I talked to my best friend in the world, yesterday afternoon, for approximately 90 minutes (from work, no less). It was the best conversation I've had in a long time. It's times like those when I remember how desperately I miss having her around. Phone calls are great, but in-person is so much better.

We were talking about all sorts of things, but the stuff that had me in hysterics had to do with an event that took place about 8 or 9 years ago. Now, you have to understand my friend, who I'll call "T". She is very, very conservative with a bit of a wild streak. She's also very value responsive, believing that sex should be saved for marriage (she'll be thirty on her next birthday and is still a virgin). We have a similar up-bringing in that respect. In fact, my hubby was my first (although, I couldn't wait for marriage...believe me, I tried.) There are lots of things that are complete opposites, when it comes to us: she's tall, I'm short; she majored in business, I majored in the arts; she's very conservative, I'm quite liberal. Somehow, we make it work (in math terms, we cancel each other out). If I had to choose one word to describe "T" it would be prudish (It used to be really bad. When we saw our first "R" rated movie together, she kept hiding her face during the sex scenes. Give me a break!).

So, back to the event. It was late winter, or early spring. People on campus were promoting more parties and social activities, as the weather began to warm up. While strolling through the University Center (UC) we noticed a flyer for a "Male Revue". Well, I was intrigued and so was "T". We both decided it would be great to go together. When "T" told my roommate she wanted to go, my roommate looked at her in total shock. "You're going to the male revue, " she kept saying. Soon, others in our crowd found out that "T" was going. No one could believe it. So surprised and pleased was my roommate that "T" would even buck-up long enough to wan to go that, she volunteered to drive all of us. We even wore pseudo matching outfits (I didn't remember this part until "T" told me yesterday) - silk shirts and black jeans. So, off to the male revue we went.

When we got to the club, they had replaced all the regular lighting with red light bulbs. It definitely set the tone for the evening. The crowd chairs were set up in a semi-circle (that, I'm sure was designed to give everyone opportunity for a "feel up".) Still in disbelief that "T" was even there, we all sat in a pretty accessible area.

After a few minutes, the music started, the spot-light came on, and out came a gorgeous, chocolate man...gyrating and shaking all around the dance floor. "T" was mortified. While all the girls were chanting and yelling for the guy to, "Take it off", I thought my friend was going to go into convulsions from screaming in horror.

"What did you think was going to happen," I said to her.

"I thought it was going to be a fashion show!"

Miscommunication or a bit naive? You decide. At any rate, it was hilarious the rest of the evening because she kept trying to hide from the dancers, everything they came around her. When one tried to sit in her lap, it was all over. She pushed her chair out of the semi-circle and waited for the show to end. The rest of the guys were people we knew on campus, two of which were like our big brothers so, watching a brother trying to swerve around the floor made us a bit ill.

We laughed about it yesterday (thank goodness for maturity). We also talked about she and her boyfriend of three years, finally getting married next June. She directed me to a site that showed the dress she'd like. We talked about bridesmaids dresses and her color being royal blue. I can't wait! I've never been in a wedding and I'm sure being in a wedding where you're already married is much easier than being in one and still being single. The babe would be in the wedding too, since "T" is her God-mother. What a beautiful flower girl she will make!

Wow! I've been logged in for hours. Better stopped putting this on the back burner and go ahead and publish this puppy.

I've been killing mine, lately. There in the cabinet, just above my desk. Every chance I get, I'm snacking on them. I don't worry too much about munching because their full of goodness and fiber. The problem for me, currently, is that the fiber doesn't seem to be moving. I may have to drink my "special" tea , if things don't improve.

I'm down a pound today. Not sure if it's the water finally leaving or the extra workout I squeezed in at 11:45 last night (I was pretty stressed out - bit of an argument with hubby, so I hoped on the treadmill...hey, it's better than reaching for the fridge door). Anyway, I was on for 35 minutes, then I showered and crawled into bed.

We bought a new mattress, yesterday well, hubby bought a new mattress. It's incredible! It's just a higher-end Sealy (Stearns and something), but it was magical! I didn't realize how crappy our current mattress was until we slept on the new one. I mean, I knew it was crappy but now I recognize that it really isn't fit for sleeping by anyone or anything. When we moved into our first apartment, it was the right price and the right size. We weren't too picky about style or brand. Now that we're an old married couple who subscribes to Consumer Reports, things have changed drastically.

Tomorrow's Friday, but I really don't have any exceptional plans for the weekend. I'd like to go and see Alien Vs. Predator, but I'm not sure if that will happen or not (I'm a huge fan of both movies, in fact, Predator is one of my favorite action/sci-fi movies of all time. I think this has more to do with when I saw it during my childhood and so forth, not necessarily content and quality). Tonight, hubby and I will be doing our weight training program at home. I couldn't go to the gym today, due to an appointment during my normal workout time. Only six more days till my teeth come out...

