Friday Follies

It is that time of the week for us to get to know each other a bit better:

Dyed or natural?

Favorite craft.

Brief, bikini, or thong?

red or white?

How long have you been using your digital camera?

What game show would you love to be on?

How many miles a year do you put on your car?

What was the last movie that you saw?

Dancer or wallflower?

plain or with butter?

Life in the Blue Hair Lane

It seems that lately, when someone in this house gets a hair cut...it warrants photography. I took pictures of the girls getting bobs last year. When Michael got his hair trimmed. When he got it buzzed. My hair never warrants photography as it hasn't changed in a decade. There is something sad about that situation.

Anyway. Katie got her hair done today. Madalyn got hers trimmed. But I suppose that Katie's was a bigger deal. Since she got her hair dyed. Dyed. Really.

Well. Just a small part of it. First we had to pick which part was going to get colored.

And then it had to be bleached. Which required some time under the dryer. And while she was under there, there were very LOUD requests for entertainment. And very LOUD questions about how much longer. Beauty takes time my dear.

Then there was washing of hair. And acclamations about how drastic it is looking already.

And then. The dye.

Do you see that? It's blue. ELECTRIC blue. Multi shaded. It's a wow. And she looks pretty darn cute. I am such a cool mom. For the next 15 minutes anyway. Except that I am now the bane of existence for the moms of Katie's friends. I apologize in advance for any strange hair-do requests that you may now have.

So...what about you? Have you ever done anything wild with your hair? With your kids' hair? Are you the cool mom?

Kiss of death

Have you ever had a favorite...something? A favorite ice cream? Shade of lipstick? Type of jeans? TV show? And then the company that makes it. Well...they get some harebrained idea that the product needs to be changed. Improved. Or the kiss of death. Eliminated altogether.

My Clinique eye shadow was "improved" a few years ago. But the new shade is not an improvement on my lids. I am still searching for the correct shade.

I am still not over the cancelation of "John Doe" and "Homefront." I know. I was the only one watching. You don't have to rub it in.

When I diet...I tend to latch on to certain products that make it easier for me. Usually these foods are eaten on a daily basis. I can easily get into a rut. Many moons ago when I did Weight Watchers, I found the be-all-end-all in ice cream. Health Choice Peanut Butter cookie dough. Oh. It was like manna from heaven. Evidently no one else thought so. And they stopped making it. Or Entenmann's fat free chocolate pound cake. By itself, not so great. But. If you made it like I did. It was divine. (Cut the cake into 8 layers. And layer Healthy choice Mint chocolate chip ice cream in it. Oh my. I want some. Right. Now.)

And apparently I have that magic touch. Because a few weeks ago when I told you about some of my favorite products. El Monterey was listening. And stopped making my very favorite soft tacos. Now what will I dip into my wholly guacamole? What will I dip into my bean dip? What will I eat for lunch? Every. Single. Day.

So...what about you? Have you been the kiss of death for a product that you loved?

Friday Follies

About a year ago, I started this Friday tradition. Of me asking you questions. You answering. Us getting to know each other better. I was inspired by a post of Debbie's over at This is the Life. But apparently Debbie has dropped off the face of the planet. Anyone heard from Debbie? And then another Debbie asked me to bring the Follies back. As they had fallen by the wayside with hospital adventures at the beginning of the year. Ask and you shall receive:

Facebook or Twitter?

Favorite berry?

Favorite salad dressing?

Pizza or chinese?

aerobics or water aerobics?

gold or silver?

shoes or barefoot?

Book on the top of your to be read pile

How long have you been texting?

Have you started back to school shopping?

Trim the Fat Thursday - Vol III

This past week has been a blur. Or maybe a haze would be a better explanation. As I am STILL dealing with kidney stone pain. And the knowledge that the side that is not bothering me - well it has three kidney stones just waiting to make their presence known. At some inoportune moment.

Most of my week has been spent sleeping. I don't know how Dr. House functions on his high doses of Vicodin. And solves all those medical mysteries. Because all I do is sleep. And apparently when one lives a sleepy life, the pounds just melt away. If only I could get rid of the pain. And keep the not ever hungry part. I am somewhat dreading the return to reality. When these 6 pounds that disappeared somehow manage to creep back. For now. I am just enjoying the one bright side of these mean, nasty, need to go away stones.

Hangover causes Kidney stones?

It is a glorious day indeed. My children are old enough to go to the movies by themselves. While Michael and I go to a grown up movie in the theatre next door. I don't need a babysitter. I don't have to pay evening prices. And I don't have to share my popcorn. Glorious.

Last Thursday, we packed the kids off to see "Imagine That" while we went to see "The Hangover." A decidedly grown up offering. I spent the movie with my hands over my mouth. Slackjawed. In silent laughter. With tears running down my face. And a truly "OMG!" sentiment.

