Not Miserable

Yesterday was terrible. 

Have you ever been really, really tired, but unable to sleep?

That was most of yesterday for me, plus, you know, being sick. 

I would nod off for maybe a half-hour, but it was a restless sleep.

Last night, it finally happened. I finally managed to fall asleep.

And sleep I did, for about 12 hours or so. 

Beautiful!

I feel so much better today.

Not perfect, but not miserable.

Given how I felt yesterday, I will happily take not miserable. 

Christmas Card!

There was a Christmas card in our mailbox today!

Unfortunately, it was not for us, but for the people who used to own our house.

Hello?

You moved over 3 years ago!!

Update your family and friends with your new address already.

Note: This is not a unique occurrence. It's not all the time, but I'd say we get something for them every so often.

They loved catalogs. Boring catalogs.

Fanciness

My optometrist was very concerned that I have not been disinfecting my contact lenses. I would worry, but I haven't disinfected them for the last 13 years, so this is nothing new. 

He gave me a new system for my contacts, which hopefully won't cause the raging, stinging, aching, I-want-to-rip-the-eyeballs-out-of-my-head pain I have previously experienced with disinfectants. 

This is my new contact lens case. Looks fancy, right?

You pull the middle out and put a lens in the basket on each side. 

Then, you fill the vial with hydrogen peroxide, which will disinfect the lenses. 

My optometrist must think I'm pretty, because he told me no less than 10 times that I am not to put hydrogen peroxide in my eyes. 

Of course, then he mentioned that hydrogen peroxide in the eyes is very painful, which he knows "from experience," so possibly, he's the pretty one. 

I had my contacts out for our appointment, so I couldn't really tell. 

Then you put the lenses in the hydrogen peroxide for at least 6 hours. During the six hours the metal disk at the bottom of the case reacts with the hydrogen peroxide and turns it into sterile water. So, theoretically, I should be able to take them directly out of the case and pop them into my eye. 

Maybe my nerd colors are shining through, because I think that's pretty fucking cool.

Way to go, Science, as long as it works. If not, watch your back. I've got my eye on you. 

Color Coded

According to an article on MSN, my color preferences can help me determine my best career options.

Here are my results:

Best Occupational Category

You're a CREATOR

Key Words:Nonconforming, Impulsive, Expressive, Romantic, Intuitive, Sensitive, and Emotional

These original types place a high value on aesthetic qualities and have a great need for self-expression. They enjoy working independently, being creative, using their imagination, and constantly learning something new. Fields of interest are art, drama, music, and writing or places where they can express, assemble, or implement creative ideas.

CREATOR OCCUPATIONS
Suggested careers are Advertising Executive, Architect, Web Designer, Creative Director, Public Relations, Fine or Commercial Artist, Interior Decorator, Lawyer, Librarian, Musician, Reporter, Art Teacher, Broadcaster, Technical Writer, English Teacher, Architect, Photographer, Medical Illustrator, Corporate Trainer, Author, Editor, Landscape Architect, Exhibit Builder, and Package Designer.

CREATOR WORKPLACES
Consider workplaces where you can create and improve beauty and aesthetic qualities. Unstructured, flexible organizations that allow self-expression work best with your free-spirited nature.

Suggested Creator workplaces are advertising, public relations, and interior decorating firms; artistic studios, theaters and concert halls; institutions that teach crafts, universities, music, and dance schools. Other workplaces to consider are art institutes, museums, libraries, and galleries.

2nd Best Occupational Category

You're an ORGANIZER

Key Words:Self-Control, Practical, Self-Contained, Orderly, Systematic, Precise, and Accurate

These conservative appearing, plotting-types enjoy organizing, data systems, accounting, detail, and accuracy. They often enjoy mathematics and data management activities such as accounting and investment management. Persistence and patience allows them to do detailed paperwork, operate office machines, write business reports, and make charts and graphs.

Not bad, actually. More accurate than I thought it would be. Although it does disturb me a little that these two things (Creator and Organizer) are skill sets I use in my current job. I teach a class for new employees about my role at the company, I always tell them what gets me off most about the job is the creative aspect. If it weren't there, I probably wouldn't still be with my company.

