Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Can't Think

I cannot think today...so this will be short and sweet. 

First of all, goodbye August.  I hope this means somewhat cooler weather sometime in the not too distant future.  I will not hold my breath.

Nice poem, right?
And the pen color today is blue.  I am feeling boring, but must admit I do like this blue.  Monday was pink and Tuesday was orange.


Have a lovely Wednesday!

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

I'm Melting!

It's so hot here in Houston that we are excited about temperatures in the nineties later in the week!  The heat prevented me from walking this morning.  Our AC doesn't cool our bedroom and bathroom as much as the rest of the house.  Sigh.  Fall is on the way though...I can feel it.  At least I am trying to stay positive about it. 

Today's workout will be at lunch on the elliptical.  I am not very excited about walking back from the gym to the office...it's going to be HOT, but I will tell myself it is cool out.

This morning instead of walking I read my book.  Look, I'm almost finished.  It's a good thing too, I've been reading this book forever!  It's The Devil in the Junior League, which has been entertaining, but not a book I've been glued too.  I go through phases of reading magazines too and this book was easy to put down for a magazine.  So I guess I wouldn't highly recommend it.  :)


I have dedicated myself to finishing though because next up:


I am very much looking forward to it!  I asked my mom (a non-stop reader, like 2 or 3 books a week) if she had read it.  Her reply, "Yes, I read it a long time ago.  Like years...you know it's a movie now?!"  Yes, mom I know.  I find out about good books from you and from the movies. 

I find it rude she didn't tell me about it sooner.  Like years ago.  :)

Enjoy your Tuesday!!

Monday, August 29, 2011

Okay, Let's Start Again

So I had a tough weekend.  Not in the sense I had a bad time, probably more in the sense I had too much fun and was too lazy.  The scale didn't budge, so that was a bummer, but I have to say I was not surprised.  I did not make the best food and workout choices last week.  Eh.  What is Monday for other than starting again?  Today my yoga class starts!  I am so happy to go back to yoga.  I love it, I have missed it and I will be there with bells on!

The animals at my house were just as lazy as me and my husband this weekend.

Sleeping dog eyes are kind of creepy
Trixie loves the makeup box.
I hope this Monday marks a great start to your week!

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Crazy Week and Packages!

This week has been so crazy and it is still only Thursday.  I suppose I should be thankful that tomorrow is Friday (and I am), but this has been a long week!  This morning Rebecca had to be at work early, so I slept in.  I am considering sleeping in tomorrow for good measure...wouldn't want to upset the balance of no morning workout this week.  :)  I will be in the gym at lunch to get my calorie burn on.  Yay!  I need it! 

My food choices have been better, life change is working, but I am still (avert your eyes from TMI) premenstrual this week and I have had the munchies.  I told a friend that any carb that was standing still I wanted to eat!  LOL!  So last night I had a rice bowl and some red wine.  Very balanced and healthy.  Hey...it wasn't a Big Mac, right?

Last night we had storm clouds roll in...something we haven't seen here in Houston in a long time.  It was complete with beautiful lightning and some thunder, but no rain.  Darn.  Daniel and I enjoyed the show and the breeze.

I also got two packages in the mail last night!  It was like Christmas! 


My order of candles arrived!  I ordered from Texas Triple Scented and these candles are awesome.  So fragrant.  This was my second time ordering from them.  I got a big vanilla jar candle for my kitchen bar.



And lots of votives for around the house in creamy vanilla and rose petal.


And a free jar candle in rose petal.


I love candles and these are awesome.  I usually burn the rose ones in my master bathroom and I can smell them all the way through my bedroom.  They are great.

My makeup order also arrived.  I got to play with new colors this morning...always a good time.


The office will be crazy busy today.  In preparation, I have chosen the pen color.


And in other office supply news, I am almost through with the pink level of my teeny tiny post it notes.


What's a girl to do?

Happy Thursday everyone!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Changes Are Good

I was so not myself yesterday!  I wasn't feeling very well, I went home in the afternoon and out slept whatever evil thing was trying to get me.  I feel better today.

