The End of February Has Dawned Upon Us, Finally!

Well, I weighed in today. I knew I would go up a little for a couple reasons. One, today is Mother Nature's Appointment. Now if she will be on time is a totally different question, but I can tell she is in the ball park! Two, I was not nearly as diligent as I would have liked with my food intake or my exercise output this week. I'm sure it could have been a helluva lot worse this morning had it not been for getting to the gym both last Sunday & Monday. So I'm very happy to report that I gained 0.8lbs this week. Since Mother Nature can increase you anywhere between 2 & 5 pounds I'm very happy with this result. This is also why I gave myself 3 weeks for my mini-goal, due to her timing! I sit here today @ 321lbs...

I'm totally geeked for being able to break out of the 320's this next week and hopefully never to visit them again! Wish me luck...I'm gonna need it!

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22

Just getting started: 7, 12*, 13*, 19, 20

Needs attention: 5, 6, 14, 15

*~~last night I attempted to get both mine and my aunt's pictures developed, but was quickly advised that this would be a failure this week because our photo place is having technical difficulties. This totally blows! But hey...better luck next week, huh?!

Getting Some Things Done

It has certainly been a crazy weekend so far. Not what I expected at all, but that isn't a surprise! I swear it has snowed here every day, a lot. Especially Friday. Of course, because I'm completely nuts, I still decided to drive and see my honey Friday night after work. I probably shouldn't have, especially after witnessing several cars in various ditches on my way to work at 7:30am and I spent the rest of the day watching it continue to snow, but I did. I left my office at 4:30pm and what normally takes me normally an hour and 15 minutes took me over 2 hours to drive. I was there for less than 2 hours and then back on the road. I didn't get home until 11pm Friday night to realize that out of the last 6.5 hours I had spent 4 of them driving...

This morning I had to get up crazy early since my Direct TV service call was "scheduled" for anytime between 8am and 12pm. In my delusional mind I was hoping that he (or she) would get here in the 8 o'clock hour so I could go to the bank, post office, the munchkin's doctor's office to pick up his prescription, the pharmacy, and the gym so I could come home get some stuff done, do some homework and then head out to the munchkin's Blue & Gold Banquet for Cub Scouts in order to immediately return home and do more homework. Ha! This so didn't happen. The service guy didn't show up until 10:40am and didn't finish until around noon. The only thing that I had accomplished by the time I was finally able to do my running around was starting the laundry.

I met up with the munchkin and my aunt to attend his banquet for 3pm. That was a different experience to say the least. Talk about unorganized...not enough tables or paper plates. The kids were crazy and again the thought of having everyone eat before the ceremony was attempted. The first time I experienced such a thing was here and that too was a total bust. I've never understood the decision to do this. Is this something new or are just the crazies in my life trying to make this work?

While taking pictures during the ceremony I realized that a chunk of my camera was broken off. Ugh... Of course I had just finished complaining to my aunt about the pictures that it was taking. She thinks that maybe the camera didn't like my dissing of it so it told me off by a chunk of it falling off! LOL She mentioned that maybe we should go and look for a new camera after the ceremony ended. This has been something I've been wanting for some time. Every time I would see someone take out their nice camera I would immediately experience total jealously. So I treated myself tonight to a new camera, a Canon Power Shot SX20 IS Digital Camera. I haven't even taken it out of the box yet...I'm still in awe! This time I promise not to lose my cord so I can upload pictures here much quicker. I'm so excited to use it, but afraid that I will squander the remainder of my weekend away playing with my new toy.

One unexpected thing I did accomplish tonight though was reorganizing my freezers. I couldn't take it anymore!! Things were just haphazardly tossed in to fit it all in and get the doors closed. Plus I didn't cut my grocery or dining out expenses enough in February, so I thought maybe if I could see more of what we have in the freezer I'd be less apt to do what I did today~~eat fast food all frickin' day, because I couldn't think of anything to make. Of course after accomplishing this task I discovered about 8 things in my freezer that I could have made quickly at home, which would have saved me money and more importantly loads of calories. Just another step in what I started several weeks ago with this!

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, 18, 22

Just getting started: 7, 12, 13, 17

Needs Attention: 5, 6, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21

Living for Fridays...

My Friday To-Do List:

1. Go & see my guy

2. Go shopping

3. Do laundry

4. Pick up the house

5. Do all of my E&T homework

6. Do all of my Trial Practice homework

7. Do all of my SADO homework

8. Write out my bills

9. Balance my checkbook

10. Meet with the Direct TV Repair Guy & get my box fixed or replaced

11. Go to the munchkin's blue & gold banquet for boyscouts

12. Get my pics developed (there is gonna be tons!)

13. Get my aunt's pics developed

14. Workout

15. Write my guy

16. File this week's papers

17. Catch up on my emails

18. Work on my March budget

19. Remain focused with WWs

20. Remain focused for next week

21. Get me some serious sleep

22. Plan out my week

A Munchkin Inspired Week

After Tuesday's mishap, the remainder of my week revolved around the munchkin for the most part. Wednesday night his class, along with the 3rd graders, performed "The Three Piggy Opera." It was too cute!! He did really well too. He behaved himself and I was so proud!!

Of course that night I had to sign a disciplinary notice from the 2nd incident that occurred Tuesday where he was involved with two other boys in "throwing snowballs, kicking and punching one another at recess." Of course "They [were] reminded that this behavior is not acceptable." Further, "This behavior problem has occurred 2 times." We discussed it and hopefully this will not happen again. I was exhausted Wednesday night and was in the bed before 11:30pm.

