Never ever thought more than a month and a half would go by without me posting at least something here! I've been writing regularly at the weight loss sight, and the most magnificent things have happened as a result...I have tons of followers and the comments they make let me know that I'm reaching people and helping to support their efforts.
I don't know what this means for my future, or the future of this place, but I may have found an interest I didn't know I had - helping people get healthy.
For my own progress, I'm down 28 pounds. I just celebrated my 41st birthday, and I can honestly say, I'm in the best place I've ever been in my life! It's only getting better, too. I'm making it that way.
My birthday celebration was stellar. Steinvic had been out of town for work, but came home the evening of my special day and was waiting for me to get home. He and Houdini had the coffee table loaded with thoughtful gifts: XO Cafe Patron liquor, the Big Glug size of Pinnacle Whipped vodka, workout clothes that are perfectly coordinated (down to three different lengths of bottoms - shorts, capris and track pants) so that I don't feel like a bum when I'm on the bike, and Emporio Armani sport sunglasses (which also match the workout clothes, coincidentally...) All lovely and appreciated! And Steinvic shooed me upstairs with a cocktail to change clothes because we were going to dinner. When I came down, he let me know that there was one more gift...
"The ladies at work thought I was crazy when I told them what I got you, but I told them they didn't know my girl," he said, turning on the water and flipping the wall switch for the garbage disposal.
I jumped up and down, thanking him and kissing him...that thing has been broken for six months and has been a great source of anxiety for me...I wanted to save money by doing it myself, but was afraid I'd mess everything up. I knew it would cost hundreds to have a pro do it. And weekend fun got in the way of doing it a dozen times, so we just made do. Now we have a nice, new, awesome one that Steinvic picked out and a friend of ours installed. WHOO HOO! So stoked!
We went to Marlin & Rays for dinner...a newish seafood place in our neighborhood and it was really good! We met some friends at our local and they wanted to stay and stay, so I offered, "You're welcome to come by our place if you want..." and they DID! We beat them here just in time to tidy up, pour drinks, light candles and I went out back to check on things and there was yet another present waiting for me on the table...
Sweetest card ever, and in the box, a new Movado watch. Absolutely exquisite! It means so much to me for a hundred reasons...I once had one, and Steinvic wanted me to have a watch that would make me feel proud. I'm not materialistic, but damn, I love that watch!
It was a great birthday. I've had a fantastic year. I'm stronger, healthier, thinner, happier and better than ever. Wiser. What matters is more clear every day.
I'll add links to the watch and restaurant later, but I wanted to get this out here...so infrequently on the computer when I'm home.
But I'm not full on ditching...I'll be back!
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Good Gosh...
I can't believe how long it's been since I've been on here, almost as much as I can't believe I'm logging on here now! I'm not flattering myself to think that anyone has been stopping by, waiting for my next post with great anticipation, but I feel bad for not keeping up with it for myself.
I have been posting on myfitnesspal, and that's been gratifying. Part of me feels really proud how big a chunk of my mindset has become about supporting other people who are trying to get healthy, and the other part of me would like to think about other things. But the reality of it all is that my health and wellness have become a priority. It's a big shift to go from thinking about everyone else all of the time to thinking about keeping true to my promise to me.
So, I'm sitting here on our sofa...Steinvic is doing his weekly travels, and I came straight home, got the laundry going, rode the bike for an hour, took out the trash, weedwhacked the backyard area, took a shower...and now a certain puppy is sitting next to me on the sofa with a ridiculously large rawhide bone, courtesy of his Grandma and Grandpa.
We've been busy with friends lately, and that is new to me. We've crossed the boundaries of lovely bar acquaintences with a few people, and had a fun night of lawn games the other weekend. This past weekend, we went to a wedding of two of our good pals and met a couple so similar in dispostion and personality to us, it was uncanny. As grounded as Steinvic has been and always will be in Columbus, we're making a nice life here and it's really neat.
I spent so many years going from place to place, never really making connections, never really touching down. And now it seems okay to open up and do the things that "normal people" do. It's natural for Steinvic. For me, it's fascinating and exciting.
So, I'm good. Better than good. And...dare I say...I deserve this?
I have been posting on myfitnesspal, and that's been gratifying. Part of me feels really proud how big a chunk of my mindset has become about supporting other people who are trying to get healthy, and the other part of me would like to think about other things. But the reality of it all is that my health and wellness have become a priority. It's a big shift to go from thinking about everyone else all of the time to thinking about keeping true to my promise to me.
