MIA - again

I dropped off the face of the planet AGAIN.  Nano, then Christmas and now I'm working on editing my Nano novel.

It seems I can either blog or work on my story.  You would think I could do both but my brain is not wired that way.  It's crazy.  But in the morning if I want to write I can't watch any TV.  It is like it shuts down the part of my brain that wants to be in my own universe.

Thought I'd post a quick note.  Thanks to all that have inquired as to whether I was alive or not.

I hope everyone has a happy and productive new year.

IWSG

The Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG).

They meet the first Wednesday of every month to encourage each other, share doubts and insecurities.

Thank you Alex J. Cavanaugh

You can go here to encourage other participants

I missed last month.  I had the flu.  I knew what day it was.  I thought about it and that's as far as I went with that.

This month I really shouldn't post.  I have done very little writing.  My cold/flu hung on for four weeks.  Every time I thought I was starting to feel better it would slam me down again.  I'm all better now and while my progress in Nano is s-l-o-w it is good to be writing again.

Not as wordy as I should have been.

The first weekend of Nano was not as wordy as I have been in times past.  However, in my defense I came into this with just a working title.

I spent the weekend trying to figure out what it is I want to do.  Where I want my story to go. So while my word count is in the twa-let I feel like it was productive.

Of course not having interwebs helped me to stay focused.  Even my DVD player wasn't playing nice with me this weekend.  Is Mercury retrograde or something??

Hope all you Nanoers had a productive weekend.

Sooooo

Computers hat me.  It's true.

At home my computer was so slow it wasn't worth trying to do anything.  I gave up and did all my internet computing from work.

Last Saturday my son stopped by and asked if my computer was always this slow.  I nodded and he went about getting it to run better.  Magical, magical and life was good.

Then my modem went out. 

Really computer?  Really?

I always have my work computer.  Right?

Nope. Even THAT one gave out on me.

I had to borrow other workers computers when I needed one.  

So I couldn't blog or read blogs.

I got my computer back this morning.  YaY!!

I am hoping to have more time to make the rounds and even post a little even though it is NaNo.

My new modem is supposed to get to my by next Tuesday.  Let's keep 'em crossed that it works.

Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween.

I'm obsessed

This is so freaking good.  I can't believe I use to hate oatmeal.

I make my oatmeal and add chunks of green apple during the nuking process.  Then I drizzle Walden Farms Caramel Sauce over that and I have candy apple oatmeal.  I know what you are thinking, It sounds delicious but I don't want to have all those extra calories.

Walden Farms products don't have any calories in them.  I don't know how this is possible I just do the happy dance. The gal at our office that is getting shredded is allowed Walden Farms products on her very strict diet (um life style change).  Who am I to argue with deliciousness.

Cats who can figure them out

I have a little black cat at home.  You met Nadja when she was Frank the Fire Drake.

She has always loved to cuddle with me and during my recent illness she seemed to really enjoy that I was constantly sitting on the couch.  At least at first she liked it.  Then she started finding other places to hang out.

I thought that she was just watching outside but I began to notice a theme.  It didn't matter where she was in the house she had her back to me.  I decided that she was angry with me for my explosive coughing that would send her to skittering off my lap.

This is me not looking at you.

I'll sit near you, but I'm not going to look at you.  

No, I won't.

This is me ignoring you.  Do you see me ignoring you?

So who could blame me when when I found another black cat that needed attention.
I found this poor little bedraggled critter and had to save him from being run over.
He'd already lost his little ear.

Perhaps sensing that she'd gone a bit too far when an interloper appeared.

She decided to make up.

Though she's not looking too pleased with the prospect.

It's a boy!

The kids are going out of town for a bit to celebrate their one year anniversary.  Perhaps I'll fill their house with blue balloons.

And just in case my daughter is reading this.  You know I would NEVER do something like that.  Everything will be fine.  You just go out of town and enjoy yourself.   No really, every thing will be just fine.

Where'd she go??

Sorry to drop off the face of the planet.  I got the flu that's been going around and my brain has been useless.  Zombies walked away from me with a disgusted look.  I even missed IWSG I remember thinking about it last Wednesday but that's as far as the thought went.

I'm still in the afterglow of the flu but I am feeling quite a bit better.  I knew things were looking up when I could find something funny in the disaster that was my morning.

I made a cup of coffee and when I came back this is what was waiting for me.

A ginormous puddle of coffee.  I was devastated. 

My son gave me this coffee maker.  

What could possibly have caused it to do this??

I then realized my mistake.  

A simple mistake really. 

Why it's one that anyone could have made.

It helps if you put the coffee cup on the machine and not on the drainboard.