And then this morning I couldn't seem to get out of bed! I had to attend another "townhall" meeting with our CEO. Don't worry...I didn't do anything like last time! It wasn't scheduled until 10am and I didn't need to report to the office today since Thursdays I only work till 1pm, so I didn't need to get up quite so early. Of course I planned to get up my normal time and "get things done." Ha! We all know how my planning goes, don't we?!? Then I thought I'd get up at 7:30am and still have an extra hour to do something worthwhile. Double Ha! I finally rolled out of bed around 8:40am and spent the next hour and twenty minutes getting ready and driving like a maniac! I walked in 4 minutes late...not bad!

After my town-hall meeting, I picked up an antipasto salad for dinner tonight and then came home for about 40 minutes to try and get some of my things done and then had to pick him up the munchkin early from school so he could go to the dentist for a filling. I was a bit nervous, because he kept asking me to make sure the dentist would put him to sleep. He came through with flying colors! I was so proud of him!! Yay Munchkin! Then we came home, I got dinner going and then the munchkin and my aunt went for an outing with the Boy Scouts to our local paper.

While I had some free time I decided it was time to get my taxes filed and get my FAFSA filed too! Two more things to be considered done!

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32

Just getting started: 9, 10, 11

Needs attention: 16, 18

It All Went South Quickly

This morning I went to see my specialist and it was all fantastic. She was impressed and very proud of how well I am doing. All of my blood work is going in the right direction and she (& I) are very pleased! I was a little disappointed when she told me I've only lost 10lbs since I was there in October. She was happy, but I was sadden. 10lbs in 4 months. :( That is so not good enough for me, but I'm the one responsible, the person to hold accountable and the only one who can change it. So watch out...because I feel like I need to make up for some lost time here! However, I was very excited when she told me that I don't need to come back for 6 months and I don't even need to send in my numbers either! Needless to say, I was flying very high!!

The other exciting development was the fact that I was out of my 9am appointment before 9:15am, so I went in search of the local Biggby Coffee there and found it. The best part of this is that I discovered that this location is not that far off the beaten path from my weekly trek to and from seeing my guy! :) Watch out Biggby...I've found you and I'm not letting you go! Woo-hoo! With drinks in hand, or better yet the cup holders, I made my way to the office.

I walked into work feeling like I had accomplished so much and was close to Cloud 9 status at 10:20am. I was ready to hit the ground running and kick some booty! Ten minutes later my day went south quickly when I received an email from the munchkin's teacher telling me how he has been misbehaving for a few weeks now. She has been trying to handle it directly with him within the classroom, but that seems to have failed. So from 10:30am on wards I felt defeated. Learning my son has been running around, talking non-stop, and distracting everyone in class, including the teacher, I was not happy.

I don't know about the other moms out there, but I must confess that when I'm told that my son is not behaving I start doubting myself as a parent. Thinking about what I'm doing wrong and what I need to change to get him on a better track. At these moments I feel like I have no answers...no words of wisdom to impart onto myself. I spent the rest of the day trying to recapture my earlier status of flying high, but was never able to recapture it.

Maybe I should be happy for my hour and a half of euphoria and call the day a success, but tonight I'm just not feeling it.

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32

Just getting started: 9, 10, 11

Needs attention: 16, 18, 24, 25

A Little Hodge-Podge for a Monday

This morning we woke up to a pile of snow outside our door! We had about 5.5 inches, which had fallen since 10pm last night. I'm so tired of the snow. Spring needs to hurry the heck up! I'm so sick of the cold weather, the snowy roads and having to wear a coat!

In an effort to keep challenging myself, not on purpose mind you, I went to the gym again tonight. That wasn't the challenging part! The real challenge tonight was the fact that I read Trial Practice while doing about 40 mins on the treadmill! Oh yeah...and I didn't fall off! I'm so proud of myself!! Of course my "highlighting" looks like I am a crack addict going through DTs, but beggars cannot be choosers! Of course now I am completely exhausted.

I picked up my test results tonight in order to take them to the specialist tomorrow morning and I'm happy to report that they keep going down. I was actually presently surprised with my A1C since this was after the holidays and my meltdown too. Then I start to wonder...how low could it have been if I wouldn't have had my meltdown just recently! I'm anxious to see what she has to say in the morning about these latest results. Since I'm not exactly sure if I will ever be able to get the Creatinine down to normal or even if it is a possibility for me anymore, but I keep hoping! Here are my test results for the last three times...

A1C:

6/20/09~~7.1

10/17/09~~5.9

2/13/10~~5.6

Creatinine:

8/1/09~~255.5, 529 & 2,070

10/17/09~~105.9, 37.9, & 358

2/13/10~~55, 9.08 & 165

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32

Just getting started: 9, 10, 11

Needs attention: 16, 18, 24, 25

More than the usual challenges to working out...

It is bad enough that I have to over come the challenge of actually going to the gym. I don't mind working out. Really, I don't. I'm just uber lazy! It is much easier to keep my butt sitting in my living room than it is to get up, get ready, drive to the gym, and actually work out. Once I'm there I'm actually fine. I don't complain, usually, once I'm there. I'm not one of those whiny gym people. I don't intrude on others while they are there. I mind my own business, do my thing, and then I leave. I don't treat the gym like a local hang-out and I don't even mind the people who do. I find it a bit strange, but each to their own. Maybe it is because if I want to "kill" a few hours in my day I'd rather do it by sleeping, reading a good book (not a law book mind you), writing my man or friends, watching a movie or just regular TV, than by spending hours at the gym chatting with other people.

So why in the last week the two times I've actually made it to the gym did it have to be so complicated for me? First on Monday when I made my way to the gym I get on the treadmill, get everything set, start and turn my ipod on the little battery up top is flashing red already. Seriously?!? Come on!! It didn't even make its way through my first 20 mins on the treadmill. Then today, I was so happy when I finally motivated myself to go to the gym instead of napping like I was inclined to do (mind you after the 13.5 hours I slept last night I had no business taking a nap at noon today!) I was totally bummed when I got everything together and realized that I had left my water bottle out in the car! Ugh!! Gosh darn it! I even put ice in it and filled it up just for the sole purpose of having it with me at the gym. Go figure! I refused to go out and get it, so I opted to buy a small water bottle from the vending machine there, which only cost me a $1, but it was the principle that I had taken the time to prepare mine at home!