Poor Rebecca, I missed our walk yesterday and this morning.  This morning just the thought of the humidity made me sick, so I decided to skip it and do yoga.  My yoga turned out to be shavasana in my bed.  What?  That's exercise, some people say that is the hardest yoga pose there is.  I will be on the elliptical at lunch today, so at least there will be a calorie burn...yesterday there was none.

Despite my bumpy start to the week I do feel like I am implementing good changes in my habbits.  Last night Daniel and I were too lazy to cook, so we ordered sandwiches to be delivered.  Ever tried Jimmy John's?  Delicious and they deliver.  What could be better?  Anyway, in the past I would have ordered the Italian with extras and chips.  Last night I went for the turkey.  It was very good and much lighter.  Yay.

Since I did not blog yesterday and Monday I didn't share the pen color, I will not hold out on you any longer...I know you lost sleep wondering about it.  Monday was purple.  Yesterday and today it's lime green!  I was only in the office a half day yesterday, so I figured lime green needed a little more time.

Always a happy color.
In addition to the changes I am making for my health, I am also making fun changes in my house!  I have been re-styling (I learned that word from HGTV :) ) some of my favorite spaces in my home.  Check it out.  I got a new canister on sale at Willow House and thought I'd use it to brighten the top of my armoire.  I had the yellow vase hidden behind a large picture frame that has moved to the shelves in the dining area and I added a candle holder that I moved from the bedroom.

Happy armoire with favorite wedding picture and the nieces.  :)
The candle holders that moved from the bedroom and got separated around the house were replaced with this cool bird house...also from Willow House.

:)
The shelves in my dining room were so boring...I love them now!!


I had a few bowls and a basket that I had picked up on sale.  They were in the side board in the dining room waiting for a home and they have found one.  I love our new coffee table!


Changes all around!  Health, decorating...fun!  I hope the rest of the week is smoother than the beginning.

Happy Wednesday!

Monday, August 22, 2011

Monday, UGH!!

I'm not going to lie, I am in a super duper grumpy mood this morning.  I learned this morning that while Rebecca is an awesome morning workout buddy, I pretty much suck since I slept through our walk this morning.  I am also fully convinced that had I made it on the walk I would feel so much better than I do right now.  UGH!  Okay, pity party over.  I have my gym bag and I will be on the elliptical at lunch.

My weekend was fantastic.  The husband and I did awesome with eating right...we even indulged and had a lovely dinner on Friday for Houston Restaurant Weeks at Mockingbird Bistro.  How did I not know this place existed!?  It's been there since 2000 and it is right in our neighborhood.  Crazy, but glad we found it now.  Dinner was delicious and dessert wasn't bad either.  I liked that it was a small taste of all their best desserts.

Truffle, Creme Brulee, Apple Bread Pudding
The other awesome news is that the scale is moving in the correct direction!  Go me!!  I felt the need to mention that after posting this dessert picture.  :)

For an appetizer and a glass of wine before dinner we stopped at the Tasting Room where we discovered roasted red pepper hummus.  It was fantastic and on Sunday I recreated my own version at home.


My version contained a can of chick peas, garlic, tahini paste, water, a roasted red pepper from a jar, salt, pepper, and oregano.  It is also fantastic and will be part of my lunch all week.

Saturday morning we slept in.

Sammy is excellent at sleeping in.
Once we finally got up we made an awesome brunch.  Breakfast tacos!


I roasted the potatos in olive oil with garlic salt and red pepper flakes.  I scrambled 6 eggs (only used two yolks) and split those between the four tacos.  I added a little light Mexican blend shredded cheese and put everything in fat free tortillas...little salsa on the side...perfect and filling.

And we needed the fuel to go shopping for a new coffee table!  I love it!!!


All in all a great weekend.  Sammy was very busy.

"Leave me alone, I am busy."

I hope everyone had a great weekend too!

