be around.

So why give it another go?  First, I've heard the food has improved.  Second, I have, since the last time around, become very familiar with diet food and realized most of it is cardboard and sand so you just cope.  Third, I can't argue with the results I got - and that is the bottom line.

When I was thinking of signing back on I looked and looked for reviews of the food.  The only comprehensive one I could find was sponsored by NS itself!  Sooo I decided why not review everything as I go.  I plan to track what I eat each day, how I feel, and how much I'm losing.  I'd like to ultimately lose 20 lbs. 

Today is day one so look for a post tomorrow on today's big start!!


Friday, February 27, 2009

Vote Early, Vote Often - Take 2

Ok, loyal readers, and voters. I need your mouse clicks once again! Here is a note below regarding my cousin, Mattie about her son:

Alec is wondering if anyone would help his school with their prom? He is in grade 11 and it's his first prom. It's a voting thing where you can vote everyday for his school and the school that wins receives $5,000 to use towards their prom. You can vote once a day if you want to. If you can't, don't worry about it. I just thought it would be neat if a little school won instead of a big school.

When the page pulls up, it's just off to the right hand side where it says to vote. It lists the schools based on the state. He lives in Colorado (CO) and the name of the school is Cedaredge High School. Right now they only have 73 votes and a school in Colorado Springs has over 250, but my nephews school is in second place! Anything you can do to help would be great! The deadline is March 13th!
Note that deadline - so vote once a day for two weeks and you will have fulfilled your civic (or least your karmic) duty! Thanks all!!!

http://www.stumpsprom.com/service.cfm?page=promusadetails

Friday, February 20, 2009

I Hate Dove

Ok, today - feeling a little down about the pudge factor - I decided to try and be good and limit my afternoon treat. I decided on only 2 Dove "Milk Chocolate Promises with Caramel" bites (I mean a "serving is 5 pcs!). They are lovely little chocolate squares with inspirational messages on the wrappers. Or so they claim.

As I'm sitting enjoying my first bit o chocoloate love, I glance down at my wrapper to see this:

Nice. Now my very small seed of guilt has ballooned into a potted plant of guilt. What gives? What the heck kind of "inspiration" is that??? As I sit going through the stages of grief, I slowly transition into the anger phase. I will not be bossed around! I will not be made to feel guilty! Most certainly not by a piece of foil! So I defiantly unwrap my next square, pop it in my mouth and check out the wrapper:

OK! OK DOVE - I GET IT! I'm a pig. I disgust you. I get it! Back the eff off! Man - who died and made you hall monitor? Sheesh.

In all honestly, I'd just like to know who the ____ does the brilliant marketing for Dove? If I ever meet them I will pelt them with all the small 'oragami' style folded foil wrappers I'll be collecting - in defiance of evil, evil, mean Dove Chocolate.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Just In Case...

....there are any of you still hanging on (God bless you!) I'm posting to say that it will likely be a while before I post again. Nice huh?

To catch you all up: OUR HOUSE SOLD! (can I get a w00t)?! But the new folks needed a quick close so we are getting up and out by this weekend. (By Superbowl time according to hubby). Sooo the last two weeks have been a flurry of packing, packing, packing, moving, packing.

Because of said move, we will be moving in with my folks (yes my husband is a saint) while our new home is being built. In that aspect we haven't even finalized the plans yet so it will be a good 6-8 months before we get into our new digs. SO, in the meantime living in one home with two families, 5 people, 2 bathrooms, and limited computer-using space will likely put a further crimp on my blog time.

And finally, to be honest, I'm not sure I still have my blog spark. Just don't have anything fun to say or talk about lately. Things have kinda been a stress kettle around here since the holidays so I just haven't had much fun, interesting stuff to share! I thought if I took a break it would come back stronger than ever but so far, not so much. So we'll see. If nothing else I can post house updates! (neato keano I'm sure).

So, dear reader(s) have a wonderful tail end of winter and hopefully I'll be back here belting out witty prose sooner rather than later!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Dig It

Ok, if you know me, you know I am not Oprah's biggest fan (can I even say that out loud - will a Harpo Studios helicopter descend on my house at 3 a.m. now??). However, today while perusing CNN I got accidentally linked to an article from her magazine - and LOVED it. To be clear - it was not written by Oprah (thank God). It was written by one Ms. Lisa Kogan. Its a discussion of all those snarky little comments, clueless questions, or just plain mean digs that have come her way over the years (culminating in what she refers to as "The Question That Must Never Be Posed to Any Woman, Ever" which she was asked just three weeks after delivering her first child).

I'm posting the link at the end of this blog for your perusal just because its too good to miss. Its an easy and fun read with a bit of a zen message in there somewhere.