But after we got home. I had this sudden pain in my back. That curled around to my waist. It was a very intense pain. And it came to party with its friend nausea. It was not fun. Not at all. I somehow managed to sleep a little. And when I woke up, the pain was gone...but in its place was just an achy feeling.

Friday morning, the pain had returned. With gusto. And I completely abandoned my family. And Lizzy. And her family. Who had come to visit for the weekend. For the lovely confines of the local emergency room. I somehow managed to arrive at that split second that must happen. That second when NO ONE else was at the emergency room. No one. The parking lot was empty. The waiting room was empty. And I was taken right back.

I saw the doctor rather quickly. A Dr. Ghandi. Who told me that I had all the classic signs of kidney stones. I had a CT scan. And then they started IV drugs to deal with the pain. Oh the drugs. They were most lovely. They erased the pain. The nausea. And made me rather sleepy.

So I slept. And found out exactly how long I could go in between pain meds before I started reenacting scenes from "Terms of Endearment." ("It's past ten. My daughter is in pain. I don't understand why she has to have this pain. All she has to do is hold out until ten, and IT'S PAST TEN! My daughter is in pain, can't you understand that! GIVE MY DAUGHTER THE SHOT!" - Except that I am speaking for myself. And about a pill. Nevermind...)

And poor Lizzy. I was such a good host. It's a good thing that she comes so often. That she knows how to fend for herself. And she even did her own experiement by going with Mr. B to see "The Hangover." They escaped the kidney stone bonus track.

So that was how I spent my 4th of July. In Vicodin induced haze. Kinda like a hangover. Though I haven't seen any tigers or chickens around the house.

So...what about you? Have you seen "The Hangover?" Ever had a kidney stone? Do anything fun on the fourth?

Trim the Fat Thursday

I can't believe that it's been a week since I've posted! Between reading several books. Running the girls to swim practice. Swim meets. Tennis practice. And my addiction to Farmtown on Facebook. My poor blog has suffered.

But. Today is a day I must post. I so want to succeed on this weight loss journey. And I am hoping that this once a week check in with you will help me.

My goal for this past week was to actually measure what went on my plate. And I must admit that my eyes were opened. I KNEW that what I was putting on my plate was larger than what I counted. But by how much? Oh, wow!

I went to a Pampered Chef party about a year ago and bought these glass prep bowls.They come in a set of six. With lids. And are great when you are cooking - so that you can measure out all your ingredients ahead of time. And not let something boil over or scald because you forgot to get something out already.

But what I noticed is that they have measuring guidelines on the side of the bowl.

So I can fill up my bowl with grapes. Or strawberries. Or half of it with rice. Or whatever side we are having with dinner.

But where it is really eye opening for me was with cereal.

I know that our portion sizes keep growing. And that what is a small coke - used to be considered a large size.

I know that our dinner plates are growing. And one of the things that I have started doing is eating off of the "salad" plate.

But this is my favorite bowl. It's deep. It's great for chili. And soup. And cereal. (Man...that is a horrible picture.)

This is what my bowl looks like with an actual serving of cereal (1 cup).

Kinda empty. And lonely. Because if I filled my bowl with cereal...I'd be eating FOUR servings instead of one.

So, I moved my cereal into the smaller bowl. The ones I usually use for the kids. Perfect fit.

And all my measuring paid off. I lost 2.1 pounds this week. Bringing the grand total to 7.9 pounds!

Goal for the week:

To keep measuring. To be better about writing EVERYTHING down. And to exercise. Somehow. Something. At least once.

Go get yourself motivated by reading the other Trim the Fat posts at Angie's spot. Or join us...and link yourself up!

So...what about you? How do you deal with portion control? Do you trick your brain by using smaller plates? Or even ordering kids meals when you are out?

Trim the Fat Thursday

I have been reading. All about Shannon and Brandy becoming paralyzed by Jillian Michaels. About Carrie and her losses with Weight Watchers (she has two really low points - and yummy - recipes posted - one for Spanokopita and another for pizza dough). Rachael reached a huge milestone in losing 20+ pounds. Angie has been trimming the fat. Aubrey is on the bandwagon. And I am too. I just haven't told anyone about it. Until now.

I have so much to lose it's overwhelming. But I took that first step about 6 weeks ago and joined Weight Watchers online. I just this week got to the five pound benchmark. I am quite convinced it goes beyond a slow metabolism. I think that mine has deserted me entirely. So, to help with my motivation. And accountability. I thought I'd bring you into that inner circle. And tell you how it's going. What I need to be doing. What I am doing well. And maybe. Just maybe. Inspire us both.

