Six Word Saturday

adventure: on the road, heading north

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Want to play along? All that's necessary to participate is to describe your life (or something) in a phrase using just six words. For more information, try clicking here. Feel free to explain or not explain. Add an image, a video, a song, nothing. I love seeing what everyone does with their entries.

Each week (probably on Sunday or Monday), I use random.org to select a bunch of entries to visit.  Or I visit everyone. Or even numbered entries. Or odd numbered entries. Or multiples of three. Depends on what's going on that week.  In addition, please visit the person ahead of you on the list (or visit everyone if you like!). That way everyone receives at least one visit!

If you play along in your blog, please add a link to the Mr. Linky. I appreciate a link back (shiny code below if you like!). Otherwise, you're welcome to leave your six words in this post as a comment.

Please be sure to link either to your main page or (preferably) directly to the 6WS post. Links to blogs that do not contain a 6WS entry will be removed (sorry, just the button in the sidebar doesn't count as participating).

Six Word Saturday

ready to make so many changes

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Want to play along? All that's necessary to participate is to describe your life (or something) in a phrase using just six words. For more information, try clicking here. Feel free to explain or not explain. Add an image, a video, a song, nothing. I love seeing what everyone does with their entries.

Each week (probably on Sunday or Monday), I use random.org to select a bunch of entries to visit.  Or I visit everyone. Or even numbered entries. Or odd numbered entries. Or multiples of three. Depends on what's going on that week.  In addition, please visit the person ahead of you on the list (or visit everyone if you like!). That way everyone receives at least one visit!

If you play along in your blog, please add a link to the Mr. Linky. I appreciate a link back (shiny code below if you like!). Otherwise, you're welcome to leave your six words in this post as a comment.

Please be sure to link either to your main page or (preferably) directly to the 6WS post. Links to blogs that do not contain a 6WS entry will be removed (sorry, just the button in the sidebar doesn't count as participating).

Six Word Saturday

husband travels again - I'm home working

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Want to play along? All that's necessary to participate is to describe your life (or something) in a phrase using just six words. For more information, try clicking here. Feel free to explain or not explain. Add an image, a video, a song, nothing. I love seeing what everyone does with their entries.

Each week (probably on Sunday or Monday), I use random.org to select a bunch of entries to visit.  Or I visit everyone. Or even numbered entries. Or odd numbered entries. Or multiples of three. Depends on what's going on that week.  In addition, please visit the person ahead of you on the list (or visit everyone if you like!). That way everyone receives at least one visit!

If you play along in your blog, please add a link to the Mr. Linky. I appreciate a link back (shiny code below if you like!). Otherwise, you're welcome to leave your six words in this post as a comment.

Please be sure to link either to your main page or (preferably) directly to the 6WS post. Links to blogs that do not contain a 6WS entry will be removed (sorry, just the button in the sidebar doesn't count as participating).

<a href="http://www.showmyface.com/search/label/6WS"><img src="http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp35/showmyface/guts/6wsButton.jpg" ></a>

Six Word Saturday

when husband's away, wife can play!

And by "play," I mean finish up a lot of house projects. And work a lot. And read books. And sleep in the middle of the bed. I'm wild and crazy like that.

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Want to play along? All that's necessary to participate is to describe your life (or something) in a phrase using just six words. For more information, try clicking here. Feel free to explain or not explain. Add an image, a video, a song, nothing. I love seeing what everyone does with their entries.

Each week (probably on Sunday or Monday), I use random.org to select a bunch of entries to visit.  Or I visit everyone. Or even numbered entries. Or odd numbered entries. Or multiples of three. Depends on what's going on that week.  In addition, please visit the person ahead of you on the list (or visit everyone if you like!). That way everyone receives at least one visit!

If you play along in your blog, please add a link to the Mr. Linky. I appreciate a link back (shiny code below if you like!). Otherwise, you're welcome to leave your six words in this post as a comment.

Please be sure to link either to your main page or (preferably) directly to the 6WS post. Links to blogs that do not contain a 6WS entry will be removed (sorry, just the button in the sidebar doesn't count as participating).

