There is some debate amongst my family and friends as to whether or not a person can take too many photos. I heartily believe that it is not possible to take too many. In fact, the more pics, the better, and I regularly practice this aforementioned theory.
This weekend was no exception. I came back from my 4-day weekend to St. Louis with 1,180+ photos to upload from my digital camera. WOOHOO!! Maybe that seems like a lot, but I'd rather have too many than too few. I love visiting St. Louis. There is just something magical about that city that calls me back time and time again. I’m crazy about it.
Forest Park is the most amazing city park I have ever visited. Truly it is! The park is full of meandering walks and inspiring views. The setting is incredible – filled with trees, lakes, picturesque bridges, etc. – and the architecture of the buildings is spectacular as well. Personally, I never get tired of the St. Louis Art Museum matched against the lovely Grand Basin lake below it. It’s a photographer’s dream.
There is a seemingly endless supply of things to do in Forest Park – tour the art museum, visit the animals at the zoo, walk up the steps to the 1904 World’s Fair Pavilion, explore the Science Center and Planetarium, jet back in time via the History Museum, climb onto a giant turtle’s back in Turtle Park, and so much more.
The Missouri Botanical Gardens are breathtaking. Each visit I discover something “new” that I hadn’t noticed before. The gardens are large and plentiful with amazing blooms and vivid foliage. I particularly enjoy the water lilies growing in the many ponds strewn about the property. The rose gardens are spectacular, and I could spend hours walking amidst the colorful and fragrant displays of GOD’s handiwork there. Yes, the Missouri Botanical Gardens are a favorite haunt of mine.
The Gateway Arch is a must-see stop for a visitor to St. Louis. The riverside park offers majestic views of the monument as well as riverboat tours, helicopter rides and other tourist offerings. Every guest must take the tram ride to the top of the arch at least once. I’ve ridden to the top several times in the past, and so it’s not a requirement on every visit any more, but it is worth doing at least once.
The City Museum is incredibly hard to describe. It’s unlike any museum I’ve ever visited. Housed in 600,000 square feet, the museum is like a giant playground/funhouse for adults and children alike. There are man-made caves to explore, giant slides to descend on, tree houses to climb, etc. It’s a whimsical, magical place that kind of reminds me of a Tim Burton movie -- more like The Nightmare Before Christmas rather than Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It's a bit dark, a tad bit spooky and full of surprises.
The big WOW! factor for me was the the outdoor playground complete with 2 salvaged planes, an old fire truck, giant wrought-iron slinkies, a castle turret, etc., and all of this 2-5 stories off the ground. As touted on the website, it is “the most monumental, monolithic, monstrous montage of monkey bars in the world.” Yes, that it is. All I can say is that I was glad I didn’t have any young kids with me. If I were a parent, I might have been a nervous wreck, but as it stands right now, I’m ready to go back again any time.
Yes, St. Louis is pretty awesome. It’s a fabulous place to explore. I’d highly recommend you plan your own adventure to this incredible city.
P.S. I realize, it might seem a tad bit strange that I did not post any photos of my weekend in St. Lou yet. Well, I do have my work cut out for me -- what with 1,180 photos to review, etc. I hope to get some posted in the near future.
DISCLAIMER: The author of said blog did not receive any financial incentives or kick-backs for the above posting that highlights some of the attractions in the St. Louis area. However, said author may be willing to discuss such options in the future should an offer come along.
Not quite like the small, square yellow sticky notes at all really...think legal size post-its!!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
What to Do With the Lemons?
We all know the saying: “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade."
But what if you aren’t crazy about lemonade at all? I’m not. I have friends that are crazy about it. Their first stop at the state fair is to get a lemon shake-up or a lemon freeze. Personally, I don’t get their obsession with lemon drinks, but I’m happy for them. I prefer water to lemonade, and that is saying a lot since I'm not a big water drinker.
So can we choose to do something else with our surplus of lemons in lieu of making lemonade? I think so. I mean, you have lemons to spare, and you don't want them to go to waste, right? So why couldn't you do something else with them? I could make lemon squares instead. I like those. A lemon meringue pie sounds pretty good right about now, too.
