I think I got over the three day hump that usually comes with starting a new diet/eating plan. Yesterday was tough. I felt like I wanted to eat everything in sight. Even my pen at work was starting to look appetizing...But, I kept it under control. I'm trying really hard to stick to this plan for the next 13 weeks. I'm getting the hang of this counting points thing and when I stepped on the scale this morning I was down 5 pounds!!
I am in the process of finding a yard guy to come twice a month to keep my backyard mowed and the weeds in the front under control. Part of me cringes at the thought of paying someone to do the work, knowing it's something that I CAN do, but I don't WANT to do it. When it comes to yard work I will find any and every excuse I can to avoid getting out there and doing it. I'm not sure where my loathing of the chore comes from. Maybe from when we had that garden in the backyard in Oregon and I had to weed it all the time? Wherever my hatred came from, I've finally decided that it's worth it to me to have someone else just come do it. I'm waiting to hear back from one guy on a quote.
Yesterday I also discovered something in the laundry room that I am NOT happy about. Termites. I am so angry right now about those creepy crawlies in my house!! I got out the ant spray (even though I know they're not ants) and gave them a healthy dosing of the poison. I just went and checked and I don't see any more activity, but I know they're still there. So...along with finding a yard guy, I am also looking for a pest control company who is good and not super expensive. Any suggestions??
The weather is heating up. It was over 100 this past weekend and I finally broke down and turned the AC on even though it's still April. Today is actually kind of pleasant since there was a small storm system that came though and kept the temps down in the 80s with a nice breeze blowing. However, I think summer temps are here to stay as the forecast for the rest of the week is on a steady warming trend. I love living in AZ, but I have to mentally prepare myself for the summer weather every year and remind myself of all the reasons why I love it here. It makes me laugh when I think about where my family came from originally and where we are now. I wonder what all my Scottish and Danish ancestors think about us living in the middle of the desert? And how did we even end up here?! My pale skin is much better suited for the cold, dreary climate of my ancestral home(s) but I do so much better living in the land of the sun. I get depressed and don't so so well (mentally and emotionally) living anywhere where gray days outweigh the sunny ones. I need light or the darkness seems to smother me and makes it hard to focus on all the good things in life. I get depressed even here in the desert sometimes, so I know living anywhere else would be a horrible idea.
I haven't made any other plans about future schooling since getting the "no" letter from ASU. I was thinking about it today but, surprisingly, I'm content right now with where I am and what I'm doing. That may change (and it often does on a day by day basis) but for right now I am good where I am. I've got a good job. I have a house (even if I'm currently being invaded by termites) that keeps me safe and protected from the elements. I have a car that gets me where I need to go every day. I have food in the fridge and cupboards. I have a great family (all of which live close by) that I love and so many other numerous blessings that make my life so good! There are a few holes in life's puzzle still, but I know eventually I'll find all the pieces. Hey, maybe this new yard guy will be cute and single! You never know....
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
49 points
I signed up for Weight Watchers yesterday. I have 12.5 weeks until my trip to Oregon and my birthday. Time to get real and make some changes! My daily points limit is 49. I tried a new recipe tonight that was pretty good.
Tex-Mex Rice and Bean Casserole (6 servings, 5 points per serving)
1 c. canned yellow corn, drained
1 T. canned green chilis
15 oz canned pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 c. cooked brown rice
3/4 c. shredded, reduced-fat, Mexican-style cheese
3/4 c. fat-free sour cream
1/4 t. chili powder
1/4 t. salt
1/8 t. black pepper
2 T. scallions, chopped (dark green part only)
1 T. shredded, reduced-fat, Mexican-style cheese
Preheat oven to 300. Coat a 2-quart glass baking dish with cooking spray. In a large bowl combine corn, chilis, beans, rice, 3/4 c. cheese, sour cream, chili powder, salt and pepper. Stir in scallions. Spoon mixture into prepared baking dish and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with remaining 2 T. of cheese. Return to over and bake until cheese melts and casserole is slightly bubbly (10 minutes). Let stand for 5 minutes to firm up. Slice into 6 pieces.
Tex-Mex Rice and Bean Casserole (6 servings, 5 points per serving)
1 c. canned yellow corn, drained
1 T. canned green chilis
15 oz canned pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 c. cooked brown rice
3/4 c. shredded, reduced-fat, Mexican-style cheese
3/4 c. fat-free sour cream
1/4 t. chili powder
1/4 t. salt
1/8 t. black pepper
2 T. scallions, chopped (dark green part only)
1 T. shredded, reduced-fat, Mexican-style cheese
Preheat oven to 300. Coat a 2-quart glass baking dish with cooking spray. In a large bowl combine corn, chilis, beans, rice, 3/4 c. cheese, sour cream, chili powder, salt and pepper. Stir in scallions. Spoon mixture into prepared baking dish and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with remaining 2 T. of cheese. Return to over and bake until cheese melts and casserole is slightly bubbly (10 minutes). Let stand for 5 minutes to firm up. Slice into 6 pieces.