<a href="http://www.showmyface.com/search/label/6WS"><img src="http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp35/showmyface/guts/6wsButton.jpg" ></a>

Six Word Saturday

ready for my week of solitude

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Want to play along? All that's necessary to participate is to describe your life (or something) in a phrase using just six words. For more information, try clicking here. Feel free to explain or not explain. Add an image, a video, a song, nothing. I love seeing what everyone does with their entries.

Each week (probably on Sunday or Monday), I use random.org to select a bunch of entries to visit.  Or I visit everyone. Or even numbered entries. Or odd numbered entries. Or multiples of three. Depends on what's going on that week.  In addition, please visit the person ahead of you on the list (or visit everyone if you like!). That way everyone receives at least one visit!

If you play along in your blog, please add a link to the Mr. Linky. I appreciate a link back (shiny code below if you like!). Otherwise, you're welcome to leave your six words in this post as a comment.

Please be sure to link either to your main page or (preferably) directly to the 6WS post. Links to blogs that do not contain a 6WS entry will be removed (sorry, just the button in the sidebar doesn't count as participating).

<a href="http://www.showmyface.com/search/label/6WS"><img src="http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp35/showmyface/guts/6wsButton.jpg" ></a>

Six Word Saturday

chasing Easter bunny to west coast

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Want to play along? All that's necessary to participate is to describe your life (or something) in a phrase using just six words. For more information, try clicking here. Feel free to explain or not explain. Add an image, a video, a song, nothing. I love seeing what everyone does with their entries.

Each week (probably on Sunday or Monday), I use random.org to select a bunch of entries to visit.  Or I visit everyone. Or even numbered entries. Or odd numbered entries. Or multiples of three. Depends on what's going on that week.  In addition, please visit the person ahead of you on the list (or visit everyone if you like!). That way everyone receives at least one visit!

If you play along in your blog, please add a link to the Mr. Linky. I appreciate a link back (shiny code below if you like!). Otherwise, you're welcome to leave your six words in this post as a comment.

Please be sure to link either to your main page or (preferably) directly to the 6WS post. Links to blogs that do not contain a 6WS entry will be removed (sorry, just the button in the sidebar doesn't count as participating).

<a href="http://www.showmyface.com/search/label/6WS"><img src="http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp35/showmyface/guts/6wsButton.jpg" ></a>

Six Word Saturday

this week, perhaps, some forward motion

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Want to play along? All that's necessary to participate is to describe your life (or something) in a phrase using just six words. For more information, try clicking here. Feel free to explain or not explain. Add an image, a video, a song, nothing. I love seeing what everyone does with their entries.

Each week (probably on Sunday or Monday), I use random.org to select a bunch of entries to visit.  Or I visit everyone. Or even numbered entries. Or odd numbered entries. Or multiples of three. Depends on what's going on that week.  In addition, please visit the person ahead of you on the list (or visit everyone if you like!). That way everyone receives at least one visit!

If you play along in your blog, please add a link to the Mr. Linky. I appreciate a link back (shiny code below if you like!). Otherwise, you're welcome to leave your six words in this post as a comment.

Please be sure to link either to your main page or (preferably) directly to the 6WS post. Links to blogs that do not contain a 6WS entry will be removed (sorry, just the button in the sidebar doesn't count as participating).

<a href="http://www.showmyface.com/search/label/6WS"><img src="http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp35/showmyface/guts/6wsButton.jpg" ></a>

Six Word Saturday

Joe's running the NYC Marathon tomorrow!

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Want to play along? All that's necessary to participate is to describe your life (or something) in a phrase using just six words. For more information, try clicking here. Feel free to explain or not explain. Add an image, a video, a song, nothing. I love seeing what everyone does with their entries.

Each week (probably on Sunday or Monday), I use random.org to select a bunch of entries to visit.  Or I visit everyone. Or even numbered entries. Or odd numbered entries. Or multiples of three. Depends on what's going on that week.  In addition, please visit the person ahead of you on the list (or visit everyone if you like!). That way everyone receives at least one visit!

