News of the day

Can a get a woot woot? Today was weigh in day at my WW meeting and I've met my first goal! Lost 10% of my starting weight goal and then some for a total of 18.8 lbs! All in 10 weeks! Yep, I'm doin' the happy dance!

In other news, the president of the United States of America was in town today. But I think my weight loss is much more credible!

Happy Hump Day!

Work has been pretty slow this week. I think I've received 50 junk email and 10 work related email. We moved to a new accounting system beginning fiscal year and because of it I am behind on my bank reconciliation. I could be working on them if only our Finance office could figure out how to get us the reports. Glad they aren't the only ones finding out that this new system wasn't going to be ready and working like they thought.

Labor Day is coming up already! We'll be BBQ'ing at mom's so that will probably be the last one for the year now that fall is arriving. Only thing is that I tend to spend all my flex points at once at those things. I offered to make the potato salad, so maybe I can make it a little less fattening for my sake. I love potato salad if it's mom's recipe, and I think I might have it down almost exact to hers.

I've been trying WW recipes three or so times a week. Tonight is broccoli cheese soup. Only 4 pts for dinner? Wow! So now I will need to find things to eat to fill in order to get all my points in today. If I don't, my body will think I'm depriving it and hold on to whatever fat there is! Weird how eating more makes you lose more weight, but it makes sense. Efficiency sense I guess.

Last night FOX premiered Celebrity Duets. Can I just say that these people need to keep acting and not singing! And I can't believe how old Cheech Marin and Randy Travis have gotten. In essence, how old I've gotten! And yet Marie Osmond seems to look like a teenager. Blah! I like her better before the obvious face lift. In fact I sat right behind her at my sons choir performance in Jr. High close to where she lives, so I know what she looks like without the wonders of camera technology. She was much prettier than what I saw of her on the show.

Savannah's been talking so much lately that her vocabulary has improved dramatically. She's so silly too. I asked her to tell the boys to come and eat dinner last night and she yells at the top of her little lungs while standing at the top of the stairs, "Come an eat!" The other day I was explaining to her that Daddy was at work and that mommy needed to go to work too and she's replies with, "I want to work." She also likes to talk on the phone and now remembers things that happen during the day to tell other people. She told Grandma the other day, "I play at 'Donalds." I just love it!

Well back to work, if you want to call it that.

Cross your fingers!

I am so crossing my fingers! I have only .4 lbs left to go to reach my first weight loss goal with WW! You see, for those that are just starting the program, you work toward attaining a loss goal of 10% of your first weigh in. That way the pounds to lose isn't as overwhelming. So if I get mine, I'll get my 10% key chain! Yay! Wish me luck on Thursday!

Other stuff going on....the boys started school last week, isn't that weird? This summer came and went without me even realizing it! And as I was going through my old blog entries I noticed where I talk about the winter and the spring and it makes me realize how fast time goes by. That and we cleaned out some of our drawers today. Savannah has outgrown so many things in such little time. What happened to my little baby girl? :(

Just Thinking...

Only in Utah do you have to turn the heat on in the morning and the AC on in the afternoon. I can't believe how chili the morning have gotten these past couple of weeks. Tells me fall is on the way. I'm excited too! I can't wait to smell the air and see the leaves turn brown. I have never been excited for fall so much as I am this year. Not sure why. Maybe it has to do with fond memories of autumns passed.

However I am in a dilemma about my wardrobe. As fall gets closer and I lose more weight, I am finding I better get in gear and go shopping. Problem is I hate to buy clothes if I'm going to not fit in them during the middle of winter either. So I'm biding my time and maybe will just have to wear the same outfit twice in a week or mix and match tops with a couple pairs of pants. That should wear them out for the next time I'll need a smaller size. My weight loss has been good so far and you'd think I'd be in two sizes smaller by now, but I'm not. My "mommy pouch" is what's holding me back, either that or I was wearing too small of size pants to begin with. Of course it will be the last and the hardest to go if it even goes at all.

Going South! Going South!