I'm happy to report that both Monday and today I did 20 mins on the treadmill, all of the upper body machines which seems to take me about 30 mins to complete, and another 20 mins on the treadmill. I know I was suppose to go yesterday too, but I didn't make it. Why? Well probably because when I laid down yesterday for my nap at 6pm, I didn't wake up again until 7:30am this morning. Opps!

I'm also very, very happy to report that I weighed in this morning @ 320.2lbs!! I'm so close to my new mini-goal of being out of the 320's by March 7th I may be able to complete it a week early. Of course I need to figure in Mother Nature who is scheduled to knock one week from today. My god...those 28 days do seem to go by very fast. No wonder men complain about our constant mood swings! So this week I lost 2.4lbs!! Woo-hoo!! That is a total of 42.8lbs! Yay me!! Once I get this accomplished I'm back to my next goal, which really was my first goal, but was side-tracked due to...never mind, it doesn't matter...but back to the goal of being below 300 before May 1st! That would be a total of 63.2lbs. OMG, how exciting. It isn't that far off! Only 20.4lbs more than now! If I could do that, then I'd be willing to set the goal of losing 100lbs in a year by July 8th...but all of this is just future speculation and wishful thoughts! But it is still fun to consider as long as I keep going down on the scales!!

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 21, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29*, 30**, 31, 32

Just getting started: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 20, 22

Needs attention: 16***, 18, 19, 24, 25

*~~My weigh in today helps me to remain focused with WWs! So it is really a triple bonus because it also helped me push myself to go to the gym today!!

**~~Even though I spent the last 9 days at work playing dual roles (my boss was on vacay & I was in charge) I did get tons done and I'm hopeful this week will be a replay without the additional work! Plus being on Spring Break helps me stay focused too...it is so nice not to have to go to class!

***~~I'm going to try and replace this one with making an extra trip to the gym this week...either Tuesday or Thursday to make up for it!

Fearing His First Confession

Just like my Friday posts, my Friday night has became pretty predictable. I leave work, make the hour plus trip to spend time with my guy, and then head to the grocery store to do the majority of my weekly shopping. Last night I went about my typical Friday night, with the exception of getting off work early to return the page I "borrowed", but when I pulled into the Meijer's parking lot my cell phone rang. It was my aunt telling me that there was something seriously wrong with my TV...it wasn't working! I had been fearing for several days that my TV was taking a puke. So much so, I even commented about it over here! Of course this totally threw my exhausted brain into a frenzy, which lead to me going into the store without my reusable shopping bags*.

Upon leaving the grocery store, I decided to just run over to Wendy's for dinner as I was too tired and frustrated to even think about cooking something without meat when I would get home around 10:30pm. I got home, put away the perishables, verified that my TV wasn't working, shut off the power to my whole entertainment system for 30 seconds and then powered it back up. My TV seemed to be working or at least I had a picture while my Direct TV was repowering up. Hoping that I wouldn't be TV-less until I could get around to buying a new TV, I sat down to eat my dinner. I immediately discovered that McDonald's rules when it comes to fast-food fish sandwiches and after two horrible bites, I tossed my dinner out. My TV was back in business by then and I started to consider that it may be my satellite receiver taking a puke instead, so I called and arranged for a technician to come out next Saturday between the hours of 8am-12pm (there goes another Saturday of sleeping in!).

While playing Direct TV's little game of 'Did you do this? How about this? Is it working now?' my mom called, so I returned her call after I hung up with Direct TV. I also ordered "Julia & Julie" as my free movie for the month of February just in case my receiver gives out completely this week! As it was slated to start at 11pm and I was returning my mom's call at 11:10pm I figured I would start watching it within that half-hour so I could get to bed at an okay time to be up early for the munchkin's First Confession. Ha! An hour and a half later I hung up from my mom and began to watch the movie, which was pretty cute in my sleep deprived opinion.

I made my way to bed last night at 3:00am. So much for getting to bed at an okay time and being able to get up early to get some stuff done before I met my aunt and the munchkin at church. I still had high hopes so while I was trying to pack my stuff up to take care of while I was in town this morning my cell phone rang and it was my munchkin. He was crying and in a complete and total mental meltdown over going for his First Confession. He was scared to death!! I totally didn't expect this from him and it threw me for a loop! Even when I meet them at the church his eyes were still red and puffy from crying. I felt so bad for him! It appears he was not alone in his feelings as a classmate of his came in several minutes later and she was still crying, because she was so scared. I felt so bad for these little 7 & 8 year-olds who were so scared of making one of their sacraments. :( Fr. Bill was awesome with them, as usual, and seemed to calm most of their fears before he began hearing everyone's confession.

After the munchkin survived his First Confession it was time to meet up with the other aunt and uncle and grab lunch @ BW3's. Then I gave the munchkin his "present"/"reward"/"bribery money" when we left the restaurant for completing his First Confession. Then I was able to do some of my errands, come home and realize that the few hours of sleep I got last night was not nearly enough. So I'm off to take a nap and accomplish #31 on my to-do list!

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21, 23, 26, 27, 28

Just getting started: 6**, 8, 9, 10, 11, 20***, 22

Needs attention: 7, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31, 32

*~~today is not the day that Al Gore would be proud of me since I didn't even want to consider running back out to the car to get them!

