I did it! I made it through a honker of a list today. I feel accomplished and satisfied. I'm now siting on the sofa, heating pad on my back, tea in hand and remote ready for some TV time. That works.
I made a new recipe today. Asian meatballs. Super delicious. They'll enter the regular rotation. I almost bagged it as I have a full plate (pun noted) and this seemed too much. That said, I am tired of my regular stuff and I was heading to the store anyway. I cranked the Christmas music and got it done. Leftovers for tomorrow. Probably not enough to freeze, but next time I might double things. A yea-ME moment. I have another new recipe tomorrow - mango avocado salsa. The mango needs another day so I'm holding off until tomorrow. Sounds really delicious too. And I'll make more tomato soup to freeze ... it's a great staple to have on-hand.
Tomorrow will be a fun day. Shopping, shopping and more shopping. I went through my purchased pile and I see the holes ... I'll try to fill some of them tomorrow. Plus a new outfit for me for eldest's graduation ... if I can find something. Fun!!
My cold-ish thing is holding on. I had to take some cold meds this afternoon. Fingers crossed this is the worst of it.
Lifting was good. Tabata tomorrow. Then a rest day. 90 minute massage in lieu of a morning workout. Well earned and I can't wait!
Okay, just a quick check in.
Thursday, December 8, 2016
I REALLY want my COFFEE!!
I miss it. A part of my morning routine has (temporarily) changed and I'm bummed. It's a self-inflicted change as I read coffee and red wine can irritate the teeth while whitening. It also seems counterproductive to add stain while taking it off ... two steps forward, one back type of thing. I don't know if it even makes a difference. Six more days. I may or may not continue with these restrictions, but for today, I will.
Anyway, yesterday was a great day. I ended up doing a full workout - it felt good. Shopping was fun and I got some things off my list. Lunch was spot-on and delicious. Afterwards, I did some more errands ... got a number of things off my list. Again, the more prepared I am, the more I will enjoy everything.
Today's list is long, but if I get it done it will go a long way to help me get everything ready. I've enjoyed the process and my HAPPY comes from getting things off my list. I was not in the mood to decorate the house, but now that's it's done, I'm enjoying it. Organization is key.
Today is a lift day. I wasn't sore until yesterday afternoon. My back and shoulders are stiff. Whenever we put the bar behind the neck, I feel the burn lol. I image as I get stronger, that will go away. My legs are tired (not sore) but they will be put through the ringer today. I like Thursdays ... the class is in the morning - so much better.
I still feel like I have a mild cold (or bad allergies). I need to take a dose of cold medicine to get to sleep. My sinuses pound when I lay down. The mornings feel yucky too, but I can work through it without taking anything.
I have my next week and a half planned out (with some mixes of fun). I'll enjoy each day since I don't feel overwhelmed. My HAPPY should be nice and strong over the holidays ... but it takes work to make it happen. A big "take" from MHP is that HAPPY is a kind of forward energy, not passive. It takes work, effort, planning, reminding, correcting (at least for ME).
I still haven't made progress on War and Peace, but I want to make that happen. I'm almost finished with my downloaded book and I need to make a plan. I just don't know what the plan should look like ... mandatory reading time ... no new books ... start now ... start in January. I am toying with the idea of making it my New Year's resolution. I like it because it takes the pressure off December. I want to enjoy the process, not dread it. I'll keep thinking on it.
Even though December is a packed month, I'm still doing some new Happiness Project items. Sneaking them in here and there. I'll tell you about them later :-) This post has gone long lol. Off to start my day. Later gators.
Anyway, yesterday was a great day. I ended up doing a full workout - it felt good. Shopping was fun and I got some things off my list. Lunch was spot-on and delicious. Afterwards, I did some more errands ... got a number of things off my list. Again, the more prepared I am, the more I will enjoy everything.