So, while I like the whole sour-to-sweet truth behind the lemons-to-lemonade thing, I really want to paraphrase the jingle for me and all those other non-lemonade-drinkers out there. I feel we need a voice, too.
How about…
But what if you aren’t crazy about lemonade at all? I’m not. I have friends that are crazy about it. Their first stop at the state fair is to get a lemon shake-up or a lemon freeze. Personally, I don’t get their obsession with lemon drinks, but I’m happy for them. I prefer water to lemonade, and that is saying a lot since I'm not a big water drinker.
So can we choose to do something else with our surplus of lemons in lieu of making lemonade? I think so. I mean, you have lemons to spare, and you don't want them to go to waste, right? So why couldn't you do something else with them? I could make lemon squares instead. I like those. A lemon meringue pie sounds pretty good right about now, too.
So, while I like the whole sour-to-sweet truth behind the lemons-to-lemonade thing, I really want to paraphrase the jingle for me and all those other non-lemonade-drinkers out there. I feel we need a voice, too.
How about…
When life hands you lemons, make lemon squares.
OR
When life hands you lemons, be grateful. Not everyone has lemons, but now you do.
Did You Know…
That we lose 1,000 U.S. World War II veterans every day?
I sure didn’t, but now I do.
I called my 85-year-old Uncle Gilbert (aka Gib) this week to catch up with him. I am going to be traveling to St. Louis this weekend, and I’m hoping to connect with him. He’s a charming gentleman, and I could listen to his stories for hours. We got to talking about his service in the Navy during WWII, and he shared his recent excursion with the Honor Flight, which involved an all-expenses-paid day trip to our nation’s Capitol to visit the monuments and spend time with fellow WWII veterans. I was intrigued and eager to find more about it.
I sure didn’t, but now I do.
I called my 85-year-old Uncle Gilbert (aka Gib) this week to catch up with him. I am going to be traveling to St. Louis this weekend, and I’m hoping to connect with him. He’s a charming gentleman, and I could listen to his stories for hours. We got to talking about his service in the Navy during WWII, and he shared his recent excursion with the Honor Flight, which involved an all-expenses-paid day trip to our nation’s Capitol to visit the monuments and spend time with fellow WWII veterans. I was intrigued and eager to find more about it.
“Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America's veterans for all their sacrifices. We transport our heroes to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials. Top priority is given to the senior veterans – World War II survivors, along with those other veterans who may be terminally ill. Of all of the wars in recent memory, it was World War II that truly threatened our very existence as a nation—and as a culturally diverse, free society. Now, with over one thousand World War II veterans dying each day, our time to express our thanks to these brave men and women is running out.”I had never heard of the Honor Flight Network, and so I wanted to pass along the knowledge. If you get the opportunity to donate to this cause, please do so. It sounds like a wonderful way to express our gratitude to these brave men and women who risked their lives for future generations (that’s us).
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
A Warm Welcome to Autumn
Autumn begins later today, and I’m ready for it. Yes, I think I blog about this every year…how I start to smell caramel apples and burning leaves, start craving candy corn and turkey (not in the same bite, mind you), and start breathing better and enjoying the great outdoors more. So the temps are still higher in the Hoosier state than I think they should be right now -- I acknowledge that, but I choose to be optimistic and cling to the idea that crisp, cooler air is coming in the weeks ahead. Yes, I am in love with fall.
And while we're on the subject of fall and love, I've decided that if I ever fall in love with an actual human being (rather than a character in a film or novel), I want it to be in autumn. If I meet a guy in the spring that I sense I’m falling for, I’ll just tell him to give me a call in October. I don’t want to be rude about it, but autumn is just better for me all around.
Great! Now I’ve got this sentimental song from Camelot in my head… (sigh!) Happy Fall, Everybody!
And while we're on the subject of fall and love, I've decided that if I ever fall in love with an actual human being (rather than a character in a film or novel), I want it to be in autumn. If I meet a guy in the spring that I sense I’m falling for, I’ll just tell him to give me a call in October. I don’t want to be rude about it, but autumn is just better for me all around.
