HNT 17: Cheap Shoes

Ever the bargain hunter I found these shoes on a clearance rack for $3. Thought they’d look just lovely with the evening gown I found at the Goodwill for $4 and hope to wear to the husband’s work Christmas party this year.

However, there is a reason why shoes are on sale for such a low price - they hurt! I thought they’d make for a cute HNT though. I think I’ll look for a more comfortable shoe to go with that long red satin dress.

More Gym Talk

Just move along if you’re tired of hearing about my latest obsession.

First off and totally random, I have this weird tic thing I do where I’ll be thinking and I notice my left hand is pointing up in the air. It’s really odd. No idea why I do that. Like I’m dancing disco or something. I just did it and was like what the fuck?

Anywho, it’s finally raining here! No water from the sky in at least a month and the grass was just so crunchy and brown. It has rained for hours on end and I slept so well last night except for this crazy dream I had about hosting a party in a house that looked nothing like my real home. It was huge and no one would leave. Aggravated though I was I kept searching for tequila (of all things!) to make lime jello shooters. Um, ok.

The people were so rude and I just wanted to end the party. Before I woke up, I was carrying a sleeping Emma to my friend Jaimie’s house in my arms so I could let her sleep there where it was quiet. But when I got there, Jaimie turned me away saying she had a newborn. I think it was the chai latte (decaf though) I had before bed.

This morning I woke super early. It was dark! You can tell winter is on the way when it’s dark at 6 am again. Ugh. I was so motivated though. Made pancakes for the girls, ran the vacuum, did some laundry, and had everyone dressed and ready to roll by 8:30! We headed to the gym.

Pain in the ass putting rain jackets and ponchos on the girls. I really need to buy a huge umbrella but I never think of it until it’s pouring.

I did the class called Pump & Cut again. I really love this trainer chick Rita. The bad ass one I’ve talked about before. She just has charisma. There’s another instructor that teaches the second half of the class and I just don’t feel it with her. Something about her annoys me and I can’t put my finger on it.

The class is intense. You lift weights until your muscles tremble and shake. You work every muscle in your body. It feels great when it’s over. Afterwards, I went swimming and then sat in the hot tub alone for a good while, showered and got dressed. Came home and fed the girls a nice healthy lunch (zero point Weight Watchers soup and grilled cheese). Now they are in their rooms and Cate at least is quietly napping. Ahhh, serenity now!

Tomorrow is yoga and I think I’m going to try and do 45 minutes of cardio before that class. I was listening to a podcast this morning about exercise and the guy said you really need to get past that 20 minutes of cardio and aim for 45-60 minutes. Wow! An hour seems very long to me. Most the classes at the gym are 45 minutes.

I weighed this morning and was back in the 170s again. Thank God. I was starting to think I’d just quit losing. Hopefully this Saturday will be the day I make my 10% goal. It feels like it’s taking forever!

TMI Tuesday 149- When you wish upon a star edition

Yay! TMI’s up!!! Woo hoo!

You find a fairy. With a wave of their wand they can change anything for you.

What is the one thing you would change about your body?

My height. I’d grow a good 6″. I hate being 5′2″. My body would stretch to make it all proportionate of course. I would love to have long legs. Ahh!!

What is the one personality trait you would change?

My willingness to trust people too quickly. I generally regret it later.

What is the one thing about your job you would change?

My job? Well I’m a domestic goddess. My job is pretty perfect. I wouldn’t mind a cleaning lady coming over twice a month though and doing some deep cleaning for me. Other than that, I’m content with my “job”.

What is the one thing about your home you would change?

I’d make the master bedroom and bath much bigger. I’d love a nice big bathtub and a separate stand up shower big enough for two. I’d basically just like more ROOM in there.

What is the one thing about your Significant Other you would change?

His negative attitude towards most everything.

Who is the one person you would poof out of your life and why?

Hmm, no one comes to mind at present. I don’t see my in-laws enough for them to really bother me lately and I don’t have many real life friends. The ones I do, I see very rarely. So I honestly can’t think of anyone.

Who is the one person you would poof back in and why?

My best friend Sandra who I knew from age 12 to 21 and who then just vanished. I will always miss her. I loved her like a sister and it hurt me deeply when she just disappeared from my life.

No TMI Today

I don’t see the TMI Tuesday post up today and apparently neither does anyone else. I have to share a little TMI story I heard yesterday.

