Thursday, September 17, 2009

Okay, so I'm a slacker

So, it's been months. I suck. I guess instead of writing about life I've been out living it. I guess I'll just dive in to the laundry list of changes:

1) ENGAGED! That's right, ladies and gentlemen (or rather, lady and gentleman... don't get much reader traffic around here). Q and I are making this official... locking it down... May 7, 2010. Details to come, in due time. Right now, it's all very up-in-the-air. So I'll likely write about it around the time we celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary. At least I'm honest... lol

2) New kitten: Daphne. She's orange. We got her in June. She was born the beginning of May. Sometimes she's fantastically adorable, and other times I think she's a Trojan cat filled with pure evil. She loves to destroy window screens. We joke that if you shake her and throw her at something, your target will be annihilated. She's managed to destroy two collars. Which means for now, she's bell-less, and can sneak up on unsuspecting targets. She and Joe wrestle a lot, and he loves to hiss at her. Oh, and he's fat now. We call him "Fatty" a lot. Recently, as she was leaving, Hannah said to him "Bye, Fatty. Tell Daphne I love her." Brutal, but hilarious.

3) Big Fat Manifesto Progress Update: I've lost 20 pounds since June 1rst. Still on track. Genisi's wedding is in 9 days (!!), but I've gotten the dress on. Whooo! I'm in pure motivation mode since I have my own impending nuptials. Nothing like the threat of expensive professional photographs to keep you away from the calories.

Well... that's probably nowhere near everything. But it's late and I'm tired.

I won't pretend I'll write again soon. Cherish this: it'll be a while until my next. ;-)

Friday, April 10, 2009

Big Fat Manifesto

I'm taking on a several-pronged approach to finally get the weight that haunts me off, once and for all:

1) Continuing Weight Watchers meetings, where I get support from my leader, my mother, and other wonderful friends there. I can count on them to help me power through bad days, and celebrate my successes with me. There, I also am accountable to a weigh in each week, and have financial incentive to get the weight off. I'm sure I could find something else to do with that $40 a month.

2) Reduced Carbohydrate intake, as I know the South Beach plan really does work for me. I lost 55 pounds doing it before. I know that protein and vegetables cooked simply are friendly fuel, and fat and simple carbs will do more harm than good.

3) Tracking my food intake and corresponding nutrition at www.prevention.com. This tracking exceeds Weight Watchers' site by showing daily percentages so I can maintain a healthy balance of what I'm eating, and not just track calories, fat and fiber. I can watch my intake of the various vitamins and minerals that will make me feel and look better. I will watch for trends of deficiencies and seek out the necessary foods/supplements to meet those needs.

4) I've set my Tivo (which I primarily watch while I work) to capture shows such as "I Lost It" and other shows that promote a healthier lifestyle.

5) I created a team for a 10 week program at work called "Shape Up the Nation". I've set a short-term goal to lose 15 pounds between 4/13 and 6/22. I'd like to have lost a total of 30 by September 1rst, and 50 by the end of the year. My goal is to be *at* goal (60 pounds lost) by my 34th birthday, 3/7/2010.

6) I will make every attempt to go to my gym (or participate in other activity) at least 5 days of each week. I will make this as much a part of my day as a shower and brushing my teeth. This is essential.

7) I've decided to publish this for all of Facebook (and the rest of the internet) as a sign of my commitment. I choose to hold myself accountable for my goals, and not allow myself to let myself down any longer.

This is my contract with myself. I built in zero loopholes. I lose the weight, or I lose out.

I owe this to me.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Birthdays and bloating




I believe there is a direct correlation between birthdays and bloating. I feel like all I've done this week is eat. It's been a good week!

- On Saturday, Mom kidnapped me to Park Meadows. She and my dad wanted to buy me a FANTASTIC charm bracelet, as well as the first charm. It's a cute litte cake that says "Happy Birthday" on it. While they were soldering the charms (I bought little music notes for it, too), she took me to lunch at Earl's. We split a wedge salad (yum-o) and a seared ahi sandwich (also, yum-o, and -rific as well).

- When we got home, Q surprised me with polenta and blue cheese from the Urban Pantry, TWO bottles of my favorite white wine (Villa Rosa Moscato d'Asti), a bottle each of Walnut oil and Strawberry Balsamic vinegar from the new EVOO Marketplace downtown, and a varietal box of cupcakes from my FAVORITE cupcake place (Yum Yums).