**~~all I have left to pick up is bubble bath for the munchkin!

***~~apparently this can only be accomplished Monday-Friday 8a-8p. Too bad I didn't know this before! Guess I'll be completing this one Monday night after work, but before the gym. I don't understand why departments cannot be open on Saturday! I'm not saying all day, but hey...maybe 4 hours!

Spring Break Has Finally Arrived~~WooHoo!!

Yesterday I over-slept, which was just the start of my crazy day. While I was at work I remembered that I had told myself to get cash, but I couldn't remember why. So instead of paying $3.50 to withdraw money at our building's ATM I opted to save my $3.50 and leave for school. While gathering my books for school I realized I forgot all of my E&T books at home. Too late now, so I went on to TP and after we were released an hour early I realized why I thought I needed cash...to make copies @ the library! Dang-it to heck!!

I had enough on my card to copy some pages I needed for SADO, but I was $0.20 short to finish. Therefore, I couldn't even start on the copies I wanted for E&T, so I did something that I'm totally ashamed of...I took, er borrowed, the last two pages I needed for SADO. I am totally ashamed of myself and have the intention of taking them back (hopefully today if I get to leave work a little early). But I refused to take the chance of losing those two pages! Heck, there were already several pages I needed that were already missing. Needless to say...I picked up some cash tonight so I can get my E&T copies done and return the page I "borrowed."

Don't worry...I made my way through E&T without my books and I have now entered Spring Break and not a minute too soon.

My Friday To-Do List:

1. Leave work a little early

2. Return the pages I "borrowed"

3. Make the copies for E&T I need

4. Go & see my guy

5. Write out my grocery list

6. Go shopping

7. Do laundry

8. Pick up the house

9. Do all of my SADO homework

10. Do all of my Trial Practice homework

11. Do all of my E&T homework

12. Write out my bills

13. Balance my checkbook

14. Go to the munchkin's First Confession

15. Go out with the munchkin & family to celebrate his First Confession

16. Go to the gym Saturday

17. Go to the gym Sunday

18. Write my guy

19. File this week's papers

20. Pick up my lab results for my doctor's appointment

21. Pick up the receipt for paying my hospital co-pay to prove that I actually used my FSA card correctly

22. Catch up on my emails

23. Catch up on my TIVO backlog

24. File my taxes

25. Apply for financial aid for my last year in law school (Woo-hoo!)

26. Take down our Valentine's Day decorations

27. Put up our St. Patrick's Day decorations

28. Copy my sugar numbers to give to my doctor

29. Remain focused for WWs

30. Remain focused for next week

31. Get me some serious sleep

32. Plan out my week~~I already know it is going to be one busy week and I'm just happy I don't need to try and work around classes this week!!!

An Uncontrollable Swearing Lazy Student With Irreversible Bra Problems

Well, I made it to 9am before I swore yesterday. I think. What I mean is that I know I swore at 9am, but I don't think I swore before then, but I'm not sure! We had a meeting scheduled from 9am-1pm and two of my co-workers were able to get out of it, so on my way to the meeting I popped into one of the co-workers' offices and told her she was a lucky b! It came out so easily, of course! Then I told her, "Look at what you made me do!! I gave up swearing for Lent, so let me rephrase~you lucky girl!" We laughed, I went on to my meeting and suffered for the next 4 hours. It totally sucked!

Of course working on my SADO homework until 3am Tuesday night and not even touching the assignment I had to turn in by 5pm did not help me. I don't know if being uber tired or the fact that I had to draft my statement of facts before class was more distracting. So after the meeting I worked on getting through more of my client's 1,500 file and threw together something that had the title "Statement of Facts" on it. I emailed it at 4:30pm and off to class I went. I feel like I'm turning in stuff that isn't even worth of being printed out, let alone being a completed assignment.

After class while a couple of us remained a conversation started with Prof. Fergie. It revolved around a student who opted to drop the class the day before, but failed to let her know. She then went on to tell us how the thing she can't stand is a lazy student and continued to expound on her feelings about this...of course the entire time she was staring at me...perfect eye contact. Nothing like being subtle, huh?!? She did conclude how a lazy student really has to prove something to her and show her something spectacular to bail themselves out. Does anyone need to guess what I'll be doing next week? Yup, you've got it...doing something spectacular to bail myself out.

I guess I should have known yesterday was going to be a challenge when I was getting dressed and couldn't figure out why I was having such difficulty putting my bra on. Apparently they are not reversible...who knew!?! I do now...

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20

Just getting started: 7, 16

Needs attention: 11

...and unto dust you shall return.

This may be what you hear today should you go to mass and partake in Ash Wednesday services. I have not done this to date, but I do reflect on what today means. It is to be a day where Roman Catholics (and others, I'm sure) fast, abstain from meat and contemplate one's transgressions. It is also to be used as a day of repentance.

You don't need to be Catholic in order to partake in today. I like to consider it more as a day of reflection than anything else. I hope to be able to take time today to reflect on my life, my challenges, my rights, my wrongs and look inside myself to find ways to overcome the challenges I still face.

Usually I take a more light-hearted approach to today, but I guess I cannot relive my famous Ash Wednesday story since I posted it here last year. But it will be on my mind as I go about my business today and every time I think of it, I will catch myself smiling! I don't think I will be able to top that one!

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 18, 20

Just getting started: 8, 14, 16, 17, 19

Needs attention: 7*, 11

*~~thinking about the fact that my draft of my statement of facts is due today @ 5pm, does that count to move this one up to the next list level?!? ;)

Happy Mardis Gras 2010!!!

Well, it is here! Fat Tuesday, Baby!!

My goal this year is to not eat a paczki at work today! It will be hard, trust me! I'm hopeful that all of the good ones are gone by the time I start feeling weak! LOL

Of course today leads to tomorrow...Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Which leads to the next question, "What are you giving up or taking on for Lent this year?" This usually is a pretty big conundrum for me. I like to hear what other people have decided to do for Lent and then weigh my options. ;) I also usually opt to take an easy choice and usually fail at that as well.

