Day 14: NOLA
The hotel internet is so slow, I’ll have to post when I can find a faster connection.
In the meantime, smooches!
Day 13: Living It Up in the Big Easy
While most of Pittsburgh is busy scraping frost of their windshields, I’m running around in flip flops soaking in as much of The Big Easy as I can in the two days prior to my conference on Friday.
I wish I had planned a little better to have a travel partner to enjoy the city with me, but I’m not going to let that affect my trip!
I’m probably drinking in the streets right now. Try not to be too jealous.
Day 12: Leaving on a Jet Plane
I’m leaving on a jet plane.
Don’t know when I’ll be back again.
Well, actually I do. But that’s not how the song goes.
By the time you’re reading this, I’ll be at my destination.
Day 11: Thankful
Extending sincere thanks to all servicemen and women for their sacrifice for the freedoms we occasionally take for granted.
I didn’t join the Facebook/Twitter bandwagon of posting something. It just didn’t seem genuine since everyone seemed to be copying from everyone else.
So if you’re a veteran or have a veteran close to you, thank you for your service to your country!
Day 10: Shop Until the Mom Drops
Social Diva is staying with me for five days since her dad is out of town with friends. I mentioned that I needed to go to the mall to find something to wear for the conference I’m working in New Orleans next week. She, of course, jumped at a trip to the mall on the weekend. She’s turning into quite the shopper these days.
The rule was that I had to pick out my purchase first. While helping me look around for something for me, she (again, of course) found an armful of things that she also wanted to try on. After I made my purchase (including her armful of items), we then headed out to hit her favorite stores.
We looked around in a handful of stores and she didn’t really see anything else that she liked. That is, until we hit the H&M store on our way out of the mall. She wanted to try on a dress to see what it looked like (she doesn’t really wear dresses!). Turns out it looked very cute on her so we had to buy it. She doesn’t have anywhere definite to wear it yet, but we’re hoping to go see Wicked again in January (hopefully, this time it’s not Drunk Girl Theater).
Over three hours later (and lunch at the Food Court), our shopping trip was a success. I found something to wear and shoes for my conference. Social Diva came home with two bags full of clothes.
As we were leaving the mall, Social Diva asked if we were going to walk tonight. After following her around the mall and being her “hold this”, I gave her the stink eye.
Day 8: Bark and Bowl Fundraiser
I’m heading out to bowl tonight for the Bark and Bowl Fundraiser. My ex-husband and I lost a dog to canine cancer, so I’m happy to give some of my time to this organization. Earlier this week, it looked like our team was struggling to reach the $500 suggested donation per team, but thanks to an anonymous donor, we have exceeded the goal.
I used to be a fairly decent bowler and was on a couples team for a few years before it disbanded. I do have a mug somewhere for scoring over 250. It’s been a while though since I’ve been bowling, but I’m looking forward to hanging out with some people I don’t get to see very often.
If you’d like to donate, here’s the link to do so.
PS: Dave is the team organizer’s dog. I don’t have quick access to a picture of Dudley (the dog I lost to cancer).
Day 7: I Hope to be a Guinea Pig
Last night I attended an information session for a clinical trial at the local university. The study is to help people lose weight and present weight regain. The program will include physical activity, nutrition, and weight loss intervention for reduced cardiovascular risk.
While I did buy a Fitbit at the end of August, I haven’t made much progress with increasing my exercise. This study will require weekly group meetings and my weight and eating habits will be reported to the study coordinators via a wifi scale and the Lose It! app. Accountability (and no cheating)!
At the end of the information session, we had to answer a few questionnaires to see if we qualify to participate. The coordinators will review our answers and will let us know our eligibility to participate by early December. Baseline testing will start in January, with group sessions beginning in February.
I hope I’m eligible to participate. While I’ve done well this week with my modified eating, some nutritional advice for this picky eater would be very helpful and greatly appreciated!
Day 6: Guess Who Fixed Her Garage Door?
Guess who fixed her garage door?
This gal!
My manual garage door has been popping out of the track more frequently these days. I researched solutions via Google (of course!). When Vampire Boy was home this weekend, I had him help me.
We first tried a hammer but it did nothing. I then tried using pliers to bend the track just enough so that the roller wouldn’t jump out when the door was lifted. After opening and closing the doors a few times, we noticed that the hinge holding the roller wasn’t sitting level. After a few more adjustments to this hinge, the door now works perfectly!
This will make winter so much easier for me! (though I’d also love a garage door opener!)
UPDATE: Jinxed myself! Door jumped the track tonight! Grrrr!
Day 5: Progress
I had a post prepared in my head while at work today, but for the life of me, I can’t remember it now. I refer to that as #MadCowBrain. I wish I could remember my topic, because I think it was a pretty good one. It will probably come back to me around 3 AM tomorrow morning.
In any case, I am almost through day 2 of my modified eating plan (trying to cut out carbs and sugar). Over the weekend, I committed to joining a social diet group called DietBet. It’s a game among friends where you donate $20 and have 4 weeks (28 days) to lose 4% of your weight. You submit a picture to the web site of yourself standing on the scale (full body shot) and a close up of the scale reading with the secret word. A DietBet employee verifies your submission and approves your weight submission.
In preparation for starting the modified eating plan (I don’t want to say diet), I overdosed on leftover Halloween candy on Saturday prior to my weight in on Sunday. Weighing in on Sunday was de-pres-sing! (Between you and me, I’m pretty disgusted that I let myself get this overweight.)
So I’ve been clean eating for the past two days. I have given up bread. I have given up processed sugar. I have a craving for sweets right after finishing lunch and dinner, so I’m trying to substitute fruits for sweets.
I’ve also tried increasing my water intake, which had me waking up twice last night. I was not happy with this new development!
I’m looking forward to weighing in tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed that I’ve dropped at least the Saturday Starburst weight!
The Bitch Desk 