So I'm sitting here minding my own business on a peaceful Friday afternoon, instrumental music (what else?) playing softly in the background, as I answer emails and wait for the apple oatmeal cookie dough to finish chilling in the frig before baking.
(Credits to Danielle from Live Well Bake Often Blog)
A delightful fall afternoon.
Until I hear this off-the-charts high-decibel, prolonged and very shrill shrieking sound. Yes, all of those adjectives are necessary.
I jumped measurable inches out of my office chair. Chessie, my peke-a-poo, practically springloaded into my lap.
And it just kept going.
We're not talking beeps here. Oh, no.
Long, shrill shrieks, blasting my eardrums. Let's be sure everyone for miles and miles hears this alarm.
I wanted to open the apartment door and yell to maintenance or whoever else was conducting this drill, helllooooo? Mine is working is just fine. Thanks! You can stop now.
I'm making myself unplug. After all, it IS Friday. And I've worked my brain into oblivion this week -- practicing YET AGAIN for my realtime exam, to the point I'm pretty sure I dream in steno; not to mention working my butt off in the gym (combined with a clean diet, of course) to get off the ten pounds I gained from about the last week in December until two weeks ago when I finally said, "Enuf!."
Damn, why has it gotten even HARDER to get this crap off? Damn menopause. Evil, relentless, unforgiving, calculating, menacing menopause. The scale won't move! But I refuse to give up.
Just like I refuse to give up on passing my CRR exam. My practice and effort has been doubly concentrated this time around. I practiced for so long today I felt myself wanting to collapse onto my steno machine the last practice dictation. My dutiful mind was willing, but the flesh was weak, pleading, stop this, please!
It's been a full day. An hour at the gym at 6 a.m. this morning, a full day at work, followed by an hour plus of practice when I arrived home. I finally did it. I pulled the plug on GETTIN IT DONE.
And so I decided to make a wine cocktail of sorts, a recipe that a friend shared with me. She wasn't specific on the type of wine to use, just said to use Moscato. I'm not big on sweet wine, so I was a little reluctant to try this out. So earlier this week I went browsing in the wine section of our local grocery and discovered this:
What caught my eye about THIS one ...
well, for starters, the label...
"Espuela"
which actually means "spur," I think.
But what did I know?
It had a mysterious and seductive ring to it, piquing my interest.
(insert raised eyebrow)
But more importantly, the label read:
"...reputedly rich in flavors of crisp apple and fresh peaches..."
That did it.
Well, because the recipe calls for peach sparkling water and fresh peaches.
Perfect!
And though I don't have fresh peaches
-- not yet! --
I happily placed the bottle in my cart.
Let's give this one a go, T...
...and began launching the new concoction this evening...
And so I mixed the peach sparking water, a 1:3 ratio with
Espuela Del Gaucho Torrontes,
and ohhhh, yes.
This is very good, okay?
And I'm not even a big white wine fan.
And then I added a little Johannes Linstead for good measure.
So, yes, this will be on the beach with me later this year
It was a week ago today that I begrudgingly stepped onto the scales to assess the damage. Friday is my "official" weigh in day, even though I will sometimes weigh mid week just to keep tabs. Down three pounds of holiday bloat -- that first week is ALWAYS the easiest and most rewarding, seeing that jump in the numbers. The second week the progress begins to slow slightly, and by the third week, the water weight gone by then, every ounce of fat loss becomes a blood-sweat-and-tears medal of honor. Monday - Cardio and Callanetics Tuesday - Legs/Glutes * Wednesday - Shoulders Abs * Thursday - Cardio and Extra Stretching Friday - Back and Abs * * Training days also included 10-20 mins of cardio.
Added to cardio playlist
love the layered dynamics at 3:30 on the counter!
As I reflect on my success the past five days, I attribute most of it to having meals prepared ahead of time -- no thinking. Done. This week I boiled chicken breasts with salt, pepper, rosemary and fresh garlic, letting them slow simmer for an hour after an initial hard boil. It keeps them moist and flavorful. After letting them cool, I shredded the chicken and stored it in the frig. Each evening I packed 4 oz of chicken into two baggies for the next day's meals at the office. I prepared one-half therecipe of Oatmeal No-Bakes Protein Bars, and I weighed out 31 g into a baggie, along with 10 almonds; this would be my quick go-to energy pick-me-upper if my BS began dropping while stuck in court -- stashed discreetly in my desk drawer in the courtroom!