If you play along in your blog, please add a link to the Mr. Linky. I appreciate a link back (shiny code below if you like!). Otherwise, you're welcome to leave your six words in this post as a comment.

Please be sure to link either to your main page or (preferably) directly to the 6WS post. Links to blogs that do not contain a 6WS entry will be removed (sorry, just the button in the sidebar doesn't count as participating).

<a href="http://www.showmyface.com/search/label/6WS"><img src="http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp35/showmyface/guts/6wsButton.jpg" ></a>

A few thoughts on Boston from the wife of a runner

The details emerging from Boston are still jumbled today. They continue to be a mix of horrifying, confusing, and sometimes incorrect. Like the photo of the little girl who was reportedly killed. Or the misreporting of the JFK library fire being connected. I’m glad sorting those details is up to someone else – and I hope they do an amazing job of reaching the proper conclusions, finding the responsible party, and keeping them from doing further harm.

But some things do stand out for me.

The main detail that caught my attention as I read the reports yesterday was this: “The explosions occurred approximately an hour after the first runners crossed the finish line.”

When you’re married to a runner, here’s what you learn from attending race after race after race – elite runners fly like the wind. They finish far ahead of the crowd. Indeed, the winner of the 2013 Boston Marathon finished in 2 hours and 10 minutes. The first female crossed shortly after (2 hours, 26 minutes). These are the people who run for a living. They do this competitively. Running IS their life.

And then there are the “regular” folks. The ones with day jobs. The ones who run as stress relief to survive those day jobs. They run a few miles several times a week or maybe even every day before or after work or on their lunch breaks. They do longer runs on the weekends. Don’t misunderstand me - they’re dedicated, serious runners to be able to run 26.2 miles. I certainly can’t do it. But these are regular people like you and me. Like my husband. A very common goal among this crowd is to finish a marathon in under 4 hours.

As I looked at photos of the finish line, post-explosion, the race clock displayed 4:09:44. At that time, a very steady stream of runners would've been coming through the crowded space. The timing of the explosions probably could not have been much worse.

The second detail sticking in my mind is a quote I read last night summarizing injuries. Apparently because of the nature and placement of the explosive device used, most damages sustained were low to the ground. There were a lot of amputated and severely injured lower limbs on that list.

My husband hasn't been able to run for the past six weeks due to a simple stress fracture. It’s healing well but he’s facing another four weeks without running. I’m not sure anything is more torturous to a runner than not being able to run. Permanent loss of a limb? I can’t imagine.

And the other details emerging from Boston and elsewhere since yesterday’s senseless incident are of another sort – the kind that actually give some feeling of hope. Stories of people helping, whether it’s medical assistance at the scene, offering local help in the form of a place to stay or a warm meal, strangers arranging donations for flight changes, or simple displays of support in the form of tweets or wearing race shirts today.

Those are the details I’m choosing to focus on.

Because I’m the wife of a runner. I've stood at the finish line. I've felt pride for my husband but I've also felt pride for complete strangers. I've also felt concern for other racers I don’t know as they've struggled over the finish line. I've cheered them on. I've cried for them. I've bonded with people I don’t know as we've waited for our racers and cheered for people none of us know. I've offered my phone and water and whatever other help I can in-person at the finish line and my heart is going out to those at the finish line in Boston yesterday.

The running community is tight. They won’t stand for this and they won’t be beaten by it. Joe’s in DC right now and even though he can’t run, he went for a walk on the Mall. There were a lot of runners out. There was a real atmosphere of respect and camaraderie. There were many around the Reflecting Pool. Reflecting. Praying. Talking. Angry. Sad. Hopeful.

I may only be the wife of a runner, but I’m glad to have a place in the community as a supporter. Sometimes it’s a fun role, sometimes it’s not. This is one of those times when it’s not a particularly happy time. But it’s also a time when I witness that spirit that keeps them going as individuals through each run, one foot in front of the other, and as a group, each person supporting the rest as they keep going to reach the finish line.

Six Word Saturday

new rule - no email during dinner

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Want to play along? All that's necessary to participate is to describe your life (or something) in a phrase using just six words. For more information, try clicking here. Feel free to explain or not explain. Add an image, a video, a song, nothing. I love seeing what everyone does with their entries.

