I Got it From My Mama

Weight has always been an issue in my family.. The only female on my mother's side of the family that was small framed and didn't have a weight issue was my Mamaw.  Out of all my sisters and my niece I am the smaller framed, tiniest female.

Staying that way however is a struggle. One thing I have going for me is that I am fairly active. I do workout as apposed to just watching whats going in my yap or taking the latest diet pill on the market regardless of side effects. I grew up watching my mother try every fad out there. We won't EVEN talk about the 2 weeks she was on the cabbage soup diet that was therapy inducing..

She also was on FenPhen and is to this day pissed its off the market. Health inducing issues be damned - when I mentioned to her that it was killing people he said I'd rather be dead than fat.. Come to find out Mamaw was on some major drugs for weight management as well - in her defense it was the 50's when it was given out like tic tacs when she become addicted and no one then treated the addiction.

Is it any wonder ALL of us girls have body issues?? None of the role models have been healthy ones.  Each looking for a quick fix - my Niece even went so far as gastric bypass and lost a shit ton of weight in months - however she fixed none of her issues and although shes not morbidly obese anymore she has put back on a fair amount of what she paid to have take off.

I will admit to taking supplements to get over a plateau and kick start things but I am never on them for very long and don't consider them a fix. The only thing that is a fix is what you eat and how you move. You can't not get lasting results without that partnership.

I get it. I do however get pissed at times that I do have to watch what I eat and I have to workout or the smallest cheat sticks around. If I am not careful I scrap it all in frustration and end up starting over.. That I also get from my mama and years of bad examples...

Lordy what a two weeks its been..

Sorry it has been over two weeks - life happened. We have been super busy and now getting in to the Holiday fury.. (Pictures to follow) Its also 4 am and I can't sleep so here is the way late and long winded update..

Week before last family was in town, my Earnie (my ex), Laura (his wife) and my 3 godsons were here to finally meet Lil Man and visit the fam (they have had a lot of stuff come up and this was the first chance they have had to make the 12 hour drive). Its been a few years since we were all together.

We had a good time catching up and just hanging out - I can't believe how much the godson's have grown - yeah yeah I KNEW they were older but having it in your face is totally different!! LOL.  Friday night Laura Peep and I went to the piano bar and we had a blast - I may have rediscovered my love affair with some absolute and cranberry (goes down smooth LOL).  The piano bar is always a good time.  This hot mama also got hit on by a very drunk very lewd guy in a suit that was there for a bachelor party or something - his lines were pitiful but it was an ego boost never the less..

Saturday we all ventured to the WW1 war museum in town and had an equally good time - My oldest godson and his dad are huge military enthusiasts - which has roots in the fact that all the families on all the sides have HUGE military histories - we all have veterans in the family tree.  We came back home and Laura made us a wonderful dinner of Marsala chicken - The Hubs and I promptly ate all the leftovers the next day for lunch! Laura and I may have done some shopping that weekend as well *wink*

Sunday they had to leave early to start the long ass drive home - it was a short visit but jam packed with fun and laughs. Lil Man also turned 5 months old Sunday

Also the my new wedding set came in (we were waiting on the band) and I am loving it - Thank you Hubs your the BEST - true ROCK STAR..

Last weekend was the gangs annual Halloween party hosted by good friends of ours. I may have continued my vodka love affair that night as well (I am not a lush and rarely drink I just happened to do it 2 weekends in a row.. Hell until this past Saturday The Hubs, and my sister and brother in law and all of our friends have NEVER seen me under the influence -  and Hubs and I have been together almost 12 years)

This past Tuesday (10/30/12) was the Madonna concert - it was an experience in one of my long time faves turning her music in to concept art. Over all I enjoyed it but really wished there were a few more of the early hits. I realize its been 25 years and shes grown artistically and has a new album out - but a true rendition of Like a Virgin would have made my night!!!

Yesterday - Friday I had my knee surgery - its going pretty well - swollen and I have a partial beidadine tan on my left leg and a HUGE bandage and wrap - but all that will go away soon enough and I can get back to getting active!! I am missing working out (whoa did I say that?? Who IS this chick??)

This weekend I plan to rest and attempt to vote early tomorrow - we need to a little grocery shopping but my main plan is to be bff's with the couch and the DVR..

Now for the pictures

 5 Months - we have teeth!

 Grandpa and Lil Man

Lil Man and his Uncles (my Godsons)

 Post surgery - be kind to your knees!!

 Lil Man at Papaws birthday dinner 

 Halloween party - Mad Men theme

Closer to goal!!

