I got tagged!!!!

Alright, I'm ridiculously excited about this and I don't even know why! But thanks to the ever wonderful and eloquent Minx, I now get to spend some quality time procrastinating whilst answering some of life's more important questions. Thanks Minx for saving me from chapter 2 of my thesis!

5 things found in your bag:

1) Sephora lip gloss in Sugar Coat.

2) Tiger Balm. Can't live without that stuff! Cures nausea, headaches, sore muscles and insect bites. I use it when the children are driving me crazy at work.

3) My planner and heaps of stickies.

4) Orbit Sangria gum because they were out of mint mojito!

5) Glasses case and cleaner because I'm always forgetting to wear my contacts!

5favorite things in your room (bedroom)

1) My really big 22" monitor.

2) Two framed pictures of Georgia O'Keefe taken by her sometimes lover Alfred Stieglitz. Beautiful stuff.

3) My ultra comfy bed.

4) My boyfriend. How cheesy can you get? I know -- but I've never had one before and I'm sort of liking it.

5) The print of these gorgeous poppies painted by HBB's mum. Gorgeous! Dramatic and beautiful. Especially with the funky colored walls in my bedroom.

5 things I have always wanted to do

1) Have tea in the Sahara (thank you Paul Bowles...)

2) Finish my dang masters!

3) Sleep in one of those huts in the Maldives that are out over the ocean.

4) Get published (sorry Minx - I knicked this from you.) I'm all about getting published. I want to write cheezy romance novels. Don't ask.

5) Get on the scale and not think "Wow I need to lose a few pounds!".

5 things I am currently into:

1) Reading blogs, way too many blogs.

2) Adobe anything and my Wacom Bamboo graphics tablet (that I don't even know how to fully operate yet!)

3) Designing websites (ultrageek admission!)

4) My swamp cooler -- it's hot peeps, what can I say!

5) Being a better teacher. I'm tired of the American public hating on teachers -- I want to show them they are wrong about teachers and public schools. We work hard and we do make change!

5 People I want to tag:

1) Comrade GoGo

2) DoriAnn

3) Julie

4) Fat Bridesmaid

5) Shannon

In other completely weight related news, I dragged my behind to the gym yesterday and had a good 60 minute workout. 36 minutes of cardio and lower body strength training. Wow. Can you say sore? Dang! But man do I feel sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much better today!!!! I'm not driving to the gym today since HBB and I took the dog for a walk this morning but I am planning on doing an upper body workout.

Also, I was OP! Yeah me! Sigh. Sometimes it just takes seeing 'that' number on the scale to kick yer behind into gear. Does everyone have a 'that' number or is it just me?

OK, back to home reno projects and the thesis!

FGS

Like Time Through an Hourglass...

Okay, didn't I just post yesterday? Apparently not! Clearly, I'm too busy with the thesis, house painting and hiding my head in shame to post. Let's just say things are not good on the front lines and I am making the choice to spend the gas money and go back to the gym. I can't handle not having the gym in my life. Neither can my belly! So It's back I go today with a goal of going 5 days and working out for 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. Sigh. My good intentions never made it out the door to take the dog for a walk and it is now time for drastic measures.

Of course, I don't think my dog likes this revised plan, but she will just have to cope!

And now we return to radio silence as we continue to work on our thesis...and attempt to stop referring to ourselves in the the third person....stop it! Now! We don't like it.........

FGS!

I need a little INSPIRATION!!!!

PHENOMENAL WOMAN
by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies
I'm not cute or built to suit a model's fashion size
But when I start to tell them
They think I'm telling lies.
I say
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips
The stride of my steps
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.

So I put this poem up which I'm sure everyone has read a million times as a little inspirational reminder to myself that I am great.

I'm still not feeling it though.

I'm like a little ventriloquist puppet these days -- I can say the right words but I don't really believe them. Nor do I always do what I know I'm supposed to do. It is Slackerville for me these days.

Sigh -- whoever said "the road to hell is paved with good intentions" certainly knew what they were talking about! It is so easy to plan and plot when it comes to weight loss. Heck, I have the most detailed journal of what I should be doing at the gym today. The other part of it is the hard work and commitment, neither of which I seem to have in spades these days.

I was reading a post the other day (think it was one of the fab girls on the WW boards!) where she was talking about the ebb and flow of weight loss. I'm so with her on this one! I go through periods where I can lose and work out everyday for months at a time -- and then I seem to hit a wall (like, um, NOW) and can't be arsed to do a thing. I'm maintaining, but can't seem to push myself to do more. And then (and I can already feel this coming) I get sick of doing nothing or my body is just ready for more and I'm back at it again, full on the way I like it. But in these down swings I feel SO USELESS! And, to top it all off, I feel heavier and larger than I was when I started all of this 30 some odd pounds ago! What's up with that?

And the funny thing is I know if I just dragged my butt back to the gym or got out of bed earlier to work out, I'd feel better. But I don't do it. I know how to fix my little broken bits right now, but can't be bothered to do it!

Can you say RUT? Rut rut ruttedy rut!

I've been here before, and I know I will get out of it. But really can someone PLEASE kick me in the ass and make me stop whining about it??? I mean really!