Yep - that's the cup I was using.  Even my coffee mugs mock me now.

I will try to start making the rounds again in a couple of days.  For now I have a pile or work that I have to tackle first.  That and I have to fend off the infestation of zombies who are beating down my door.  Note to self:  Never ever offer yourself to zombies - I don't care how sick you are.

Done. WaHooo!!

I am so glad to put that three weeks behind me.
I did end up losing nine pounds.  I won't complain at all.

Now I have to figure out where I go from here.
Staying off the scale for certain sure.

Thanks again for all the support.

T-minus 2

Yesterday got crazy. I got crazy - crazy mad.

I stepped on the scale and GAINED??? Through this whole adventure I've either maintained or lost.  I kicked the scale under the table, bouncing it off the back wall and said, "To hell with YOU Bob!!"

My cat turned to look at me with a look so wilting that I realized I'd caused great affront.
"No, no, no, not you Bob.  The OTHER Bob."
I'm not sure he was appeased, but as I am alive this morning to tell the tale I think I've been forgiven.  He is a cat and so you never know.

When I had fruit for breakfast and lunch.  I lost an unheard of amount of weight for me.  Five pounds in one week.

When I cut the fruit to just morning, I still lost three pounds - I was not complaining.  Let's face it, I go on a healthy eating kick and lose ten pounds in three months.  I was not arguing.

When I started the week with no fruit - nada.  I maintained and then I GAINED.
Now in Bob's defense.  I am not eating week three meals.  I just can't.  I realized that my mileage would vary but I expected at least something.  I was still eating the plan - no fruit.  I was still exercising.  I was NOT pleased.

That's when I rebelled.  Not to worry.  I will still see it out until tomorrow. Not going to throw away three weeks because of a 'little' hiccup.  I committed to this thing I will see it through.  But I will see it through with FRUIT!

My computer and blogger are at war.  I will try and post tomorrow, but my wrap up will probably come on Monday.

Thanks to all who have hung in there with me.
Truth to tell, I'm not sure I could have done it if I was not reporting to you.

T-minus 4-Super human feats of strength

I don't have any pictures - dinner was roasted veggies and a chicken patty.

But as I was doing my auxiliary exercises this morning I thought of something to share.

When I started this adventure I could not do push ups and I settled for wall push ups.  Last week I tried doing them on the floor again and to my surprise I could do them - girly style of course, but I was doing them.

This weekend I mowed the poor neglected backyard.  It had really sprouted due to the rains and there was a LOT of grass.  I filled two bags full.  Now I have three options for dealing with these clippings.

What's the problem you inquire?
My back gate has issues and it takes an act of Congress to get it opened.
It can be done - and next week I will have to do it to get the mower to the front yard but I want to get rid of these bags this week.  If I wait a week my can will over flow - that's not good.

Option 1 - leave the bags in the backyard.  The grass will dry out and compact and by next spring it will not be a bother.  Seriously - I have done this.

Option 2 - Suck it up and open the gate.

Option 3 - Toss the bags over the fence.

You KNOW what I did.  I don't even have to tell you.  Not sure what the neighbors thought but I was quite impressed with myself and my Herculean abilities.  

I ARE AMAZING.

T-minus 5 days and counting.

If my Mom was alive I'd have to ask her if I was one of those kids who couldn't let anything touch.  I don't remember being that kid.  Perhaps it is a new development in my second childhood. ;))

I made the Sweet Potato Hash for breakfast. It was some what labor intensive for a weekday though I could see having this for a Sunday breakfast.  I did cheat a little and didn't peel and cube my own potatoes.

Though the magic of the frozen food aisle may I present:

 

However, even with this cheat it still took a while to cook.

What has this to do with food not touching???

You are supposed to mix your mass quantities of egg whites into the hash.

Not happening.  Though it might have looked more appealing.

The egg whites look like my cat got into the toilet paper again. 

It was very good. I'd make it again, but on a day when I didn't have to go to work.

BTW this is NOT a dinner plate.  Just for the record.  

It's not just 'No!'

It's 'Oh hell NO!'

It could be that I've been struggling - taking it moment by moment.   On Saturday when I sat down to figure out what I'd be cooking for next week and what I needed to pick up at the store, it was at that moment I said, "No."

This is not happening.

The Ratatouille sounds good.  There's a red cabbage slaw that will make use of the red cabbage I bought but that is where it ends.  I am limited in what I can eat because of my sensitivity to some grains. And the recipes I could eat?  Not happening.

For instance THIS is not breakfast. 
Mushrooms and onions, rolled oats, vegetable broth, spinach and egg whites.