This year I'm going to attempt to give something up and take something on! I'm going double barrel this year y'all! LOL For Lent I'm going to try and give up swearing. I have noticed that my mouth has gotten worse here of late and I thought this would be quite a challenge for me! What the fuck have I got to lose?! Hey, I've got to get it all out in the next 24 hours!! As for what I'm going to take on...the gym! I've been doing fairly well with going Monday nights after work, but then that is it. I'm going to attempt to take on the gym on both Saturday and Sunday too! I figure I'll need the extra stress relief come Saturday and Sunday for my pent up hostility that I'm unable to release with tirades of colorful swear words.

Your turn...what are you giving up or taking on for Lent this year?*

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 18, 20

Just getting started: 8, 14, 16, 17, 19

Needs attention: 7, 11

*~~I wonder if Dani is gonna change it up this year...LOL Inquisitive minds want to know! ;)

Cupcakes

Because I knew you were dying to know! ;)

Mental Block~~The 20's

I knew it wasn't going to be good. I told myself I would be okay even if it went up by 5lbs. Yes, I lie to myself often! I hopped on the scale this morning and it read 322.6. I gained 1.4lbs this week. Ugh! It wasn't okay with me. I'm not okay with it. I do not accept the gain of 1.4lbs!!

I swear I ate everything in sight this week. I had tons of snack-cakes, which not only are horrible for my weight, but also horrible for my sugar. I never felt full all week...well, except after I skipped E&T Thursday night and we went to Logan's Roadhouse for dinner. OMG, I thought I was going to be sick when we left there. I didn't even eat all of my steak, but I munched on appetizers (chicken tenders, onion chips, & mushrooms), ate a salad with ranch dressing, had a loaded baked potato, most of my steak and gorged myself on their rolls and butter. Even while I was stuffing the rolls into my chubby little face they weren't tasting as good as I remembered, but I still stuffed, stuffed, and stuffed some more until I was miserable on the drive home. I felt so awful I had to take a gas pill to aid in the digestion process!

I think I know partially where I went wrong...two areas really. The first being that I didn't cook last weekend. I've been really trying to cook something that I like on the weekend so we have some left overs and I don't seek out other tasty food. I failed at this last weekend. The second area was that first snack cake. Once I have one I cannot stop myself. I lose total control. So last night, knowing today was not going to be pretty, I finished the snack cakes so they are no longer around.

I think I have a mental block with the 20's. I remember many, many years ago when I was a hundred pounds lighter than I am now I couldn't get out of the 220's. Now I'm in the same spot, but this time a hundred pounds heavier. So I swear to myself that I will get out of the 320's and it will happen very, very soon. I will not let this deter my ultimate goal. My new mini-goal is to be below 320lbs in the next 3 weeks! Damn it to hell!!

Another contributor to my gain this week, albeit minor, I got no exercise this week. I didn't make the gym Monday night because it was parent's night at CCD. I felt out of sorts all week and just felt lazy and icky about myself or about my progress or something...I just don't know what though. So...I ate crap almost all week. Hell, I barely consumed my water. I skipped some classes, took a snow day from work and accomplished nothing productive. Well, this shit is gonna change this week!

After my man woke me up at 8:40am this morning to wish me a Happy Valentine's Day (God, do I love that man~~he is so sweet!), I got out of the bed, did my weigh in, washed the grapes I picked up Friday night grocery shopping, made myself a western-style omelette with egg-beaters, and then started my dinner, sloppy joes in the crock-pot! It isn't the healthiest dinner, but it is tasty. I actually used my ex-mother-in-law's recipe and put extra green peppers and onions in it.

For the munchkin I made him chocolate cupcakes. I even used the ol' tried and true WWs cake recipe! This way if I do find myself tempted it won't be as horrible as the real deal. Plus, I've yet to find a single person who can tell the difference in a WWs cake and a regular cake! I haven't decided if I'm going to decorate them in white with red sprinkles or in red. Maybe a little of both...

So, #15...consider yourself checked & done! And as for you...#'s 14, 17 & 19, I've got you started and I'm about to check you too!

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 18, 20

Just getting started: 8, 14, 16, 17, 19

Needs attention: 7, 11

Happy Valentine's Day!

Not everyone celebrates today, but I still think it should be recognized. :)

As my man once told me...it is a day for children and people who are "just dating". I totally disagree, but I think that is because I'm a romantic at heart. I don't think it is a day to break the bank nor is it a day to get crazy with outrageous plans, but I do think it is a nice time to reflect on your love for one another, which can be accomplished with a simple card, a quiet dinner, or just spending time with one another.

Due to the current circumstances in our lives, I will not be spending the day with the loves of my life...I spent Friday night with my man for an early Valentine's Day celebration and when my aunt brings my munchkin home at the end of their weekend together, I will take a break from my studying and give him his presents. Heck, who knows...I may even surprise him with a homemade cake! Ha!

I hope you and yours took a few minutes out of your weekend to wish one another a Happy Valentine's Day and reflect on the love in your heart for that person...even if you aren't children and are no longer "just dating." ;)

Love to y'all & Happy Valentine's Day...

love,

~j'lynn~

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 12, 13, 18, 20

Just getting started: 6, 8

Needs attention: 7, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19

A Saturday in Review

I feel like I accomplished nothing.

I seemed to have gotten a lot of little things done, but outside of that I'm not sure what else I did all day!

I feel like one minute I was waking up and it was a little after 10am and the next minute I was racing out the door to get to the lab before 12:30pm! I arrived at 12:22pm...the tech wasn't happy, but whatever! Then the next minute it was 2pm and I was totally proud of myself for being totally done with my errands, being home with lunch ate and laundry started thinking about reading for school.