Great! Now I’ve got this sentimental song from Camelot in my head… (sigh!) Happy Fall, Everybody!
If Ever I Would Leave You
by Frederick Loewe (sung here by Robert Goulet)
If ever I would leave you
It wouldn't be in summer.
Seeing you in summer I never would go.
Your hair streaked with sun-light,
Your lips red as flame,
Your face with a lustre
that puts gold to shame!
But if I'd ever leave you,
It couldn't be in autumn.
How I'd leave in autumn I never will know.
I've seen how you sparkle
When fall nips the air.
I know you in autumn
And I must be there.
And could I leave you
running merrily through the snow?
Or on a wintry evening
when you catch the fire's glow?
If ever I would leave you,
how could it be in spring-time?
Knowing how in spring I'm bewitched by you so?
Oh, no! not in spring-time!
Summer, winter or fall!
No, never could I leave you at all!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Choir Initiation: I'm In
A few weeks ago, I finally made the decision to leave my former church and branch out into another church. Five weeks later, I’m so grateful to GOD for HIS direction and sense of timing. I can say with confidence in HIM that I am where I am supposed to be right now. The Chancel Choir at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church has welcomed in this former Baptist, former Grace Brethren, former non-denominational fundamentalist with open arms and an incredible amount of warmth, grace and kindness.
I love my new choir family. The second sopranos have been an incredible source of encouragement and friendship to this newbie, and the rest of the choir members that I have met thus far have been more of the same. Our choir is 160+ members strong, but it feels like a family, a big extended family.
I love the heart and worshipful atmosphere in our rehearsals and our Sunday mornings together. We end our rehearsals holding hands and joining in prayer together, as we seek our MAKER, CREATOR and SAVIOR. Sunday mornings are a flurry of activity as we dress in our robes, do a final rehearsal and prepare for the worship service, but our director always brings us back to the object of our worship, our GOD, before we make our way to the platform. I’ve never experienced such a worshipful atmosphere in any choir I have ever sung with.
I love the action and the drive to serve together, both within the choir members and the heart of the church itself. There are so many opportunities to get involved and serve within the church community that it’s hard to just pick something and dig in. I was feeling a bit intimidated. I told my friend Barb that I needed to get involved on one of the teams or committees within the choir. Next thing I knew, I was being recruited to serve on a committee for a special project. And thus, yours truly is now a co-chair on a program/promotion/ticket committee for a fundraising event in October. Talk about ironic. For years, I've been struggling about using the spiritual gifts that GOD has given me, and so it's very humbling to see HIM bring HIS plans forward and specifically place me where HE can use my talents for HIS glory.
Yes, I’m enjoying my new experiences, friends and service at St. Luke’s UMC, and I’m excited to see what GOD will do next.
I love my new choir family. The second sopranos have been an incredible source of encouragement and friendship to this newbie, and the rest of the choir members that I have met thus far have been more of the same. Our choir is 160+ members strong, but it feels like a family, a big extended family.
I love the heart and worshipful atmosphere in our rehearsals and our Sunday mornings together. We end our rehearsals holding hands and joining in prayer together, as we seek our MAKER, CREATOR and SAVIOR. Sunday mornings are a flurry of activity as we dress in our robes, do a final rehearsal and prepare for the worship service, but our director always brings us back to the object of our worship, our GOD, before we make our way to the platform. I’ve never experienced such a worshipful atmosphere in any choir I have ever sung with.
I love the action and the drive to serve together, both within the choir members and the heart of the church itself. There are so many opportunities to get involved and serve within the church community that it’s hard to just pick something and dig in. I was feeling a bit intimidated. I told my friend Barb that I needed to get involved on one of the teams or committees within the choir. Next thing I knew, I was being recruited to serve on a committee for a special project. And thus, yours truly is now a co-chair on a program/promotion/ticket committee for a fundraising event in October. Talk about ironic. For years, I've been struggling about using the spiritual gifts that GOD has given me, and so it's very humbling to see HIM bring HIS plans forward and specifically place me where HE can use my talents for HIS glory.