In other news, I have to take a moment to count my blessings. First off HBB. He's in the kitchen right now making me another pot of coffee. I lurve him! And he's perfectly happy eating WW cuisine. Sigh, does it get any better? And I think he thinks I'm a Phenomenal woman so that is a step in the right direction...So that is my happy thought for the day.

Okay, enough with the self flagellation! This too shall pass..............

Lots of love and chocolate covered kisses,

FGS

Things I never want to know the point value of....

And why do I always end my titles in ellipses?

So I NEVER, EVER want to know how many points are in a Strawberry Cheesecake Spoonbender at Good Times. NEVER. EVER.

The 4th of July turned out to be pretty good. We went to a Colorado Rapids game to have some beers, watch a game and then partake in the obligatory fireworks display. The Rapids won (4-0) which made for a very exciting game. I stuck to my 3 beer limit over the course of the evening and even switched to water (which I very thoughtfully remembered to pack!). Additionally, there was no late night after drinking binge-fest because people were a bit too loaded to bring into a restaurant. Not mentioning names though!

Earlier in the day, I wasn't so well behaved. Something about deviled eggs that drives me over the edge every time! But, I have no regrets. Except for maybe that Spoonbender I had last night! It sounded soooooooooooooooooooooooooo good and I'll freely admit tasted good too. But dang, when your tummy isn't used to having that much dairy, things get a bit dicey after consuming that much frozen custard!

In yet another moment of brilliance, I decided to make cold, point friendly salads to have in the fridge. OMG! I'm loving it! Last night for dinner we had cold everything! Perfect in the 90 degree heat and point-friendly to boot! So I'm looking for some more point friendly salads. I'm thinking lentils this time around. Not that I don't love me some pasta salad... Any ideas, oh faithful readers?

Ok, back to the thesis! I cannot wait to get this sucker finished!!!!!

FGS

Why do I have Lionel Richie songs running through my head???

Not only is it the 4th of July, but it is also my 100th post!!!!!!!!!!!!! So I guess I can't help but want to celebrate!

As we enter the day's minefield of food and beer and things you just shouldn't eat on a regular basis, I feel ready and well prepared! I've even already signed up to be the designated driver this evening! Yes, even this Fat Grl is capable of occasional moments of brilliance! No beer = less out of control points day! Although I can't guarantee that I'm going to turn down a hot dog today, because, after all, it is Independence Day and it would just be un-American of me, I know I'll be watching my portion sizes. And maybe, just maybe if I'm really good I can get HBB to eat a hot dog and I can just steal a bite. Again, moments of brilliance!

So to all of my domestic readers -- have a wonderful 4th of July filled with moments of brilliance, calorie free homemade ice cream and excessive amounts of safety! And all of you foreign readers, hope you had a good day at work!

FGS

Ahhh it's the little things...

So I managed to keep track of points today! Yeah me! I'll be back in the game in no time! HBB and I took a shopping trip (as promised yesterday) to buy him some geeky things and me some more nutritional yeast and food from Walmart.

Okay, I've just admitted that I shop at Walmart. It's a love hate relationship though. Today I actually called their customer service line asking why it was the retail giant is not stepping up to the line and giving it's shoppers discounts for using reusable shopping bags. I mean, if you are going to go through hell to get that extra big box of microwave popcorn and that tub of Jif, you can at least be environmentally friendly, right? I spoke to a very pleasant gentleman who listened as I told him how wonderful King Soopers and Whole Paycheck were for giving me a little reward for protecting the environment. I think he thought I was nuts. But, he passed along the information to the management. Or so he said. I just can't seem to stop myself from shopping there! Believe me, I tried to break up with Walmart last week. But there I was again today, googly eyed over the gallon jug of white vinegar I bought that cost me under $2. What's a girl to do? Walmart is like that badass biker boy you know you shouldn't date because it's only going to lead to trouble - without the black leather or cool factor though. And honestly, I'm so broke I don't know if I can afford my values right now! Don't get me wrong -- I love me some Ezekiel bread and those $5 mangoes at Whole Paycheck make me drool. But I'm a single working girl with a mortgage and debt and a gas tank to fill. So forgive me out there.......some day I will break up with Walmart, just not today.

Sigh. I feel dirty now. I think I might have to take a shower. Stupid Walmart.

FGS

Summertime............

and the living is filled with watermelon, burgers and beer. Oh, and s'mores. Can't forget the s'mores!

Yes, this fat grl has been on a serious hiatus, again. Not intentional, I just got a wee bit distracted. And believe me when I say I am all about focus now! I am actually afraid to get near the scale at the moment. Very afraid. But I'm going to do it! Monday, right after this weekend of debauchery. Ok, at the moment we are broke and have nothing major planned, but I know my friends and know that something will happen last minute.

On another note, I have somewhat given up on the gym for the summer. Why am I giving up on the gym for the summer you ask? Well, when I am at work, the gym is incredibly convenient -- just up the street from my school. But, now that it's summer it becomes a 14mile round trip drive. And let's face it, gas ain't cheap!

Now before you all yell at me for giving up (which I am not!!!), let me tell you that between my Yoga Booty Ballet, The Firm and Power 90 dvds (yeah, let's just not go there, ok?), I think I will be ok. And, the dog will be in heaven because I'm going to take her for more walks......

So, I'm back with a game plan.........no more loooooooooooooooooooooong disappearances!

FGS