So, I'm sitting here on our sofa...Steinvic is doing his weekly travels, and I came straight home, got the laundry going, rode the bike for an hour, took out the trash, weedwhacked the backyard area, took a shower...and now a certain puppy is sitting next to me on the sofa with a ridiculously large rawhide bone, courtesy of his Grandma and Grandpa.
We've been busy with friends lately, and that is new to me. We've crossed the boundaries of lovely bar acquaintences with a few people, and had a fun night of lawn games the other weekend. This past weekend, we went to a wedding of two of our good pals and met a couple so similar in dispostion and personality to us, it was uncanny. As grounded as Steinvic has been and always will be in Columbus, we're making a nice life here and it's really neat.
I spent so many years going from place to place, never really making connections, never really touching down. And now it seems okay to open up and do the things that "normal people" do. It's natural for Steinvic. For me, it's fascinating and exciting.
So, I'm good. Better than good. And...dare I say...I deserve this?
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Feeling Inspired
I mentioned here that I'd been posting on my calorie counting site, myfitnesspal.com, which I do mostly because I don't want this place to become a weight loss journal.
Yesterday, I made a post about what has worked for me so far, because I've been logging in my calories and exercise there for 140 days and I've learned some things.
The most incredible thing happened...somehow, my post caught the attention of other members and boom...votes and votes and comments and praise and stories from others about how what I said was just what they needed to hear.
What a feeling! To think that my experience and something I wrote mattered to anyone!
I'm only down 23 pounds and I've got about 27 to go before I'll feel satisfied, but days like today propell me...
Here's to your health!
Yesterday, I made a post about what has worked for me so far, because I've been logging in my calories and exercise there for 140 days and I've learned some things.
The most incredible thing happened...somehow, my post caught the attention of other members and boom...votes and votes and comments and praise and stories from others about how what I said was just what they needed to hear.
What a feeling! To think that my experience and something I wrote mattered to anyone!
I'm only down 23 pounds and I've got about 27 to go before I'll feel satisfied, but days like today propell me...
Here's to your health!
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Odds And Ends Post
I have been so bad about posting here...serves me right if anyone who did wander by has long stopped bothering to do it.
I've mentioned before - I'm not signing on here from work - and my evenings have been pretty much get home as soon as I can, take Houdini for a walk, ride my exercise bike for an hour, do some housekeeping, make something to eat and that's about it. Steinvic is gone three days a week still. Just not a lot of time for me to log in and post!
So...what's been going on here?
Work has been...extra challenging. Enough said.
Houdini is awesome...we woke up extra early and took him to the dog park yesterday morning and he was the only pup on the small dog side of the fenced in area, so he was in his glory! He ran and ran, going first to Steinvic and then back to me, back and forth, tounge hanging out, ears flopping around. It made us wish for a fenced-in yard.
Our house...the back patio has come a loooooooooooooong way, and we've been spending a lot of time this week, hanging out and enjoying it.
And neighbors...we've gotten to know one couple a little better and on Friday, he and his wife just stopped by because they saw we were out. I have often felt a little isolated everywhere I've lived aside from my childhood home because I never knew the neighbors. Sure, you may remember reading about Virginia, but she's been gone a long time. So, just having our few friends who live across the lot, being friendly with the family next door, and now this new couple...it's just kind of nice.
Today is a finish-Houdini's-Reds-jersey morning, then some cooking and who knows what else today. I slept almost 12 hours last night...I must have needed it!
Until next time...which I think will be sooner than later...I miss it here.
I've mentioned before - I'm not signing on here from work - and my evenings have been pretty much get home as soon as I can, take Houdini for a walk, ride my exercise bike for an hour, do some housekeeping, make something to eat and that's about it. Steinvic is gone three days a week still. Just not a lot of time for me to log in and post!
So...what's been going on here?
Work has been...extra challenging. Enough said.
Houdini is awesome...we woke up extra early and took him to the dog park yesterday morning and he was the only pup on the small dog side of the fenced in area, so he was in his glory! He ran and ran, going first to Steinvic and then back to me, back and forth, tounge hanging out, ears flopping around. It made us wish for a fenced-in yard.
Our house...the back patio has come a loooooooooooooong way, and we've been spending a lot of time this week, hanging out and enjoying it.
