And so it goes

Well the diet and exercise regimen seems to be working though it was a struggle the first few days.  I’ve been feeling hungry even after I reached my daily caloric goal.  When I weighed myself on Sunday, it showed that I had lost almost 5 pounds.  The might have been a fluke of sorts, but I think 1200 calories to lose 1 1/2 pounds a week isn’t where I need to be.  I changed my goal tonight to 1 lb a week which upped my calories to 1360 which seems more feasible.  That way I can eat a bigger meal at dinner or have a snack during the day.   Adding exercise will help shed the pounds so I’ll try that for the week.  My “official” weigh in will be this Wednesday evening so we’ll see what happens this week.  I did push myself on speed while walking tonight.  I was able to complete a mile in about 16 minutes which is good for me.  It has been taking me about 18 1/2 minutes.

I was a little tired this morning, though I managed fairly well in spite of the little sleep I seemed to get.  I took a sleeping pill at 9:30 and then another at 11:30 when I still wasn’t asleep.  I might have fallen asleep sometime after midnight, but it was that kind of sleep where you don’t really feel like you’ve been sleeping.  I should be exhausted enough to sleep tonight.  Today rather sucked at work.  I had to be a sub for a teacher since five of them didn’t come to work today. So instead of processing the new books that came in or preparing for the upcoming library club meeting, I had to babysit most of the day. 

I barely ate lunch so when I got home I didn’t really want to cook.  Josh and I went to Texas Roadhouse.  I ate half the pulled pork dinner which was very good.  After exercising and changing my calorie goal, I was under by about 130 calories today.

I finally finished reading The Hobbit.  It was kind of difficult to get through.   I found that Tolkien is very wordy.  Now I’m finally reading the latest Janet Evanovich book that I bought about a month ago.  I think I’m going to read a while and then call it an early night.

Vacation is almost over

I’m not ready to go back to school but I guess I have to.  Once again, I’ve been staying up too late and sleeping in.  I did get to bed a little earlier last night.  I also got up a little earlier, but I think 9:30 won’t cut it on Monday.  I’ve managed to exercise and stay within my allotted calories for 3 days now, but I can’t say I’m enjoying it.  I do feel hungry at the end of the day, but so far I haven’t cheated.  It will be easier when I start seeing results I hope.  I will do a mid-week weigh tomorrow and then a full week on Wednesday. 

I think we’re going to see the Hobbit tonight.  I haven’t quite finished the book, but I don’t have much more to go.  Since it is in 3 parts, I’ve read enough to watch the first movie.  I need to get Matt started on the Harry Potter books.  I got him interested in the Jack Reacher books so it’s hard to pull him away from those.  I planned to read more than I have during the break.  Maybe I can get a few books read tomorrow. 

I think I’m going to finally get out of my bed, take a shower, and head out to get some bourbon.  Not to drink – I’m making bourbon chicken at some point. 

Diet Day 2

I’ve been pretty good for two days now but I know it’s only the beginning.  Jan suggested downloading My Fitness Pal and I had actually just installed in on my phone a few minutes before I read her comment.  I read some reviews that also recommended the program so I downloaded it and have used it for the past two days.  So far I haven’t exceeded my calorie count of 1200 calories.  I get more calories by exercising so that has helped.  Today Matt and I ate at Chipotle.  I used the app to find what I should eat within my limit.  I went over by 106 calories, but then I walked after Scrabble practice tonight so now I have a surplus of 15 calories. 

It is really cold here.  Well, maybe not as cold as it gets up north, but since I’ve acclimated myself to warmer temps, 45 degrees is cold for me.  We’re supposed to get some sleet tonight, but I’m not sure if it will happen.  I need to go to the store tomorrow, but I don’t have to go early so I’m betting it will move out by the time I get up and dressed.  I’m definitely ready for spring to arrive.

Diet and Exercise

Well, I’m out of excuses for not starting so today is the day that I have to start working on getting the pounds off.  Matt and I have a competition of sorts planned.  We have three weight goals to meet with incentives along the way.  We’ll see how it goes.  I think I do need to find a good calorie counter or some kind of app to help me track what I’m eating.  If anyone has suggestions, let me know.  I will also start actively using my treadmill now.  Now I’m off to find a new scale.  Time to get serious I guess. 

2012 Year in Review

1. What did you do in 2012 that you'd never done before?

Played in a Scrabble tournament. I actually played in three tournaments and won 2^nd place in the third one.