Today's list is long, but if I get it done it will go a long way to help me get everything ready. I've enjoyed the process and my HAPPY comes from getting things off my list. I was not in the mood to decorate the house, but now that's it's done, I'm enjoying it. Organization is key.
Today is a lift day. I wasn't sore until yesterday afternoon. My back and shoulders are stiff. Whenever we put the bar behind the neck, I feel the burn lol. I image as I get stronger, that will go away. My legs are tired (not sore) but they will be put through the ringer today. I like Thursdays ... the class is in the morning - so much better.
I still feel like I have a mild cold (or bad allergies). I need to take a dose of cold medicine to get to sleep. My sinuses pound when I lay down. The mornings feel yucky too, but I can work through it without taking anything.
I have my next week and a half planned out (with some mixes of fun). I'll enjoy each day since I don't feel overwhelmed. My HAPPY should be nice and strong over the holidays ... but it takes work to make it happen. A big "take" from MHP is that HAPPY is a kind of forward energy, not passive. It takes work, effort, planning, reminding, correcting (at least for ME).
I still haven't made progress on War and Peace, but I want to make that happen. I'm almost finished with my downloaded book and I need to make a plan. I just don't know what the plan should look like ... mandatory reading time ... no new books ... start now ... start in January. I am toying with the idea of making it my New Year's resolution. I like it because it takes the pressure off December. I want to enjoy the process, not dread it. I'll keep thinking on it.
Even though December is a packed month, I'm still doing some new Happiness Project items. Sneaking them in here and there. I'll tell you about them later :-) This post has gone long lol. Off to start my day. Later gators.
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Deck the Halls
All done. I plowed through the entire decorating yesterday. I started early and took breaks to do other things so it wasn't too tiring. And I didn't put out everything this year. The trees have fewer ornaments, no nativity set-up and some other things trimmed from the list. It's all good. The house looks nice and it took some pressure off me. I also cleaned out the decorations and gave 2 boxes to the GoodWill.
I realized that adding my eldest's graduation to the mix of December was causing a pile-up of all things holiday. I needed to give myself a break. And I really am busy all month, so I wanted to get this off my list. I also mailed the Christmas cards. Oh joy ... it's now beginning to look a lot like Christmas lol.
I have my cookie list to make next week (I might start some things this week if I have time ... and feel I can resist the dough!!). The more I prep, the more I enjoy the holidays.
I am a bit behind on the shopping list. I need to get some fillers for the boys. It might just be in the way of gift cards - which they like anyway. I like to have at least one "fun" gift to get them. Maybe they are just too old now ... this year I'm plumb out of ideas.
Today is a shopping day with a girlfriend. (All boutiques, nothing for the men in my life.) I need one girlfriend gift so I'll look for that today.
I miss my morning hot coffee. Just tea this last week as I whiten. It's going really well. Some mild to moderate sensitivity but nothing I can't tolerate. I have 7 more applications if all continues to go well. I'm staying away from red wine and hot coffee until I'm finished. My teeth look so much better. I feel relieved!! I can have my coffee and wine AND my white teeth too lol. My hubby is going to give them a go ... he's shocked how much whiter my teeth look.
Yesterday's lift was great. It's not until noon and I did so much before, I almost forgot to go. For as much as I "craved" cardio yesterday, I have no desire today. I'm only doing a quick interval run and a bit of abs. Just to get some sweat going. I still feel like I'm fighting something so I'm not going to push too much.
My food choices have been good the last couple of days. But I think I'm eating too much at dinner ... eating past what I need ... not wanting to stop eating. I'm going to work on changing that today.
Okay folks. Heading for my run, remembering my HAPPY and making this a joyful day.
I realized that adding my eldest's graduation to the mix of December was causing a pile-up of all things holiday. I needed to give myself a break. And I really am busy all month, so I wanted to get this off my list. I also mailed the Christmas cards. Oh joy ... it's now beginning to look a lot like Christmas lol.
I have my cookie list to make next week (I might start some things this week if I have time ... and feel I can resist the dough!!). The more I prep, the more I enjoy the holidays.