Each week (probably on Sunday or Monday), I use random.org to select a bunch of entries to visit.  Or I visit everyone. Or even numbered entries. Or odd numbered entries. Or multiples of three. Depends on what's going on that week.  In addition, please visit the person ahead of you on the list (or visit everyone if you like!). That way everyone receives at least one visit!

If you play along in your blog, please add a link to the Mr. Linky. I appreciate a link back (shiny code below if you like!). Otherwise, you're welcome to leave your six words in this post as a comment.

Please be sure to link either to your main page or (preferably) directly to the 6WS post. Links to blogs that do not contain a 6WS entry will be removed (sorry, just the button in the sidebar doesn't count as participating).

<a href="http://www.showmyface.com/search/label/6WS"><img src="http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp35/showmyface/guts/6wsButton.jpg" ></a>

Joe's Six Word Saturday

Why must people be so difficult?

Yes, as the title says, those are actually Joe's words. He's had a rough week at work. Everybody pat Joe on the head and tell him it will all be ok. For extra fun, he'll be on a 5:30 am flight Monday to go see the difficult client in person. He's so excited!!!

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Want to play along? All that's necessary to participate is to describe your life (or something) in a phrase using just six words. For more information, try clicking here. Feel free to explain or not explain. Add an image, a video, a song, nothing. I love seeing what everyone does with their entries.

Each week (probably on Sunday or Monday), I use random.org to select a bunch of entries to visit.  Or I visit everyone. Or even numbered entries. Or odd numbered entries. Or multiples of three. Depends on what's going on that week.  In addition, please visit the person ahead of you on the list (or visit everyone if you like!). That way everyone receives at least one visit!

If you play along in your blog, please add a link to the Mr. Linky. I appreciate a link back (shiny code below if you like!). Otherwise, you're welcome to leave your six words in this post as a comment.

Please be sure to link either to your main page or (preferably) directly to the 6WS post. Links to blogs that do not contain a 6WS entry will be removed (sorry, just the button in the sidebar doesn't count as participating).

<a href="http://www.showmyface.com/search/label/6WS"><img src="http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp35/showmyface/guts/6wsButton.jpg" ></a>

Doctor's rounds, Part 1

Recently, I went to see my gynecologist.

That sound you heard was my two male readers running away... Seriously, I'm not going to share TMI. Though I did live-tweet my visit. Complete with a photo of "completely undressed" me in the exam room. See what you miss if you don't follow me on Twitter?

Anyways, my new primary care doctor, as I mentioned before, is trying to straighten out my migraines, which involves a new medicine that decreases the effectiveness of my birth control pills so I was discussing alternate baby-preventative methods with the gynecologist. After my appointment, I had the following conversation via text with Joe, aka my husband (that tidbit of information for the benefit of anyone who might be new here and think I might have this conversation with Joe, the guy who mows my lawn or Joe, the guy who does our taxes):

me: talked to the doc about the BCP situation
Joe: what did she say?
me: she agrees they won't work as well
Joe: and?
me: she recommends I get a DUI
Joe: wtf?
me: yeah, not sure how i feel about that
Joe: she really recommended that?
me: i know. i hate the idea. my sister had one, she was miserable
long pause
Joe: i'm sure
me: she gave me a pamphlet, they recommend them after you already have a kid usually
Joe: haha, i bet they do
me: there can be a lot of complications and discomfort
Joe: uh huh
me: ???
Joe: look at what you sent me
me: huh?
Joe: look back
me: dammit!!!!
Joe: that must be some dr you're seeing!

Spellcheck can seriously bite me. My doctor did NOT recommend that I be arrested for drunk driving. She recommended an IUD as an alternate method of birth control. Which I'm not sure about. Also not sure that the migraine meds are working at this point so I'm not rushing into a 5-yr implanted birth control solution when a temporary one will do just fine until we're more sure these meds are a long-term thing.

Also, to be clear, my sister had an IUD, not a DUI. She doesn't even drink. Not that any of you know my sister or that my sister reads this blog. But, you know, I still feel the need to clarify.