Here's the color test if you want to take it yourself: Color Test

Best Buy

Is often complete crap.
They are rarely the "best buy", they are usually overpriced and have super-obnoxious policies.
Yet, today, they were very helpful.
I needed a new charger for the battery that goes in my camera. I wasn't sure I was going to be able to find anything, especially in Stevens Point, it's not exactly the biggest store.
But, not only were they able to find me a charger that would work, but it only cost me $20 (instead of the normal $40).
Plus, I was able to find the new Kooks cd there (granted I haven't been looking that hard for it, but I definitely wanted it).
So, (today only) way to go Best Buy.
You were helpful.
Congratulations.

Old Friends Made New Again

Lately, I've reconnected with a bunch of friends that I've lost contact with over the last decade or so. A lot of them from high school, via Facebook, since our 10 year reunion is coming up in August.
(Which by itself seems crazy to me, I can't believe I've been out of high school 10 years!)
And then also, a friend of mind from college just e-mailed me out of the blue.
It's strange to hear from them again. We're all different, yet kind of the same, too.
That doesn't make sense at all, but it's still kind of true.
And yet, it's awesome at the same time too because a lot of them are really good, fun people.

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day everyone!

To celebrate Mother's Day we went out with Mom and the mongoose to the Admiralty room at the Edgewater Hotel. It wasn't a bad buffet. I had a rather delicious chocolate-chocolate chip muffin.

The best part of our meal was our waiter. He totally had a man-crush on the mongoose.
The mongoose's plates were cleared away as soon as he was done with them.
The rest of us just had to sit there with all our plates piled up.
He was a-lookin' for a love connection, but unfortunately for him the mongoose was having none of that.

Then, we went to the movies. Mom wanted to see Iron Man. It was actually really good. Even though there were a few too many previews, I really enjoyed them, because they made me excited to go to the movies again and reminded me how much I love going to the movies.

There are some movies coming out soon that I'm really looking forward to seeing, including but not limited to:
The Dark Knight
Indiana Jones
Sex and the City
Get Smart

Although, the new Incredible Hulk looks like an incredible stinker.

They also had the best commercial for Lipton Green Tea that involved a slide. Man, I wish that was an option at the mall. If I had to choose between taking the stairs, the escalator or a slide, you can be damn sure I'd go for the slide.

Charles in Charge

New boy in the neighborhood
Lives downstairs and it is understood.
He’s there just to take good care of me,
Like he’s one of the family.
Charles in Charge
Of our days and our nights
Charles in Charge
Of our wrongs and our rights
And I sing, I want,
I want Charge in Charge of me.

Anybody besides me remember this show?
They have it on Netflix watch instantly. That's both awesome and sad.

Success

Sometimes you worry about something for nothing.
I appear to have grown somewhat, at least in terms of expectations about my body, since I was 18.
I found a swim suit and as it turns out it wasn't really that big of a deal.
The husband was safe for the most part.

Does that mean that I didn't freak out at all today?
No, I did, but it was unrelated to body image.

I was trying on swim suits at Macy's and I took off my rings because they were almost falling off and then I accidentally left them there. The husband and I were all the way over at the Boston Store at West Towne when I remembered. We hauled ass back to Macy's and luckily they were still in the dressing room! I feel so bad for the poor woman who was trying on clothes when I knocked on the door! She was extremely nice, but still....
Needless to say, my rings stayed firmly on my fingers for the rest of the day! I was SO relieved.

Also, I managed to find a pair of workout pants that fit! Yay! Those stupid cropped pants are all the rage, so it's hard to find a regular pair. But, since I look stupid in cropped pants (like my normal pants just shrunk up an inch or two), I had to find a regular pair that weren't too long/short or too big/small... like Goldilocks and the three bears I finally found a pair that were just right!