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I don’t think I made any last year. I’m going to have to make a resolution to lose weight this year though.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Nope.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

My best friend’s daughter passed away this year.

5. What countries did you visit?

No countries again – but I have hope that I will some day.

6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?

More time to read.

7. What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Probably Jan 1 when Matt kissed me for the first time at New Year’s.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Selling my house in Canyon and buying a house here in San Antonio.

9. What was your biggest failure?

I can’t think any major failures except sucking at my first Scrabble tournament and gaining a million pounds.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Same as last year: Nothing major – typical colds, allergies and such. Lots of bumps and bruises from moving and delivering textbooks.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

A new house.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Matt has been a pretty awesome boyfriend and Josh still has a 4.0 in college.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

I can’t think of anyone. Some of the kids at school are still brats.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Buying a new house.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

House hunting, beating Matt at Scrabble.

16. What song will always remind you of 2012?

“Start of Something Good” by Daughtry

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

happier or sadder? Probably about the same. Still happy that I’m with Matt.
- richer or poorer? Only slightly richer because I paid off a few bills
- thinner or fatter? Much fatter – gained 15 pounds this year

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

Reading and traveling.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Eating

20. How did you spend the holidays?

New Years (2012) – with Matt
Valentine’s Day – with Matt – sort of. Had a band concert so only saw him briefly on Valentines, but we celebrated together later.
Easter – Matt and I went back to Canyon
4^th of July – with Matt – cooked out on the grill and then just hung out at home.
Thanksgiving – with Matt and Josh – made dinner in the new house.
Christmas – here in SA with Josh and Matt

21. Did you fall in love in 2012?

Yes, Matt and I said “I love you” on Valentine’s day.

22. How many one-night stands?

None – dating Matt exclusively.

23. What was your favorite TV program?

I started watching Storage Wars this year though it’s not necessarily my favorite. I still enjoy watching House Hunters as well.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

No – still friends with everyone as far as I know.

25. What was the best book you read?

I didn’t read as much as I wanted, but I did enjoy Perks of Being a Wallflower and a new teen series by Allie Condie (Matched, Crossed, and Reached).

26. What was your favorite film of this year?

Les Miserables

27. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?

Since I gained so much weight and refuse to buy bigger closthes, I’m limited to wearing the same 3 or 4 pairs of pants over and over.

28. Whom did you miss?

Still miss many of my friends back in Canyon.

29. Who was the best new person you met?

Not sure – only met a handful of new people.

30. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.

I can’t think of any major lessons learned. Don’t move in the rain.

House Tour

Well as promised, I’m providing you with a video house tour. I hope the video works. I think my voice is a little muffled. I may have had a finger over the mic or something – not sure, but it took about 8 takes to get this done, so you’ll have to deal with it I guess. I didn’t realize I had to hold my phone horizontally to video. I took other videos vertically and when I played them, they were sideways. So here’s the tour of my house if you’re interested.

  

Shopping Day

This is my second attempted at blogging today.  I had another post written and then my computer decided to freeze.  I couldn’t save it or anything.  So here it is again… sort of. 

Matt and I went shopping yesterday.  We had to go to three Home Depot stores to get the drill that I wanted.  After that we went to Kohl’s to see if I could find something to spend my gift cards on, but I didn’t find anything.  I don’t want to even look at clothes until I lose some weight.  So I guess going to Chipotle for lunch afterward didn’t help with that endeavor.  We went to the outlet stores in San Marcos and even though I don’t need shoes, I did find some at the Sketcher’s store that I decided I needed.  I also got Matt a pair of cross trainer shoes as well since it was buy one get on half off.  We went to the Bose store and Matt got new earbuds.  After that it was the Jockey store for new underwear and socks.  We planned to go to the movie and see Jack Reacher last night, but traffic was backed up on our way back into town so we didn’t make it.  I’ve read the Reacher series and I don’t really see Tom Cruise as the the character, but perhaps he will surprise me. 

I’ve been trying to read The Hobbit as well but it is slow going.  Tolkien is very wordy and the tv is distracting.  Josh said that I only need to read a few chapters to be able to see the movie.  We’ll go see it when he gets back to San Antonio.  He left on the 27th to go back to Canyon to visit his friends.  Matt and I are going to a Scrabble New Year’s eve party on Monday. 