As much as it pained me to change that 0 to a 3, I did it. So, I've basically taken two steps backward. Hubby says that a lot of what I'm seeing is the water retention from all the salt we ate this past weekend. By the way, it should also be noted that last weekend felt more like the vacation I should have had the week before. And in that, we enjoyed ourselves with food and drink.

To take the positive spin, I can look at last weekend as if it were my vacation period (since during my true vacation, it was basically a horrible nightmare and I ended up losing weight instead of gaining the pounds I expected). If that's the case, than I'm right on track. I always put on a bit during vacation. Also, if I can compare this to last year's vacation, I'm really ahead of the game (since I put on 7 pounds instead of these measly three). True, I still have to stick with the program and grab my focus again because, sooner rather than the later, the holidays will be here. Then, I'll be faced with sweet cakes and goodies, as well as the warm fall delights I so love. I'll have to be on the ball so that I can take my normal portion and be satisfied, rather than gorging and feeling bad about it later.

I think I'll take the positive spin, for not only the above reasons, but also because I am desperately trying to stay positive on the whole. Most of my coworkers are so negative. In fact, I made a conscious effort, yesterday, to drown out all of that nonsense. If I'm going to be here until next year, I've got to make the most of it and the best way to do that is to keep on the brighter (sunny) side of life.

One week from today, I will be in the operating room getting those pesky teeth yanked out. I can't believe it! Six days from today, the babe will be turning four...I really can't believe it!

I stepped on the scale today, just because. Ugh! I have to get it together, and this is no joke. How will I ever become the enchantress I know I am, if I keep eating those blasted cheetos! Hubby said it best last night, "Just because they're here, doesn't mean you have to eat them." But, in my mind, I do. They were purchased. They are in my house. They will not leave my house unless someone eats them or throws them away. Naturally, I can't throw them away because that's like throwing away money, right? Oh, but a thin person would say. "It's no big deal. They didn't cost that much." I guess those ideas you're raised with stay with you for longer than you want them to. I mean, I understand that it's all coming from those times when mom and dad forced me to eat and not waste food. They told me about the starving children in Ethiopia who would be so grateful to have what I had. I also know that I can't lay this on my parents feet. It's my decision. It's my choice to be large or small. I have to take a stand. I have to say, "Enough is enough." So, I'm saying it: "Enough is enough. It's time to get back on the bandwagon and take charge of my life and stop slacking. I'm going to be fabulous by 30. I will be fabulous by 30. "

Okay, so my prediction was right on. We could only make it through one week of celibacy. I can honestly say that this weekend was much, much better than last. (wink)

We indulged in too many carnal things, including food. Friday night, we went to the KFC buffet. Now, when you put those two, particular words together, nothing good can come of it. Although I didn't go overboard, it was still fried chicken. Saturday, I got my oil changed and whenever I do that, we always walk over to the McDonald's across the street for breakfast. I had my hotcakes and Canadian bacon, so not too much damage. At lunch, I had a salad (but it was a salad with all the fattening trimmings - tortilla strips, Santa Fe dressing, lots of cheese). It was sooooo, good but it was soooo not good for me. Sunday, I couldn't keep my hands of the cheetos hubby bought and on top of everything, I mad rice krispy treats (I had three...three!)

Right now, I'm snarfing down my cheerios like a good, healthy person. What I really want is a couple of scrambled eggs, some bacon and hashbrowns but I know Wednesday's number would look like a total catastrophe if I did. I'll drink my 64 ounces today (which I've been totally slacking on) and I've got my green tea (an aid to help destroy the dam...yep, it's still here). Mom is buying me and the babe Chinese food tonight, in payment for a computer project she needs help with. Chinese food=more salt=tighter dam. Ugh! Somehow, I'll have to remember to keep drinking water while I eat.

Why, oh why did I eat the entire rice krispy brick? It was good, that's why...dammit. It was just what I need to squelch my sweet tooth (it's been on over drive for the past couple of days). I've noticed that I'm having a time getting my 64 ounces of water down. It always takes a couple of weeks to get back into the routine, if I stray for even a few days. So, here I am not drinking water and eating sweets. Perhaps it's the lack of, dare I say it? Sex. Yes. That's right. That's the big deal with me and hubby, right now. We have ceased relations (supposedly) for one month, in order to stabilize our relationship, increase our communication (or mine, more specifically) and become the friends we used to be. The theory is that the sex haze will cloud the issues and make you think everything is okay. Hell! I must have totally taken it for granted because it's only been a little over a week and I'm about to die! Last night, hubby was in "jump my wife" mode too and had to leave the room because he couldn't handle it. I keep telling him that this was his decision, then he gives me that, "Thanks for choosing now to listen to what I have to say. Now, excuse me while I take a cold shower and a bath in ice." I suppose my sex life was more active than I thought. (Actually, I have confirmation that it's very active, based on a blog I've been reading for a while where the writer may experience intimacy once or twice a month.) I think I would start throwing things, if it got to that point.

