I have the T-shirt to prove it!

CNN was fun and interesting ... plus I got a great new shirt to workout in lol.  Washed and ready to wear today.

Treadmill was good yesterday.  Lifting today.  A VERY early rise for some version of a workout tomorrow ... that will feel like a throw-back to my working days - ha.  Working out on the trip would be a big old pain.  This is the lesser of evils and most appropriate.  I'll have 2 days off and then hit the workouts hard next week.  Being able to schedule workouts around quick trips and not feel the need I MUST workout is liberating.  Cuts my packing in half, no smelly clothes to deal with, no scoping hotel gyms, no waking hubby early when I go to workout.  I won't miss more than one day of a workout though... then the gym bag comes along.

I'm finding myself a bit grumpy this week.  The weekend's mood had an explanation, this week is more a feeling of overwhelm bitching me out ... from holidays to empty nest ending (temporarily).  I'm in my head complaining about too much.  I'm making an effort today to bring the HAPPY back, enjoy this awesome time and be GRATEFUL.

This will require some effort, but it will be worth it.  Grumpy is a default setting for me over the years.  Time to change that bad habit.

Cookies.  Need I say more.  Lordy, they called to me last night.  I resisted, but it was a big head conversation.  I really want to hold tough on this choice - I think choosing differently will head me down the slope.  I will relax things on Christmas - maybe ... but all these regular days are "red zone" and I need "rules" in place.

I'm not sure if I wrote about this before, but it bares repeating.  The problem with so many BIG EVENTS (most that span days) is the rest of the days in-between lose their wiggle room.  I like having wiggle room on regular days and that feels like how-I-want-to-be.  Lately, it's feeling like on-and-off again.  But I need the balance.

I also think I need to make some hard choices over the next 4 weeks.  AKA Christmas can't be a full splurge all three days of celebrations ... it's too much.  I'll feel crappy, my pants will be tight and that will put me on coarse for the slippery slope.  I need to reign in the go-for-it eating and drinking and be more mindful of my choices.  I've had enough, I don't need it ALL.

That's all for today.  Tomorrow may or may not be a quick post while I drink my tea.  Then I'll catch up on the other end of the trip.  Exciting and so proud of my eldest ... my college graduate!  Wish me luck on the big drive (and winter storm).  Later gators.

CNN

Today is the CNN VIP tour (we splurged for the $35 tickets lol).  It a thing-to-do in Atlanta which no one local ever does (because it's so close and can always be done).  We are playing tourist today and checking it out.  Thank you My Happiness Project.

Yesterday was pleasantly uneventful.  Nails done, baking finished, errands run.

I did get a call from my aunt yesterday asking me to host a Boxing Day family meal since some family will be in town.  I'm glad to do it (it's my turn) ... just wish it were a different day.  That's 3 big cooking days in a row ... at the end of the season.  My relaxing Christmas will now be meal prep (they want an early meal so some can get on the road).  It will be fun though.  I did some meal switching so ham wins.  This grouping of family has a ton of food issues and you need to be creative to accommodate everyone.  Ham (with sandwich set up), salad bar (with goodies on the side), funeral potatoes and that's that.  Not hard, just yucky timing.

Today is my switched rest day so treadmill intervals heading my way.  I'm glad I made the switch ... my knees are much happier today.  Friday will be a really early run day.  I was thinking of an outside run, but it might be below freezing.  I'm paranoid of black ice and the cold will activate my rosacea.  Treadmill might be repeating Friday.  I need to have a second interval routine ... I'll give it some thought.  It's really warm this morning ... wish I had thought of outdoor run today.  It's too late now - buses on the road.

My eating was good yesterday.  I stayed clear of the cookies.  I really want to completely avoid them this year, but I'm not sure if I will.  The choice is mine (I know), but I don't completely trust myself.  I know one will lead to many and that's the problem.  Less than a month of holiday cheer left.  Graduation, Christmas, New Year's and girls' weekend.  That's the end for a little while.  I need a stretch of no big social stuff lol.

Okay folks.  Off to finish my tea and hit that old treadmill.

Freaky Monday

What a day.

First, my shower was interrupted by my plumber call-back.  "I'm in the neighborhood, I can come right over."  We have 3 faucet problems - one that was an urgent issue.  Great, but not great.  I had soap in my hair, soup on the stove, bacon in the oven and I just was planning a quick shower (and a leg shave).  No shave, but I did my hair (very quickly).

Cookie batter made while faucets got fixed (and no water).  Nice - that was relatively painless.  I decided to run and get a coffee and drop off my dry cleaning before I baked the cookies.

Tire blow out.  Tow to the dealership with my 100 lb dog.  Three hours "managing" him without his gentle leader (he pulls like crazy) and he was excited, nervous, confused, scared.  And I missed lunch. What an afternoon.