And neighbors...we've gotten to know one couple a little better and on Friday, he and his wife just stopped by because they saw we were out. I have often felt a little isolated everywhere I've lived aside from my childhood home because I never knew the neighbors. Sure, you may remember reading about Virginia, but she's been gone a long time. So, just having our few friends who live across the lot, being friendly with the family next door, and now this new couple...it's just kind of nice.
Today is a finish-Houdini's-Reds-jersey morning, then some cooking and who knows what else today. I slept almost 12 hours last night...I must have needed it!
Until next time...which I think will be sooner than later...I miss it here.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Rainy Saturdays
Usually, on a cold rainy Saturday morning, I'd be sitting in my spot on the couch, still wearing pajamas at noon, watching something good on TV and sewing something fabulous.
But today, I was up and showered and dressed by 10:00, and making homemade salsa. Young Man is making "potato tacos" tonight and so I did the salsa, a special slaw topping for the tacos, and a black bean/corn dish as a side.
And I made everyone breakfast and all the dishes are done. I've balanced the checkbook. Not bad for 1:00 on a lazy Saturday...
When I got home yesterday, I worked on the patio some more, putting down two more bags of mulch, filling in the big hole from the fence post stump my step dad took out for us this week (man, that post was deep!), planting some flowers and trying to come up with a suitable stand for the super neat fountain Steinvic brought home for us Thursday night.
It's too icky out right now for patio pictures, but once it's sunny again, I'll post some here. It's been a while since we've had a photo post, huh?
Enough for now...I'm going to go see what else I can get into! Happy Saturday...
But today, I was up and showered and dressed by 10:00, and making homemade salsa. Young Man is making "potato tacos" tonight and so I did the salsa, a special slaw topping for the tacos, and a black bean/corn dish as a side.
And I made everyone breakfast and all the dishes are done. I've balanced the checkbook. Not bad for 1:00 on a lazy Saturday...
When I got home yesterday, I worked on the patio some more, putting down two more bags of mulch, filling in the big hole from the fence post stump my step dad took out for us this week (man, that post was deep!), planting some flowers and trying to come up with a suitable stand for the super neat fountain Steinvic brought home for us Thursday night.
It's too icky out right now for patio pictures, but once it's sunny again, I'll post some here. It's been a while since we've had a photo post, huh?
Enough for now...I'm going to go see what else I can get into! Happy Saturday...
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Things...
See how quickly a week can go by?
So much...okay... first things first. Blogger has gone to a new administrative format for posting and so far, I hate it. 'Nuff said.
Second, Steinvic just came home from his weekly commute. He brought home a patio fountain and a garden hose rolly uppy thing...nice surprise and supports my courtyard efforts from last weekend. I weeded, trimmed, tossed, mulched and planted. Replaced lawn chairs and built little brick dividers. Hung celestial pretties and sprayed old ones with Rustoleum so they'd look new again. It's coming along...significant because our place is tiny and we feel like this is an extra, well-cherished room, where we spend lots of time in the summer.
Third, and very much a higher rank than third, but this is how these stream-of-consciousness posts go, Houdini celebrated a year with us on Monday. Yep, one year ago this week, we made a very long drive to Connorsville, IN, to a really nice home to pick up a really remarkable puppy. I remember how he studied our faces during the long ride home, sizing us up, whimpering and wondering what the hell. He was so small and so sweet and so wonderful. We'd read the articles, studied the books, bought the supplies and equipped ourselves for the first few tough nights. What we didn't prepare for is how much we'd adore him. Such limitless love and joy for our little guy, even when he tries our patience. He's learning, he's phenomenally loyal, and such fantastic company...best company we could ask for. Here's to Houdini's Anniversary!
Fourth. Dallas. LOVED. We had an extraordinary conference. And as far as the area we were in? The Warwick Melrose was fabulous. The Library Bar there is expensive but the music is A+ and they'll treat you like royalty. Go to Idle Rich and ask for Will...best bartender ever. Black Friar and Cosmic Cafe have vegetarian options I actually miss. Ojeda kicks the crap out of Mexican options here in Ohio. (Don't laugh...we have some authentic-ish Mexican restaurants here.) And we got to see a great friend and her husband...haven't seen them in nearly a decade. Awesome. We went to Dealy Plaza and it was surreal, informative and overwhelming. As controversial as I've read it is, it's one of those places we felt obligated to go. I'm glad we did. Not in a happy-glad way, but in a historical-respect-glad way.