I can't say this period of celibacy will last. I may turn into the irritating dog that humps legs because he can't get it anywhere else (let's hope I don't get to that point). Hubby claims that a merited psychologist says it's a great way to get things back on track. Great for him, maybe. Perhaps his wife wasn't "giving him the goods" on a regular basis, so he didn't really miss it. When it's as much a part of your marriage as eating or sleeping or talking and you suddenly take it away, there's bound to be added stress (something we really don't need right now, if you ask me, especially with hubby about to go on graveyards).

I think this is probably much more than anyone cares to read so I'll end by saying, I don't think this month thing is going to last. I think one of us will crack in the next few days. Either that, or I'll eat my way through a cake (and I can't do that if I'm ever going to see the 150's this month).

So, I'm totally loving this song! I burned it last night and played it in the car and just listened to it again at work. Have no idea what I'm talking about? Pay attention to the new JC Penney ads for the fall, back-to-school sales. Being the marketing person that I am at heart, I think this ad was brilliant planning on their part. It's trendy, the clothes the kids are wearing are stylish, their playing a great song and everyone looks like they're having a great time (despite having to go back to school). Perfect. Typically, with department store ads, they try to keep things on the conservative side. I think that's fine, when you're selling to the 45 - 65 age group; however, things have to be shaken up for the "younger crowd", if you want them to shop in the store. I was also very happy to see that, even though the clothes are trendy, the kids were covered (no hoochies, thank goodness!! I get so tired of seeing baby hoochies). I also noticed that one of the girls dancing in the classroom (this is a separate ad, they have two) is featured a lot in Missy Elliot's videos. That girl's got skills!

I saw Hidalgo last night. A very moving story but unfortunately the movie was lacking a bit (although, Viggo does add that certain punch, no matter what, doesn't he??). I'll review it, hopefully this afternoon so, be sure to check the links later.

I'm currently drinking a Nescafe Frothe to pep myself. I got about 5 hours of sleep last night. I think this, whatever-this-thing-me-and-hubby-are-doing is driving me a bit batty. He's right there every night, but I miss him a lot. I think I'm emotionally preparing for the switch to graveyards, along with all the other drama we're dealing with. It's not the best shift (he's done it before), but it's certainly better than when he was on swing. Swing shift nearly separated us permanently. I never saw him and our relationship suffered so much. Only single people and hermits should ever work swing.

We haven't trained this week together. Earlier this week, he said we would get together on Thursday. Today is Thursday, but he didn't mention it this morning before he left. I think he's somewhat trying to avoid me. This whole thing has me so confused. I hope we do get together, not just because I need that extra boost from strength training, but because he may lighten up a bit if we're in the gym together. His being so serious about everything all the time lately is for the birds. I need a vacation...a real one.

When we went to Park City last week, we visited a supplement shop and purchased my L-Carnitine in liquid form. Hubby said it would hit my bloodstream quicker and make more of a difference. Again, I've been off of it for about a week, so I'm not sure if it's taken any effect yet. I certainly hope it does soon. Oh, and it doesn't taste too bad...sort of like a sweet with a slightly bitter aftertaste, medicine. One last bit before I depart, the hoover dam has returned which makes me wonder how valid yesterday's number was. I'm hoping not very and I'm also hoping I can destroy the dam before the next weigh day.

My 600+ emails are down to about 100 now, thank God. I talked to my boss, yesterday, about the entire situation...my frustration, my crying jag when looking at all of those blasted emails. It was good to get it out. It may have pushed the hire date for my help up a bit. I'm very grateful for that...so very, very grateful.

I'm down a half pound for the records, ladies and gentlemen. I'm sure it would have been a bit more, if I'd managed to do my treadmill walk Tuesday morning. I had the hardest time just getting up. I did manage to get in my 53 minutes this morning. Those Hulk episodes really help to keep me going...especially when they're intense episodes. It's like singing a song in the car; if it's a fast song or a song you're really getting into, you tend to drive faster (or slower). Whatever the case for you, it will effect your speed in some way. When an intense episode is on, I tend to walk much faster. If the episode is dragging, I tend to check my stats a whole lot more.

I'll be having surgery (for the second time) in a couple of weeks. This time, it's to get my wisdom teeth removed. I know I've talked about how I denied having them removed because they never hurt anyone, but now I'm kind of curious to see how I'll look once their out and my regular teeth begin to move back. Will my smile change? Will it make me look totally different? When I had my reduction, that was an immediate change. I know my teeth will probably take a year or two to settle to where they're going to be. It's should be interesting.

Things are still about the same at home. I should mention that the bombshell my hubby dropped wasn't like a cheating thing or infidelity. I don't want to give the wrong impression. Let's just say his ideas of where our marriage is and my ideas, don't exactly gel. We are a lot a like in many ways, but there are lots of ways where we are quite different. We are trying to figure out how to grow together with our differences. It's me again with my non-communication. My effort is to try and talk to him more, even if I think what I'm saying isn't as important or has as much merit as the things he's going through. It's tough, but I've got to do it.