I was at the gym after working out and was in the hot tub relaxing my tight muscles and sore ankle when an older lady came in. You know me, I’m all friendly and shit and quickly she started talking about her arthritis and other problems. I smiled and nodded and she just kept going.

Before I knew it, she was divulging all kinds of details about her life. How she had been married for over 50 years. How her husband was a diabetic and during the last 10 years of his life she cared for him because he had had both legs amputated. How he was also blind. I kept thinking that she was making it up especially when she said she put him in his three piece suit every Sunday and took him to church. Then when she went on to tell me the horrors about the VA hospital where he spent 100 days after a hospital stay.

It was crazy and I felt bad but I just wanted to run away from this woman. I didn’t want to hear anymore. Maybe the things she was telling me were all true but DAMN! She didn’t even know me and was going on and on about details that even a close relative might have been a bit shocked at hearing all at once.

Poor old lady. If all she said were true, that woman has been through some shit! Literally!

I know when you marry someone you agree to better or worse, sickness and health but I am not so sure I could love anyone enough to do the things this woman described. I just don’t have it in me and I hope to God I never have to find out if I do.

In happier news, I took a few pictures yesterday. Emma freaking out because she dropped the straws she was playing with. Yes, straws, like from a fast food place.

Cate’s all “WTF is wrong w/ Emma?”

Funny kids!

Then later that day they watched this Curious George thing a bit too close to the TV. I think I know why the TV is always covered in sticky fingerprints.

Ch-ch-changes

It makes me so happy to tell you that I am no longer sporting the size XL. I bought some new workout clothes last night at Target and the size L (large) fits me just fine now! Woo hoo! I’m calling that a small victory after several years of wearing XL and even XXL in a few items that ran super small. It won’t be long now till I’m an M.

The girls were wild yesterday and pushed every mental button Billy and I have. He got out for a few hours in the afternoon to tinker with his Sazuki Samurai and then when he came in, I packed my shit and left. It was nice but I was kind of in a sad, funky mood for some reason that I can’t put my finger on.

I went to the gym which I hadn’t planned on doing on Sundays. I was so distracted though by the thoughts and feelings going on inside me that I had a hard time concentrating on anyone thing. I did the elliptical for about 10 minutes, then I did a few of the weight machines. For whatever reason, I just wasn’t feeling it so I went upstairs and did the bike for about 10 minutes. Got bored and decided to walk/run the track for a few laps. Then my shins were hurting so I decided to swim. Well, the water was just too cold so that didn’t last long so I just sat in the hot tub and stretched out for about 10 minutes. All in all I was there about an hour and a half because I took a nice hot and quiet shower and got dressed.

Off I went to Target. I put the ipod in my bra (ha ha!) and the ear buds in and just rocked out in my head as I took my time shopping around one of my most favorite stores. It was lovely. I ran into an old friend of mine named Carrie and chatted with her for a few minutes. I hadn’t seen her in awhile but oddly I always run into her at Target so this time I gave her one of my FYP business cards and told her to e-mail me sometime so next time we can actually plan to go to Target. LOL

I was going to hit Barnes & Noble afterwards but by this point it was about 7 pm and I was starving so I used my discount card I bought off some punk kid outside of the Food Lion hawking them for the local high school and got two subs at this place called Zeros. I ate half of one while I drove home and OMG did it taste good. I didn’t realize how famished I was till I actually took a bite. Oh, and I saved almost $5 with the card I had. The card cost $10 so it’s almost paid for itself. Billy took the other sub for his lunch and seemed happy about it so that’s good I guess.

Came home and the girls were already in bed. I can’t tell you how sexy my husband is when he not only funds my alone time adventures but has the house clean and the girls tucked in when I get home. Ever since my trip to Indiana earlier this month, he has been doing great. I think it gave him the confidence he needed or something to know he can be just as good of a parent as I can. Things have really improved.

My ankle is killing me again this morning. I’m not sure what I did to it but I’m reeking of Walmart brand ben-gay at the moment and trying to decide what I can do at the gym that won’t hurt it more. Definitely not that Cardio Sculpt class with all the high-impact jumping. That’s what started this agony last week.

Date Night Followed by Crazy Dreams

Yesterday afternoon Billy and I both decided spur of the moment to try and get a sitter for the girls and go out. As luck would have it, our favorite sitter is back in town and was not busy last night so we were all set.