Yes, I’m enjoying my new experiences, friends and service at St. Luke’s UMC, and I’m excited to see what GOD will do next.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Pest Me No More
I love those “smile” boxes that arrive in the mail, don’t you? Amazon.com rocks!
Today, my new shipment of Black&Decker “Ultrasonic Pest Repellers” arrived in the mail. I’m using an earlier version of these plug-in repellers at present, and I figured I was due for an upgrade. Fact is that I’ve had to resort to killing a few spiders that had made their way indoors recently, and I seem to remember something in the product manual about decreasing effectiveness over time, and so I’ve reinvested (less than $12 for a pack of 3).
Now admittedly, I don’t quite understand how these gadgets work exactly. I’m not an engineer or a scientist. I just work with brilliant people like that in an attempt to absorb their knowledge. HA! But somehow, these small devices emit ultrasonic “noise” that continually fluctuates and disrupts pests (such as large bugs, spiders, mice, etc.) and drives them out. The Black&Decker theory is that, “Pests are repelled because they cannot adapt to the constantly changing array of complex ultrasonic and sonic sounds.” In essence, the pests go crazy, and so they move out or choose to set up residence elsewhere. Sounds great, right?
Well, since my first purchase of this product more than 2 years ago, I’ve read the online reviews, most of which are not positive. Apparently this product does not work for everyone or every pest situation, but it has suited my needs just fine. OK, so it is not 100% effective at keeping the invading arachnids from entering my domain, but I have encountered fewer spiders since I installed the gadgets, and this is a clear case where less is more, in my world.
Truthfully, I don’t care about actual percentages or how the device may or may not keep elephant-sized rats at bay. This is rather unscientific of me, I realize. But somehow I feel better having the little white boxes plugged into my wall outlets, and that, my friends, makes it worthwhile to me. Sure, I recognize that I am relying on my feelings vs. actual scientific data, and perhaps this peace of mind I am feeling is all just in my head. I know that, but it doesn’t matter. I FEEL BETTER with my little friends plugged into my walls, and that is all the proof I need.
Today, my new shipment of Black&Decker “Ultrasonic Pest Repellers” arrived in the mail. I’m using an earlier version of these plug-in repellers at present, and I figured I was due for an upgrade. Fact is that I’ve had to resort to killing a few spiders that had made their way indoors recently, and I seem to remember something in the product manual about decreasing effectiveness over time, and so I’ve reinvested (less than $12 for a pack of 3).
Now admittedly, I don’t quite understand how these gadgets work exactly. I’m not an engineer or a scientist. I just work with brilliant people like that in an attempt to absorb their knowledge. HA! But somehow, these small devices emit ultrasonic “noise” that continually fluctuates and disrupts pests (such as large bugs, spiders, mice, etc.) and drives them out. The Black&Decker theory is that, “Pests are repelled because they cannot adapt to the constantly changing array of complex ultrasonic and sonic sounds.” In essence, the pests go crazy, and so they move out or choose to set up residence elsewhere. Sounds great, right?
Well, since my first purchase of this product more than 2 years ago, I’ve read the online reviews, most of which are not positive. Apparently this product does not work for everyone or every pest situation, but it has suited my needs just fine. OK, so it is not 100% effective at keeping the invading arachnids from entering my domain, but I have encountered fewer spiders since I installed the gadgets, and this is a clear case where less is more, in my world.
Truthfully, I don’t care about actual percentages or how the device may or may not keep elephant-sized rats at bay. This is rather unscientific of me, I realize. But somehow I feel better having the little white boxes plugged into my wall outlets, and that, my friends, makes it worthwhile to me. Sure, I recognize that I am relying on my feelings vs. actual scientific data, and perhaps this peace of mind I am feeling is all just in my head. I know that, but it doesn’t matter. I FEEL BETTER with my little friends plugged into my walls, and that is all the proof I need.
Have I Mentioned…
I love having my Fridays OFF. Love it. Love it. Love it. Seriously, I highly enjoy having my Fridays to play with. My Monday through Thursday schedule is often jam-packed, and so my Fridays are a sublime retreat from the frenetic pace of life.