P.S. Want to know how to transition into twice a week posting? Write one really long post, realize it's really long, and then just make it a two-parter. You can consider that piece of amazing advice yours for free.

Word of the Year 2013

Happy New Year! I’m a little later than anticipated with this post because blah blah blah resulted in a reconsidering of my 2013 plans. But I've cooked the books consulted my accountant/husband and now I’m back on track.

So!

I like to start off each year with a guiding word rather than a list of specific resolutions. Sometimes I choose the word by looking back and/or looking ahead. Sometimes it just comes to me. Last year’s word, “mindful,” wasn’t all that successful I suppose. It depends on how you define success. If you define it as having any memory of what I had chosen as my word, then notsomuch.

For 2013, I’m choosing balance.

Main Entry: bal·ance
Pronunciation: \ˈba-lən(t)s\
Function: noun

1: a means of judging or deciding
2: a counterbalancing weight, force, or influence
3: an aesthetically pleasing integration of elements
4: mental and emotional steadiness
5: habit of calm behavior, judgment

I've borrowed the above definitions from several online dictionaries

For me, this is primarily about work. If you don't know, I'm a freelancer. I work from home, mostly as an editor. Last year is the first year I took that seriously and I had an amazing year with a lot of opportunities. I exceeded the financial goals I had set.

And yet, life was out of balance. Because of blah blah blah (yes, the same blah blah blah I started the post with) , most of my freelancing income ends up going to Uncle Sam. Taxes and gainfully employed husbands and blah blah blah.  I've been directed by the husband/accountant to quit focusing on working ALL THE CONTRACTS to make ALL THE MONEY and instead to focus on doing the things I want to do.

Not a bad problem to have!

Except, what I want to do? Continue freelancing. I want to expand my freelancing. Telling people this past year that I'm a freelance editor is the first time in my life I've taken pride in what I do. And I want to do more of it, not less of it. But I do have one contract that is very out of balance, and that one is going to have to go. With it, a good chunk of reliable monthly income. Which apparently is OK, according both to the accountant/husband and to balance. Because with it, a good chunk of reliable almost daily stress.

Also part of balance this year? The things I love that I should have plenty of time to do and yet I've spent a disproportionate amount of time stressing over one stupid contract and some other items that I haven't taken time to do them - those things will be coming back. Sitting at the piano. Crafting and painting. Blogging and more importantly, writing. They aren't necessarily the same. But I've missed both. It's been forever since I blogged regularly and I haven't worked on the book I'm writing at all since November (even that was a sad effort).

So in 2012, I proved that I could do ALL THE THINGS!!! In 2013, I will show that I can be discerning about choosing which of the things merit my time and effort. I will do the ALL THE THINGS with balance!

P.S. What can you expect from the blog? No promises but I'm planning to average posting about twice a week plus 6WS. Always 6WS, people. Otherwise, I have a feeling things may get ugly.

P.P.S. Oh yeah, also, happy 1000th post to me and this here blog.

Cate's recent cardio activity

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about my eating and exercise choices. Or, rather, I haven't been thinking about them as I should because my choices have been poor.

Exercise is hard work! Also, I don't mind the activity itself so much as I hate sweating. Sweat is not attractive, though I'm trying to adjust my mindset to see sweat as an indication that I'm doing things that are good for me.

This morning, I was thinking a bit about cardio and decided to see if my definition matched that of my BFFs over at Merriam-Webster. Seems the term "cardio" has only been around since about 1991 so they directed me instead to their definition for "cardiovascular":

Main Entry: car·dio·vas·cu·lar
Pronunciation: \ˈkär-dē-(ˌ)ō-ˈvas-kyə-lər\
Function: noun

1. of, relating to, or involving the heart and blood vessels
2. used, designed, or performed to cause a temporary increase in heart rate (a cardiovascular workout)

So here's what I'm trying to figure out in my head. If I perform an action that causes a temporary increase in heart rate, does that count as my cardio workout for the day?