Came home and baked the cookies.  Got to all but one (I'll do it today).

And I kept to my plan.  That was a miracle.  I wanted that dough like I can't even tell you.  I'm proud of ME.  All this with a mood to end all moods (and my constant PMS hunger).  (Mood over today ... finally!!)

Looking for a more "normal" day today.  I'll finish baking the cookies (round one that is) and get my nails done (I think).  I have a list of stuff ahead of our trip to graduation.  I need to map everything out and figure out the plan.  I am crampy and yucky today, but it's the final step to feeling back to myself again ... I'll take it.

Tonight is my last night of whitening.  My teeth are mildly bothering me, but nothing horrible.  It's good to know I can "correct" my bad staining habits.  Bring on the coffee - guilt-free!  My teeth look good - not Hollywood white, but perfectly nice.  Now it's just an occasional maintenance.

Today is lifting at noon.  I don't like to wait so long to workout, but it's what works best right now.  I'll either bake this morning or get my nails done ... decisions, decisions.

Okay, that's the scoop.  I hope to report nothing special tomorrow lol. Later gators.

Still missing the holy-jollies

This is a dragged out, down-n-dirty PMS.  Still going ... hopefully moving beyond today.

Time for true confessions of a moody bitch.
I hit the "treats" last night.  Brownies, sandwiches with cheese, more cheese.  Not my happy place.  Big girl panties on now.  No more - period (no pun intended).  I felt like crap last night.  Sore throat, moody, headache, moody, achy, moody, stuffed sinuses ... you get the idea.  I just gave up and gave in.  I really don't want to get sick (and eating junk was just the solution - ugh).

My youngest is back at school today for his final exam.  I cloroxed the entire house lol.

I think I'm going to take a rest day from working out.  I usually don't make a same-day decision, but hear me out.  This needs to be a modified schedule this week since we are going out of town.  Also, my knees are a bit crunchy from the run yesterday.  I don't want to run again today.  I also lifted yesterday and will again tomorrow.  It doesn't give me much of a choice for today.  I will have a more solid workout if I switch with Wednesday.  I'm also not feeling it mentally today.  I have a day in the kitchen planned and I want to get at it.  My concern is I need to eat healthy today.  No excuses.  Without the mental "lift" from my workout, can I do it?  Duh ... yes I can.  Always and forever my choice.

Here's some good news.  This weekend was the last of the big, must-indulge, party-like-crazy days of this crazy 4 months.  We have lots of special days left, but none revolve around as much around alcohol.  I made it.  A bit beat up, a bit out of form this morning ... but I still standing (and fitting into my pants).  Now to return to my regularly scheduled health.  That feels hard this morning (that darn mood still getting me).

The slippery slope is way too close.  Time to take some steps back - quickly.  Okay, the kitchen is calling.  I'm starting with (finally) making my soup and then beginning the cookie-palooza.  Wish me luck health.  My goal is to be able to report a good day today.  I need a small win with a baby step - that's all it takes to get the ball rolling.

P.S.  I'm making some progress with War and Peace.  Reading a little every day.  Rumor has it, the first 100 pages are the most difficult with so many characters introduced.  I'm almost there lol.

The Day After

Fun night last night.  I ate and drank ... moderately-ish.  I feel just fine this morning, but I'm glad to have the "treats" finished.  No monthly friend yet .. still moody, etc.  I want to eat to feel my best today.  (Of course, this is MORNING ME talking ... I hope EVENING ME is just as resolved lol!)

My youngest came home a few days early (unexpectedly).  He's sick with a cold and wanted to be home to study in peace with some TLC.  Happy to have him home ... wish he didn't bring along the germs.  I feel destined to get sick this week.  So many people hacking last night.  UGH!

We have our Steelers gathering today.  I have a big to-do list and now that I need to take care of my youngest (aka feed him), I wish we took a pass on it.  It will be fun, but I have to get going on a bunch of things.  I'd send my hubby alone, but her husband is out of town.  That would be awkward.

My mood is scary this morning.  I wanted to sleep in since it was a late night last night ... hubby woke me up and then promptly fell back to sleep.  What a bum lol (my mood used different language).  I'm having a hate-all-things morning.

Tomorrow is the start of baking.  I plan to make 3 cookies if the baking gods are with me - fingers crossed.

Please, please, please do not get sick!!  I don't have time to slow down these next two weeks.  That's why I'm bummed to not have today to get started with stuff ... I have a feeling I'm going to need it.  Maybe it's my mood being doomy and gloomy.

I feel like working out like I feel like a hole in the head.  But I will.  I'll see how I it goes and I won't push too hard today.  My energy gets zapped ahead of my monthly buddy.  I wish we had time for our Sunday hike.  I'd enjoy it today, but I think it's just too tight to fit in this morning.