The babe will start her dance lessons again in September. She is so excited and I'm excited for her. I'll have to make sure that we find a dance class for her in our city, whenever she starts Kindegarten.

It's really quite sad. Several days planned for oodles of fun turn into stir-fried crap on a stick. I thought after Thursday, surely things will get better. Well, they didn't. I didn't go swimming with hubby and the babe Thursday because I was in such a mood and furious with him for putting me off in order to meet his friends at the pool. Then, he comes back and lays a bombshell on me (you know, the kind that totally shakes your world). Afterwards, I was pretty much a wreck all weekend. We did go to Park City on Friday and spent an almost pleasant day together. Saturday, I played the Sims for a big chunk of the day, while he was away running errands and hanging out with friends. Sunday, we stayed home for a bit, then went to the mall for a bit of shopping (but I was still so frazzled from Thursday's events, that I couldn't really enjoy that either). Yesterday, I finally got a chance to go swimming, but it was a lot more of the same introspective thinking and contemplating my life, while trying to enjoy myself (not a good combination).

Today, I'm feeling vulnerable and totally exposed. I don't want to be here at all. I'm not sure where I want to be. If I were at home, I'd just be miserable there too, so I suspect being miserable here will have to do. (Oh, and it also didn't help to come into 616 emails. Damn! I was only gone five days!? Now do you see why I have to leave this place? Nobody should have to endure this. What jackass in my office thinks this is normal and okay?)



Mother made me feel better, thankfully. <7:38>

Let's pray this week goes better than the last one...let's pray really hard because I don't think I can take much more of this. I feel like a time bomb, not really at postal level, but maybe at run-around-the-office-screaming-pulling-my-hair-out level. I don't want it to come to that because I'll end up in a padded room, talking to myself.

It's probably better to just go ahead and concentrate on getting this mountain of work done. I sent a note to my boss telling him to look at the account and the asinine number therein. Once he does that, I asked him to let me know. I want him to be able to see (as proof) what kind of hell I'm up against. Perhaps this is just the ammunition he needs to prove it to the president of this backwards University, who doesn't think that we need extra help. That's still flooring me. My mother said that because we started off small, there is small thinking in the minds of management. She said that she's unsure how you get past that, but she's seen it time and time again. I don't have time for them to figure out how to get their heads out of their butts and figure it out. I really don't. The combination of passive-aggressiveness and small mindedness isn't working for me anymore. Something has got to change and soon. (Still praying really hard...).

Oh, lovely. The first day of my vacation and I'm riding the crimson wave. Why oh why does this happen during the most inopportune times. Yuck!

Yesterday evening got off to a great start. Hubby, the babe and I decided to go the the Mayan for dinner. It's a theme restaurant we used to visit a bit before we moved so far away. The babe was quite young, the last time we were there. She thoroughly enjoyed it last night. Afterwards, we went on a short drive then, back to my office to pick up my car. Somewhere between the short, pleasant ride and my office, hubby and I started to bicker. By the time I got to my car, it was a small battle. We've been at each other ever since. Of course, I know part of it is the PMS and I try to tell him that I have no control over it (except, of course, when drugs like Pamprin or Motrin are involved). He claims that I can control it. Men! What in hell do they know about hormonal imbalances...they're cruising on the same levels of testosterone all the time. They never have to worry about the influx of estrogen and the overwhelming need to consume barrels of salt and sugar (yep. The Mexican food was great last night with all of its wonderful salt, but I'm certainly feeling it today).

I hope the day gets better. I honestly don't know what to expect, since our plans have gone totally to crap. We talked about doing a few things, but who knows. Hubby is at the gym, working out some of his manly aggression and I'm here in my nightgown blogging. I did take the babe to the park, this morning and I also walked on the treadmill for 50 minutes (partially because I knew I needed to, partially because of all the fattening foods I consumed last night, and partially because of the need to work out some womanly aggression).

Oh, and since I didn't blog yesterday, I might as well tell you...no change. The lovely 159 I saw on Sunday was a passing fancy. I think the BBQ we had showed up on weigh day. Perfect! Three weeks at the same number. But hey, I walked nearly an hour, right? (Keep thinking positively, keep thinking positively, keep thinking positively, keep thinking...).

Well, sort of. I placed a bid on two items and sort of forgot that I did. Of course, I received notification today that I won both items. Yeah, it's great but I really don't have the extra funds for this stuff. I suppose I should except them both for what they are...investments. I bought a large print for our bedroom. It's a reproduction of Farel Pierre's "Rive Guache". He has others that I wouldn't mind owning, but I'll have to go slowly (since I've already gone above and beyond any spending I thought I would do this week). I also bought my Mary Kay items (finally). It's all the goal items I've missed out on, all in one shot.