• Catch-up on sleep: Sometimes, I confess, I sleep the better part of the morning away. I often struggle going to bed by 10 PM during the week despite knowing that I have a 4:50 AM wake-up coming the next morning. I know, that’s crazy, but it’s a fact. So on Fridays, I often need to get caught up on my rest.
• Roadtrips: I have taken a couple of roadtrips to Ohio to see the sites and have also spent some extra time with my sister and her family up in Kokomo. Plus, I’ve enjoyed having the time for my drive to LDM SonRise Retreats or for long weekends in Michigan.
• Gardens and Parks: I’ve gotten better acquainted with several city parks. There is something so soothing about a stroll through nature. It’s been a bit too hot at times this summer, but I’ve still enjoyed my walks and jogs. In addition, I’ve spent countless hours rambling through the gardens at the IMA and exploring the new 100 Acres Nature Park there as well.
• Catching up with friends: I’ve enjoyed having lunch or getting together with friends that I don’t often get to see. It’s been a lot of fun!
• Downtown Indianapolis: I have missed downtown Indy more than I realized. This summer, I’ve been making regular treks downtown to explore the canal, the buildings, the museums, and the monuments again. This past Friday, I took advantage of the pleasant temps and visited the State Capitol Building, the Indiana State Library and the Scottish Rite Cathedral. It was a pretty awesome day, and I was in my element, snapping photos like crazy.
Yeah, I’m loving my Fridays a lot.
• Catch-up on sleep: Sometimes, I confess, I sleep the better part of the morning away. I often struggle going to bed by 10 PM during the week despite knowing that I have a 4:50 AM wake-up coming the next morning. I know, that’s crazy, but it’s a fact. So on Fridays, I often need to get caught up on my rest.
• Roadtrips: I have taken a couple of roadtrips to Ohio to see the sites and have also spent some extra time with my sister and her family up in Kokomo. Plus, I’ve enjoyed having the time for my drive to LDM SonRise Retreats or for long weekends in Michigan.
• Gardens and Parks: I’ve gotten better acquainted with several city parks. There is something so soothing about a stroll through nature. It’s been a bit too hot at times this summer, but I’ve still enjoyed my walks and jogs. In addition, I’ve spent countless hours rambling through the gardens at the IMA and exploring the new 100 Acres Nature Park there as well.
• Catching up with friends: I’ve enjoyed having lunch or getting together with friends that I don’t often get to see. It’s been a lot of fun!
• Downtown Indianapolis: I have missed downtown Indy more than I realized. This summer, I’ve been making regular treks downtown to explore the canal, the buildings, the museums, and the monuments again. This past Friday, I took advantage of the pleasant temps and visited the State Capitol Building, the Indiana State Library and the Scottish Rite Cathedral. It was a pretty awesome day, and I was in my element, snapping photos like crazy.
Yeah, I’m loving my Fridays a lot.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
What a Great Sunday Looks Like
Two momentous things happened on Sunday.
1. In the morning, I sang in the St. Luke’s United Methodist Church Chancel Choir for 2 services without tripping on the stage or bursting into song out of turn. For weeks, I had envisioned myself tripping on the stage as we walked up or down the stairs there, but I had a successful “premiere,” as it were, and am pleased that there was no reportable incident to relate. And while I can read music just fine, I was also worried that I would over-zealously sing out before it was time for the second soprano’s cue, and so I was relieved that didn’t happen either. YES. It was a success. I am really enjoying my choir adventures. At first it was a bit overwhelming that our choir is 160+ people strong. That is bigger than the church I grew up in, in total, but I am loving the family atmosphere, generous spirit and encouragement that I have encountered in every rehearsal and this our first Sunday together. I’m curious what GOD has in store next.
2. Becky and I proved once and for all that we were correct in not pursuing our tween year fantasies of taking Wimbledon by storm. Boris Becker has no idea how he fueled our dreams once upon a time. (sigh!) Anyway, we spent an exhausting hour on the courts Sunday evening, and while Becky was rather brilliant in comparison to yours truly, neither of us are bound for tennis stardom. We had one decent volley of 8 or 9 shots, I think. After which, Becky asked if we should start keeping score, and I declared a hearty, “No way, unless you want to keep track of all the balls we are hitting outside of the gated court.” Naturally, I would have won that competition since I am known for my lack of control when hitting the ball, and I was up about 9 to 1 at that time. HA! So we’re not going pro any time soon, but we still got a good workout, and most importantly, we had fun out there.