I ask because the most commonly performed task in this house lately seems to involve dealing with cockroaches. I can assure you that this definitely increases my heart rate. All I have to do is look at one and my heart speeds up. And then there are the activities involved in removing said critter from the inside of my home.

This morning's adventures (I will spare you the horrific details - you're welcome!) increased my heart rate almost to the point of achieving panic attack status. Complete with shallow breathing and sweat, followed with a feeling of complete exhaustion afterwards.

Sounds like a cardio workout to me!

P.S. Cats are worthless.
P.P.S. Traveling husbands are also worthless in this situation.
P.P.P.S. Is it considered cheating on you husband if you have an affair with a neighbor for the lone purpose of having someone to remove bugs and such from your home while your husband travels? I'm asking for a friend...

What Joe's new job has taught me

During the last 6+ weeks since Joe started his new job, I've learned a lot of things I didn't realize before.

1. We have very different working styles. He likes loud music with words. I like quiet music with no words, if I have any music at all because generally, I prefer it to be quiet.

2. He's gone a lot - except for when he isn't. Well, duh, Cate. But what I mean is that he does travel a lot for work. But when he isn't traveling, he works at home. So it's feast or famine. Either 24/7 Joe or 24/7 no Joe.

3. We can only plan about a week in advance, which I can't blame as much on him as I thought I could. During the week, we can't plan much because he could have to leave at any time to go see a client, though generally we know this week what will be happening next week. Approximately. So I can blame his work for not being able to make plans! Except, his company is really great about getting their consultants home on the weekends and not expecting them to work during that time. But guess who almost always works nights and weekends? Yeah, me... We've turned down plans as often lately because of my contract as we have his job.

Overall, it didn't take long for me to adapt to his frequent travels. For the first four weeks, he traveled two-four days at a time every week. The last two weeks, he's been at home. It's been kind of nice, but I'd be lying to say I'm not going to enjoy some time to myself while he travels again this week.

Six words, breakfast pizza, and a recipe

Who knew yesterday's six words would lead to so many questions?

Yes, breakfast pizza makes my mouth happy. And in the hopes it will make your mouth happy too, I'll share the basics of the recipe here.

You will need:

puff pastry dough
creme fraiche
cheese
toppings

Roll out the pastry dough, brush the edges with eggwash (I use Egg Beaters), poke a zillion holes in the middle of the dough so only the edges get puffy, forming a crust. Put it in an oven at 350 for 5-7 minutes. Be careful not to overcook because it's going back in.

While the dough is in the oven, get your other toppings ready. Bacon, sausage, ham, mushrooms, peppers, tomatoes, spinach, scrambled eggs - whatever you might use in an omelette can go on your pizza. The original recipe calls for no scrambled eggs but instead cracks a couple of eggs on top of all the other toppings. Spread creme fraiche on dough, add your toppings of choice, and apply liberal melty cheese.

Liberal amounts of melty cheese, I mean. I don't like my cheese getting all political, especially before I've had coffee. Try gouda, cheddar, feta, swiss; whatever makes you happy.

Pop it back in the oven at 350 for another 5-7 minutes. However long it takes for the cheese to melt (and for the egg to firm up if you crack a whole egg on top).

Slice and serve.

For the record, leftover pizza can also be eaten for breakfast but I just call that leftover pizza. There were some questions about that. But yesterday's words referred to the fact that I was serving brunch for some of Joe's friends and I don't usually serve cold leftover pizza to company. Though it's not a bad idea...

La Cucaracha

This happened yesterday morning while Joe was still other-coasting it for work.

me: Can our pest control do anything about cockroaches?
Joe: Ugh, another one?
me: Yeah, in the downstairs bathroom sink. I went in to check my face quick before I left and it was in there looking at me.
Joe: I'm sorry, I'll call tomorrow. What did you do?
me: I put on some water.
Joe: You mean, you sat down and had tea?
me: No, ew, I don't drink tea.
Joe: I don't follow.
me: I put on some water. Got it all boiling hot. Poured it down the sink. Goodbye Mr. Bug!
Joe: Seriously?
me: Seriously.
Joe: Why didn't you just squish it?
me: Ewww. That's even nastier than drinking tea.