Yep, going south for my birthday! My mom invited me and my family down to St George and Mesquite in October. We're going to see Cats at the Tuacahn theatre and stay a few nights in warm Mesquite. We'll all buckle up in her new van and hit the road. Unfortunately she has to have surgery on her shoulder now so that she will be healed by then. I hope it goes better this time than the first and stays fixed. I am starting to really look forward to it since we haven't gone anywhere all summer and school's starting just around the corner. No time for camping or anything when your husband works every weekend.

We did however go down to Utah Lake and the kids had a blast. Even the dog loved it. What she didn't like though was when we had to wash the cow pie off her after she rolled around in it. Why do dogs do that?

Football 101

Charlie and Jacob got into a good session of "Football 101" after we got home from his first game. Well, a scrimmage game that is. But still a game nonetheless. I feel bad that he didn't get to play but for only the first 10 minutes of the game. I didn't realize there were so many players that needed to be on the sidelines, so I guess I will learn a lot this year about football myself. I think Jacob has already learned a lot and seems to really enjoy the sport so far. He sure has a lot of bruises though!

Scrimmaged!

Well today was Jacob's first game. A scrimmage game that is. I didn't know what that meant until he told me. I felt bad that he only got to play for the first 10 minutes of the game. I didn't realize how football worked and that there are so many players standing on the sidelines. It was a good practice for their real first game that is next Saturday. Only I'm not sure that Jake will get to play. I was just informed today that he has to have a physical before the first game. Like that's gonna happen this week. Usually physicals are scheduled two months out! Guess we'll see...

Life Should be Lived Backwards

I think the life cycle is all backwards. You should start out dead and get it out of the way. Then, you wake up in an old age home feeling better every day. You get kicked out for being too healthy; go collect your pension, then when you start work, you get a gold watch on your first day. You work 40 years until you're young enough to enjoy your retirement. You drink alcohol, you party, you're generally promiscuous and you get ready for High School. You go to primary school, you become a kid , you play, you have no responsibilities, you become a baby, and then...you spend your last 9 months floating peacefully in luxury, in spa-like conditions; central heating, room service on tap, larger quarters every day, and then, you finish off as an orgasm.
I rest my case!

Weigh to go!

So I started Weight Watchers a little less than two months ago and am so pleased with it I signed up for the next session. What's even better than losing weight? Someone to pay you for losing weight! Yep, that's right! My health insurance company holds a program that pays people incentives to being more healthy. So looks like I will be banking in on $150 or so by the end of the year when my rebates have been completed.

Funny how I started this to get to feeling better, not just to lose the weight. Don't get me wrong though, I like that aspect too. But to feel more alive like I should for my age is worth so much more to me. I took for granted that I could eat whatever I wanted and whenever and forever, but I've gotten a lot of information and support through WW and am now 16.6 lbs lighter! The hardest part isn't so much cutting back or eating healthier, it's the exercise. I have to talk myself into walking every day. Once I do it though, I feel good. That's the key point to remember.

Yeah, I'm patting myself on the back. So?

Flour and Water

How come when you mix water and flour together you get glue? But when you add eggs and sugar, you get cake? Where did the glue go? NEED AN ANSWER? You know darned well where it went! That's what makes the cake stick to your BUTT!


Mmmm..that cake looks good but the 1.6 lbs I lost this week looks even better!

Rain! Rain! Come to stay!

Yeah, I got a funny look this morning from the people at my office when they saw how giddy I became of the gray clouds outside that promised rain. So I've decided I'm ready for fall, what's wrong with that? I've already grown tired of summer and am looking forward to the smell of autumn air, traditions and time spent with family, and what seems like endless holidays.

I'm really looking forward to Halloween this year. I don't know why, but the only thing I can figure is Savannah's reactions to things. She understands so much more now than she did a year ago, that I love the thought of seeing her soak it all in. The caramel apples, the Jack O'Lanterns, and the pile of leaves. Or maybe it's cause I was born in October and that is just when things seem new for me again. Either way, I'm looking forward to it!

Monday Blues

Kind of started the day out depressed, but it seems to have gotten better. I was so close to calling in sick this morning too. Just unmotivated. Guess it's from being on the lower end of the financial pole this month creating a tight spot. Yep. These last few weeks, we've paid over $700 to get the boys ready for school and I'm sure there is still stuff they will need. Also bought senior pics for Michael, $175. But they're not to blame, I've had time to prepare. We've also had to replace some parts for both cars and the truck so add another $400. In addition to that my husband is in need of glasses. He hasn't had his replaced since I met him 4 years ago and they are constantly falling apart and are scratched so bad. If I had thought of all these expenses I would have waited to get my treadmill, but I suppose it's just stuff happening all at once, that's all. We'll be back on track next month.