Hubby is training me today and tomorrow (since I will be off from work Thursday through Monday). He's trying to get it all in, so that we can enjoy our vacation. Doesn't look like Vegas is going to happen since mom and sis bailed on us. All that planning and effort, down the drain. Oh, well. Hubby and I are going to try and make the best of it. We'll make lemonade out of all those dang lemons.

Not sure how often I'll come in and blog on those days. I'll try to make every effort to because the lifestyle change doesn't end, just because you go on vacation. The hard work and effort have to be a part of your daily life despite changes and hiccups. I still plan to get up and do a walk or jog on the treadmill. If not the treadmill, a swim or a hike...anything to keep active and fit. I've come too far to stop now. Hey, I'm nearly back to college weight and before you know it, it will be highschool size all over again (except, better because I'm missing two cup sizes...thank the Lord for that!).

Today will be busy at work because boss-man is trying to lay it all on me before I leave. Not that this is a bad thing, it just means I've got to focus the entire day. I'm having a hard time doing that, this week. I think I'm already on vacation mentally.

Friday was a recognized, state holiday here, so many people had taken the day off (I think I didn't mention that Friday). Anyway, the actual holiday occurred on Saturday and Saturday (as you all know) was the day of the fish fry. Well, I thought we'd have 6 or 7 people over, including my girlfriend. Six or seven peopled quickly turned into twenty. Whoa! I've never had so many people at my house, but it was great! Hubby has some fun, quirky friends (just as I've suspected all along). Everyone there, except my family and girlfriend, were cops. Even the neighbors across the street! They all seemed to enjoy the catfish (most having never tried any before). They were all my guinea pigs with the hush puppies, which turned out pretty good. The good conversation and liquor flowed throughout the afternoon and into the night. Hubby, along with three of his friends, were a little more than tipsy. Not one piece of fish to be found and all the hushpuppies were gone before the rest of the guests got there! I had two tiny little pieces and one hush puppy. I was starving by bed time. I really didn't know we would have so many people. Oh, well.

So, mix alcohol, fire and explosives and what do you get? Total craziness. This is what happened at around 7ish that evening. At one point, they through a fire work into the street that skipped over the curb and almost onto the feet of our poor (mentally disabled) neighborhood, who took off screaming down the side walk. Oh, Lord! And of course, my hubby and his friends fell down in hysterics.

Sunday, I awoke and decided to step on the scale. Drum roll, please? One hundred fifty-nine pounds. Yep! You saw it here. I was too ecstatic! I dug out the "Golden Bronze" hair color and completely changed my look. It's not as bright as I anticipated, but by the time I retouch my roots in six weeks, it will truly be golden. I really like it and so does hubby. I can't say if I'll still be at 159 by Wednesday (especially after having a big breakfast, later and Famous Dave's for dinner), but it sure was cool to see.

Last night, I painted the trim in both bathrooms (something hubby was going to tackle but instead, injured himself somehow. Then he decided that, despite injury,  he'd get the side-by-side refrigerator set up - connecting the hose so that the ice maker and water dispenser work). This ended up in an argument, all because he needed me to do something (what for, I don't know) and I was towards the end of painting and he couldn't wait 2 minutes for me to finish. When I get into the kitchen, he's all pissy with me because he says he needed me right when he called, but he doesn't need me know.  I ask him repeatedly if there is anything I can do, and he's barely saying anything. Then, when I ask him if he's going to be pissed at me for the rest of the night, he says, "No, because I won't be here the rest of the night." Oh, nice. Granted, he'd told me earlier he was going out with his friend (something he rarely does), but he just said it to make me even more upset. Well, it worked.  Whatever!

I woke up this morning all motivated to walk on the treadmill and burn off some steam, when the damn thing won't start. Then, I try it again and the belt tries to go around, then crunch! What the hell? I think one of my daughter's toys somehow got caught in the belt when we moved the treadmill back into the play room. Great! Our $600 treadmill maybe junked and I opted not to pay for the Sears Maintenance Agreement. What am I supposed to do now? It's the reason I've been able to stay with my plan...knowing that I have this great piece of equipment that will allow me to exercise and won't fail me. Talk about a great start to a morning. Well, at least I got the laundry all folded (oh so, sad).

I stepped on the scale and I'm down 1/2 a pound. It may change by tomorrow or the next day, but I couldn't even get excited about it. I want my treadmill up and running, dammit. I wanted to get a good walk in on Saturday, since I missed so many morning workouts this week. Perhaps I'm just a bit obsessed. I don't know. Just thinking about it is pissing me off again.

The other part of this is that hubby will sometimes keep his pissy attitude for days at a time (he's such a Gemini!). Meanwhile, it's more effort to stay pissed at him than it is to try and make-up, but he's so freaking hard-headed! Ughh! God, I hope this isn't a prelude to the entire weekend. I don't think I can stand it!

Here's to hoping the weekend gets better (please, please let it get better)...

My room is complete and it's absolutely beautiful! I can't believe how nice it turned out. Putting up the border was a bit of a struggle, but thankfully, I didn't have to do it alone. I don't think that putting up border is a project you can do alone. You'd have drippy, pastey border everywhere.