Well, I think I’ll do a little more cleaning and try to get the Christmas mess out of here.  Not the decorations, just the “stuff” like wrapping paper and such that needs to be put away. 

Just plain lazy

I’ve hardly done anything the past three days.  I have gotten out, but only briefly and only because I had to.  Wednesday I went to the store for a couple of necessities.  Yesterday, I went to the post office because I was out of stamps and had to mail some things.  Matt is off today, but he had to go to the dentist.  I’m not sure what my plans will be.  I have some gift cards to spend so I might get dressed eventually and get out. 

Yesterday I watched tv most of the day though I did put my new lamp together and work on some rosaries.  I thought about trying to sell them online again, but haven’t decided yet. 

We thought about going to Six Flags sometime during the break, but I’m not sure if I really want to.  I know, it’s a shock, but the temps are cooler right now and I think I’d rather wait until the spring.  I do need to get a new season pass though. 

I know I had promised to post some pics of the house… I just forgot to take them when the house was clean for the party.  Now it’s a bit of a mess again.  I’ll try to tidy up this weekend and take some pics – maybe even a video. 

Well, I think I’ll get back to doing nothing. 

Time for a do-nothing day

I don’t remember the last time I actually had a do-nothing day.  You know the kind of day where you sleep really late (and still take a nap during the day), sit around in your pajamas ALL day (really), and do nothing but sit in front of the t.v. with a laptop in my lap and being as unproductive as possible.  If I had someone that could bring me food, it would be complete.  Oh, yeah, Josh is here.  Perhaps I could text him and have him deliver goodies to me on the couch.  I guess that would be pushing it though. 

Christmas was lovely yesterday.  We slept in until around 9:30 and then I got up and made breakfast burritos (with and without eggs) and some cinnamon rolls.  We opened presents and it was a very good haul for everyone, I think.  Matt got me a Blue Ray DVD player, and really cool Ott Lamp for crafting, and gift cards for Kohl’s and Home Depot.  He drew the line at actually buying me a drill, but thought the gift card would be ok.  He also gave me his entire Monk DVD collection.  So now I have the entire series to watch. 

We headed out to see Les Miserables around 2:30, but when we got to the theater, it was sold out.  We headed to a different theater and we were the first to buy tickets for the 4:00 show so it was nice to choose the best seats.  Of course we had a 45 minute wait before we even got to the previews, but it was worth the wait.  I thought the movie was awesome with the exception of Russell Crowe.  He just didn’t seem to get “into” the character.  Otherwise, I thought the cast was amazing.  When we got home, Matt hooked up the DVD player and we watched the 25th anniversary DVD of Les Mis as well. 

Matt was going to grill steaks last night, but we were under a red flag wind warning all day so we decided to wait until today.  I made cashew chicken instead.  Having two guys and me in the house means that we didn’t have any leftovers like I normally do.  Oh, well, that’s probably a good thing.  We’re still eating all the party leftovers as well. 

So I guess I better get back to … doing nothing.  I’m going to enjoy the moment while I can.  I’m sure there will be something that I need to do tomorrow.  But maybe not. 

Successful Christmas Party

Well, the Christmas party went without a hitch.  I cleaned and cleaned the week before.  Yesterday morning, I continued cleaning and did a lot of cooking.  We had way too much food of course, but everyone seemed to enjoy everything.  Most people said that I had a lovely house as well.  We probably about 20 people come over altogether.  I made bacon wrapped weenies with brown sugar, queso, chicken bites coated with french fried onions and homemade honey mustard sauce, cucumber sandwiches, lemon bars, chocolate chip cookies, a white chocolate – raspberry cake, two kinds of punch and hot spiced wine.  Josh made oatmeal raisin cookies with cinnamon chips and Matt got a sampler tray of meats and cheese from the New Braufels’ smokehouse. 

Oh, at the party last night I sold two rosaries!  I was showing some friends the ones I had made and two of them bought one from me.  So I made $35 that I didn’t plant to have.  That was kind of cool.  I might try to sell some online again. 

We are going to the Spurs game tonight. Josh is going with us. He’s never been to a professional basketball game. I hope he’ll enjoy it. It’s hard not to get in the spirit with the crowd. It should be fun. 

We have no plans tomorrow other than I need to get out and do a few last minute shopping things.  I’m going to try to get out early in the morning and hopefully avoid the big crowds.  We’ll see how it goes. 

In case I don’t post for a while, I hope all my blog readers have a very Merry Christmas!