I am a bit behind on the shopping list. I need to get some fillers for the boys. It might just be in the way of gift cards - which they like anyway. I like to have at least one "fun" gift to get them. Maybe they are just too old now ... this year I'm plumb out of ideas.
Today is a shopping day with a girlfriend. (All boutiques, nothing for the men in my life.) I need one girlfriend gift so I'll look for that today.
I miss my morning hot coffee. Just tea this last week as I whiten. It's going really well. Some mild to moderate sensitivity but nothing I can't tolerate. I have 7 more applications if all continues to go well. I'm staying away from red wine and hot coffee until I'm finished. My teeth look so much better. I feel relieved!! I can have my coffee and wine AND my white teeth too lol. My hubby is going to give them a go ... he's shocked how much whiter my teeth look.
Yesterday's lift was great. It's not until noon and I did so much before, I almost forgot to go. For as much as I "craved" cardio yesterday, I have no desire today. I'm only doing a quick interval run and a bit of abs. Just to get some sweat going. I still feel like I'm fighting something so I'm not going to push too much.
My food choices have been good the last couple of days. But I think I'm eating too much at dinner ... eating past what I need ... not wanting to stop eating. I'm going to work on changing that today.
Okay folks. Heading for my run, remembering my HAPPY and making this a joyful day.
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Back to the ATL
Home again, again!!
I had a good trip. It was interesting, nice, strange and fun to see my "long lost" family. We caught up and spent time dividing pictures and memorabilia my mom didn't want anymore. It was a nice to walk down memory lane and learn new things about great, great, great people in the family.
My favorite take-away is a locket that belonged to my grandmother's grandmother with a picture of her mother in it. That's a lot of "greats." I need to get a chain to wear it. I want to wear it like a choker-style so I can see it.
My plan had some good and some less good. The dinners were the less-good in the eating and drinking area. Some was to be polite and some was me. It wasn't horrible, just not as careful as I thought I'd be. No quick exercise on Monday as I'm fighting a cold. I decided it was better to have another day off and just add Wednesday as a run day.
I got back on track yesterday (proud of that accomplishment) and expecting a good week leading up to a big party on Saturday. I might go into withdrawal from socializing come January! I need to have a break from eating treats for a little while - I just don't feel as good as I want to feel.
Hubby left for out of town, so pantry and freezer are "clean" from temptations. I have a frozen stash of food I'm hitting up for a couple of days until I'm back to feeling better.
This week is decorating-the-house week. I must get it finished by Friday when the cleaning ladies come. I'll plan an hour a day (more if I'm up to it). I want to go through the bins and weed out some stuff so it will take longer this year. Next week is baking-the-cookies week. I'm trying to have the cookies in the house for as little time as possible. They are a big temptation and get me "started" down a slippery slope if I have just one.
Overall, I'm doing well with moderation and living-my-new lifestyle. But there are so, so, so many things going on these last few months ... I can see the slope ahead and I feel a bit too close. This week is going to be important to be rock-steady on my resolve. Cravings at night are pretty strong right now. This is a sign of having "too much" and another gateway into giving in.
Focus, clarity, resolve. My intention this week.
Today is lift day at the studio. I'm in the mood for cardio, but sticking with the schedule. It will feel good to workout again.
Okay, so much more to catch up on ... but it can wait for another post. Later gators. It's going to be a HAPPY day.
I had a good trip. It was interesting, nice, strange and fun to see my "long lost" family. We caught up and spent time dividing pictures and memorabilia my mom didn't want anymore. It was a nice to walk down memory lane and learn new things about great, great, great people in the family.
My favorite take-away is a locket that belonged to my grandmother's grandmother with a picture of her mother in it. That's a lot of "greats." I need to get a chain to wear it. I want to wear it like a choker-style so I can see it.