I've really been "putting it away" these past few days (so much for watching it this week). I've been absolutely famished! Part of it has to do with the normal cravings that precede TOM. The other part is just a strange, over-the-top craving I've begun to have for protein. I've also been really tired. We're experiencing a lot more humidity than normal and hubby thinks that's what's having an effect on me. (It's only 30%, but I can definitely feel the difference. How I managed to live in Nashville all those years is beyond me.) And because of the late nights, I haven't been getting up for my normal treadmill walk. That will have to change, next week. I don't want to blimp out just because I had extra chores at home to take care of. Speaking of extra chores, Wednesday is normally laundry day and we didn't get around to it. I suspect we wont have an opportunity to do laundry until Saturday. The hampers are already starting to overflow. Oh, the train wreck that is becoming my house!

On top of all that, we're still planning our fish fry for Saturday. I'll definitely have to run out and buy some more L-Carnitine. I've been out since last week and I'm sure the extra "push" from that will only help. At least our house will be all pretty and painted for company.

Oh, what a joy it is! I moved all the "stuff" off of our bed last night so that we could enjoy a peaceful sleep in a bed. I was ecstatic (you know, it's the little things in life). Today, he'll be working on pasting the border. The room should be complete, once that is done. Hooray!

I am currently sporting a size 9 skirt, today. I didn't even remember I had this until I went digging in the closet. I slipped it on with no problem whatsoever. Look out 8 CKs! Here I come!

No change on the weight, today. I'm not surprised. Hubby says that I've begun to build lean muscle mass and, as we all know, muscle weighs more than fat. Thankfully, muscle also produces a chemical that burns fat so, I suspect I'll maintain for a while then start to loose again.  Hubby is also losing weight (not that he needs to). He's leaning out and looking fine. I've started to notice that his six-pack is more defined. O la la!

I decided yesterday that I miss swimming. We were supposed to be swimming fools this summer and we've only gone twice. I think I'll see about going on Sunday or something.  It's nice and warm and the weather is great.  There's no reason why we shouldn't go.

By the way, I'm dealing with some shady stuff with the talent agency I'm trying to set my daughter up with.  I've tried this before (for myself) so I have a good idea of what's legit and what isn't. The nice thing is that this time around, I have the internet. There's a great site that discusses the scam artistry that is, sometimes, modeling agencies. If you've ever considered doing this or want to know how to start and what to avoid, check out this site. It's extremely informative. I believe I will take my daughter elsewhere. Luckily, there are three top agencies here in town. I've got some options.

Paint, paint everywhere! The weekend was filled with painting. We painted our room Cinnamon and the trim is called Nutmeg (can we say, spicy room?). Okay, too corny. Anyway, it looks fantastic. We'll be putting up the border on Wednesday (the room has to "cure" for 72 hours, before you can paste a border). 
 
The bathrooms are soft coral and my hubby is ultra pleased...so pleased, in fact, that he's ready to paint yet another room. Yikes! Our house is a mess! Furniture everywhere, drawers from the furniture everywhere. We've been sleeping on the living room floor for the past two evenings. This is so not cool for someone who is not outdoorsy and has never been camping (and has no desire to do so). If nothing else, it has been quite romantic.  I don't know what it is about sleeping in a different place that can get people in the mood.
 
I was out of the office, yesterday (hence, the missing post).  I did a bad, bad thing and had Wendy's and Carl's Jr. over the weekend. That stuff is no good, I tell you. Especially for someone who's system is becoming quite the well, oiled machine.  But something good did come out of my binge weekend....
 
Sunday was youth Sunday.  My sister was asked to present her trip to the congregation and, yours truly, was asked to introduce her.  Therefore, I knew I needed to look extra cute, and I'd already worn my prettiest dress last Sunday. So, off to Ross I went. I found the cutest dress, but they only had it in two sizes: 8 and 12. Where was the ten? Ughh.  Here's the dilemma: Do I dare take the 8 into the dressing room and risk the devastation, when the dress decides my hips are not worthy? Or, do I go in with the 12 and risk looking like I'm wearing a pretty tent. I bucked up and took the 8 in. Low and behold, it fit. It looked fantastic, even. It may have been cut a bit large, but I was just so thrilled to be in an 8 that I didn't care. I wore it on Sunday and received mucho compliments.  What a boost! Now, if I could just get into those size 8 CKs my hubby bought for me.
 
Meanwhile, I've not quite gotten back on the wagon. I had French toast and bacon for breakfast. I was so famished!  I think that I'll be okay, if I watch it for the remainder of the week. Tomorrow is weigh day and I'm not expecting miracles, but I'm still really happy about the size 8.
 
