Days 4 and 5

 

OK, I’ll admit it. It’s Day 5, and I’m hungry. Not starving, but just a general feeling of hungry that doesn’t go away. I can’t get macaroni and cheese off of my mind. Yep, that’s what’s On My Mind today – carbs.

However, it’s not enough “pain” to quit, although I lost hubby yesterday. He caved around 4 p.m. and had a gyro. And he had a scotch and water at night. He is going to watch what he eats but he thinks this is too extreme. Thing is, you can eat all you want, as long as what you are eating is vegetables. Therefore, you really shouldn’t be hungry. But I don’t want to eat vegetables all day long. I. Just. Can’t.

I think what keeps me going is knowing this isn’t permanent. Gradually adding foods back in is fun, and it gives me something to look forward to. I have also acquired (already) more of a taste for veggies and fruit, and I can see making those protein shakes a part of our weekly habit. They’re easy, good, and keep your appetite under control. I did find out yesterday that avocados are on the ‘yes’ list, so I am headed to Whole Foods at lunch to stock up on more sweet potatoes and avocados. Yee-haw!

I bought the book, “You On A Diet”, yesterday. My parents are using this book for their healthier lifestyle transformation. I downloaded some of the recipes and food guide—much, much better than the cleanse. In fact, most of them sounded downright delicious. I think that will be what I transition to after the cleanse. And, alcohol is allowed in moderation. (Whew!) The only problem I foresee with this is that it requires a lot of prep-work and cooking—two things I have little time for—so we’ll see.

Onto other things…….

Yesterday I experienced the biggest transformation I’ve experienced thus far when it comes to anti-aging: microdermabrasion. I still can’t quit touching my face! Even hubby said, “It feels just like the baby’s!” Fine lines – gone. The little frown lines on my forehead—diminished. My skin is super smooth, almost glowing. I am working on a story about non-surgical cosmetic procedures. A client had me try out one of their new microderm machines yesterday—something I had planned on mentioning in my story. I thought I was too young for microdermabrasion. Turns out, I’m not. In fact, it’s better to have treatments now in order to protect and preserve the skin. She showed me the (eww) dead skin that came off during the procedure, and I am a twice-a-day face cleaner and wear minimal make-up. I was shocked. Problem is, this treatment is $80 a pop so I need to think about it some more. Some women get weekly microderms, but most go once a month. Maybe if I went every other month I could justify the cost. The results are so worth it, and I am the biggest skeptic when it comes to anti-aging modalities. Today, I am going to another client who does total facial makeovers using all kinds of cosmeceuticals, make-up, etc. I’m looking forward to, hopefully, learning something new that I can incorporate into my daily routine.

I visited some of my old Spaces pals on MySpace last night. Turns out, you can download some sort of voice messaging for your blog. I don’t know if MSN has it, but if so, I so want it on my blog. It allows you to put a voice to a face. It’s pretty cool. OK, that was random – microderm to blog features.

What else? I am mentally preparing a lit of all of the updates and renovations I want to do to our house this year. Top of the list is the powder bath. The fixtures/décor are original to the house and are in desperate need of an update. Fortunately, hubby agrees. I also want to change out the tile in the master bath. It’s a deathtrap right now—very slick. I want natural stone, like slate or limestone. Of course, that will call for new countertops, too, because what we have now won’t look right. And then I’ll just decide to go for it and change out fixtures, too. The big project is extending the gameroom upstairs. We want to knock out the wall into the attic and take the room back a bit and put in a built-in wall unit for our big screen with lots of bookshelves. I am thinking that this might be a project that requires a home improvement loan, but we’ll see. On a much smaller scale, we found a new lawn guy who can do seasonal flowers for us and more landscaping all for a reasonable price. He’s hired. I want to ask him about doing some landscaping around the pool, too, and maybe even extending our patio out so I can have a nice place for the porch swing I am getting from Papa’s house. But wait…not finished yet. I have also decided I want to stain our cabinets in the kitchen to a deep, dark stain. Then I’ll finally be finished with the kitchen, outside of updating appliances, which may never happen and that’s OK.

That’s it – I think. Except I know that in this year we’ll be transitioning the nursery to more of a big girl room—one of my favorite things. It can wait though, as she is very content as is and so are we. I think we are also going to get a leather sofa for the upstairs gameroom—something that will resist wear/tear and spills. That will lead me to a coffee table, rug, new carpet, etc., I’m sure. At least I’m honest with myself! Sound like enough? Um, yeah.

Hubby and I did such a great job last year saving and investing. We both maxed out our 401K’s at work and contributed to a different account. This year, we plan to really beef up the girls’ college accounts. All I can do is hope and pray that we continue to have good years at work, which also means that we all stay healthy and happy. That’s the priority. We contribute a fair amount to our church this year—I was raised to do that and believe in doing so—but hubby doesn’t agree with the 10 percent tithing. He just doesn’t get it. I do, but there is no way I can convince him otherwise. I always feel guilty, receiving the blessings and not returning them. I mean, we do, but not what is “asked.” We also donate to charities in various ways throughout the year, but I always get a nagging feeling about the “you get what you give” philosophy. I probably worry too much, but still……

There is a class at our church I’d love to take. I think it would be so good for me, personally. However, it’s on Wednesday nights, which are gymnastics nights. Sure hubby could take her, but we both know there is no way he can commit to a weekly schedule like that with his work the way it is. And I don’t want to take the class unless I can fully commit to it. Maybe someday I’ll be in a better position for something like that. Hope so.

Well, clock says it’s time for lunch, and I take eating pretty seriously these days. Pretty much anything sounds appetizing. Oh great, the girl in the cube across from me says, “Do you want chips or fries?” She’s ordering lunch for herself and a friend. Ugh. Oh, and still no news on the ring. The cleaning lady comes today so maybe it will turn up. I need about 4,000 of you to visit my space so I can reach the 100,000 mark! Woo-hoo! I know my writing has been rather ho-hum lately. It’s just that I run out of hours. Tonight’s agenda? Getting out birthday invites for both kids. Working on my online albums. And that’s after swimming lessons. See what I mean? No hours….. alas.

 

Til next time…..