Speaking of treadmill, that reminds me of my diet. It's kind of funny how I'm not overly zealous about it like I was before last week. I dunno why. Maybe cause I realize it will be a while before I reach my goal and as long as I follow it, that's good. But where did my excitement go? I don't know, but I hope it doesn't diminish completely or I'll never get to goal (135). Maybe it will start up again when I actually need to buy new clothes from not fitting into the ones I have any more.

Just feeling like Eeyore today. Hopefully I will snap out of it before tomorrow.

Great Recipe!

My husband is a fanatic of peanut butter cookies so my good neighbor gave this recipe to us about a year ago and it is awesome! Since then she's moved out of the neighborhood., therefore I am publishing it here to share with you all and also to make sure I have a permanent record of it before it gets lost as I don't anticipate making cookies anytime soon (They are not part of my diet.) Needless to say I am afraid I might lose this recipe if I don't do something about it now! Enjoy!

World's Greatest Peanut Butter Cookies

Dry Ingredients:
1 1/4 c flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients:
1/2 c butter
1/2 c peanut butter
1 c sugar
1/2 c packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Beat butter for 30 seconds to soften then add peanut butter and sugars. When well blended (light in color) add egg and vanilla.

Pre-mix dry ingredients together and then slowly add dry ingredients to wet. Blend well. Spoon onto ungreased cookie sheets. Do Not Flatten the cookie dough with a fork dipped in sugar like most PB cookie recipes. This will make them hard and crunchy (unless you like them that way).

Bake for 9 minutes on light colored pan or 8 minutes on dark pan. When done baking, take baking sheet out of oven and drop from height of about 3 inches on the top of the oven or a flat surface. This gives the cookies just the right amount of chewiness.

Today's Dilemma

It's one of those "I don't feel like working today" days. Seriously. I complain when I don't have enough work and when I have it I don't feel like doing it. Why is it that I'm never happy? Maybe it's true after all. Maybe my brother who calls me a "cardboard cutout" is right. Maybe I have become the stereotypical government worker and have gotten too used to "leaning on a shovel" all day. Or maybe, just maybe, it's cause I took a day off in the middle of the week and am good for nothing now. Maybe that's it! There you have it. Problem solved!

Have a good weekend!

So you say it's your birthday!

So it's my biggest brother John's birthday today. He was my Sesame Street watching pal growing up. I remember all his cool Fisher Price toys, his Lite Brite, and watching Flinstones with him after school. John remembers about every day in the calendar after he writes it down. You could ask him what year did we go to Yellowstone last and who was there and what did we eat and what date it was and he would know just about every little detail. And I mean everything! In some senses he's like a boy still, I don't know if he is part Autistic or what, but if you knew him, you'd agree that he's always good ole' John. He used to get made fun of on the bus going to elementary school and my sister yelled at all the kids for it. Even though he's had mental problems his whole life, he's still always so thoughtful and childlike that sometimes I envy his innocense.

Happy Birthday John!

Savvy?

So I just found out that Johnny Depp has been in town filming for Pirates III! Damn! Utah always get the news after it happens! He's probably gone by now. Wonder what he thought of Utah?

One point for me, no points for the dentist.

Today some lady brought in home made chocolate chip cookies - my favorite thing in the world! I guess she couldn't sleep early this morning so she baked cookies. How about that? I'd probably never think to bake if I couldn't sleep. Anyway, I took one but then proceeded quickly to the next person who is also a sucker for food and offered it to them. One point for me for not eating a cookie when I had the chance. (Which is more than I can say for what I did on Saturday!)

So about a month ago I had a tooth filled that was cracked, right? Well a couple weeks went by no problem until I popped in some sugarless gum and started to chew on it. That first bite sent my tooth in pain and since then it's been hurting! Not really bad, but it definitely is not okay. My dentist seems to think it's just sensitive from the filling but I am able to differentiate between sensitivity and something that is not coming from hot or cold. I'm tired of babying it. So I have an appointment tomorrow with a new dentist. It's about time for some change of scenery and this one's a lot closer to my house than the other one is. Besides, if my husband feels comfortable there, I will too! (Yes, he hates dentists even more than I do.)

