You Win Some AND...

I LOVE to cook...

I LOVE my husband...

I LOVE to cook FOR my husband, it's kind of my "language of love".

I plan every week, down to every ingredient and detail.

Last night...I failed...EPICALLY!

Don't get me wrong, I loved the meal...the husband, not so much...

it was a "meatless night", that he approved during the weekly "menu review meeting".

Last night, he also threw it in the trash and ate a can of SPAM!

Ugh. 

You win some and...you totally lose some!!!

-d

Purge-atory! Stuck Somewhere Between Attic and Garage...

Hello, my name is Dee and I am a 'purger'.
I have no issues with getting rid of or throwing stuff away.
Simply put, I can blaze through an entire pile of memories and stuff in no-time-flat, and NEVER even hesitate.

The reason I am telling you is this:

This is our attic...now.
Bob had been complaining about how it needed to be emptied.
That we needed to have a garage sale or donation drive or whatever...
So, last Friday when I was off work, I did it.
ShyAmy was generous enough to spend the morning with me to help...awesome!
We started at 8:04am. 2 girls, loads of crap, 55 trips (yes, I counted) up and down 2 flights of steps and 1 hour and 57 minutes later and the attic was, well, empty.

And it felt GREAT! Of course, now the garage was full and in complete disarray.
I sent ShyAmy off to pick up SRuther and a box of trash bags and I.got.busy.
I categorized, sorted, tossed, piled, folded and stuffed.
When the girls got back, we sifted through the last bits and filled up the trash bags.
That was it.

Here is what it looked like Friday at noon:

Everything ready to go - minus the cute girl that is somehow in the pile - and that was it. Right?

I was done.

Or so I thought.

Apparently I am not married to a 'purger', rather a 'wanna-be purger'..you know him...he complains about all the junk and then tip toes and fingers through the piles spouting things like 'why are we throwing THIS away' or 'I can't believe you are getting RID of this'!

Ugh. Yep. That is my husband. The man that took 4 hours to go through one box of photos. The man that can't understand why we don't NEED 19 duffel bags. The man that thinks one day we MIGHT need the eight thousand empty picture frames we have collected over our lifetime.
All of these things that have been sitting in the attic, in a space he so desperately wanted cleaned, for 5 years but now he can't bare to part with. (collective sigh, do it with me now!) ...sigh...
I held up my end of the bargain, so now let's see how long our garage will make us look like the neighbor hoarders...
:-(
-d

Focus?

Have you ever noticed that:


DRIVE + EFFORT + COMMITMENT doesn't always = GOAL ATTAINED???


WTH?


I mean, don't get me wrong...I don't always expect succeed, but come on.


So, I was in the middle of a soccer field, in the dark hours of the morning this morning when this all occurred to me.
Hmmm.
And, I am not so certain why or where it came from.
Maybe it's because I am coming off of 2 battered and bruised marathon cycles...
Maybe it's because I received my "new" training plan yesterday (thank you T @ racingwithbabes).
Maybe it's because twice over the last week I have heard a good friend tell me that I "too often put everyone else's success before my own"...
Not really sure, BUT it brings to mind a very familiar saying:


"If you do what you've always done, you get what you've always gotten..."


And don't get me wrong - I do "do", I know this, as I get called "crazy, "insane", "hard core" all the time.
And I "get" and have "gotten" and I am proud of my accomplishments and successes, no matter how big or small they are or have been.


BUT, it's time to try "something new". And it's time to make that second line of this blog = doesn't always = GOAL ATTAINED!


-d

Awkward - continued...