Size 10 Rock & Republic Jeans!! HOLLA!!  

New Wedding set - The Hubs is a ROCK STAR.. 

What to read after 50 Shades... and other stuff

I just finished both Seduction & Snacks and book 2 Futures & Frosting By Tara Sivec LOVED them both. Some parts of them had me laughing so hard my sides are aching. Shes got a sailors mouth as do I and when stressed says whatever comes to mind. Gavin (the 4 year old son in the book) seriously cracks me up, he says all the inappropriate things in 4 year old speak and will take on Drew (his father's best friend) in all seriousness, I do adore the fact that Drew talks to him just as he would a peer who pulls the same stuff.

Check the books out   Seduction & Snack and book 2 Futures & Frosting

Now I have to find something else to read. That is the issue with really good books, you want them to last and last and when you hit the end you feel sorta of bummed and it takes a while to find something that holds your interest.

What have y'all been reading out there that you enjoy?

Tomorrow is my Ortho appt so I can see whats going on with the knee - I am hoping to be allowed to go back to working out. I have been a titch restless (hmm who'd have ever thought that would happen) and getting stressed a lot easier without having an outlet. I need to be cleared to do something - even if its just ab work on a mat.

Friday the Hubs and I had a date night at an Italian place where everything is homemade - I do believe I ate  my weight in pasta and tirmesu  which I could happily eat and entire pan of on a daily basis and call it a day.

Saturday I puttered around the house and watched lil man and the Hubs went to my sister in law's and chilled.  Sunday was errand day and I found a new outfit at Kohl's. Tonight I am headed to the nail salon then the couch to relax and see whats on the TV.

Weekend Wrap up

It was a semi productive semi relaxing weekend..

Friday I got caught up with my Sister-in-law who was out of town for a week.. Hussy up and went road tripping on me.. Before hitting her house though we stopped at Jack-in-the-Box and that was my undoing.. I had an ultimate bacon cheese burger... Honestly it wasn't even worth the calorie count..

Saturday I deep cleaned the kitchen and picked up the living room then we went that evening and hung out with friends and family until 1 am.  I did way better at watching what I ate Saturday, even with a get together tossed in there.  I also did not let myself get as hungry as I did Friday night which led to the melt down of cheeseburger.

Sunday I vacuumed the living room with in and inch of its life and watched TV.. I babysat lil man that night while his Mama went out to the dinner theater with her Nana.  I did a lot better with what I ate Sunday.  My Fitness Pal yelled at me for not eating enough - but with Friday nights over do it I figure it balances.

Hit the scale today and it had not budged - which considering Friday I am thankful it didn't go in the wrong direction.  Also I didn't really work out much this past week. SOOO with saying that ...........

This weeks goals are: at least 100oz of water a day. Working out 3 times this week and being mindful of what I am eating and when as to not get so hungry I eat everything not nailed down...

TGIF- wow what a couple of crazy days its been..

Works just been crazy busy - my to do list has a to do list. I'll take busy over snail crawling slow any day however so its all good. I have already started NEXT weeks lists.

I dusted off My Fitness Pal login and started using it, and joined a new Fitness Group on FB - holy balls that group just exploded in 12 hours.  Its been wonderful to "meet" new friends who all have your back so to speak. The 60 fitness challenge starts August 1st on the group - psyched for that.

I have been recipe searching - tired of the same ol thing and need healthier options anyhow. I just winged it last night and dinner was pretty good, baked chicken with brown rice and loads of roasted veggies - I even had zucchini in there. Which is pretty big for me - in the old days I'd only eat corn and broccoli!  Tonight We are having Orzo stuffed bell peppers and salads.

Lets see what else went down the last few days - I discovered my favorite top is to big and I can no longer get them so no buying a smaller size.  I believe however we determined last night I can still get use out of it paired with a cami and some leggins or jeggings.   The other top is totally not workable and is destined for a donation pile.   I'm really starting to see results from the small changes I have made so far. I ditched my daily soda and stopped going to Starbucks every single morning for a latte.  Now soda is once a month or so and the latte maybe 2 or 3 a month. I am a HUGE unsweetened tea fanatic though - I drink those every day. I just need to get way more consistent about hitting the gym.

This weekend I need to purge some ole clothing and just generally start organizing my house.  I have some stuff in bags now to get them to the local Good Will! I hope everyone has a great weekend!

The end of a semi-relaxed weekend

I didn't do much of anything... Friday night I went to bed fairly early for a Friday as I was tired as hell after only get 5 hours of the sleep the night before.