No. Just. No.
I will happily make an omelet and have oatmeal on the side (sans vegetable broth).  But I will not mix this together and call it breakfast.  No.

I have committed to this Jump Start Program and I will see it through next Saturday.  But I am going to take items from week 1 and week 2 to make week 3. 

This program was designed for people who had an event in the near future.  I don't and thus I don't have the drive that others might.

So there you have it. 
(This would have posted on Saturday but my computer at home and blogger are apparently at war)

On Sunday I had to laugh at myself.  I refuse to put vegetable broth in my oatmeal and mix it with eggs.  Bwhahahaha this from the lady that balked at putting eggs in her oatmeal and discovered she loved it.

However, I'm still not going to try it.  I had eggs on the side and oatmeal without any fruit.  Sorry Bob.

The count down to the end of this Jump Start is on!!

Day 11 - Guess what day it is....

Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike.  What day is it?

It is hump day.  Day 11 after today only 10 more days on this adventure.

For someone who has done poorly on diets in the past this truly is a milestone.  On Monday I told my daughter I was starting week two and she was amazed I made it through the weekend.  In all honesty I amazed myself as well.

I think that it is the short duration of this diet.
As I said the other day.

This is not a lifestyle change.  This is only three weeks.

And now what you've all been waiting for...
Eggplant Chili

Fire roasted tomatoes helped to make this delicious.  

I did add some chili powder and cumin.  

I would make this again. 

And now one of the many reasons I am so happy that I don't work at a 'real' company.

It is the Utah/BYU rivalry game this Saturday.  Three guesses who I'm rooting for and the first two don't count. ;)  At any other company I've worked for I would not even consider wearing a t-shirt to the office.  But it is not a real company and I wear what I wear and they never say anything.  I don't abuse the t-shirt wearing.  I keep it for special occasions, like today.

Go Utes!!

Day 10 - Feeling much better

After dragging through the day yesterday I was very happy to wake up and feel like I had the energy to tackle the day.  And guess what...

I slept eight hours last night.  This is unheard of.  I began sleeping seven hours a night when I started this adventure and I thought: It don't get no better than this.  But it does.  It does get better.  Of course, it is taking its toll on my writing time and if this keeps up I'll have to work out something different.  But for now I'm loving the sleep.

My friend told me that they wanted to go out for dinner on Saturday. This was BEFORE I had the chance to announce that I was going to make Eggplant Chili.  I'll save it for another time.

I'm sure I'll be able to find something on the menu this weekend that is acceptable and I can request it steamed, broiled, no salt ... yes, I will be a pain in the butt. ;)

Last night I had Green Cauliflower Soup.

It would have been more pretty if I hadn't used up all the red bell peppers.  I had a little but I ended up using green for the remaining 3/4 cup.  It was actually quiet tasty.  I was dubious.  It was very green.

It uses veggie broth, spinach, cauliflower. (simmer)  Blend that in the blender.  Add back to the pot add chicken and red pepper.  (simmer some more).  Dill and also cracked pepper to taste.

Tonight??
Eggplant Chili

Day 9 - One of those days

Today all that is getting me through is the mantra:

THIS ISN'T A LIFE CHANGE.  IT IS ONLY THREE WEEKS. 

I slept last night but I woke up feeling drained.  I was only going to do a short walk with my pup but managed to put the time in.  I did the extra exercises, but that too was a struggle.

It is 10:00 in the morning.  I hope things turn around and I have better things to report.

Later:

I did manage to muddle through the day.  Did what I was supposed to do and didn't throw in the towel.

YaY me.

Day 8 - My, my oatmeal. Sob =..(

I had not looked past week one with regards to the recipes.  I'm taking it one week at a time. It was on Sunday when I was putting together a shopping list for the next week that I realized my beloved oatmeal was about to change.

At first I balked.  NO BOB! I'll eat my oatmeal anyway I please.  To heck with you.
It was bad enough when he said no fruit in week three, but this, this is too much.

Then I thought about a girl at our office who is trying to get 'shredded'.  She's paid well over a thousand dollars for a personal trainer who is guiding her through the process.  I realized that this is just a part of my journey and it is only three weeks.  I'll be just fine.

I settled down and resigned myself to the fact that my 1/2 cup of oatmeal would be cut to 1/3.  He also changed up the recipe.

1/3 cup oatmeal
1/3 cup apple sauce (no added sugar)
Cinnamon
vanilla

Okay - the resulting glump looked like the stuff my mom used to pawn off on us as a breakfast substance. Thus the reason I have not liked oatmeal.  I added liquid until the desired consistency was achieved and after that I was happy.