Okay, enough of my bitch-and-moan session.  Tomorrow's post will be more holy-jolly (hopefully).

Christmas Party

Today is our GNI holiday party (hubbies included).  I'm looking forward to the night.  We are having a couple over for a drink before the party ... a warm-up, catch-up and an excuse to try a highly recommended bottle of wine (yep, red ... only 3 more applications of strips ... I'm going for it!).

*TMI Alert*
Today (and possibly tomorrow) are my heavy PMS days ... cravings, big appetite, moody.  This is the 3rd time it's timed out exactly with a "party" night.  (And I didn't even pick the date.)  It's going to be a challenge.
*TMI Alert Over*

So I have a plan that's not exactly a plan.  I want to eat, drink and be merry.  This will be a really fun night with lots of good friends.  It's 3 houses down the street - no driving.  It's also my last "event" before my empty nest comes to a screeching halt until the end of summer (between both kids and possibly a girlfriend added to the mix).  I don't want to restrict, think about what I'm eating ... I just want to enjoy it.

However ...

I don't want to feel crappy tomorrow (and possibly Monday depending on my "misery" arrival).  We have Steelers game plans tomorrow afternoon and I'm baking all day Monday.  Red zones galore and combined with feeling crappy ... I just don't know.  I'm just back to my old, new self from last weekend's festivities.  This social life is going to kill me lol!

Also, we have graduation coming next weekend.  I found a cute winter dress (for the celebration dinner) and an outfit to wear for graduation.  I want both to feel comfortable and fit well.  And I want to feel great.  I don't need a bloated stomach to mess up the works.  I will have time to "recover" from a big night out before we leave, but the key is ONE big night out ... not a Steelers game blow-out, cookie dough sampling, etc.

I will also say, I'm getting tired of being in "recovery" mode.  It's feeling a little like all-or-nothing swinging.  It can't be helped.  I just have such a full calendar (I know ... what a problem to have lol!!) I could really use a slow-down.

So my plan is to enjoy, but be careful.  As much as I don't want to "think" about it, I need to ... this can't be a feed fest.  I know I can balance enjoying and still feeling okay (not great, but okay).  I've done it before.  FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS!

And balance is key.  Too much restriction and I'll end up face first in a bowl of cookie dough Monday.

This post has been one big pep rally for walking my walk, finding the balance, doing MY thing.  Maybe it's good to get PMS and a party over all at once.  Lord help me (again).

MHP Update

I thought I'd give another update to My Happiness Project (since I don't have much to say this morning).

NEW WORKOUTS
Going strong (I'm full of puns).  I might give it a bit of a tweak when the new year begins, but I'm happy with my progress.  My knee feels the best it's felt, no other injuries and I AM getting stronger.

FOOD FREEDOM
Also going well.  This is the mother-load of all social challenges (for 4 months!!).  We have some big trips next year, but the social calendar should slow down.  Funny enough, that slow-down (i.e. change) will cause me a struggle (always does).  The plan is to be ready and have a plan.  I haven't been perfect, but I learn each time and it gets easier to make the "healthy" (class 1 experience) choice.   If this is what my food freedom looks like, I'd be HAPPY.

TRIPS and VISITS
Duh ... yep ... a bit too much lol.  I just have one friend to add to my schedule and one trip to Canada to get on the calendar.  It's been fun, rewarding, joyful, tiring, challenging and TOTALLY WORTH IT!!

READING LIST
Epic fail (so far).  I've been reading regularly, but everything BUT my list.  War and Peace is coming back off the shelf.  All the books are "big" reads and daunting to start (but should all be worth the effort).  I need to focus.

WATCHING LIST
I've seen a couple of things on my classic movie list.  This seems more like winter fun, so I've actually been waiting to watch.

TRYING THINGS
I've hit most on the list.  Still a few to do.  I try to incorporate "trying" into my regular days ... fun, variety ... makes me HAPPY.

LOCAL RESTAURANTS and LOCAL SIGHTS
Slowing moving through the list.  I'm going to take the CNN tour next week.  Most of the "things" are in downtown Atlanta.  Getting there, dealing with traffic ... kind of a bummer.  It's also more of a winter (when things slow-down) kind of a list.  I'm looking forward to working through it.

REGULAR TASKS (new recipe, rosetta stone, being nice)
New recipes I'm nailing well.  Rosetta stone ... well, I finally found it ... but no progress (it's still on the list though).  Being nice ... daily reminder, but I'm improving!

MHP has been great.  It's forcing me to use my hiatus time wisely, to grow in different aspects, to search for what makes my regular life HAPPY ... what makes ME HAPPY.

And it continues on ... TBC.