Saturday I really just vegged - beside a trip to Wal-Mart to get essentials and J's crib as he is quickly outgrowing his bassinet.  I can't believe hes 2 months old already. Saturday night Ms. Peep went to hang out with friends and took J with her.  Hubby went to go visit our brother in law hang out and drink beer. I had a date with the DVR and really bad insomnia - bed time for me was 5 am - I spent the night catching up on reality TV and tearing recipes out of Cook Light magazines.

Sunday I pattered around the house watched more TV then hit the local Mexican restaurant and target.  Came home and settled in for some TrueBlood..  

This week I need to get back into the swing of the gym - its been so hot here that by the time I am done with the day I am really done with the day - I have no energy to cook either! Dinner for me most nights has been a bowl of cereal..

I am down another pound from last week - I'll take it considering I had a few cheat days and my activity level is down.

So apparently I have died and left millions to "my business associate"

I was cleaning out my junk mail box when I stumbled upon an email wishing to urgently confirm from me if I know a John Campbell who claims to be my business partner and associate.. He wishes that I would reconfirm an application submitted to the Office of the Minister of Finance that I died and upon that death I wished that Mr. Campbell would become my beneficiary..


HAHA newest Prince of Nigeria scam has been born. I will say that being in the IT industry I find these down right hysterical and read them with glee - I do however, realize that some people out there find them to be the down right truth and and that is how the crooks make money. Honestly though if you will stop and read them you can spot the scam and save yourself and/or family members a lot of pain, grief and bankruptcy filings.


Here is are two paragraphs from the letter ..


For your Information, this Government has approved the total amount of TWO MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS ONLY, in your favor, prior to the Federal Government instructions/mandate to offset all outstanding payments to the various legal

Equally he had agreed to settle and offset the funds release charges. You should note that, if we do not hear from you, we automatically assume that you are actually dead and the information passed to us by John Campbell is correct. H

No I didn't cut off a word those last two sentences, they just stop like that.  The random capitalization is tip  off - there is no reason information should be capitalized its the middle of the sentence. 

The letter goes on to tell me that I need to reply back to the email - and gives me a different address to email with some personal information to dispute my death - if I fail to do so they have no choice but to believe Mr. Campbell declare me dead and hand him the money.

HA not so fast Mr. Campbell, even though you are giving me an address for Citibank in PA your email reads like a foreign county - which has no right to declare me deceased, for another thing only my next of kin can file paperwork to declare me dead 5 years AFTER I officially go missing.  I assure you I am not dead or missing. Lastly I don't have 2 mill to declare you or anyone the beneficiary of if I did I'm really sure my husband would have issues with you collecting so go fish elsewhere!! 

I do think they way they ended the email was a nice touch ... 

We await your swift response in regard to this news we received.

Thanks. God Loves and Bless you and your family.

Yours Faithfully,

FRED BAKARE.

The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments may be legally privileged and confidential. If you are not an intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail and any attachments is st

So it's been over a year since I posted

and I could give a huge list of why its been that long but I am going to sum it up with ... I have been busy.

My adult daughter has come home to live with us and recently given birth to my grandson.  I am way to young to be called Grandma so I am Noni.  He is simply the cutest thing on earth at this very moment. No I am not biased, why do you ask? :-)

 I am having a blast getting to know this little individual.

A few things I have decided on changing by the end of this year.
1) Stop smoking once and for all.  I had stopped last year for 7 weeks - I had promised myself I was not going to smoke when the family went to Hawaii - and I didn't I started back up again 2 weeks after we came home.
2) I am going to take the weight that crept up after my hysterectomy and the aforementioned non-smoking attempt.  I WILL get back into my size 8 jeans AND be fit, not just thin I want to be lean and defined as well.
3) declutter again - maybe I can finally say bye-bye to the high school memories. I don't have a lot of clutter (cleaning my Mamaw's house after she passed cured that) but I think it really is time to say goodbye to some more things.
4) Dress better. I really want to be one of those pulled together women who's even casual look just sings. I achieve tired and frumpy a lot more than I want to admit.

So far that's the list.  #2 I am actively working on. I am watching what I eat and have been sorta working out - its nothing consistent so I am going to get better at that.  I have been doing a few 5k's (walks not runs) and have my next one coming up in July - its a night walk and should be a fricken blast.

#4 I have started as well - I got a few new tops this weekend. though I am not wanting to spend a ton on stuff that I am actively planning on not being able to wear for long! Tonight I am headed shoe shopping as what I wear to work daily is not helping the mental image I have going.  I either wear my tennis shoes or a pair of flips that were classified as sandals because they are leather and have decorative pieces on them - but really are flip flops.