Future. We'll celebrate Young Man's birthday tomorrow! 22. I can hardly believe it. He has such personality, such talent, such promise. I'm taking a half day to finish cleaning and prepping and baking in preparation for his visit. He and his new girlfriend (!) will get here tomorrow night, and we're looking forward to a whole weekend with them. I met Young Man when he was just 13, and it's been amazing to watch him grow and transform into a young adult...who I admire. Smart. Opinions, but listens respectfully. Knows bullshit when he smells it, and beauty when he sees it. I have said to Steinvic a zillion times that if I'd had my own, biological son, I couldn't have dreamed of one as fine as Young Man. We are blessed.
So...there is a tangenty-tangley update. I miss it here. All 22 pounds less of me...how fitting with Young Man's birthday, right!? I'm gonna go hug the puppy and get dinner together for me and Steinvic. It's a cozy homecoming night...what else could a girl ask for?
So much...okay... first things first. Blogger has gone to a new administrative format for posting and so far, I hate it. 'Nuff said.
Second, Steinvic just came home from his weekly commute. He brought home a patio fountain and a garden hose rolly uppy thing...nice surprise and supports my courtyard efforts from last weekend. I weeded, trimmed, tossed, mulched and planted. Replaced lawn chairs and built little brick dividers. Hung celestial pretties and sprayed old ones with Rustoleum so they'd look new again. It's coming along...significant because our place is tiny and we feel like this is an extra, well-cherished room, where we spend lots of time in the summer.
Third, and very much a higher rank than third, but this is how these stream-of-consciousness posts go, Houdini celebrated a year with us on Monday. Yep, one year ago this week, we made a very long drive to Connorsville, IN, to a really nice home to pick up a really remarkable puppy. I remember how he studied our faces during the long ride home, sizing us up, whimpering and wondering what the hell. He was so small and so sweet and so wonderful. We'd read the articles, studied the books, bought the supplies and equipped ourselves for the first few tough nights. What we didn't prepare for is how much we'd adore him. Such limitless love and joy for our little guy, even when he tries our patience. He's learning, he's phenomenally loyal, and such fantastic company...best company we could ask for. Here's to Houdini's Anniversary!
Fourth. Dallas. LOVED. We had an extraordinary conference. And as far as the area we were in? The Warwick Melrose was fabulous. The Library Bar there is expensive but the music is A+ and they'll treat you like royalty. Go to Idle Rich and ask for Will...best bartender ever. Black Friar and Cosmic Cafe have vegetarian options I actually miss. Ojeda kicks the crap out of Mexican options here in Ohio. (Don't laugh...we have some authentic-ish Mexican restaurants here.) And we got to see a great friend and her husband...haven't seen them in nearly a decade. Awesome. We went to Dealy Plaza and it was surreal, informative and overwhelming. As controversial as I've read it is, it's one of those places we felt obligated to go. I'm glad we did. Not in a happy-glad way, but in a historical-respect-glad way.
Future. We'll celebrate Young Man's birthday tomorrow! 22. I can hardly believe it. He has such personality, such talent, such promise. I'm taking a half day to finish cleaning and prepping and baking in preparation for his visit. He and his new girlfriend (!) will get here tomorrow night, and we're looking forward to a whole weekend with them. I met Young Man when he was just 13, and it's been amazing to watch him grow and transform into a young adult...who I admire. Smart. Opinions, but listens respectfully. Knows bullshit when he smells it, and beauty when he sees it. I have said to Steinvic a zillion times that if I'd had my own, biological son, I couldn't have dreamed of one as fine as Young Man. We are blessed.
So...there is a tangenty-tangley update. I miss it here. All 22 pounds less of me...how fitting with Young Man's birthday, right!? I'm gonna go hug the puppy and get dinner together for me and Steinvic. It's a cozy homecoming night...what else could a girl ask for?
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
I'm Here...
We just got back to Ohio from our Dallas, Texas trip. Wow and wow...
Let us kiss this puppy and unpack and wash these clothes...one of us is back to work in the morning. (And one of us gets to play golf! I'm happy and jealous in a good way.)
I'll be right back.
Let us kiss this puppy and unpack and wash these clothes...one of us is back to work in the morning. (And one of us gets to play golf! I'm happy and jealous in a good way.)
I'll be right back.
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