1. In the morning, I sang in the St. Luke’s United Methodist Church Chancel Choir for 2 services without tripping on the stage or bursting into song out of turn. For weeks, I had envisioned myself tripping on the stage as we walked up or down the stairs there, but I had a successful “premiere,” as it were, and am pleased that there was no reportable incident to relate. And while I can read music just fine, I was also worried that I would over-zealously sing out before it was time for the second soprano’s cue, and so I was relieved that didn’t happen either. YES. It was a success. I am really enjoying my choir adventures. At first it was a bit overwhelming that our choir is 160+ people strong. That is bigger than the church I grew up in, in total, but I am loving the family atmosphere, generous spirit and encouragement that I have encountered in every rehearsal and this our first Sunday together. I’m curious what GOD has in store next.
2. Becky and I proved once and for all that we were correct in not pursuing our tween year fantasies of taking Wimbledon by storm. Boris Becker has no idea how he fueled our dreams once upon a time. (sigh!) Anyway, we spent an exhausting hour on the courts Sunday evening, and while Becky was rather brilliant in comparison to yours truly, neither of us are bound for tennis stardom. We had one decent volley of 8 or 9 shots, I think. After which, Becky asked if we should start keeping score, and I declared a hearty, “No way, unless you want to keep track of all the balls we are hitting outside of the gated court.” Naturally, I would have won that competition since I am known for my lack of control when hitting the ball, and I was up about 9 to 1 at that time. HA! So we’re not going pro any time soon, but we still got a good workout, and most importantly, we had fun out there.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
More Beautiful You
I really like this video/song, which just reinforces what I was trying to say in my blog earlier today. Good stuff! Thank you, Jonny Diaz!
Diet Girl Starts a New Chapter
I’m trying to eat healthier options as a way of life. I’ve become a lover of salads and fruit. Whole grains are yummy, and lite versions of just about everything line my fridge shelves and kitchen cupboards. I’ve been able to revise some of my habits, but I’m still probably never gonna be an I’m-sorry-I-just-can’t-finish-my-burger-girl. I just don’t think I’ll get there. I’m quite capable of optimism, but I don’t believe in painting a rosy picture that doesn’t match my reality. I’m learning to embrace the real me – the girl who still has an enduring relationship with food.
Yes, food and I are still arduously bonded. Whether I’m craving a Boca burger or a plate of nachos, I’m still fixated on satisfying that urge, that desire to feed. Gum helps. Chewing a piece of gum often halts a craving, but it’s just covering up my symptoms. The hunger is still there, under the surface. A baked potato or a plate of cooked broccoli fills me up for a time. The hunger is displaced, but it always returns, sooner than you would think.
Food and I have a love-hate relationship. I love how it tastes going down, but I hate how tightly I am hinged to it. I love how it fills me, but I hate how I allow it to control how I feel. I want to be that person who merely eats because it’s necessary to refuel the body, and not because food feels good, but I’m not there yet, and sometimes I wonder if that is really possible for me. I don’t want to make excuses for the path I’ve taken, but I also know we are all wired differently.
So what has really changed after nearly 29 months off and on Weight Watchers? I’ve lost weight, gained some back, lost some more, gained some back, etc. I still weigh quite a bit less than when I started on this journey, but I haven’t reached my goal, and I’ve spent a great deal of time plateauing. I feel better than when I began this adventure, but I think a more fit me is attainable. I’ve changed some bad eating habits, but I still love food, and it still has a tight grip on me.