She came over around 5:30ish and I had dinner ready for her to feed the girls. She’s so great. The girls were happy to see her. She’s been gone to visit family in Florida for over a month. I love that she gets them all tucked in so when we come home, they are happily sleeping.

We went out to this Irish pub on the southwest side of town. It was very cool. The atmosphere is just gorgeous. The tables are beautiful and they have these upholstered benches which I have no idea how they keep them clean but the place was spotless. I have to say I really value cleanliness in a restaurant. It just makes me feel better about eating food someone else is going to cook.

The menu really didn’t have anything that appealed to me but I found a pasta primavera on the back and thought that wouldn’t be too horrible to eat. It was actually really good. It wasn’t swimming in a cream sauce either which I figured was a good sign.

I got ONE margarita and after I drank that I don’t know what happened but I felt sooo tipsy it wasn’t even funny. Billy was laughing at me!

Afterwards, we took the Parkway to the other side of town - even pulled over at an overlook and watched the sunset (how romantic, right?) Then we went out to the club on the lake. I was having a great time people watching and then dancing to the music the live band was playing and even got Billy to dance! *gasp!* He said he was high on his “love buzz”. Ha ha ha!

We were having such fun until I spotted an ex-friend out of the corner of my eye. An ex-friend that I had a lot of drama with in the past and would be happy to never lay my eyes on again. It’s a very small outdoor dance floor and it just ruined it for me being there around her so we didn’t stay long.

We were home relatively early but it was a great time. Well, a great time until I sat down this morning and wrote out all our bills. Ouch! Now I feel kind of guilty for spending money on our little adventure last night. I think we’re going to have to pay some this week and then wait a week to pay the rest. Ugh.

And then . . .

I didn’t sleep well and was up before the crack of dawn. I was having the craziest dream. A lot of the details are blurry but the part I remember the most vividly is this. I was sitting beside her (yeah, it was a HER in this dream) and we were just hanging out when she suddenly said something that necessitated her placing her hand on my thigh for emphasis. She finished what she was saying and then just let her hand linger on my upper thigh. It was odd but I liked it and I usually don’t like people to touch me. I’m a huge fan of personal space and unless I really like someone, I don’t want them within a few feet of that space.

A few seconds later in the dream, I felt her holding my right hand and kind of fingering my palm. (Doesn’t that sound dirty?). It was a bit odd but at the same time incredibly comfortable. When I looked up into her eyes, I wondered if she were going to kiss me. (Yeah, I have a huge kiss obsession! I know. It’s even taking over my sub-conscious. LOL) But then the dream diverged and I soon woke up. Damn! I really wish that dream had gone a bit further.

Oh and I’m *never* telling which of my friends this dream was about. If I do, it won’t ever happen. Ha ha! Didn’t you know that’s how it works?

Future Trophy Wife?

Oh, yeah, baby! I’m working on it. At the gym this morning I sweated until I was soaked and dripping in a “spinning” class. You get on this bike that makes your ass want to cry because it hurts so bad and you pump your legs and adjust your resistance as the instructor sees fit. Then you get the pleasure of lifting your big ass off the seat for a bit and “climbing” while on the bike. You do that for 45 minutes and she swears you’ll burn 600-800 calories! Awesome, right?

Well, I was so sweaty and gross after that class but WOW did I feel amazing. She said it’s a very hard class for endurance but I did it and I was damn proud, too.

So with this newfound pride in my endurance, I went and took the water aerobics class afterwards with the elderly. I love that shit. The old people are so funny and cute. I really like them which is a bit ironic after working for Medicare for three and a half years. When I quit that job, I had some serious hatred towards the elderly going on. That job just ruined me for old people for a long time.

I went to the post office afterwards to mail some packages to some very special peeps who are lucky enough to receive a package from me. Ha ha! Then I went to the Goodwill where I found the cutest t-shirt for me with guess what on it! A fairy! I’ll have to get a picture later.

I came home all energized and happy and told Billy I’m going to be his trophy wife really soon and when I am, watch out! It’s going to be on! People will probably hate me because I’ll be sooo happy I won’t even be able to stand myself. I told him I’d be wearing the low rise pants with my flat stomach showing. LOL! He just looked at me with a blank stare, shook his head and went outside to get some man stuff done. Poor guy. He’s in for some wild times ahead.

