Leftovers

West Wing thoughts

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 22:14:34 -0500

We’re rewatching The West Wing on Netflix, and two seasons in, I have two thoughts:

1. People really like to sit in dimly lit rooms on this show. I find myself saying, “how can they read in such low light” and then I feel like my mother.

2. Aaron Sorkin doesn’t really respect women all that much. He wants you to think he does, but, alas, nope.

One of the four books I read on my break from...

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 16:31:00 -0500

One of the four books I read on my break from work.

Smokin’ Seventeen by Janet Evanovich. I’ve read all of Janet Evanovich’s “Stephanie Plum” books, and the series has taken a serious plunge downhill, somewhere around book 11. I used to laugh out loud while reading these books, and not so much anymore. But, I’m still in it, only to find out if she ever finally picks between Ranger and Morelli. I guess I could just look it up when the series finally concludes one day, but I can read one of these within about an hour, so I’ll keep giving them a shot.

Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich. See above, basically. I’m thinking this series will have to end at 20, because she’ll kind of lose the cutesy naming trend she’s had going, and really, it NEEDS TO END AT BOOK 20.

Treachery in Death by J.D. Robb. Robb’s futuristic crime novels are always pretty good as a vacation read.

Celebrity in Death by J.D. Robb. This was one of the better Eve Dallas books of late, with a plot that kind of kept you guessing, Agatha Christie style, which party attendee had killed one of the guests. The killer sort of came way out of left field, and instead of making the culprit just kill this one person, they’d killed like 20, and that felt a bit cheap to me as a way to make us hate this person. But, still pretty good.

Books, glorious books.

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 12:53:49 -0500

In pursuit of my goal to read more actual books, I’ll be documenting my reads on here with a brief note about what I thought of the book. I hope to be honest about it and include my shameful no-brainer books along with some more thoughtful selections, but I won’t lie, I like the books that don’t require too much work, because my job requires my brain to be “on” all day and I like to escape sometimes into stupid and silly. Reading lighter fare before bed each night helps to clear my mind of work-related thoughts and keeps me from dreaming about what needs to be done at work or waking up at 2 a.m. to add something to a to-do list.

So, here’s a journey into what’s on my nightstand lately.

2013 goals

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 16:04:00 -0500

Print more family photos. We have empty frames hanging in a gallery wall in our entryway. I don’t want to admit how long they’ve been like that. I can pretend that it’s whimsical to have empty frames, but really, it’s just sad. We have a decent little art collection building up but I’d like to have some wedding photos printed as well as some of the amazing professional family photos we have lying around.
Continue working out and eating healthier. I have plans to do Insanity, but it may have to hold off until this summer because I’m not sure I can commit to an every-single-day-schedule. I had to cancel my gym membership temporarily, too, so this will mean getting outside and running or working out at home. I really enjoy group fitness classes, so it is going to be hard to motivate myself on my own.
Continue the no-soda trend. I haven’t had a soda since October 1. It took until early December for me to actively stop craving them. Yuck. Just saying that grosses me out, that my body was craving the chemicals for that long. I feel a lot better now, even though I never drank THAT much soda, and I want to keep it up.
Be nicer to my husband. I tend to be really hard on him sometimes because I’m a perfectionist and have high expectations. He’s a wonderful guy and I need to cut him some slack. I’m very lucky and I should do a better job of appreciating the hand I’ve been dealt in my partner for life.
Be more present with my son. I work really long hours, and I sometimes tune out when I get home instead of spending some valuable time with my two-year-old. I need to “sit down and PLAY, mommy!” more often. Even if it means playing trains for the 437th time or reading “Brown Bear” yet again. He won’t be this little for long and pretty soon he may not have this craving for my time and affection.
Read books on paper. Put down the iPad and pick the library card back up. Reclaim your love of reading with the thousands of books at your disposal just up the street.
Plan a trip for my family for 2013. Money is going to be tight this year. Find a way for the three of us to go somewhere new together anyway. Camping is a distinct possibility - maybe early May right before classes get out.

Progress

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 16:55:00 -0400

This morning was our fourth session with our personal trainer, and while I do enjoy bitching about being sore, really, working out in the mornings is providing me a lot of energy. It’s a good start to my day. I’m sore, but not unbearably so, and I feel like I’m really getting the hang of an intense workout, plus learning how to use a bunch of previously intimidating equipment.

Also, other than my beloved cup of coffee in the morning, I have only had water since October 1, and I have just had rare cravings for soda, but have held strong.

As far as getting outside every day, eh, it hasn’t been every day, but it’s better than it was, so, progress.

On a positive note, I’m wearing pants that are seven years old and I never thought I’d fit in again, and people keep complimenting my “new” clothes, so, bonus, free shopping in my own closet!

31 days, minus one

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 10:26:00 -0400

Jumping on the bandwagon a few days late, but there’s thing thing in October called the 31 Days series, where bloggers post every single day about something on the same topic, about their journey to reach a goal, hit a milestone, improve their life, etc.

This morning was my very first session with a personal trainer. I have a five page report in my car of my personal physical fitness, the result of a half-hour long test involving calipers and computers and a scary bicycle. A friend and I are doing this together, so it’s much less intimidating this way, plus we have accountability to get our asses out of bed to make it to the rec center by 6:30 a.m. twice a week.