What she said next didn't surprise me...
" I don't eat breakfast because it's a waste; I hate water because, what's the point, it's water; I have no idea what snacks are good so I just eat whatever; and dinner, well don't.go.there."
I think there were a few more blurbs in there but you get the point.
And then she added, "and I know, I need to move."
Aha...a little, tiny light??? 
I felt at this point, just as I suspected in the elevator, that she was trying to ask for help?
She knows about my "weighty" past, she knows what I do now, and she, well, doesn't know how to help herself, right?
Or does she? 
Maybe she does but doesn't want to?
Was I suppose to say something?
I stood there for what seemed an eternity, but it was really like a minute and then I just started talking.
And - she was listening.
More like hanging on every word. It reminded me of that poster of the kitten hanging onto the end of a rope.
For some reason, it still surprises me how many adults don't know the basics about food.
Why we need to eat...
How not eating enough can be worse than eating more...
What foods are healthy and how we don't have to give up everything but learn to be sensible.
Simple? Not really - well - it wasn't for me, which is why I weighted 250 pounds.
Right there in the hot and tiny confines of the lunch room, over the humming of the ice maker and the bells of the microwave, me, the Self-Proclaimed (former) Food Hater and (former) Fatty offered to help.
I gently nudged her with, "Well, if you decide you want to try something different, maybe I could share some of my tips and we could work on a journal and a plan for you...if you decide you want to."
I tried to keep it casual and light and hope and pray it didn't come off as preachy and self-righteous.
She thanked me and we went our separate ways - at least for now.
Who knows what tomorrow will bring?
-d

Awkward???

So, I was getting in the elevator at work this morning and two women on my floor got in at the same time.
One looked a bit flustered, so (here I go) I asked her what was wrong.
"Look at this picture!" she said as she held her new security badge 2 inches from my face.
"The picture is HORRIBLE! You can see all the fat in my chins!"
I inhaled, speechless, my mind spinning...
"I thought I would just get a new badge with my OLD picture, I looked better in THAT one!" she continued as she looked me right in the eyes, dead on, as if she was expecting a reply.
(-Interjecting here: she is, well, overweight. Not by a few pounds, but by quite a bit. But hey, that doesn't affect me and if she is happy, then okay. But in my mind and in my gut, I got a different feeling...I felt she isn't happy, but again, not my place to say.-)
The whole time up riding up and even as we exited, she continued - "I mean really, I hate this, now I have to see what I look like every time I look at this thing", as she closed the badge between her two hands - almost as if she rubbed them together the bad picture would disappear.
"Ugh, I'm so FRUSTRATED!" (again, she is staring at me, like she is piercing her words into my forehead like a sharp tack into a cork board.
They turned one way, I turned another and I bid them a "good day". 
For a moment I considered turning around, but to say what?
Four hours later, I made my way to the lunch room, rounded the corner and there she was...heating up her lunch in the microwave. 
I made my way to the sink to drain my tuna and - there it was - "These things don't work" I heard her say, almost like a question.
I turned to her and just looked at her...and then it came out,"What doesn't work?"
"These healthy meals...look at me! They.Don't.Work." she said.
And, so I did it. I asked the question.
"What else do you do besides these 'healthy meals' because it's not all about lunch."
I wasn't mean, just matter-of-fact.
What she said next didn't surprise me...


To be continued...


-d

Let's Make A Deal!

I have always said that with my purse alone, I could win on "Let's Make A Deal"...

Seriously.

Socks, dental floss, silverware, toothpaste...I.Could.Win.

Apparently my car is the same way.

Must be my constant need to "always be prepared for anything".

Reminds me of the Nor-easter of the early nineties when I went on a Saturday day trip to Atlantic City, got snowed in and came home on Wednesday night.

All of the women looked hellish but I was happy and fresh because I had clean underwear, toothbrush and a change of clothes...

I digress.

Anyhoo, this morning, while unloading TechniColorBlue at WC, LadyEm needed a shirt - got ya!

I pulled one out of my car straightaway.

Then I overheard the girl across the parking lot "I wish I had dressed better, I don't have a long sleeve shirt!"

Bingo! I lent her another spare from my stock.

A few minutes later, CoachQ hollered "Hey D, got a Sharpie in that truck?"

...as a matter of fact, I did!

Post run snacks, a visor for a post ride photo, a yoga mat for stretching, ice packs and even NipGuards for the guys!

Let's just say, should Bob Barker ever show up at one of my parking spots, it's safe to say I will be taking home the PRIZE!

See?

Need something?

-d

20 Random Things About Me...

...love using the words "haricot verts" and "crudité".


...can't NOT watch "America's Next Top Model".


...constantly ask my husband to "point out a woman that has the same size butt as me in jeans" just so I can know what my butt looks like.


...secretly dream of quitting my job and opening a doggy daycare.


...lock and re-lock all the doors in the house at least 13 times every night.


...can have an immaculate house, but my closet is always chaos.