Then I looked at the clock again and it was 5:30pm!! I debated taking a nap or starting my reading for school...flash forward and it was 11:45pm. I didn't even take a damn nap! I am still debating, but now it is between going to bed at a decent hour, for me, or starting my reading for school.

What the hell did I do all day?!? Heck, my TV hasn't even been turned on since I went to bed Friday night @ 1:00am...

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 12, 13, 18, 20

Just getting started: 6, 8

Needs attention: 7, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19

The Week In Review

Exhausted, weak, and unmotivated. It was also snowy, cold, and dreary. Along with being busy, stressful, and long.

Monday~~very busy at work and then it was parent's night @ the munchkin's CCD class. I was so tired I was in the bed before midnight!

Tuesday~~very busy at work, class was canceled and we got the first half of what would be a foot of snow. Oh yeah, I also lost a quarter down my bathroom heat vent and was in the bed by 11pm.

Wednesday~~we woke up to a foot of snow and while taking my own snow day I accomplished nothing. I took a 3.5 hour nap and was in the bed by midnight.

Thursday~~made it to work for my usual 5 hours in the morning and became crazy busy. I don't understand why when my boss goes on vacation I become the go-to-gal. I don't want it! Ever! At all! WTF?! So now I'm playing catch up on my own stuff, plus bailing some of my other attorneys out of their holes before our jobs are stolen away and now I've added my boss' responsibilities to my list of crap to do. I'm feeling more than a little overwhelmed and it really sucked only being scheduled for 5 hours. I'm hopeful in the coming week I can get it together. I screwed myself during cross-examination, but I survived, which is a good thing! I had a killer sinus headache and opted to skip my 6pm class and go and do dinner with the munchkin and my aunt...of course I over ate and felt miserable...ugh. In the bed by 1:15am.

What a shitty week...hoping for a much, much, much better weekend! I hope y'all had a much better week than I.

My Friday To-Do List*:

1. Go & see my guy~~a pre-Valentine's Day visit since I can't see him on the real day!

2. Write out my grocery list

3. Go shopping

4. Do laundry

5. Pick up the house

6. Do all of my Trial Practice homework

7. Do all of my SADO homework

8. Do all of my E&T homework

9. Write out my bills

10. Balance my checkbook

11. Write my guy

12. File this week's papers

13. Get my lab tests done for my next appointment with my specialist

14. Get re-motivated

15. Get back on the WWs band-wagon

16. Get me some sleep

17. Refocus for next week

18. Plan out my week

19. Get my shit together

20. Start preparing for all of the things we have coming up in the next several months (the munchkin's first communion, first confession, boy scout banquet, boy scout pine wood derby, scout-a-rama, my parents' 25th wedding anniversary party, (apparently) my bro's wedding, the munchkin's birthday, etc...)

*~~I feel like I'm forgetting some things on my list, but I can always add them as needed...

Snow Day!!

Okay, so I suck and I made my own snow day since no one appeared to be cooperating with me here! Seriously people!?! I have a foot of snow out my front door...did anyone see me getting out in it today? Not!

These were my plans for my self-imposed snow day~~sleep in a bit, get up, shower, work on some homework with the hope of getting caught up in both E&T and my SADO clinic class, writing my man, maybe doing a load of laundry, and maybe watching a little TV, catching up on my emails and reading of my blogs.

What I actually did on my self-imposed snow day~~was up at 6am for the morning (thanks Mom for calling me 3 times to "chat"), no shower, no homework done, no writing, no laundry, watched more than a little TV (damn that addiction!), but I did catch up on my emails and reading of my blogs, plus at 12:30pm I laid down for a little nap...I dragged my ass out of bed at 4pm only to get ready to put dinner on the table for when the munchkin gets home.

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25

Just getting started: 7, 8, 24, 26

Needs attention: 12

Undercover Boss

Okay, so I was inadvertently sucked into the episode immediately following the Super Bowl. OMG~~I love this show. Or at least what I've seen so far. This is totally recommended. I now believe that every single boss needs to do this! It just goes to show that sometimes they (upper management) forget the policies they implement to get a better bottom line actually affects their employees. I'm a true believer that good morale will get you a better bottom line than tightening the belt and making your employees' morales sink lower and lower!

Kudos to you, Larry O'Donnell, Waste Management COO!! Now just stay in touch with those lower-level employees, because now that is reality...

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25

Just getting started: 7, 8, 24, 26

Needs attention: 12

Six inches and counting...

Well, the weather prediction was accurate. So far where I live we have around 6 inches of snow and it is still coming down. It is suppose to snow throughout the night into tomorrow morning, along with blowing and drifting. The munchkin's school was canceled for today and has been canceled for tomorrow. My class was canceled tonight and I am really hoping and praying that my office will be closed tomorrow morning (fat chance of that!) and that Prof. Fergie has a heart and cancels class tomorrow night too (not much better chance for this either)!

On a separate note, I've fallen off the WWs wagon! Yikes!! I have no idea what is going on with me, but last night and tonight I'm eating crap. It is like I cannot stop myself. As I'm shoving something in my mouth I'm saying to myself , "Stop it! You don't need it! You shouldn't be doing this! Why the F am I eating this?" Did I stop? Hell no! :( Last night I made myself go to bed, because I couldn't stop. Hell, I was in the bed before midnight last night. I haven't done nearly as much damage tonight, but it is only 10pm...

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25

Just getting started: 7, 8, 24, 26

Needs attention: 12

Weather Prediction

For today and tomorrow is between 5 & 11 inches of snow. Are you kidding me?!? All I wanted was a white Christmas, but now it looks like we will be having a white Valentine's Day... At least red goes nicely with white. If it happens, please be safe. But lets pray that it doesn't, shall we?

