Notta.

Well, in the week since I last posted, I fell off the wagon (slightly). I was so good last week that I think I felt a little invinceable. I didn't go to either of my spin classes last week. Didn't take the dogs for an hour long walk with Mark. Hardly did my pushups. Did, however, manage to eat at Chick-fil-a, On the Border, Friday's and Cracker Barrel. Four restaurants in four days. AHH.

On a side note, I don't know where I've been but this was my FIRST TIME EVER to eat at Cracker Barrel. I always thought it was like Luby's. I was oh so wrong. It was amazing. I could shop while we waited for our table and then the menu - I couldn't decide! Everything sounded delicious. I was trying to be good, so I got grilled chicken with green beans and pinto beans.... and mashed potatos and cornbread, but whatev.

Anyways. It was my sister's birthday weekend and she picked the restaurants and I blame it entirely on her that I ate our four times in four days. Plus, we had cupcakes, cheesecake AND ice cream for her birthday party. And my mom always has these little dishes of candy sitting out everywhere. Oh and -- Kelly gave me a box of girl scout cookies. Everyone was against me!

So this morning I got up for my Monday Morning Weigh In and cringed as I stepped onto the scale. The number was the exact same as last week, right down to the tenth of a pound. Was I bummed that I didn't lose even a tenth this week? Yes. Was I relieved that I didn't go backwards and gain back the glory of week one? Yes. Am I back on the horse today? Eh. Yeah. I ate some mini Hershey's bars at work today, but just had a bowl of raisin bran (yuck, don't ever buy it) for dinner. Tomorrow, it's all serious. But, it is my sister's real birthday tomorrow so I took the afternoon off to play with her and my mom around town. We're grabbing lunch somewhere and then SHOPPING. Unless this ice storm really comes in. In which case, they won't drive down but I will still take the afternoon off. Yay short days at work!

Besides eating like crap all weekend, we also painted Mark's dinning room, saw Bride Wars, caught up on Biggest Loser, watched the Duggar wedding (uh. train wreck! It was so awkward to watch) and brainstormed puppy names. My parents are getting two border collie puppies! I am really excited to meet them. I've always loved border collies. They are so smart and clever. They are only two weeks old right now, so they won't be getting them for a while still.

Alrighty. TIme for the Bachelor! Jason, you suck at picking potential wives.

Biggest Loser: Solo Edition

Well today was my first weekly weigh in. I stepped on the scale right after I got out of bed (well, I went to the bathroom first. Every little bit helps!) and shut my eyes, afraid to look. I just knew it was going to be the same. Or worse, go up. I feel like I did good this week, eating carefully and thinking about portions, but I just didn't think it was actually going to work. I squinted open one eye and looked at the number. I lost one pound!

I am elated. Seeing this tiny bit of results has boost my motivation back up. So i poured my one cup of cereal into a bowl and cut up an apple to start week two. Then I got back in bed because hey, it's MLK Day and I'm off work!

Two hours later, I'm back up and getting ready to start some laundry. I need to run some errands today as well. Nothing exciting. I need some Drain-o because my shower isn't draining well and I want to get a workout in before this evening. It's just nice to have the extra day to do the things I never got to this weekend. What I really want to do is go to the Galleria and shop. But no. I am holding out. Besides, I'm down to just under two weeks before I get to buy the iPhone. So I really need to save my pennies for the big day.

This weekend my friends Stephanie and Mark were in town from California. We got together with them Friday and Saturday night, and even hit up the Loon. I can't remember the last time I was there, but it didn't take me long to remember how strong its drinks are and how very smokey the air is. While we were sipping on straight rum and coughing through all the second hand smoke, we all decided that Mark will have a Super Bowl party for the game in two weeks. I sent the Evite out last night, before he could change his mind! I'm really excited. We've been dating for over two years and NO ONE has been to his house yet. Plus, Super Bowl Sunday is also iPhone Day! The countdown is on.

Cat Naps

Today is the coldest day of the year, as is true for most all of the country right now. Gus is opting to sleep the cold days away, but he does follow me around from room to room, curling up next to me for a snooze. He's such a cute little guy.

Growl... says my tummy

This New Year's resolution is leaving me very hungry. I am trying to be more conscious of what I eat all day and avoid the always-dooming mindless snacking. I "practiced" over the weekend and started my for-real-eating-better on Monday. I've done pretty good so far. When we had Blue Mesa brought in for lunch at work on Monday, I partook in the sweet potato chips, but then I had a can of fat free soup for dinner. Last night, I made a salad and loaded on the veggies, and then went to the Mavs game and resisted the jumbo pretzels that were calling my name. Today I ate my lean cuisine and pear for lunch, but didn't go grab a bag of Cheez-Its from the snack drawer in our office. But now that I'm back at my desk, all I can think of is those Cheez-Its. And how very hungry I still am. I'm doing this Biggest Loser style, with a weekly weigh in on Monday mornings. I just want to see some sort of decline. A half pound. Anything. Sure it will probably be all water, but if that number is lower come Monday morning than it was this week, I think I can stay motivated to try it for seven more days.

Exchanges

My sister got me a sweater for Christmas. It's silver and very cute. But, I already have one that is virtually identical to it, so today I took it back to JCP to exchange it for something else. I went to Valley View --- THE most ghetto mall in Dallas, but where else is there a JCP? -- and couldn't really find any clothing that I wanted. So i wandered into the Home section and got... a new digital scale. woo! as in to weigh myself. so exciting! I'm hoping it will make me motivated to lose weight and watch the numbers fall. Am I crazy? Probably.

It's a New Year

So, I survived my first week back at work after the holiday break. Dare I say it wasn't that bad? It actually felt nice to have a purpose to each day, other than laying on the couch watching Ellen and My House is Worth What (but don't get me wrong, those days were great). I eased back into the other aspects of my regular routine - meaning I have yet to step foot into the gym during 2009, but I have taken two jog/walks and started a new goal of 10 push-ups a day. I encourage every one to try this.. it's really tough for the first 3 or 4 days, but you'd be surprised how quickly they get easier. I'm already pumping my ten out with ease and will probably start doing 12 soon. Plus, it literally takes about 30 seconds, so there's no excuses to not doing them. First thing in the AM, right after work, just before bed -- you can do them in PJs or heels.. give it a try.

Looking forward, I'm doing the ever so original resolution to lose weight, which means eating better and working out more. So creative, I know. But I'm going to give myself some rewards, in hopes of really motivating myself to succeed. I'm thinking that bribing myself with the JCrew spring catalog (hello summer, I am officially ready for you to be here) might actually make it happen. I'll keep you posted.

I'm babysitting tonight. Joy. It's really no that painful, but I'd much rather spend the evening at Mark's house, watching the new Gossip Girl episode. However, I am only $40 away from having enough cash to buy an iPhone next month, when my AT&T contract is up for renewal. I told myself I would not spend a dime of any "real" money on it, and cash feels so make-believe to me. So I'm stashing it away whenever possible to make sure I'm there in line on February 1.

Just Another Day...

... out at my parents' house.

This photo was taken Christmas evening, at a house less than a half mile from my parents' abode. There were over 200 birds at this house, plus a small group of caribou that looked to me like Santa's reindeer, taking a break after a long night of flying across the globe.