Today I’m starting back on Weight Watchers again with energy and determination mixed with a dose of reality. I’m gonna count my points and stick to them. I’m gonna step on the scale less than before and stop obsessing about some magic number that might not be possible for me. I’m gonna try to throw more exercise into my routine and keep my pace up. But I’m also gonna face facts: while a slimmer me is quite possible, a paper-thin me might not genetically be in my cards. Oh I can do better than where I am. I know that, but I still might not be able to alter my body shape into someone else’s ideal. We are certainly NOT all molded the same way, and that's a good thing.
Current Weight: None of your business
Goal: To work hard at it and yet NOT beat myself up
Attitude: Sassy
Yes, food and I are still arduously bonded. Whether I’m craving a Boca burger or a plate of nachos, I’m still fixated on satisfying that urge, that desire to feed. Gum helps. Chewing a piece of gum often halts a craving, but it’s just covering up my symptoms. The hunger is still there, under the surface. A baked potato or a plate of cooked broccoli fills me up for a time. The hunger is displaced, but it always returns, sooner than you would think.
Food and I have a love-hate relationship. I love how it tastes going down, but I hate how tightly I am hinged to it. I love how it fills me, but I hate how I allow it to control how I feel. I want to be that person who merely eats because it’s necessary to refuel the body, and not because food feels good, but I’m not there yet, and sometimes I wonder if that is really possible for me. I don’t want to make excuses for the path I’ve taken, but I also know we are all wired differently.
So what has really changed after nearly 29 months off and on Weight Watchers? I’ve lost weight, gained some back, lost some more, gained some back, etc. I still weigh quite a bit less than when I started on this journey, but I haven’t reached my goal, and I’ve spent a great deal of time plateauing. I feel better than when I began this adventure, but I think a more fit me is attainable. I’ve changed some bad eating habits, but I still love food, and it still has a tight grip on me.
Today I’m starting back on Weight Watchers again with energy and determination mixed with a dose of reality. I’m gonna count my points and stick to them. I’m gonna step on the scale less than before and stop obsessing about some magic number that might not be possible for me. I’m gonna try to throw more exercise into my routine and keep my pace up. But I’m also gonna face facts: while a slimmer me is quite possible, a paper-thin me might not genetically be in my cards. Oh I can do better than where I am. I know that, but I still might not be able to alter my body shape into someone else’s ideal. We are certainly NOT all molded the same way, and that's a good thing.
Current Weight: None of your business
Goal: To work hard at it and yet NOT beat myself up
Attitude: Sassy
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Too Much TV
I was home sick yesterday. I didn’t feel like doing much of anything, other than laying around all day in my jammies. Yep, I was curled up on my couch for most of the day. I ignored Facebook. I didn’t write a darn thing. And late in the day, I craved toast, scrambled eggs and Sprite like you wouldn’t believe.
On a positive note, I got a lot of TV-watching in – thanks to Netflix. I’m a third of the way through “30 Rock” season 2 now, and I finished The Pillars of the Earth, a TV miniseries based on Ken Follett’s novel of the same name. So glad that the entire day was not a waste. HA!
I could tell I was starting to feel better about 7 PM when the urge hit me to clean my place up. Some people might consider that a sickness in itself, but Miss Little Neat-n-Tidy had been a slug for too long, and I could sit idle no more. It was killing me.
Today, I’m back to work and feeling much better. Well, mostly. OK, the truth is that I'm pushing myself to feel better. I'm tired of being sick, and so I'm thinking positive and trying to alter the status quo. Sure, I’m still wishing for more sleep and pining for my pillow, but that's normal, right?
On a positive note, I got a lot of TV-watching in – thanks to Netflix. I’m a third of the way through “30 Rock” season 2 now, and I finished The Pillars of the Earth, a TV miniseries based on Ken Follett’s novel of the same name. So glad that the entire day was not a waste. HA!
I could tell I was starting to feel better about 7 PM when the urge hit me to clean my place up. Some people might consider that a sickness in itself, but Miss Little Neat-n-Tidy had been a slug for too long, and I could sit idle no more. It was killing me.
Today, I’m back to work and feeling much better. Well, mostly. OK, the truth is that I'm pushing myself to feel better. I'm tired of being sick, and so I'm thinking positive and trying to alter the status quo. Sure, I’m still wishing for more sleep and pining for my pillow, but that's normal, right?
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