As for the folks that received over 2 feet last week, I'm sorry. And unfortunately it sounds like our round one will be your round two...

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 25

Just getting started: 7, 8, 24, 26

Needs attention: 12, 15, 22

happy birthday j'lynn's world!

One year ago today I started this blog. Back then no one read it, but me. It was all about me and it still is, but the one thing that has changed is the fact that you are here! Thank you for finding me, reading me, continuing to come back and for commenting! I wasn't sure how this was going to work and I will admit that it was a bit unnerving starting my blog and what was even scarier is when my girl, Dani, found me! But I'm glad she did, because she gave me the power and the confidence to continue! (Thanks Dani!!) Thank you for making it such a wonderful year and being with me (more importantly, helping me) through all of my ups and downs in the last year...

Here is to another year in j'lynn's world! I can't wait to spend it with you...

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 25

Just getting started: 7, 8, 24, 26

Needs attention: 12, 15, 22

Who Dat? The Super Bowl Champs~~New Orleans Saints. That's Who Dat!

Way to go guys!! What a great game. If anyone deserved this tonight, it was the New Orleans Saints!! You should be so proud...

Needless to say, I didn't get much reading and homework done during the game, but the sacrifice was worth it! :) One helluva game! I'm glad I took the time to watch it while folding laundry, attempting to read E&T, having my munchkin come home from my mom's, getting him ready for and into the bed, and scarfing down too many yummy treats my mom brought over to me when she brought the munchkin home. I think I gained the 1.2lbs I lost this morning!! Yikes!!

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23*, 25

Just getting started: 7, 8, 24**, 26***

Needs attention: 12, 15, 21, 22

*~~No naps this weekend; late night Friday night (3am); pseudo early morning Saturday morning (alarm set for 8:30am, got up around 9:30am); late night Saturday night (2am); thought maybe I'd sleep in today so just in case I had set the alarm for 12:30pm, but luckily my man called me around 9:40am and since I wanted to get lots done I hit the books as soon as we hung up!

**~~I need to get tons done at work this week and want to get the rest of my homework done so I'm really trying to focus for this upcoming week!

***~~Slowly but surely, I'm trying to get my shit together in all areas of my life!

Hopeful for More; Happy for Less

Down another 1.2lbs this week. Not where I was hoping to be this morning when I hoped on the scales and certainly not as much as I had felt like I lost this week. You know when you feel like you have lost gobs of weight and are sort of excited to hop up on those scales. I was feeling that for the last few days. Hell, I was feeling it so much that yesterday morning I almost weighed in a day early...oh well. Better than staying the same and way better than gaining. I just want to get out of the 320's. Gosh dang it to all!

I definitely had stepped it up at the gym Monday night with doing all of the upper body machines except one (thanks to the old guy who hogged the crunch machine until I was on the treadmill for a few minutes already) for 40 minutes and then I did 20 minutes on the treadmill.

I also only ate out twice this week...the whole damn week! Once was at my 2nd favorite chips & salsa joint with my LSBFF Wednesday night for dinner and then the second time was Thursday morning running through the McDonald's drive through for a sausage biscuit plus an extra piece of sausage.

I'm sure the fact that I had spaghetti this week and then burritos didn't help. I'm hopeful that next week I'll be weighing in less than where I currently am, 321.2.

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6*, 9, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25

Just getting started: 4, 7, 8

Needs attention: 12, 14, 15, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26

*~~finally, finally, finally...I'm finally caught up with my Trial Practice homework! Yay me!! Now I'm on to E&T...

Go Saints!!!

We're cheering for the New Orleans Saints tonight in j'lynn's world!!

Good luck guys! Bring it on home...

Who Dat!?!

Not what I was hoping for tonight

I was really hopeful that by tonight I would have a lot more of my homework done and several things checked off my to-do list, but alas that has not happened yet. All afternoon I've been pretty sleepy and had a sinus headache. At 8:37pm I even BBM'd mymormongirl and told her how sleepy I was. For several minutes I briefly considered a replay of last Saturday night, but I was able to hold off. Now I'm committed to being up for another hour and forty minutes since I just ate "dinner" about 20 mins ago and I need to check my blood sugar at the 2 hour mark...back to reading for Trial Practice I go.

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25

Just getting started: 4*, 6, 7, 8

Needs attention: 5**, 12, 14, 15***, 21****, 22, 23, 24, 26

*~~so close to being done...if only I would get out of my seat and fold those last 3 loads of laundry and put them away this would be completed!

**~~this week my picking up consists of emptying the dishwasher and putting the dirty dishes in, but I haven't done it yet...guess tomorrow is another day of possibilities

***~~this may very well get axed from the list since we are only 8 days away from V-Day

****~~does it count that I thought about doing this today and even got my planner out to scout out some good days for me, but after I got home from the salon and shopping my pampering salon was already closed??

Amen for the weekend...

After going to bed at 3:30am Wednesday night, thanks Trial Practice homework, I'm completely exhausted. I think I have 1500 pages to read this weekend for school and I suspect that all I will really want to do is sleep.

My Friday To-Do List:

1. Go & see my guy~~this depends on the weather, of course. Got to love a pending snowstorm.

2. Write out my grocery list

3. Go shopping

4. Do laundry

5. Pick up the house

6. Do all of my Trial Practice homework

7. Do all of my SADO homework

8. Do all of my E&T homework

9. Write out my bills

10. Balance my checkbook

11. Get my hair done

12. Write my guy

13. File this week's papers

14. Hang up the munchkin's 8x10 class picture

15. Get our Valentine's Day decorations up

16. Get my house cleaned

17. Send out an updated email to everyone with the munchkin's important dates

18. Pick up script refills

19. Catch up on my emails

20. Catch up on my TIVO

21. Schedule my next pampering appointment...Since I go monthly for my waxing and facial I'm trying to get it to fall outside of my mother nature time frame, but I haven't been successful yet. Just like I tried to do this past month...but you know what happened, mother nature showed up 10 days late and the day after I was pampered...go figure!