Sigh. It was a good shopping day for me. :)

Milestones

Today is a milestone for me. I have officially lost over 65 lbs. Yay for me! I try not to focus on the weight loss so much as the health stuff, but still it's hard not to have at least a mini-celebration for each increment of five that you pass.
I also managed to run at 6.0 mph for the entire 28 minutes on the treadmill. Double-triple-quadruple yay for me on that! The best part is that my lungs and legs still felt really good at the end of the run, which is a first. I got home late tonight because I was out buying a shower present for Alexis, so I didn't eat dinner before I went to the gym. I may have to do that more often. I had a snack before I went to the gym, but not a meal. It was still hard; it's always hard, but I felt really good about it.

American Idol - I knew that David Cook and David A were safe from the start. I watch American Idol on TiVO after I get home from the gym on Tuesdays, so by the time I cast my "votes" it's a good hour/hour and a half after the broadcast. I got a busy signal for both David's when I called.
Can't say I'm sorry to see KLC go, it was long over due. Ironically, I liked her best this week out of any week though. If I would have had my own personal preference, it would have been Syesha or Carly. Oh well... what are you going to do?

What a difference a size makes!!

Generally, I think advertising verges on evil, but thank you New Balance.
They put the idea of new running shoes in my head.

So, I got a new pair of running shoes and WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!
My old shoes were kind of painful... I've various problems with them that I won't go into detail on (You're welcome!)

I've been in various amounts of pain at the gym since I started.
First, getting into shape.
Then, after I finally got into shape I broke my shoulder.
(Working out with a broken shoulder is not fun, I don't recommend it)
After that, there was those stupid Nikes.

I never really thought that my shoes would make such a difference.
Hindsight is 20/20, so I can't really blame myself for thinking that was normal.
But now that I know, I can't believe it took me this long to figure it out.

I bought shoes that are a size larger than I usually wear (an 8, instead of a 7/7.5), I think that might have helped too.

I'm not sure all the credit goes to my new shoes, but I had a killer day at the gym.
I broke through on the elliptical and had my best day in a long time.
I went up on the weight machines, even though I was exhausted.
Great day at the gym!

I'm going to try to do the treadmill tomorrow, so we'll see how that goes.

Recipe: Hot Ham and Cheese

I've made a lot of changes in my life over the last year. As a result of some of these changes (eating better, exercising more) I've managed to lose over 60 lbs. Which is great don't get me wrong but in response to the people who've noticed...
Yes, I've lost weight
No, I'm not sure what to say about it.
I'm not ashamed of it, but at the same time, it's a weird thing to be recognized for. Am I supposed to be proud? Not sure...

Anyway, as a part of losing the weight I've started finding low-cal ways of making my favorite foods. I needed somewhere to unload these things so they exist somewhere else other than just in my own mind. A recipe book, I know, would be idea. In lieu of that, here is my way of making a low-cal hot ham and cheese.
Don't give me bunk people, I'm not Top Chef, I like simple, quick food.

Hot Ham and Cheese

2 slices low-cal bread (Try Village Hearth Italian or 12 Grain) 40 calories per slice (=80 cals)
1 tbsp margerine (Try SmartBalance Light, it's got no trans fats) 45 cals per tbsp, you probably won't need a whole tbsp
2 oz ham (I use Honey Ham) 70 cals
1 - 1 1/2 slices of Reduced-fat Swiss (Try Sargentos) 60-90 cals
(I vary the amount of cheese based on the bread size and use enough to cover one slice)

Spread margarine on one side of both slices of bread. Place one slice, butter side down in a skillet. Add cheese, then ham, then the other slice of bread (butter side up).
Heat until toasted on both sides.

Total cals: 255-285

I usually have this sandwich with a spinach salad and light dressing for lunch. Yum!

A New Beginning

Yay! A new blog! A new place to dump all the endless words that buzz around inside my head all day long!

A few from the gym yesterday:
1. Some things are better without sound.
America's Funniest Home Videos is not one of them.

2. Why is it I can do 3 miles on the elliptical no problem, but 2 miles on the treadmill just about kills me?

3. Tats is back and running on the treadmill and that makes my day just a little bit better.

I don't know... this really isn't that great of a first effort for me, but I'm tired, my contacts are dry and sticking to my eyeballs and it's getting late. So, instead of bitching about it, I'm going to go to bed.