My plan had some good and some less good. The dinners were the less-good in the eating and drinking area. Some was to be polite and some was me. It wasn't horrible, just not as careful as I thought I'd be. No quick exercise on Monday as I'm fighting a cold. I decided it was better to have another day off and just add Wednesday as a run day.
I got back on track yesterday (proud of that accomplishment) and expecting a good week leading up to a big party on Saturday. I might go into withdrawal from socializing come January! I need to have a break from eating treats for a little while - I just don't feel as good as I want to feel.
Hubby left for out of town, so pantry and freezer are "clean" from temptations. I have a frozen stash of food I'm hitting up for a couple of days until I'm back to feeling better.
This week is decorating-the-house week. I must get it finished by Friday when the cleaning ladies come. I'll plan an hour a day (more if I'm up to it). I want to go through the bins and weed out some stuff so it will take longer this year. Next week is baking-the-cookies week. I'm trying to have the cookies in the house for as little time as possible. They are a big temptation and get me "started" down a slippery slope if I have just one.
Overall, I'm doing well with moderation and living-my-new lifestyle. But there are so, so, so many things going on these last few months ... I can see the slope ahead and I feel a bit too close. This week is going to be important to be rock-steady on my resolve. Cravings at night are pretty strong right now. This is a sign of having "too much" and another gateway into giving in.
Focus, clarity, resolve. My intention this week.
Today is lift day at the studio. I'm in the mood for cardio, but sticking with the schedule. It will feel good to workout again.
Okay, so much more to catch up on ... but it can wait for another post. Later gators. It's going to be a HAPPY day.
Saturday, December 3, 2016
Philadelphia or Bust
I'm flying out this morning.
Early rising to get an extra workout this week (treadmill and some weights) so I don't need to exercise on the trip. I'll have Sunday rest day and Monday I'll do some abs and arms in the bedroom - quick down & dirty. It saves me a lot of trouble and packing.
I think my new hair stylist will be great. She had some new ideas and cut my hair differently. I'm happy I made the change. We'll see when I style it (keratin treatment on now, so hard to tell). I really did get polished up this week lol.
Whitening also went well. I see a difference - yea. The sensitivity is still tolerable so plugging on. I brought 2 applications for my trip and a bottle of white wine lol (they will only have red). Maybe that's a little overboard, but red is also acidic and will increase sensitivity. I want an option to have a drink (or two).
I miss my morning coffee. I thought it best to give it up while I whiten for the same reasons as red wine. (I still get a Starbucks iced americano later - I'm not that crazy - and it's with a straw!)
I like my eating plan for the weekend. There will be good options for some of the meals, but not for all of them (i.e. pizza for lunch). I'm going to roll with the punches. I'll drink a little, but not a lot (a number of reasons). My mom tried to accommodate some of my food "issues," but she seems to have trouble understanding everything. She made a dessert she "can't wait for me to try" but it's made with whipped cream - I'm lactose intolerant - for the last 20 years. I don't expect her (or anyone) to serve around my preferences, but some things are not negotiable in my eating world (broccoli, heavy lactose, grapes, pork, etc). It's not a big deal - not being able to have dessert simplifies my choices. For the rest, I'll moderate.
I have a good balance when I travel right now. Keeping some of the routine, relaxing on other things and enjoying myself. The intention on this trip is spend time with family I haven't seen in years and help my mom have a great 70th birthday.
I debated taking War and Peace with me. I will get some good reading time on the flights. The problem is, it is an actual book - heavy and I need to be careful not to crinkle it up. It might be more trouble than it's worth. I think I'll start a bit of a reading schedule when I get home - I've made practically no progress and it's a lot of reading!! But the other issue is I will start a new book on the plane and will need to finish it too. War & Peace keeps getting bumped and I still want to give this a solid go-at-it.
Okay, time to get going. Until next week ...
Early rising to get an extra workout this week (treadmill and some weights) so I don't need to exercise on the trip. I'll have Sunday rest day and Monday I'll do some abs and arms in the bedroom - quick down & dirty. It saves me a lot of trouble and packing.