Friday, April 13, 2012
new outfit
I did something I hate yesterday. I went shopping and added some new items to my pitifully small and increasingly boring wardrobe. This is one of the outfits I got. What do you think?
Thursday, April 12, 2012
sweet grilled cheesus
Today is National Grilled Cheese Day.
Here is a little background on this delicious, delicious sandwich....
"The Ancient Romans were the first civilization to make a cooked bread and cheese sandwich, but many cultures have invented their own take on this ancient dish. In France, people enjoy Croque Monsieur (a grilled ham and cheese sandwich) while in Switzerland it is customary to melt the cheese and toast the bread separately before combining them. The classic American grilled cheese sandwich emerged in the 1920s when inexpensive cheese and affordable sliced bread became available. It is now a staple in cafes, diners, and school cafeterias across the country." (http://www.punchbowl.com/holidays/national-grilled-cheese-day)
Here is my grilled cheese sandwich....
Here is a little background on this delicious, delicious sandwich....
"The Ancient Romans were the first civilization to make a cooked bread and cheese sandwich, but many cultures have invented their own take on this ancient dish. In France, people enjoy Croque Monsieur (a grilled ham and cheese sandwich) while in Switzerland it is customary to melt the cheese and toast the bread separately before combining them. The classic American grilled cheese sandwich emerged in the 1920s when inexpensive cheese and affordable sliced bread became available. It is now a staple in cafes, diners, and school cafeterias across the country." (http://www.punchbowl.com/holidays/national-grilled-cheese-day)
Here is my grilled cheese sandwich....
Of course, you can't have a grilled cheese sandwich without tomato soup!
In my family we put raspberry jam on grilled cheese. It's SOOOO good!
And, the meal isn't complete without chocolate milk :)
The finished plate! Yum!!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
oregon trail
When I was in elementary school the best day of the week was computer class. This was where I learned how to type correctly and also where we got to play Oregon Trail. I loved it! Though, looking back, I'm not sure why. I don't think I ever actually made it to Oregon. Ever. My game would go something like this...
And then finally....
Secretly, I think the reason I'm still single is because my husband (let's call him Bob) was actually one of the pioneers who traversed the dysentery-ridden Oregon Trail in the 1840's and succumbed to either the ravages of that terrible disease, or was a victim of a tragic river crossing. He never made it to Oregon either and is now patiently waiting for the Second Coming when he's going to be resurrected and will then proceed to sweep me off my feet!
But I digress...
Why am I bringing up my fond memories of computer class and spending hours trying to make my way across the plains? Because I'm going to Oregon this summer! Yep. Kristy and I are going to spend 5 glorious days on the coast, toasting in our new decade of life. I decided I didn't want to just be home this year, since I will be turning 30. I wanted to go somewhere and do something fun. I decided it was time to go back to the Great Northwest to reconnect. I purchased my plane tickets last week, and got the hotel reservation set up on Monday. I can't wait!!
Hopefully, I don't die of dysentery on the plane. That would be tragic.
Also, really gross.
And then finally....
Secretly, I think the reason I'm still single is because my husband (let's call him Bob) was actually one of the pioneers who traversed the dysentery-ridden Oregon Trail in the 1840's and succumbed to either the ravages of that terrible disease, or was a victim of a tragic river crossing. He never made it to Oregon either and is now patiently waiting for the Second Coming when he's going to be resurrected and will then proceed to sweep me off my feet!
But I digress...
Why am I bringing up my fond memories of computer class and spending hours trying to make my way across the plains? Because I'm going to Oregon this summer! Yep. Kristy and I are going to spend 5 glorious days on the coast, toasting in our new decade of life. I decided I didn't want to just be home this year, since I will be turning 30. I wanted to go somewhere and do something fun. I decided it was time to go back to the Great Northwest to reconnect. I purchased my plane tickets last week, and got the hotel reservation set up on Monday. I can't wait!!
Hopefully, I don't die of dysentery on the plane. That would be tragic.
Also, really gross.
Friday, April 6, 2012
freak out
Last night I had a minor freak out. Why? Because of this:
And this:
What do these two things have in common? The book I'm writing. I got bogged down last night in editing and re-writing and felt like this:
I was close to hitting the delete button and scrapping all 193 pages and 53,666 words and starting over. Lucikly, I have a best friend who was able to talk me down from the ledge at 10 o'clock last night. I did not delete the document. I just need to have a serious discussion with my characters and get to the heart of the issues that are currently going on, but right now they're not talking to me. It's very frustrating. But the dream of seeing MY book on the shelf at a bookstore is keeping me going. It's going to happen. I know it!
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