Toddler Talk & Politically Incorrect Cows

We went to see Barnyard at the Megaplex big screen on Saturday night. It was a very cool theater! We got there not knowing what wewere going to see during the time frame we had and just chose the closest one. The movie was cute and funny, more than I expected, so we had a good time. Only thing is I wonder if they realized they put udders on the male cows when they were almost done producing the movie and it was too late to fix it. Male cows with udders...I thought that was funny! But one thing I'm not sure of, are all male cows considered bulls? What's the politically correct term anyway?

Savannah is getting to the point that as long as she has her blankie, binkie, munchies and drinks at the movie, she stays pretty entertained and allows us to watch the movie. But we haven't really tried taking her to a movie that wasn't for kids either. She sang "Tinkle, Tinkle, Tinkle star, ow I under ah you are," all the way home, so I'm pretty sure she had a good time too. The funniest thing though is when she said goodbye to the movie screen after it was over and we were walking out. "Bye. See you marnow." Also yesterday when church service was over, she looked up at the podium and said the same thing, it was so hilarious! Lately when her babysitter says goodbye after I pick her up at night, she'll tell Savannah, "See you tomorrow." So I think Savannah likes to repeat this only it comes out as "marnow" instead of tomorrow.

Another thing she's come up with is "Happy Cake." Happy cake is any cake that is decorated and served at a party, I think. I don't know since we don't have cake at home and usually it is at a party when we do. She hears everyone sing Happy Birthday when there are these parties with cake so now every cake is a "Happy Cake" and her word for all cake. And of course she asks for "Happy Cake" as soon as she sees it. Pretty cute stuff though! I just love a toddler's version of life!

Celebrating

Yep, pretty much didn't follow my diet this weekend. Weekends are always the hardest, especially with stuff to do. Why I didn't remember that there was salad on the menu at the taco joint we stopped at? I don't know. Why did I revert back to my old habit and just quickly order off the combo menu without thinking about it? And then today, after my nephew's Christening there was food. I knew there would be lots of the wrong kind of food there - the kind I like two and three helpings of if I could, but I also ate the right stuff too - the fruit, the salad, the carrot sticks, the stuff I never used to bother with. In order for me to not beat myself up about it, I compare what I do now to what I did 7 weeks ago. At least this way I filled on both. Two days won't wreck what I've done so far, I know, but weekends are definitely an obstacle I need to get control over.

Now that I've vented about that, you should have seen my my cute baby nephew, Cash, Marty, my brother, and his wife, Cherise. Cash had such a hard time to start with, he's such a little miracle. It's pretty cool, we needed another Carrillo boy to carry on the name.

Oh, and happy birthday tomorrow Marty! How's it feel to be over the 35 hump? Don't worry, I'll be there soon myself...

Mmmm... Frappuccino and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

Ahh the days of stopping for coffee and a doughnut are gone for me...or at least mostly. Sure I can have whatever I want on my diet, but it depends on if I want three squares a day and the healthier they are the more I get to eat! My little indulgences once in a while are fine but I can't live on sugar alone, even though I'd like to, in fact I think I used to! Whenever I pass by that convenient store on my way to work, I pat myself on the back for not stopping and entering a world of opportunity for Frappuccino's and Krispy Kreme doughnuts that existed inside.

Today was weigh in day, now my total loss is 13.2 lbs. I think I'm doing pretty good and have found some links to my pattern. As long as I don't have ANY desserts, whether or not I cut back elsewhere, I will be fine. Two weeks ago I had three desserts during the week and during that week I only lost .4 lbs. Even though they were legally eaten, my body likes to hold on to every little bit of it! This week I didn't have any desserts (just like the others) and lost my regular 1.5-2.5 range again. Woo hoo! It's been seven weeks since I started but I feel great and it will only get better! Plus when I look in the mirror and compare to my picture from last Thanksgiving I can really see the difference too! Yes, I'm a little excited!

Nice to meet you!

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