Bugs should not be allowed to invade the house ever, but especially not when husbands are away.

P.S. Generally, I'm a non-violent person, even to bugs, (in practice anyways, not so much in words) but creepy bugs inside my house don't belong there. And if Joe's not home to catch and release, I do what I have to do to protect me and my kitties.

A test for you

Don't worry, this test is multiple choice. You may begin at any time.

You are a Toyota Prius. You beep and display the "low fuel" light. Fifteen miles later, having not passed a single gas station, you start to feel desperate. Do you:

a) beep again, more urgently,
b) display a warning message that "Failure to add gas immediately may result in battery damage and a visit to the dealer,"
c) keep operating normally until you actually run out of gas and stall,
or
d) light up warnings on the dashboard for: VSC (vehicle stability control), brakes, engine, service, and wheels while emitting a high-pitched alarm and flashing "PROBLEM, PROBLEM, PROBLEM!" causing your driver to pull to the side of the road immediately, proceed down the shoulder at 15 mph to the nearest travel station, fill the tank, drive 50mph the remaining 80 miles home with no a/c (because it could be battery-related), and schedule an appointment at the dealer the next day only to be officially diagnosed with having low fuel?

Yeah, I bet you all got it right.

P.S. Stupid car.
P.P.S. The important part is that we got home safely.
P.P.P.S. It's a relief that the car did not need an expensive repair.
P.P.P.P.S. Joe has the best Toyota dealer in the world - they didn't charge us for the visit.
P.P.P.P.P.S. Stupid car.

Don't try this at home

Recent chat with my husband, me at home, him at an airport on the way to somewhere...

me: Be right back, going to shower quick before it storms.
Joe: It's already storming, you should wait.
me: Only a little. It's going to get worse so I'll go now and be fast.
Joe: You should wait until it stops.
me: That's going to be a long time!!!
Joe: Yes, but I don't want you to get electrocuted.
me: Pfft. How many people have you heard of that actually happening to?
Joe: None.
me: See?
Joe: Because nobody is dumb enough to shower during a storm.

I'm sure he thinks he won this one. Except what he doesn't know (unless he reads my blog, which he never does) is that I went and showered anyways.

And totally didn't die.

I win.

The elephant in the room...

...it's me! No, that's probably not indicative of a positive self-image but I'm being realistic here. I'm a smart, funny, amazing person - who happens to be carrying around 100 extra pounds. So by calling myself an elephant, I'm just making light of the fact that I'm not at all light.

Anyways!

Yesterday started Plan #1222. Why Plan #1222? I figure I've had at least 1221 plans before that haven't worked. Plus, 1222 is the number of calories livestrong.com says I'm allowed to eat in order to lose 2 lbs a week. I'd rather lose about 50 lbs a week and be done with it but apparently there's no healthy way to do that. So, instead, Plan #1222. Counting calories, working out, vitamins, 64 oz of water.

I hate counting calories. HATE! But I've found it's the best way to hold myself accountable. It also motivates me to go to the gym to "earn" extra calories. That's important to me, not just so I can eat more but because I really believe that regardless of your weight (probably the more you weigh, the more this is true), regular exercise is good for your heart and lungs and other parts and functions. It's good to stimulate the old ticker every so often! By counting calories, I'm more likely to go to the gym and use the elliptical for an hour than if I'm doing some eating plan that says "eat everything you want but it has to be this or that!"

I had a good start yesterday. Though I felt hungry a lot, I managed to do 45 minutes on the elliptical (not the hour I was doing at my peak but not bad for the first time back in awhile) and end the day well below my calorie limit. Today, I'm going to ride my recumbent bike at home I think, so I can go to the gym again tomorrow when I'm not working.

This is just one more piece of the puzzle as I work towards World Domination. And a healthier me. Lately, I've been making progress on a lot of those pieces. I'm excited to see what the final picture looks like once I have them all assembled!

me: I did great drinking today! Just finished 32 oz now, plus I drank 40 oz at the gym.
Joe: You drank 40 oz of gin?

My husband, ever supportive, ever sidetracked with his own things.