My eggs now consist of four egg whites with 3 cups of spinach.  Again - this was a bit hard for me.  I added some Mrs. Dash Southwestern for some kick and found that tasted much better.

I must confess that I did look a head to week three to see what medieval torture Bob had planned for me.  I will do it - I just needed to get my mind wrapped around what it was.

{{shudders}}  The horror.  Next Monday I will share but until then I'm working on repressing.

Day 6 & 7 - The weekend

I expected the weekend to be tough.  But it was a busy weekend and that helped.  No bored eating here.

When I pulled into Harmon's to buy my 900 pounds of produce that I will consume over the next week I realized that my daughter and I can now park near the doors.

For my daughter...

I

I think that is is so cool that they do this.  

The parking stalls have a picture of a stork with a baby bundle.

and for me...

I've always wanted to ask at what age parking in this spot is appropriate.

I'm terrified of the answer and continue to park with the young 'uns.

I made this soup twice this week.  I made a horrible mistake the first time and had to try it one more time before giving up on this recipe.  It is Herbed Turkey Meatball Soup.

Brown onions and celery.

Add garlic and thyme.

Add little meatballs.

Add broccoli, cabbage (missing here) I added roasted cauliflower, and broth.

Simmer for 20 minutes.  Add chopped Swiss Chard.

Plate. (Well technically, bowl)

The second go round it was delicious and filling.  What happened the first time?  The recipe called for cabbage and I saw purple cabbage.  Hey that would be pretty, I thought.  Um, not so much.  In a salad, yes.  After you simmer purple cabbage for 20 minutes it looks like gray goop.  

All in all I have to say that week one was a success.  I had my moments.  A few downs, mostly ups.  I feel good and most importantly, I have been sleeping.  It is freaking amazing.  Life is good.

Day 5: Self Talk

I have a habit of saying something aloud that I want to remember.
It is a part of getting older I suppose.

"Deodorant."  Oddly enough if I don't say this later I will think, Did I put on deodorant?
Well, you can't take a chance with something like that and there were days when I was double or triple protected.  Beats the other possibility, but still.

I use a hair torture device in the mornings.  When I unplug it to remind myself that it is unplugged I always say things like:

"As good as it gets."
or
"Ugh."

The other day I was thinking and that's pretty negative.  I walk into my day thinking mediocre or gross thoughts about myself.  That's not good.  However, that's as far as that thought went.

It is not like I beat myself up because I'm overweight or my hair sucks.  It is just a part of life and I came to accept that after a year trying to shed weight prior to my daughter's wedding.  We worked HARD. Went to the gym, ate salads and other diet foods.  Nothing happened.  It was then we both said "Whatever" and accepted that this was life.  It was after the wedding that I started trying to eat 'healthy' and things began to change.  That is why I'm okay with 10 pounds here and 10 pounds there.

Today I looked in the mirror and I thought: I look toner.  
Keep in mind it is in a Mrs. Doubtfire kind of way.
(Hey you guys survived eggs in oatmeal - you can survive this visual.  Yes, I am mean that way.)

After getting ready for work I thought: Not bad.

And this is only Day 5.  I am stoked to continue on this journey,

Day Four: Chester has an epiphany

I was not going to bore you guys with the day to day of this Jump Start adventure.  However, it is really helping me with the accountability of the whole thing.  Feel free to ignore me until the first of October - I won't be offended at all.  I promise.

As we were walking today Chester had an epiphany:  The Lady is not trying to run me down.  She's not trying to get ahead of me. That means.... I can sniff more. And indeed he did.  I'm fine with that.  I can march in place as easily as march behind the dog.

We were nearing the end of the walk and should start heading for the barn when Chester asked for One more block? Please??  Okay, but make it fast.  Danged if that dog did not speed up.  He's a smartie.

Dinner last night was roasted vegetables with a turkey patty.
It's not pretty looking but I'm showing you only for the sheer magnitude of food.
That's a dinner plate.  I kid you not. And it is missing the 1/4 of an avocado that I forgot to pick up.

I stopped at the grocery to pick up oatmeal and I saw this.  

Whoopers?  Dietitians Choice?  

Oh Harmon's, how I love your dietitians.

In all honesty the start of day three was a bit of a struggle for me.  I started out the post with: I woke up feeling fat, bloated and lethargic.  I decided I didn't want to dwell on the negative.  I was having a rough morning - boo hoo, don't let it derail you.  Taking a positive spin really helped.  I didn't leap off the diet wagon.  I kept forging a head. That's pretty good for me.  I'm known for my Monday starts.  I've had diets last as long as half a day.  Sad but true.  It brings me back to the accountability.

I don't want to report.  Day Four:  Ate Cheesecake.