- Went to dinner at Mom and Dad's. Ate Elfo's spaghetti (shrimp, garlic, mushrooms, green onions, and pasta, basically) and polished off the cupcakes and one of the bottles of wine.

- Sunday, went to brunch at my Grandma's, then went to Cheesecake Factory with Jess and Dorie. We split everything, and STILL waddled out of there.

- Today we decided to use my free burger from Red Robin. Had the chicken caprese sandwich(sounds better than it is... opt for the Bruschetta Chicken. This is what I regularly order, and FAR prefer). Stupid bottomless steak fries get me EVERY time. :-(

So now I'm sooooo bloated. I feel like all I've done for a week is eat. Weight Watchers should be interesting on Saturday! *sobs*

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

$645 Fine... but I only counted multiple offenses once...

Just read the 'offense' and if you've done it, you owe that fine. Add up your total fine. Title your bulletin 'My Bail is $........' You don't have to confess your answers, just the amount of your fine.
1) Smoked pt -- $10
2) Ever got drunk at work, or went to work while still drunk --$50
3) Cheated on a significant other -- $10
4) Been in love with two people or more at the same time -- $50
5) Said you love someone but didn't mean it -- $25
6) Went streaking -- $5
7) Went streaking in broad daylight -- $1
8) Kissed a co-worker-- $ 20
9) Kissed your boss --$50
10) Been arrested -- $5
11) Spent time in jail -- $15
12) Peed in the pool -- $50
13) Played spin the bottle -- $5
14) Done something you regret -- $20
15) Slept with your best friend >-- $20
16) Been in love with a stripper -- $20
17) Went skinny dipping -- $5
18) Been slapped-- $5
19) Slapped someone-- $5
20) Beat up someone -- $20
21) Been jumped -- $10
22) Ever had sex at church -- $25
23) Dated someone you met on My Space/Facebook -- $25
24) Cheated on test -- $50
25) Vandalized something -- $20
26) Slept with someone in your/their parents' bed -- $100
27) Cross-dressed -- $1028) Given money to stripper -- $25
29) Flirted with an officer to get out of a ticket-- $30
30) Been in love with a stripper -- $20
31) Kissed someone whose name you didn't know --$10
32) Hit on someone of the same sex while at work-- $15
33) Ever driven drunk -- $20
34) Used toys while having sex -- $30
35) Got drunk, passed out and didn't remember the night before -- $20
36) Had sex in a pool -- $20
37) Masturbated -- $10
38) Cheated on your significant other with their relative or close friend --$20
39) Done oral -- $5
40) Got oral -- $5
41) Done / got oral in a car while it was moving-- $25
42) Woke up in the morning and did not know the person who was next to you-- $40
43) Stole something -- $10
44) Slept with someone who has been in jail -- $25
45) Made a dirty home video -- $15
46) Plan on making a dirty home video in the near future --$30
47) Had a threesome -- $50
48) Had sex in a public place-- $20
49) Been in the same room while someone was having sex -- $25
50) Stole something worth over more than a hundred dollars --$20
51) Had sex with someone 10 years older -- $20
52) Kissed a teacher while you were still a student--$25
53) Lied to your mate -- $5
54) Lied to your mate about the sex being good -- $25

OK, now tally up your answers and then copy/paste this into your own note to tag all of the people you want to take the test...... In the subject of your forward put 'My Bail Is... (your total) Now send to all your friends and back to the person who tagged you!

44 Odd Things

1. Do you like blue cheese? I love blue cheese. I think Stilton is my favorite.

2. Have you ever been drunk? Yes, yes I have.

3. Do you own a gun? No

4. What flavor of Kool Aid was your favorite? Lemon-Lime

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Not usually

6. What do you think of hot dogs? Haven't had one in a while, but I generally enjoy them with mustard.

7. Favorite Christmas movie? Tough one. I love While You Were Sleeping and Die Hard. Both non-traditional, but I believe they are Christmas movies all the same.

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Water

9. Can you do push ups? On my knees, yes

10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? I had a dragonfly pendant I wore all the time until my chain broke. I need a new chain for it.