Friday, August 19, 2011

Work Out Buddies Rock...Even When They Lie

I was having trouble getting up at 5:40 this morning for my 6:00 walk with Rebecca.  I sent her a text that said "Motivate me."  She responded with, "Let's go!  I'm up, I'm dressed and it's cool outside."  We live in Houston...it is August...she lies.  I told her I didn't believe her, but I was getting up and getting dressed.  She let me know that it was cool outside, somewhere, just not here.  So she only lies a little...but she did get me up and moving, so she totally rocks.  When I return home and stretch, my other workout buddy comes in handy.

Sam the stretching coach.
Once Sammy settles down, she is a very good stretching coach.  It just takes her a minute to settle down from the excitement of hoping the reason I'm on the floor is to play.  A lot of times that is the reason.

Why did you stop?  Get back to it.
Yes, m'am.

TGIF everyone!  I hope you have a great Friday!  The pen color today is lavender.  The picture is terrible.


Yesterday was red.  I know you were wondering...

Have a fabulous weekend!

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Dragging!

Wow...I am dragging this morning.  I'm not sure why.  The walk this morning was hot (shocking, I know) and I am glad it's done.  I didn't feel like I was walking in a straight line (but even walking crooked burns calories...so there is a silver lining).  I hope to feel better about it tomorrow.  Happy Thursday, though.  :)

So true!
So speaking of calendars...or looking at a picture of one, how on earth is it already the time of year that there are pumpkins on my magazine cover???  I checked the mail on my way back in from my walk this morning and I was greeted by this...

Seriously?
Doesn't seem possible!!  Christmas just four months away?  Wow.


Sammy says hello.  Or she would if she were not so worn out.  My tired little pup. 

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Happy Hump Day!

Yesterday was that kind of work day and I am so happy to be that much closer to the weekend!  My schedule has been crazy with a software implementation and the trouble shooting is starting to exhaust me.  Enter the Mexican mojito.

In this light cocktail, Jose Cuervo is a friend of mine!
This is a cocktail my friend Rebecca lightened up the recipe for and it is a winner!  You take lots of fresh mint, lime juice and splenda and muddle that together, then add a shot of tequila, more lime juice and grapefruit La Croix sparkling water, stir and enjoy!  And boy did I enjoy this low calorie cocktail after my frustrating day.

We made a Mexican inspired healthy dinner to go with our mojitos too.  We stir fried bell pepper, onion and mushroom in cooking spray and seasoned with garlic powder and little salt and served that as a side to chicken tenders seasoned with fajita seasoning then baked under tomatillo salsa.  Delicious!


This morning I slept in instead of my morning walk.  Extra rest is good for you right?  I did hit the gym at lunch, so I got a workout in...this week is going very well!  I cannot complain.

The pen color today is also a winner...turquoise!


And now back to the important things. :)

Mmmmm...
Make this cocktail...you won't complain either!  What is your favorite low calorie cocktail?

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Already Feeling Better!

It is amazing how thinking things through and making a promise to yourself in writing makes you feel.  I am in such a great mood today!  I have already done my workout walk this morning with Rebecca, we went about 1.6 miles this morning...it was hot out there!  I am also planning on the elliptical at lunch...together that gives me about an hour of cardio for the day.  This is one thing that I have learned and I love...if your schedule doesn't permit an hour in the gym at once, you can split it up...works just as well!

In honor of this great mood, I put on a shirt that I've been really wanting to wear.  I have worn it once in the past and I wasn't sure I liked it.  Today I loved it!  I already gotten a compliment on it.  YAY!
Last night I got in the kitchen and made a yummy, healthy and super easy dinner...baked salmon with sauteed zucchini orzo.


This doesn't even require a recipe, really.  I cooked the orzo like rice using chicken broth for the liquid.  The zucchini I sauteed in a little light margarine and seasoned it with garlic salt.  When both the orzo and zucchini were done, I tossed them together.  The salmon I seasoned with dill, garlic powder and pepper and baked uncovered for 15 minutes at 375.  Easy quick dinner!