...use to ride the unicycle and play the violin.


...had a pet duck named "Peeper".


...can never say no to a french fry.


...sleep with 3 alarms set each night yet wake up before any of them.


...wish I was as strong of a person as my Mother.


...am so glad I didn't marry T. K. 20 years ago.


...have never gotten a speeding ticket.


...don't drink any caffiene (OMG, could you imagine???)


...constantly worry I am letting someone down.


...once faked sick on a cross-country flight just to get the last grilled chicken salad.


...take more pride and joy in accomplishments of others than my own.


...am sometimes jealous when someone can order whatever they want to eat.


...would totally wear a full length mink coat if I had one.


...snort when I laugh really hard.


Any questions? :-)
-d

com·pe·ti·tion

com·pe·ti·tion

  kom-pi-tish-uhn] –noun

-the act of competing;  rivalry for supremacy, a prize, etc.

-a contest for some prize, honor, or advantage.

-the rivalry offered by a competitor.

Get it?

I like competition.

I love the friends I workout and train with because they constantly keep me on my toes.

I HAVE to be the best one in abs at my morning workout groups. Period. I.Can.Go.All.Day. Win for me.

I push myself on my runs, not just to not fail my friends, but to not fail me. I run with RockStars, they motivate me. Win for me.

I have a friend I want to swim with because she (Lady Em) rocks and I know I won't stop and sit in my lane crying because I am so jealous of her ability. Again, win for me.

AND now, a new challenge...Spin Class.

Last week I casually invited momof3 to a Tuesday lunch time Spin Class. 

My 69 year old father was teaching - he's an a$$ kicker.

I figured she would come, have a nice time, relieve some stress...yada yada yada.

I laughed when Dad was fitting her for her bike and told her to "suck her butt in"...

G is tough, there would be no slackin' in this class.

At one point, the class even got extra hill work because a certain 2 young ladies were talking and being distracting (but it was warranted because I was spilling my guts).

Well, momof 3 is a lot like me.

Although in so many ways we are NOT alike...in so many ways we are...

We married the exact same H's, she is GBA and I am HCB (score) and she, like me, is COMPETITIVE.

Today I got a lovely post on my FaceBook wall...

"midday cycle tomorrow?"

Three simple words...

And my reply was a quick and resounding "YES!" So I booked two "seats" in class.

Her reply, and I quote: "Sweet! Thanks! Seriously, a friend takes you to lunch on your b'day, a GBA friend invites you to spin.... (grin)."

Competition - Yep.

Love it? - Yep.

See ya tomorrow G!

Happy Birthday to me!

-d

Something Old, Something New and Even Something BLUE!

Tuesday is my birthday - (thus the "Something Old" reference...)

So, I went out today and got myself a present:

"Something New"...a Comcast Cable Digital Converter.

I will use it when I am watching this: 

The TV my husband hung up for me in the workout room.

SA-WEEEET! 

Which will really come in handy now, because today I went shopping and came home and put together this:

I figured now that TechniColorBlue is on the road, Trina ("Something Blue") needed a new home...

and I might say she looks quite excellent right next to...

This...

Tabitha the Treadmill.

and when I am done riding and running, I can use these birthday presents:

You know, to work on the "gun show".

Sun's out, guns out...it's time to get ready for Tank Top Day!

Guess you all now know how I will be spending every minute of my free time.

-d

What I Eat...

I was browsing around BloggyVille today and read one of my fav blogs - RACING WITH BABES - I love T's blog. And today I loved the idea of sharing a "typical" day of what we eat.

So, I borrowed the idea and decided to share my typical day with you.

The Pantry:

The Fridge:

My days start early - so my 430am snack is typically 2 slices of whole wheat bread and 2 tablespoons of Reduced Fat JIF Creamy Peanut Butter:

Post Run or Workout, I love my Protein Shake! One of my favorites of the day!

8oz of Chocolate Soy Milk and 2 scoops of Gladiator Protein Powder - 45g of protein! 

I tryyyy to make it until 930am and then I get this! 

Chobani Vanilla Greek Yogurt and Grape Nuts!

Throughout the day - before and after lunch and pre-dinner, I get in my fruit AND my yummy Pineapple Flavored Coconut Water - excellent hydration.