11. Favorite hobby? Believe it or not, I'm discovering it's going to the gym!

12. Do you have A.D.D? I don't think I... hey, look, another question!

13. What’s your favorite pair of shoes? Black MaryJane crocs

14. Middle name? Elizabeth. It's the FIRST name I'm less likely to share.

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? 1)This is a dumb question. 2) This question was missing when Tammy filled this out, 3) I now know why this was missing when Tammy filled this out.

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? 1) Water 2) Wine 3) Tea

17. Current worry? Usually it's money, but right now it's getting ready for the cruise we're going on in a mere 22 days!

18. Current hate right now? Daylight Saving Time. Starts 3/8. :-(

19. What do you wish for in the coming year? Health and happiness for me and mine.

20. How did you bring in the New Year? Cranium and wine at the Shafers'.

21. Where would you like to go? Cabo San Lucas. Oh, wait.... I get to do that in 22 days! :-) I'd also love to go to Hawaii.

22. Name three people who will complete this? Dorie, Jess and Q (the last two need to consider this their challenge.)

23. Do you own slippers? Sadly, no.

24. What color shirt are you wearing right now? Blue. Why do all these stupid surveys ask this irrelevent question???

25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? LOL... I read this as "Satan" sheets at first. Especially when I saw Tammy's answer of "No, too hot"! I do not sleep on either. :-D

26. Can you whistle? I try. I suck, but I try.

27. Favorite color? Purple. It's less a color and more a religion.

28. Would you be a pirate? Only if someone poked one of my eyes out.

29. What songs do you sing in the shower? Whatever's on my Zune at the time.

30. Favorite girl’s Name? Hannah.

31. Favorite boy’s name? Bryan, Casey, Dylan

32. What’s in your pocket right now? Lint

33. Last thing that made you laugh? Satan Sheets.

34. Best bed sheets as a child? I had some heart print ones that matched a comforter my paternal grandmother bought me. Loved that bed set. Still have the comforter. :-)

35. Worst injury you’ve ever had as a child? Ran into the side-view mirror of a parked car on my bike and flew over the car onto my face and left side. Broke my arm and had to have stitches under my chin.

36. What are your plans for the future? Clean up my credit. Maybe buy a house.

37. Do you walk around the house naked? Not often.

38. Who is your loudest friend? Drunk Dorie!

39. How many dogs do you have? Zero. I'm a cat person and proud of it.

40. Does someone have a crush on you? I'm sure of it.

41. What is your favorite book? Tough one. A Knight in Shining Armor springs to mind.

42. What is your favorite candy? Sour Patch Kids. The red ones.

43. Favorite Sports Team? Broncos I guess, because saying "none" is unbecoming of a lady.

44. What song do you want played at your funeral? I don't think I'll care so long as it's not "Good Riddance" by Green Day.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

HOW MUCH HAVE YOU CHANGED IN 15 YEARS?

****15 YEARS AGO (1994)****
1) How old were you? 18
2) Who were you dating? Peter Woods
3) Where did you work? Intercare Benefit Systems
4) Where did you live? Aurora, CO
5) Where did you hang out? Home
6) Did you wear contacts and/or glasses? No
7) Who were your best friends? Jess Cooke
8) How many tattoos did you have? None
9) How many piercings did you have? 2 (ears)
10) What kind of car did you drive? 1984 Diesel VW Rabbit
11) Had you been to a real party? No
12) Had you had your heart broken? A Little
13) Were you Single/taken/Married/Divorced? Taken (engaged)
14) Any Kids? Yup, 1

***10 YEARS AGO (1999)***
1) How old were you? 23
2) Who were you dating? Peter Woods
3) Where did you work? UNIPAC (which became Nelnet)
4) Where did you live? Aurora, CO
5) Where did you hang out? Home
6) Did you wear contacts and/or glasses? No
7) Who were your best friends? Jess Cooke, Dorie Garrett
8) How many tattoos did you have? 0
9) How many piercings did you have? Still just the 2
10 What kind of car did you drive? Dodge
11) Had your heart broken? A litle
12) Were you Single/Taken/Married/Divorced? Married
13) Any Kids? 2...