Before I heard of the 31 days thing, another blog I read posted about something he calls “Aqua-tober” and giving up all drinks but water for the entire month of October. I’d already decided to do that (though I give myself one cup of coffee in the morning, a girl needs her vice) so in addition to my water-logged month ahead, I’m pledging to do SOME kind of physical activity every single day. Even if it means taking the stairs a few times a day. Something.

I’m also going to pledge to get outside every day, even on those lazy weekends when we don’t leave the house, I will take my son outside in the backyard to play at least once, or at least read a book out there.

So:

All water, all the time (plus my blessed one cup of coffee)
Exercise (or at least do SOMETHING) each day in October
Go outside every day

It’s a healthy month around these parts. Let’s see how it goes.

(I just noticed I haven’t posted since June. It’s been busy. I should note that I have continued to work out regularly - go boot camp! - so I’m definitely not starting from scratch here. Just trying to get better than I currently am.)

Sluggish

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 14:06:18 -0400

Not a big surprise to find that after reaching my goal with the 5K this weekend, my internal motivation has begun to backslide.

“I ran the 5K, don’t I deserve a break now?”

Short answer: Nope. Gotta keep it up. It’s a lifestyle, not a temporary relieve from regular life.

Off to the gym today and tomorrow after work. In two weeks my husband and I head off on an amazing anniversary trip, and it would be nice if the new shorts I bought were just a tad looser. Let’s see what I can do about that in the next two weeks!

5K? Been there, done that

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 14:07:11 -0400

Successfully ran, start to finish, my first 5K this weekend. Super proud of myself for achieving this goal! Now the trick is to stay motivated to continue my “be healthier” journey.

I work out

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:00:51 -0400

Last night, I successfully finished a half-hour run on the indoor track at my gym. I’m absolutely terrible at keeping track of laps, so I have no clue how far I ran. Oops. However, I’m guessing around three miles.

The thing about it was, it was not really that hard for me. I’ve been training for this 5K this weekend, and I have been continually amazed at my progress, since nine short weeks ago, I could barely run for a minute. The first few weeks of couch-to-5K were exhausting. But I kept at it because I could see incremental progress every day. So, what feels like a second later, I’m actually ready to run a 5K this weekend, and feeling really good about my chances of running the whole thing.

The idea of actually completing a physical fitness goal I set for myself is a little mind-boggling, but I am really looking forward to this weekend and being able to pat myself on the back for a job well done.

The #getdressed challenge has proved, well, challenging for me!...

Fri, 25 May 2012 12:40:50 -0400

The #getdressed challenge has proved, well, challenging for me! It came in the midst of my new love for working out, meaning a lot of stuff no longer fits and it is an adventure in my closet every day to see what still works. Today its a cardigan and shell from old navy (a few years old) and jeans from Ana at JCPenney.

My life for the next week. Assessment rocks. (Ha.)

Fri, 25 May 2012 12:31:50 -0400

My life for the next week. Assessment rocks. (Ha.)

Really? Really?

Thu, 17 May 2012 18:04:39 -0400

Really? Really?

Forgot to post this yesterday - not a great picture. I...

Thu, 17 May 2012 10:52:00 -0400

Forgot to post this yesterday - not a great picture. I don’t have a full length mirror anywhere, so made do at Walmart on a work errand, ha. I spent the entire day yesterday in my office reorganizing and working up a sweat, so I dressed down without resorting to a T-shirt. Top is recent Old Navy, and the photo doesn’t do it justice. I love this shirt - loose without being frumpy and the color is nice. Jeans are Ana from JCPenney, and Chuck Taylors are from years and years ago, but you won’t find a more timeless sneaker! #getdressed

And, again, such joy.

Thu, 17 May 2012 10:50:53 -0400

And, again, such joy.

It is sad the amount of joy that organizing and labeling the...

Thu, 17 May 2012 10:50:00 -0400

It is sad the amount of joy that organizing and labeling the storage in my office brings to me, ha. This cabinet was an absolute nightmare, with everything stuffed in Walmart bags, and all sorts of weird things from 10+ years ago. Now there is actually room to spare!

Top is New Directions from Belk, pants are Old Navy circa spring...

Tue, 15 May 2012 11:15:27 -0400

Top is New Directions from Belk, pants are Old Navy circa spring 2005. I really wish Old Navy still made nice basics for work clothes - their stuff from five+ years ago still holds up nicely but the quality has gone down in past years! #getdressed

@fatmumslim #photoadaymay

Tue, 15 May 2012 11:09:00 -0400

@fatmumslim #photoadaymay

Shoes are actually Walmart but have been asked more than once if...

Mon, 14 May 2012 11:28:00 -0400

Shoes are actually Walmart but have been asked more than once if they are Tory Burch, ha. #getdressed

30 days of getting dressed begins today! I’m on a mission to not...

Mon, 14 May 2012 11:24:00 -0400

30 days of getting dressed begins today! I’m on a mission to not repeat a single item of clothing this month so I can see what I really wear from my closet and what I can really live without. Will not buy any new clothes this month either! Top is recent Old Navy, bottoms are Old Navy circa spring 2005. #getdressed

A very small percentage of the lettuce growing in our gutter...

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 19:45:26 -0400

A very small percentage of the lettuce growing in our gutter garden - so happy!