 

I did some digging around on a consultant site and found an opportunity to write, part-time. The person I emailed got back to me pretty quickly and said that they had narrowed the list down to only a handful of people (including myself). Woohoo! This could be just the jump-start I need to get a little extra income in the house. With hubby not able to take overtime anymore, our finances have been really crappy at times. Don't get me wrong, we're not in the poor-house, but we're definitely not prepared to have any major castrophes happen. (You know, they tell you to have at least two months worth of pay saved up for emergencies). I suppose, if worse came to worse, I would just borrow against my 403b, but I'd hate to do that. They tax you to death when you do that.

Anyway, I'm kind of excited. Any time I've contributed something with my writing, I've always had good results. In graduate school, I submitted a piece that was requested for a live presentation. Several local "heavies" listened to me read my short-story. I once submitted a piece for a radio contest and won. Another time, I submitted a short essay for an online contest and received a consolation prize (hey, I didn't win, but I did get something out of it). I really think this is the profession I'm supposed to be in. True enough, my job requires that I write all the time, everyday, but not in the way that I would like to.

I had two, great workouts today. This morning, I pumped away on the treadmill. This afternoon, I glided away on the elliptical. This evening, we're supposed to start painting our bedroom. That's a workout in and of itself! I'll be glad when it's over, but I'll sure love the results (walls and arms alike). We were supposed to start earlier this week, but hubby bought more plants and flowers and had to take care of those each afternoon after work. My hubby - the green thumb.

This Saturday, I plan on taking yard sale items to a local consignment shop, Kid to Kid. They buy toys and clothing and I hope to get a little bit for some of the better items that didn't sell. We tried to take them after the yard sale, but they were swamped and had no where to put anything. It looked as if someone dropped exploding boxes of clothes all over their back counter. What a mess! Hopefully, I won't have the same problem if I get there early enough.

No big plans for the weekend, other than that. I am getting excited about my impending days off, in the next couple of weeks. I still think I'll sell back the Superman set and buy the halter I was talking about. I'm also thinking that I'll go ahead and do the bronze thing next week. If the summer keeps flying along like it's doing, I'll be too "bright" for the fall, and I like a darker hair color during the fall. Right now, it's a rusty red from all the sun exposure. Never seen a red-haired black woman? Take a look at Chaka Khan. I think the big day will be July 21st. If I'm anywhere in the 150's, I won't feel the least bit guilty about bumping up the goal prize (especially with all the drama these goal prizes have become).

My daughter, the babe, will be four in August. In her few, short years on planet earth, she has already begun to make her mark. At barely one, she took home Mini-queen title for the Miss American Starlet Pageant. It was a total fluke thing when we did this. Hubby stumbled upon the ad in the paper (while waiting for his oil change), then I called to get more information. When the information arrived, I found out that the registration fee was 75 big ones. Well, I wasn't about to pay that to put a toddler into a pageant. Turns out, everybody I knew wanted to sponsor her. The $75 was raised in about 3 days. So, off to the pageant we went. There were some new mommies, like me, and some obsessive, crazy mommies. I swore right then and there that I would never become the latter. Those women were nuts! No child should look like Tammy Faye Baker or feel like they're failures because they aren't pretty enough. What the hell? The division she fell in was judged purely on natural cuteness, thank God.

Anyway, she took home the title, a crown, a sash and a huge trophy. The next year, she took home the title of princess. This past year, I put her in the Sunburst pageant and she won that too. I'm telling you all of this because I want you to understand that my child's beauty isn't just a mother's opinion and blinded love. People who know beauty as a profession see my child as gorgeous (without make-up or props).

A co-worker's wife is the photographer for a very large scrapbooking company based here. She asked my little one to pose for their catalog. It was a full-on photo session and the babe just ate it up. The photographers encouraged me to get her an agent, so I began investigating the BBB for the best agencies in SLC. I found the names of the top three and started communications with one of them. Most won't take on a child younger than six, but this one takes them at four.

Yesterday, hubby was at the store and a woman stopped him about the babe. She raved about how beautiful she was and how she'd be perfect for a commercial they were shooting today. Now, the babe isn't quite four yet and reading isn't an option. Everything would have to be memorized and she wondered if that was a possibility with someone so young. She must have changed her mind because I didn't hear back from her, but it got the fire going again about getting the babe into this business.

With all the stories we hear about child stars gone bad, I was a bit hesitant; however, I remembered something about those stories that I kept hearing: the parents lived lavishly and drained their children dry. Those who succeeded, had stable home lives and I believe that makes all the difference in the world.

I'm a good and fair mother. She has a good and fair father. The babe already has a savings account (and has since she was a few months old). Everything she made would go there (unless, of course, she "blew up" and mom and dad became her manager's). But, even still, neither myself nor my husband are lavish people. We'd want her to have a childhood (I definitely would, because I thought mine was the best). I'd want her to have normal school and normal friends. Again, I don't know if she would even be huge. She could be just a great, local talent that gets called from time to time and that would be fine with me. Anyway, this has all been on my mind for the past couple of days, so I thought I would share.