****TODAY (2009)****
1) Age? 33
2) Where do you work? Nelnet still
3) Where do you live? Aurora, CO still
4) Do you wear contacts and/or glasses? Sometimes
5) Who are your closest friends? Jess Mess (she got married) and Dorie Garret (she got divorced)
6) Do you talk to your old friends? Heck, yeah
7) How many piercings do you have? Still just the 2
8) How many tattoos? 0
9) What kind of car do you have? None
10) Had your heart been broken? I did
11) How many kids? 4
12) Are you Single/Taken/Married/Divorce? Divorced, but taken by someone WAY better
13) Any kids? Duh, see #11

Friday, February 20, 2009

48 1/2 Things About Me

Here are the rules - post this list on your profile (in Notes) replacing my answers with yours. Tag other people to do the same thing.If I tagged YOU, it's because I want to know more about YOU!

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Yes. See my first blog at http://www.akabethwo.com/ for further details.



2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? January 7th, 2009.



3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? I think all forms need to be online. I'm losing the handwriting skill, though I do get compliments on its legibility.



4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Smoked Turkey



5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Four of them. Bryan, age 15, Casey, age 11, Dylan, age 8 1/2, and Hannah, age 6.



6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yes, but I'm sure I'd forget to call me back, too.



7. DO YOU USE SARCASM? I consider it more performance art than a simple tool for 'use'.



8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? No. Removed at age 15.



9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Not likely.



10. FAVORITE CEREAL? Cinnamon Life or Cocoa Puffs.



11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No.



12. SWEET OR SALTY? Depends on the week of the month.



13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Pistachio Almond



14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Whether or not their sense of humor can handle me or not.



15. RED OR PINK? It really depends about what we're speaking. Roses? Probably Pink. Meat? Mostly Pink. Wait... maybe my answer is just Pink.



16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? How hard I am on myself and forgiving my own mistakes.



17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My grandpa. We shared a birthday, and I'm expecting my second solo birthday of my life to go about the same crappy way it went last year.



18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO COMPLETE THIS LIST? I have far higher priority wants in my life than this.



19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Black workout pants. White tennis shoes. And what kind of dumbass question is this?



20. WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS QUESTION BEFORE IT GOT TO YOU, BETH? I don't know, Mr. Survey. It just wasn't here when I copied it over. Nice counting, survey writer!



21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Survivor Tocantins Tivo'd last night.



22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? I'd wish I were Purple. But what if I was molded into the wrong color? Would I have to go through color-changing re-melt surgery? I'd hate to be trapped in the wrong wrapper.



23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Summer Rain.



24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Nathan.

25. WHO TAUGHT THIS SURVEY WRITER TO COUNT? I don't know. 20 and 25 were both missing.



26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Survivor challenges. They're damn creative!



27. HAIR COLOR? L'Oreal Couleur Experte Easy 2-in-1 Color + Highlights, Medium Mahogany Brown Cinnamon Stick 5.5,
Thanks, Dorie!


28. EYE COLOR? Oddly enough this one changes with my moods. Sometimes more blue, sometimes more green... Kinda brownish in the middle.



29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Heck no... I could never get them into my eyes.



30. FAVORITE FOOD? Yes, Food is my favorite.



31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy Endings



32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? High Fidelity



33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? White t-shirt



34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer.



35. HUGS OR KISSES? Yes, please!



36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Chocolate Lava Cake



37. IF I WERE U.S. PRESIDENT? I wouldn't be



38. IS THERE ANOTHER TIME IN HISTORY YOU'D RATHER BE LIVING IN NOW? Back when chunky women were revered as the beautiful ones... I'd be HOT!



39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Angels and Demons, Dan Brown



40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? It looks like a Persian Rug, tassels and all.



41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? Biggest Loser Couples.



42. FAVORITE SOUND(S)? Music, my kids' laughter.



43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles.



43, Part II, apparently). MOTLEY CRUE OR MADONNA? Madonna (And what's with the counting?!)



44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Grand Cayman



45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Many of them.



46 WHERE WERE U BORN? St. Joseph's Hospital, Denver CO.



47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? Depends on the question. ;-)



48. HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR SPOUSE/SIGNIFICANT OTHER? Got an instant message from CakeorDeath on Yahoo... since it referenced Eddie Izzard (whom I LOVE) I replied. Chatted for hours and hours for weeks and met him in person one day and he just hasn't figured out how to get rid of me yet. ;-)



49. WHAT ONE PERSON FROM THE PAST WOULD YOU LIKE TO MEET? Mother Theresa



50. WHAT AND WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT? I love Fondue, so one of those