In honor of my fabulous mood, the pen color of the day is pink!!


Happy Tuesday everybody!

Monday, August 15, 2011

Today is the Day

I miss this girl.  She was very active and silly...I loved her and I miss her.  Today is the day that begins the journey back to her.  I've gained some weight.  I admit it, there is no reason regretting it, stressing over it, beating myself up about it...that just makes me more tired and lazy and hungry.  So instead, I will do something about it; I will be positive, I will talk about it and I will get moving!

Eat less, move more, right?  I want to lose 90 lbs.  I am not on a diet.  I will be making positive changes to improve my health and my life.  The weight loss will happen as I make those changes.  I know it will...it has before, however today I commit to living those changes for life!  I will not let the munchies influence my portion sizes and I will not let food and drink be THE way to celebrate achievements.  I am committing to myself and to the girl in the photo...she is me and I am her...she is just trapped in a larger body right now.

I have been reading fitness blogs a lot lately...if you know me, you know I have.  I found a super inspirational one called Honey I Shrunk the Gretchen, she is awesome and motivated me to write this post for myself.  My blog will still be about my life, but you will hear more about the healthy choices I incorporate into it.  Yay!  I have already done a workout this morning; I walked 1.5 miles with my friend Rebecca and at lunch I will spend a little time on the elliptical.  I love that I have that option so easily available to me where I work.  I am feeling good!

In other news, you may remember my rivetting post about bright colored pens, well, today's pen color is orange.  FUN!  I knew you were on the edge of your seat wondering about it!!  And yes, I tweeted about it.

Have a lovely Monday!

Friday, August 12, 2011

Bright Colored Pens

I have always been a sucker for new pens and pencils which means that when the school supply sales start at the end of the summer, I am on board!  I got a package of felt tip pens in some awesome colors.  I use them at work all day long and make my grocery list with them.  I am not embarrassed to show up to a meeting with a pink pen (or a yellow, turqoise, purple... one). 

Pretty, right?
Here they are in the vase I use as a pen cup on my desk...complete with polka dot ribbon.

Don't be jealous
I was very excited when I discovered the yellow pen is actually useful.  I didn't think it would be a color I would use very much, I thought it would be hard to read, but it is awesome...kind of a bright mustard yellow.  I tweeted about it.


Tweet Pic
What makes me the nerdiest?
  • That I love pens?
  • That I tweet about them?
  • That I take a picture of the color name written with the pen to add to my tweet?
  • That I blog about pens?
  • That I create a frame for the tweet I mention in my blog that is the same yellow as the pen I am using today?
I may have hit a new nerd level.  Yep, I'm awesome.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

I Love to Sleep

I do love to sleep, I admit it.  Is that wrong?  And maybe it isn't just that I love to sleep, but I love being warm and cozy in my bed with lots of pillows.  A rainy day with a book in bed is awesome. 

My husband will tell you that I also love to sleep in the car...so maybe my big cozy bed is not as important to me as I think it is.  When we road trip, Daniel drives and I sleep.  It rocks.  And apparently I am not a new fan of sleeping in the car.


Old school road trip, I'm on the left.
 My sister and I were talking about this picture while we were on vacation look what we came up with!  Lindsey and Chelsie like to sleep in the car too!


Beautiful sleepy nieces
 I am happy I am not alone on my love of sleep.


Sammy is definitely a fan

Trixie might be the sleep winner
 Admit it...you love to sleep too...

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Time Flies

During our vacation there was a morning where we were sitting out on the deck and we were joined by my niece Courtney.  She is my oldest niece, she is 11 now, she will be 12 (TWELVE!) in September.


Courtney and me in 1999
She was talking to my husband about math and school.  I was sitting there listening...I had nothing to add since I could not get the picture above out of my head.  I was captivated.  She is beautiful, she was speaking eloquently and asking lots of great questions...she was talking with the use of her hands like a good Dietrich girl.  I just sat and snapped pictures of her as she talked to Daniel.  I was floored...when did she grow up!?




I love that girl!