22. Replace my yard light light-bulb

23. Get me some sleep

24. Refocus for next week

25. Plan out my week

26. Get my shit together

All I Want For The Super Bowl

There are only two things:

#1) The Saints to Win!

~and~

#2) Hooter Wings!

The problem with this second item is that the closest Hooters is quite a distance from me just to run up and grab a take out order. So I was thinking of picking up an order Friday night on my way home and warming them up come Sunday. Any thoughts on this? Any opinions? Will they still be crazy yummy like they normally are? Will they still be any good? Is it worth the money to pick up an order Friday to eat Sunday night?

As for the other normal Super Bowl Party yummies...you can keep them this year. I'm only interested in getting me some Hooter Wings.

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17

Just getting started: 5, 6, 7, 16, 18

Bad Gift Choice if You Ask Me

I know I've been pretty bitchy lately...aunt flo popped in late Sunday night, finally. On top of that Sunday my aunt followed-up an email I sent to family and friends giving them significant dates for the munchkin in the coming months. He is a very busy boy making his first confession, his awards banquet for boy scouts, making his first communion, a piggy opera at school, and the pine wood derby. After talking to my mom and bringing my aunt into the fold, a decision was made to have a little party after the munchkin's first communion at my aunt's home. Her follow-up email was announcing the party. I didn't want to announce it yet.

On top of that, my aunt announces to me Monday night how she planned on getting the munchkin a Wii for his first communion. Are you frickin' kidding me?!? This is what I wanted to get him from Santa this last Christmas and kind of assumed I would get it this coming Christmas since I couldn't afford it this past one. Now she is talking about giving it to him for his first communion. I know my reaction wasn't nice when I said, "I guess I'll be buying him a car next Christmas instead." Then at some point I added, "That's an awfully big gift for a first communion." Of course, her being a catholic nun and all, she responded with "A first communion is an awfully big thing." Okay...I get that, but I just think a Wii is an inappropriate gift for a first communion, plus it screws with my plans for the remainder of the things I need to buy gifts for the munchkin this year. I figured she would be buying him a nice bible or something like that...

You would think my family would know by now that I'm a controlling bitch and that they need to run such things by me, because when they make their own decisions that affect me it never ends well...

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17

Just getting started: 5, 6, 7, 16, 18

Groundhog Day~50% chance that I'll love it!

Okay...last month my gas bill was over double what it was the month prior. My man suspects it is because I did not heed his advice and change the furnace filter like he told me to a couple months ago. I like to believe it was due to the frigid temps with highs in the single digits and teens for a little over a week during that month. Of course this last week the temps were back in the single digits and teens the most of each day. Have I expressed before how much I hate winter?!

Well, today is the day. The day we rely on a rodent, or is it a mammal...I don't pay attention to that in elementary school probably because I didn't care and honestly, still don't...to tell us what the future holds. The sad part is he is as reliable as the weathermen (and women).

Go Punxsutawney Phil!!!* I'm hopeful that he doesn't see his shadow, because I'm tired of winter already!

Consider it done: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17

Just getting started: 5, 6, 10, 16

Needs attention: 7, 14, 18

*~~I don't know if this is the groundhog's name, but I seem to only remember this as the little guy/gal's name.

Reflecting on My Progress

As we enter month number two of the New Year, I want to take a moment and reflect on how I'm doing with my New Year's Resolutions:

Get healthier

~~continue to lose weight: Well, with the exception of this past week, I have continued to lose weight and since my net weight loss is 3.6lbs for the month of January I think I've been fairly successful with this one...

~~eat better/healthier: I've been eating out less, cooking more, and definitely eating more fruits and veggies. I could be doing better, but overall I give myself high props on this one too...

~~workout more: Failure here! I've made it to the gym once this year and it was only for 20 minutes. Yikes!

~~drink more water: I've been pretty darn successful with this one! :)

~~test my blood sugar more regularly: I've rocked this! Woo-hoo! I've only missed checking my numbers one night when I feel asleep too early... Yay me!!

~~get my skin under control: Slowly but surely my skin is getting better and better. :)

~~get more sleep with a better sleep pattern/schedule: Failure, again! If only I could get my stuff together maybe I could do better here.

Get my finances together

~~make a budget & stick to it: This one has been pretty slow to come around, but each day I'm doing better with this!

~~reduce my debt: I haven't made too much progress here, but I've made all my payments on time, so that is always good!

~~stop use of all credit cards: I've used my credit cards twice and that was at the beginning of January for books for school and one meal. Outside of these two things, I've been very successful here! :)

~~pay off BarBri & Kaplan: Failure. No payments made, yet.

Get more organized

~~at work: I have tons of piles and tons of stuff to do, but I'm organized. LOL

~~at/for school: Organized, but behind...go figure!

~~at home: I've been doing great here. Better than expected, so success is mine!

~~use better time management: Failure here. I need to stop letting things distract me or better yet, stop looking for things to distract me.

~~get things done: Slowly, but surely I'm getting things done. Hell, just check out my Friday To-Do list accomplishments! :)

~~stop putting things off till tomorrow (or next week): See above!

~~set a schedule and stick to it: Ups & downs here, but I keep aiming for total success here!

Communicate more...

~~with family, friends, my munchkin, my man, my blog & my blogging buddies: Doing better, but this is always a struggle for me

Enjoy life

~~laugh, cry, dance, and sing more: This has been hard to do in the last month as I've been very stressed, but I'm hopeful that as the days progress I'll have more time to work on this.

~~be a better mom: Oh, this is such a struggle...I try my hardest, but doing the hardest job in the world is tough