HNT 16: Touching the Gold

PICTURE REMOVED

(Wow, can you tell those breasts don’t see the light of day much? LOL)

So, Os has requested an Olympic theme and Olympic theme he shall have. The Olympics, baby, it’s hot! I keep thinking about Michael Phelps and my insides go to mush over that man. Mmm mmm mmm mmm! *drool* Hot hot hot I say!

I earned my “gold” around week 14 of Weight Watchers as part of some cheeseball promo the leader was doing about going for the gold or something equally silly.

I’m calling this touching gold but of course it’s not real gold it’s only plastic, but it’s symbolic. You see I’m on this quest to lose all this weight and as such I am seeking the gold and that to me means better health, physical strength, a leaner body and a calm spirit. (Can you see it happening when you read my words?)

If you are looking at this picture on Thursday morning, I’ll be in a yoga class searching for serenity and balance. Ha! Wish me luck that I don’t fall flat on my face while doing downward facing dog.

Wordy Wednesday

Ha! I just don’t feel like doing the wordless thing this week. I’m sitting on the couch between my two sweet girls and we’re watching Alice in Wonderland, one of my all time favorite Disney movies. I just love the nonsense of it. The girls seem to like it, too. Maybe they’ll both be as silly as I am.

I’ve already gotten all the beds made, kids fed, one of ‘em dressed, my gym bag packed and some laundry put away. It’s not even 8 a.m. yet! Go me!

I’m not sure what I’m doing at the gym today. Oooh, I know, today is that Pump & Cut class. Damn! That class is hard but I need it badly. I did it last week and stayed sore until Saturday! The instructor is also a trainer and she is one bad ass bitch. She’s tough and she makes me want to stay to the end and do all the reps she calls out. It’s a weight lifting class but I use the lightest weights. It’s still intense.

My ankle’s a little bit better after that jumpy class I took the other day where I hurt it. I did a bellydancing class yesterday and it’s very introductory. Heck, we sat in a chair for half of the class. We worked our “butt cheeks” and did “snake arms”. It was quite hilarious.

I don’t know if I’ll ever dance like Julia, but I figure it’s good for my waistline even if I never reach that level of coordination. It’s fun and everyone in the class seems to have a great time with it.

There are so many old ladies at the gym that I’ve gotten to know. It used to be I was around more women my age (the MOMS Club) but now I’m more often around those at least 40 years older than me. It’s kind of fun though. Older women aren’t as bitchy (at least these aren’t) and my guess is because there is no competition existing between me and them. I’m just this young (compared to them I am!) curvy thing in their water aerobics class who smiles a lot. I had an octogenarian yesterday ask me how I keep my “great figure”. You can’t beat that for a self-esteem boost! Ha ha!

Well, I wasn’t going to turn this blog into a saga about my weightloss since I have other avenues for that but it’s starting to become a huge part of my life I guess and it just can’t help but seep in here a bit.

Tomorrow’s HNT shot is s’posed to have an Olympic theme. I’m kind of at a loss for ideas. I wish I could get a picture of me swimming underwater but I think the other gym members might look at me funny if I set up my tripod at the edge of the pool. No worries. I’ll come up with something for tomorrow!

TMI Tuesday #148

1. Are you truly politically correct? Be honest.

Nope. I’m not. In real life, I say lots of things that would offend someone. I totally prefer to call myself a housewife rather than stay at home mom. That really long job title just irks me for some reason. Besides, I don’t always “stay home” so I don’t think the title is a good fit.

2. Will you ever streak in public during rush hour?

No way! The most naked I will ever be in public is what you see here in this blog on Thursdays. Ha!

3. Would you ever do something sexual in public (more than 20 people around)?

No, other than kissing in public I’m a total prude and believe people should really go get a room. I don’t want to see other people go further than first base in public and I’m sure most feel the same about me.

4. Do you ever not have good table manners?

Well, yeah, I sometimes talk with my mouth full but I try to swish it to one side and not chew while I’m talking. Other than that, I think I have decent table manners. Sometimes you just can’t wait till after you’ve swallowed. LOL

5. Do you ever fantasize about a public sexual act? Describe.

Nope. Just the kissing. I have lots of fantasies where random people (not totally random, I have a few in mind ) tell me how attracted they are to me and hold my face in their hands while planting a giant smooch on my not-kissed-often-enough lips.

Bonus (as in optional): Have you ever gone through a true sexual fantasy? Describe.

Nope. I’m pretty boring I know. That and my husband is even more of a prude than I am.