Lunch - Typically a coleslaw salad, 2 cans of tuna and some fat free dressing.

My dinners rotate - I love to cook, so this will be a little long, but here's last weeks meals...

all homemade from scratch!

Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup!

Soy Glazed Salmon and Fried Rice with Swiss Chard

Pasta Bolognese made with Quorn Crumbles

Lemon Chicken with Broccoli

Singapore Shrimp Stir Fry

Then I am hooked on a great healthy and tasty evening snack! 

Kale Chips...I buy a giant bag of fresh cut Kale every week...

And then I bake it with a light coat of olive oil and kosher salt on 350 for 15 minutes!

They are crispy, salty and satisfying...an totally not bad for me! See? Yum!

Kale Chips!

That's it. Pretty much how I eat. I can eat a lot of the same things over and over and I vary my dinners to keep the hubby happy!

Thanks for the idea T and for reading.

Run safe, run happy!

-d

Okay, time to spill. (breathe)

Six years ago, I was fat.
I was happy when I was fat...or so I thought.
And then I got real, joined Weight Watchers and started losing weight.
And I was happy...or so I thought.
I was 37 years old and wanted to try to exercise.
Understand, at this point just taking a flight of steps winded me. No.Joke.
I took a big bite, joined a fitness group and basically got my ass kicked daily.
It was the start of a beautiful relationship. Yay me.
But then there was the "other" relationship.
I couldn't deny - it was my worst and most unhealthy relationship.
FOOD.
A four-letter word.
FOOD.
Something I needed to live, to get stronger, to get fit.
But I hated it. Hated it. Hated it.
"It" always seemed to win.
I'd give in. I'd binge. I'd starve. Any way I did it, food WON!
So I basically developed a "F*ck you Mr. Food" attitude.
I hated food, that way I had something to be mad at other than myself, food failed me, I didn't fail me...right?
So, fast forward almost 6 years...the hate was still there - daily.
A week ago past Monday I decided, since I was at my "fluffy" weight and needed to take off a few LB's,
return to what works.
I rejoined Weight Watchers.
That was my first "change" post. I figured, I'd try it, trim down a bit and just continue with my struggle.
Same ole, same ole.
But...that is not what happened. Not at all!
Seven days later, I allowed myself to have and accept this epiphany.
Thus, "change" post number 2.
I made amends with the foul four-letter word foe FOOD.
I had a great week, lost 5 pounds and after all I have learned, know, discussed, shared...
I realized it was time and it was okay.
I could LOVE food because food doesn't make me, own me, control me.
I FINALLY got it.
I FINALLY GET IT and food isn't going to win anymore.
Ahhhhhhhh, what a relief!

-d

Yep, it's true...

I can cook. I can bake, clean, sew and have a host of other skills..BUT...

I have a black thumb...

This is true - I kill EVERYTHING.

I even once killed a bamboo plant, and even worse, a cactus.

When Bob and I first got married, 

he would buy me hanging baskets for the front porch, something like this...

So pretty.

Until about 2 weeks later when they ended up looking like this...

So, I did what any neurotic and "not wanting to look untalented" wife would do.

I would pile them BEHIND the shed, kind of like a little plant cemetery,

drive to Home Depot and buy 5 more.

This went on for 2 years until yard clean up exposed my secret.

I was banned from having anything that wasn't plastic.

Until now.

I use a lot of herbs in cooking, and that can be expensive.

(note: I have a spend-thrift husband and a grocery budget)

So I have decided to attempt an herb garden.

I have "husband approval to purchase the plants and he is going to build me a planter.

I figure if it goes awry, I can hang the dead, dry herbs in one of those broom things and make it look intentional.

Please pray for the plants.

Change...Part Two

Last week I said I had decided to make a major change.

Well the "change" went well.

Very well so far.

This coming week, the change will get even BIGGER.

All the plans are made, it's all in writing and it.looks.good. (not to sound braggish)

I am seeing things a bit clearer, a bit brighter, a bit, well, better.

I sat down today and went over the last week and had a huge sigh of ---

Of---

Relief?

Nah, not really relief - more like focus, if that makes sense.

Although I am not ready to COMPLETELY unveil the change, let me just say,

things are lookin' up!

Run safe, run happy!

-d