I think my new hair stylist will be great. She had some new ideas and cut my hair differently. I'm happy I made the change. We'll see when I style it (keratin treatment on now, so hard to tell). I really did get polished up this week lol.
Whitening also went well. I see a difference - yea. The sensitivity is still tolerable so plugging on. I brought 2 applications for my trip and a bottle of white wine lol (they will only have red). Maybe that's a little overboard, but red is also acidic and will increase sensitivity. I want an option to have a drink (or two).
I miss my morning coffee. I thought it best to give it up while I whiten for the same reasons as red wine. (I still get a Starbucks iced americano later - I'm not that crazy - and it's with a straw!)
I like my eating plan for the weekend. There will be good options for some of the meals, but not for all of them (i.e. pizza for lunch). I'm going to roll with the punches. I'll drink a little, but not a lot (a number of reasons). My mom tried to accommodate some of my food "issues," but she seems to have trouble understanding everything. She made a dessert she "can't wait for me to try" but it's made with whipped cream - I'm lactose intolerant - for the last 20 years. I don't expect her (or anyone) to serve around my preferences, but some things are not negotiable in my eating world (broccoli, heavy lactose, grapes, pork, etc). It's not a big deal - not being able to have dessert simplifies my choices. For the rest, I'll moderate.
I have a good balance when I travel right now. Keeping some of the routine, relaxing on other things and enjoying myself. The intention on this trip is spend time with family I haven't seen in years and help my mom have a great 70th birthday.
I debated taking War and Peace with me. I will get some good reading time on the flights. The problem is, it is an actual book - heavy and I need to be careful not to crinkle it up. It might be more trouble than it's worth. I think I'll start a bit of a reading schedule when I get home - I've made practically no progress and it's a lot of reading!! But the other issue is I will start a new book on the plane and will need to finish it too. War & Peace keeps getting bumped and I still want to give this a solid go-at-it.
Okay, time to get going. Until next week ...
Friday, December 2, 2016
Done!!!
What is done you might be wondering?? MY CHRISTMAS CARDS!! Stuffed, addressed, stamped and ready to be mailed next week. This has NEVER happened! I can't even blame work for delaying me every year - it has nothing to do with how busy I am. I just cannot get my act together to get everything done. This year - act together and BAM.
In lieu of starting decorations, I hit the Christmas cards hard. I didn't plan to finish, but I went for it. I feel like I climbed the biggest holiday mountain. Oh such pleasure!!
What else ... hmmmm ... made the green bean recipe. OMG delicious. I couldn't finish them (2 lbs of green beans - no wonder). I'll see if they hold for leftovers. I also did some more food prep so I have something to bring on the plane (yep - I do that!).
Today is tabata. I haven't been to this class in a couple of weeks. Looking forward to it.
Then hair day. New hair stylist. Fingers crossed.
I might not be checking in until Tuesday - depending on a few things. Heading to Philly tomorrow and back Monday afternoon. I have a plan in place. It's flexible and I'll be enjoying a few treats, but not going crazy.
P.S. My whitening went well last night. I might actually be able to tolerate it. I read collagen helps with teeth sensitivity - so maybe that's true. That stuff rocks! I only check out my teeth in the mirror a hundred times a day now. Are they whiter?? Lol.
Okay, this is a quick one this morning. Hubby is up and working from home. Later gators.
In lieu of starting decorations, I hit the Christmas cards hard. I didn't plan to finish, but I went for it. I feel like I climbed the biggest holiday mountain. Oh such pleasure!!
What else ... hmmmm ... made the green bean recipe. OMG delicious. I couldn't finish them (2 lbs of green beans - no wonder). I'll see if they hold for leftovers. I also did some more food prep so I have something to bring on the plane (yep - I do that!).
Today is tabata. I haven't been to this class in a couple of weeks. Looking forward to it.