Down another pound. I took a look at my stats page and realized that it's taken four months to lose this "second batch" of ten. Goodness! That's some kind of plateau. The weight training should make a difference...at least I'm hoping it will. It's a change from what I've been doing, and that's the only way to break a plateau. I'd hate to think that it will take me till November to reach the lower 150s. Yikes!

Today is the babe's field trip to the Aquarium. Hubby is going as a chaperone and was so excited that he didn't go straight to bed. Isn't that cute? Gosh, looking at him you'd never know he was as big of a kid as he is. My daughter is so excited too. She gets a big kick out of getting to ride the bus. Lord, if she only knew what horrors the cheese wagon can bring.

I've been watching "I Love the 90's" on VH1 this week. It's been so strange. Last night was '93, the year I graduated from high school. Their big discussions were on Crystal Pepsi and The X-Files. Amazing! Some of that stuff was so nostalgic. I can't believe it's considered retro already. When I was growing up, the question to mom and dad was, "Did they have T.V. when you were little?". My daughter will be asking, "Did they have the internet when you were little?" I know I'll feel really old, when I say. "No. There was no internet. No chatrooms. In fact, computers weren't even in color. The screens were black and green." Then, she'll run to school to tell her friends how old her mother is. Dark ages, baby!

My goal rewards are all screwed up. You know, I supposed to get the Superman collection on the first goal. The order was (I thought) for the DVD set. Instead, I received the VHS. Brand new, but not what I wanted. The latest goal is for the Satin Hands set; but, I feel like I never got my first goal item. I think I'll sell it back and use the money to get one of those drape halters I've been eyeing. If we go out of town this summer (to somewhere not so prudish) hubby and I can go out in the evening I can look like I actually have sense of style. We'll see. I'm having a time trying to find the right style and color. They're either too expensive or too revealing.

An interesting phenomenon? I'm smaller, despite the one pound. I think I read somewhere that part of a plateau, also has to do with your body catching up to your new, lesser weight. Your organs readjusting, your skin shrinking...something like that. I'll have to see if I can find where I read that again. If that's the case, then I hope things pick up after the readjustment has completed. Oh! And, my skin has stopped exploding. I look like a half-way decent girl again.

After having a day filled with negativity, I worked very hard to make things positive. I had a going-away lunch with two co-workers. The one who isn't leaving (but wants to) griped about her boss a lot at the lunch (the co-worker who is leaving, shares the same boss with her). It's amazing how bad things are in other departments. Not that the situation is any better, but there are others who have it a lot worse. It really put things into perspective.

Despite all the negative talk, I worked hard to change the subject and find non-work related topics to talk about. It worked for the most part and I found that I felt so much better. I think that I achieved a small goal in doing this. I also played new age music all day to help with my mood. It worked! I have it on today as well. The only problem is that it takes me back to darkened, candlelit rooms with warm massage tables. I have to be careful not to fall asleep.

Last night, my hubby announced that he would be digging up the fern plants he planted on the side of our house. They are a bit out-of-control, at the moment. (Oh, let me just say it: the west side of my house looks like a freaking jungle). He purchased tulip and calla Lilly bulbs.

I have three favorite types of flowers: Birds of Paradise, Orchids, and Calla lilies. The Birds of Paradise because of my youth. Growing up, we had several growing outside of the bay window at my house in California. I loved them and they always made me feel better. I was also transfixed when watching the humming birds that flocked to them. I love orchids because of their exotic beauty. How can you not love a purple flower? Both of these cannot be grown in this climate (way too dry and both flowers thrive in tropical or temperate climates). Calla lilies signify spring,Easter and new beginnings. When he told me he was planting them, I actually felt joy. Isn't that funny? The thought of a particular flower made me feel joy. I can only imagine how I'll feel when they bloom next year.

Currently, I'm eating some of hubby's southern-fried catfish and grits. A true southern delight! The word "fry" may have leapt out at you, but not to worry. We only fry in extra, virgin olive oil these days (and frying in my house is a rarity). The fat content really isn't that bad and I'm getting oodles of protein. I'm going to sound like a hypocrite now but, we will be frying again in the next couple of weeks (I promise, we really don't do this much). Hubby wants to have a fish fry for some of our friends and family. He said something about doing hushpuppies too, but I don't know of any low-fat hushpuppy recipes. I can usually find low-fat, low-cal alternatives for most things; however, some things were just made to be fattening and won't taste nearly as good any other way(cheesecake, anyone?). Perhaps will skip them altogether and do a nice pasta salad. Hey, that actually sounds pretty good. Another good idea created from almighty blog!

The gym is still running their Olympic competition. I'm doing quite well (number 1 or 2 in my company, I think). I know what the first prize is and it would be so cool to get it. (I won't mention it here. Don't want to jinx my chances. Let's just say it's a trip to a place where lots of haute couture can be found). I don't know what the group or individual prizes are. I think I mentioned, before, that I hoped it wouldn't be a dumb T-shirt or water-bottle. Since I'm listening to all this new age music, how about ten free massages?? I could totally get into that!