In the spirit of the article, I will share my own "most memorable" snark - and while I do think it may fall into the "clueless" category, it still made the top of my list:

I was about 6 months pregnant. During my pregnancy I had been lucky enough to have a friend/co-worker who was also going through her first pregnancy and we were about 3 weeks apart. One day we decided to go across the street to Starbucks for a treat (decaf of course - don't send me emails). We got our coats on and hopped on the elevator. Another lady had happened to be waiting for an elevator at the same time and got on with us. Things were politely quiet for a second until the lady spoke up. Looking at my friend she said "I have seen you around and I just have to tell you, you are just the most adorable pregnant lady I've ever seen! You're like a toothpick that swallowed an orange!". My friend graciously thanked her and made some comment or other about not feeling very much like a toothpick. Then things went quiet again. I sat there in the corner of the elevator feeling rather awkward and quite a bit like chopped liver. There I was, my cheeks matching the color of my red mohair coat ... the non-most-adorable pregnant woman ever. Once we got off the elevator and my friend and I separated from the other woman, my friend tried to smooth over my ruffled feathers by telling me "I'm sure she didn't even know you were pregnant! That's why she didn't say anything!" Maybe. Or maybe not. We'll never know. And I'll always wonder.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/personal/01/13/o.slight.collector/index.html

Monday, January 12, 2009

The Big Event

Well the day finally came.  I thought I'd be a lot more excited than this.  Instead I just feel kinda blah about the whole thing and not as filled with anticipation as I figured.  Yup - we sold our house!  After nine months on the market, 3 offers that botched, and I-have-no-idea-how-many showings - our house is under contract and set to close on Feb 3rd.

So as if I haven't been an absentee blogger already, I'm just here to say that will get worse.  Getting a 5 BR home boxed up is no small task. And the problem is, I just don't feel like doing it.  Any of it.  I even looked into hiring packers but it would have been well over $1000 and I can't really justify spending that much on my sheer laziness.  But we do really have to get our butts in gear since we basically have 3 weeks to pack up everything we own (short of a few things) and get it all to storage.

Yup - storage.  We're building our next home and since the market is as horrid as it is we refused to break ground until we sold our current home.  Now we have to finalize plans, get an architect to draw them up "officially", put them before the development review board, get subs lined up and materials chosen/priced out and then dig a really big hole.  What will we be doing in the meantime?  Living with my parents.  Yeah.  All of us.  For about eight months near as we can guess.  My husband is a saint.  Of course when he remembers he'll be saving about $3000/month by doing that, he seems quite content.  And honestly we're very lucky to have parents nearby who will let us crash their empty nest for a bit.

We save money, get instant babysitters, and a free ride; they get 24 hour access to Cora.  It seems to work for everyone!  :)   (and before you have a hissy fit - no we are not really getting a free ride, there will be payment made as soon as we can figure out ways to do it which will fool my mother into accepting it).   

But back to the main point here ... why am I so darn blah?  Is it self preservation in case something falls through? Am I emotionally overwhelmed (this is the place I came home to after my honeymoon - the place I where I brought my first child home from the hospital)?  Am I just freakin avoiding packing?  Who knows.  We've had a lot going on lately even apart from the move.  

The only response I have to all of this is the old Indian adage: "How do you eat an elephant?  One bite at a time."   Or in our case, one box at a time!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Post Holiday Blahs? Nah.

Ok, I will be the first to admit, once HappyTime(tm) has passed I can tend to get a bit down. January just seems so bleak... its cold, I'm pale, nothing fits well (thank you extra holiday goodies) and there just isn't much to look forward to. Or at least that is one way of looking at it.

One of my NY resolutions this year is to start looking for the silver lining more instead of just noticing the cloud. So, it is in that spirit that today, instead of looking at all the downers, I will look at all my blessings!

1. I have the most amazing husband on the face of this planet. My husband puts up with me - which is saying a lot. I'm not the world's easiest person to live with. He works so hard to provide everything our family needs and to make me happy. And he does both beautifully. In addition, whoever came up with the term "co-parenting" clearly was thinking of my hubby. In fact there are times I feel like I'm the one slacking off while he carries the load. I'm a very lucky woman to have him in my life.

2. My daughter is beautiful, smart, healthy and happy. I know all parents think their children are the best, smartest, etc etc. And I'm no different. Which is a wonderful thing. I am just as in love with my child as I am with my husband which makes for a very happy home life. Of course there are times she is a challenge (or just being a parent is a challenge) but those are the times she (and the family as a whole) are growing and developing and so for those times I am grateful. My daughter amazes me everyday.

3. I have a wonderful home. Yes, we are trying to sell and have been for quite some time - but it will happen. Houses don't stay on the market for decades... just months. We just have to wait that out, and then we get to build our dream. But in the meantime we have a wonderful home that keeps us safe, warm and dry. We have the house that we came home to after our honeymoon. We have the house we brought our first child home to. We have more than enough space and all the amenities we could ever need.

4. My family is near me and healthy. Right now, for the first time in a long time, my entire immediate family is in the same area. I know it won't last forever but its sure nice right now. In addition, my family all are hale and hearty. There will come a time when my parents will face some of the golden year health challenges. But for now, everyone is nearby, healthy and blessed.

5. Hubby and I both have jobs and they are ones we enjoy. In the current economy it would be enough that we had jobs that met our needs. But we are both lucky enough to have jobs that we enjoy - most of the time. We both like what we do, and whom we work with and that makes each day so much easier. We are fortunate to have the paychecks we do, and while I like to think we've been smart with our finances, having the jobs we do allows us to be able to do some of the fun things in life which keep us balanced and fulfilled.

I could go on listing many, many more. But I think that's enough for today. I've made my point - both hopefully to you dear reader, and more importantly to myself. So happy new year, and may 2009 bring you all the blessings you can count!