Then hair day. New hair stylist. Fingers crossed.
I might not be checking in until Tuesday - depending on a few things. Heading to Philly tomorrow and back Monday afternoon. I have a plan in place. It's flexible and I'll be enjoying a few treats, but not going crazy.
P.S. My whitening went well last night. I might actually be able to tolerate it. I read collagen helps with teeth sensitivity - so maybe that's true. That stuff rocks! I only check out my teeth in the mirror a hundred times a day now. Are they whiter?? Lol.
Okay, this is a quick one this morning. Hubby is up and working from home. Later gators.
Thursday, December 1, 2016
Pearly Whites
Dentist done - so pleased! Whitening begun. One application last night. I have some good tips from the website and the dentist on how to do it with the least amount of sensitivity. I have some sensitivity but that could also be from the dentist. I hope I can do a few applications. My teeth look great this morning (between cleaning and whitening).
I'm stupidly happy about doing the whitening. I feel almost guilty when I drink coffee (especially if I have more than one cup). I have a close family member who doesn't whiten and years of coffee have not been kind. I fear the same yellow-brick-road path ... so to speak. If I can take off some stain and do maintenance on that - I'll be happy. Have my coffee and drink it too!!
Happy hour was great! Lovely conversation with a great friend, good (and cheap) glass of white wine, no food ... perfect. I ate before I went and figured I could have something if she wanted to ... but she didn't.
Drive to the restaurant was crazy. Someone ran a light and almost T-boned me. My car is amazing. I really think all the safety features prevented an accident. I was shaking like a leaf on a tree!! But last night all I could feel was grateful. Life can ALWAYS change in a second and I'm grateful last night was not one of those seconds. And grateful for what IS right now. I'm a fortunate lady and that moment reminded me of what's important.
Today is lifting. It's an earlier class (I like that much better). And it's eyebrow day. I really am going to be spit-shined clean. The rest of the day is up in the air. I might start prepping to decorate - bring stuff upstairs. I want to clean out the bins this year so one at a time might be less overwhelming.
My nails look good too lol! I got the same color and sparkles on my 4th nail ... but I guess I picked a different sparkle. It's more obvious. I still like it - all subtle (relatively) and neutral. My nails are harder - so thrilled with the protein powder.
Today is December 1. The start of a really fun and busy month. The cold front moved through last night and it feels like "not summer" once again. Off to make this a HAPPY day. Later gators.
I'm stupidly happy about doing the whitening. I feel almost guilty when I drink coffee (especially if I have more than one cup). I have a close family member who doesn't whiten and years of coffee have not been kind. I fear the same yellow-brick-road path ... so to speak. If I can take off some stain and do maintenance on that - I'll be happy. Have my coffee and drink it too!!
Happy hour was great! Lovely conversation with a great friend, good (and cheap) glass of white wine, no food ... perfect. I ate before I went and figured I could have something if she wanted to ... but she didn't.
Drive to the restaurant was crazy. Someone ran a light and almost T-boned me. My car is amazing. I really think all the safety features prevented an accident. I was shaking like a leaf on a tree!! But last night all I could feel was grateful. Life can ALWAYS change in a second and I'm grateful last night was not one of those seconds. And grateful for what IS right now. I'm a fortunate lady and that moment reminded me of what's important.
Today is lifting. It's an earlier class (I like that much better). And it's eyebrow day. I really am going to be spit-shined clean. The rest of the day is up in the air. I might start prepping to decorate - bring stuff upstairs. I want to clean out the bins this year so one at a time might be less overwhelming.
My nails look good too lol! I got the same color and sparkles on my 4th nail ... but I guess I picked a different sparkle. It's more obvious. I still like it - all subtle (relatively) and neutral. My nails are harder - so thrilled with the protein powder.
Today is December 1. The start of a really fun and busy month. The cold front moved through last night and it feels like "not summer" once again. Off to make this a HAPPY day. Later gators.
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