My plan is to tell you about something that is helping or hindering me each week. Followed by some sort of goal. So...this week. I thought we would talk about food. I am all about what I can eat a lot of. For as little points as possible. But. I am not a veggie person. I cannot just grab a handful of mini carrots and enjoy. I wish my tastebuds leaned in that direction.

Here are some things that are yummy. Low in points. And make this journey much easier.

1. Weight Watchers Chocolate chip cookie dough sundae.My kids cannot believe I won't share these with them. But they are all mine. My issue is to try and not eat both sundaes in the same day.

2. Edy's Whole fruit bars

Now these I am willing to share. And they are oh so yummy. And oh so low in points.

3. Pirate Booty and Smart PuffsAnother healthy snack that I am willing to share. I love it when the kids want these instead of chips. They are good. And you get A LOT for little points.

4. El Monterey soft tacos.This is my favorite lunch. These all natural soft tacos are only 2 points each. They are flavorful. And have a great kick. I also like to have them with my bean dip (which is only 1 point a serving!). It helps my wimpy taste buds deal with that kick from the spice.

5. Wholly Guacamole 100 calorie snack packs.Another food that my girlies refuse to try. I think I learned my lesson and will not be encouraging their taste buds on to one of my favorites. These are great to have with those soft tacos. Or just with some baked tostitos. And besides being uber delish...they are already portioned out. I don't have to measure. I just enjoy! And on that measuring note...

Goal for the week:

I have been pretty good about writing down what I eat in my WW log online. Where I am failing. I think. Is that I don't measure. I eyeball it. But my stomach may be influencing my fingers as I type the information. So. This week I am actually going to measure what I am eating. And type out the actual information. And see if that can equal a better number on my scale for next week.

Be sure to go over to Angie's spot to see how everyone else is doing this week. Get on the bandwagon yourself...and link up so that we can support each other.

So...what about you? Have you discovered a food that is making your weight loss journey easier?

A Bowl of Cherries

It's cherry season. Somewhere. Somewhere far away from the 'burbs of Atlanta. Because I know how much I am paying for cherries. They must trek far and wide to land at my local Publix.

I love my cherries. And I say mine. Because I could eat them all myself. No sharing.

The girls refused to even try them. Because they think that they must taste like cherry flavored medicine.I don't even begin to know what possessed me to encourage them to try my beloved cherries. The heat must have baked my brain. A moment of temporary insanity. A total lapse in judgement.

Because they finally did try them. They discovered the joy that is a bowl full of cherries. The girls now know that cherries taste not a thing like cherry flavored medicine.

And now. I have no cherries.

So....what about you? Do you have a favorite fruit? A food that you love - but that your children refuse to try?

Random bits and pieces

Well, all that angst last week about the right shade of beige has paid off. It turns out that "parchment" was a pretty good match for our siding. Not Little Linda. This is the before: With the drab green shutters. The horrid brown trim. And the sassy red door.

It all just seemed to meld into the house. So...on the spur of the moment (meaning, I found out Monday that he was coming on Tuesday - and had to make a quick paint color decision!)...we had a painter out to fix it all. And make the whole thing sassy. Our painter had fun with the kitties as they tried to help him paint.And now...the big reveal! What a difference. The black and cream just makes everything come alive. And that red door is still in place. The transition of the landscaping is pretty impressive, too! Of course the first one was taken in winter. I wish I had pictures of the house right after we moved in. With the...uhhhh...interesting landscape choices the previous home owners had made.Last week both girls were at sleep away camp. And what did I do with my time? I got a pedicure. Did you notice that I blogged four days in a row? I read several book. And Michael won yet another prize. This time a cell phone. Isn't it pretty? And do you know what this means? It means that for the very first time. In my entire life. I sent a text message. I sent several. For no reason. And now that I have this phone. Katie thinks that she needs one.

Anyway...this is how I sent my children off to camp:

And this is how they were returned to me. Stanky. Unshowered. Sinus infected. And with crispy hair. (Ummm...when did my daughter get so tall?)

Last Friday, my friend Kim came over to watch "Twilight." She has read the books, but not seen the movie. Yeah...it wasn't good the second time around either. But. Still. Even after we dissed the movie. We were still on you-tube looking at the "New Moon" trailer. And feeling like dirty old women as we checked out Jacob and company.

The whole reason I set up this blog...was to write about our homeschooling experience. I was pretty good about doing that the first year. And then this year. Well. It was my intention to at least do a weekly review post. So. Be warned. A homeschool post is forthcoming. Sometime. Eventually.

I have read a million and one several blog posts about the time suck that is facebook. I have been there for a while. But only recently has it become a time suck. And it's all Lizzy's fault. Because now. I am addicted to the game "Farm Town."

Now that Michael can drive. We got him a new car. After going over 250K with the old one...it was time. And now for the first time. His car has less miles than mine. And I have new car envy.

So...what about you? What random things are going on in your life?