Oatmeal No-Bakes...Yum
I kept a container of fresh spinach in my office frig, allowing me to have greens at each meal. For complex carbs, I prepared a large dish of rice and had sweet potatoes on hand, weighing out 3-4 oz of SP or 4 oz of rice for each day's office meals. Evenings were either chicken or tilapia and greens. Nighttime snack before bed was either a small serving of cottage cheese with 1 Tbs vanilla whey protein, 1 Tbs light Cool Whip, and 1 tsp flax mixed in; or, 1 scoop red velvet whey protein and 1 tsp nat pb.
It's Friday, and I'll loosen the reins SLIGHTLY.
My long-awaited indulgence...
well, wine, of course!
If dinner out with friends doesn't work out, I'd like to go see American Sniper. It's a bonanza at the box office this week! There are four movies showing that I wanna see, but AS would be my first pick. I love me some Bradley Cooper, and that it's based on a true story of an American hero makes it irresistible. Hoping to carve out a bit of time in late afternoon to squeeze in a 20-30 minute nap. Wintertime and naps go together like Oreos and milk...like cheese and wine...like kisses and hugs. It's been a good week. They're predicting mid 50's for tomorrow, and the plan is to build a fire on the patio and take advantage of those milder temps while they last.
I usually come home early on Friday afternoons, say around 3 or 3:30. Whatever time everyone else leaves. We rarely have a Friday afternoon docket.
But today was different. My youngest son was competing in a scholastic achievement event at the Marriott, and he would not be finished until 4:00 or 4:30. I hung out in my office, piddling around, working on menial tasks that had little to no urgency, waiting for his text. My plan was to meet him in the parking building, since I'm less than two blocks from the Marriott, and then head home.
I wanted to go home and relax.
Pour a glass of wine. Chill.
But my son wanted to go shopping in the mall. With ME.
And, of course, I chose Option B.
He said he needed clothes. And he's a man on a mission.
But aren't they all?
So we headed straight to Macy's,
(he'd scouted this plan out on his lunch break)
went straight to the men's department,
and chose a cream, half-zip Polo sweater.
We then headed straight to men's shoes,
and he showed me styles he liked
and gave me other Christmas ideas for clothes he'd like.
We then headed to the women's shoe department
and ordered a pair of Easy Spirit mules for Grandma for Christmas -- since they didn't stock her size.
While in Macy's I looked for that elusive camel coat
--my wish list for Christmas--
Dead end.
It's yet to be found.
I saw a guy walking down the street with a gorgeous camel coat --and he was pretty easy on the eyes, for that matter-- If only I could find THAT color and style in women's.
I stopped to buy some yummy cheese to go with my wine
later in the evening.
As we walked and talked,
we giggled at people --
like the guy who was wearing a goofy hunter's hat
(yes, he was!)
with one side snapped up, the other side flopping
as he strolled with his confident gait.
Yeah, baby.
Smokin' hot.
And then we headed home.
We made a memory.
Just me and my son.
I hope he'll remember this some day.
I cherish him.
As I'd mentioned previously in my blog, I was recently revisited by hormonal wrath that I thought I had long-since escaped at my age. But sure enough, I ended up caught in its clutches yet again -- no way! There IS no escape! Cue Jaws music.
(Scene switches.)
Recently I recommitted to a mini goal of dropping ten pounds that have crept up on me over the summer. My motivation lately had waxed and waned, and it was beginning to eat at me --- EAT AT ME, get it? Oh, aren't I clever. So I decided to set a timeline. Goals need timelines. Get grounded people!
We will be attending a post-wedding party in Manhattan in mid October. I figured that was a realistic window of time to drop ten pounds of fat. (Fat. Not water. Not weight. Fat. Yes, oh, yes, there is a difference.) Being in denial for several weeks, I hadn't weighed myself since mid June or so. It was time to face the music and begin the dance.
I like to weigh on Fridays. When I stepped on the scale last Friday, I was reluctant to look. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but it wasn't good either. But it was ground zero. That's the relevant point. Let the challenge begin.
And so just minutes after those annoying dogs began barking on my cell phone this morning, serenading me into a new day -- albeit still dark out -- I stepped on the scales once more for a progress report. DOWN 3.5 POUNDS. Seriously? Suh-WEET! How did THAT happen? And then I remembered. I had gotten a visit from Mother Nature about 10 days ago, so part of that was likely the dreaded water bloat.
But for the record, I think I'll claim at least 1 pound (if not more) of that from my kickin' hard work and rewards. I've stayed rather focused -- except for one day when I ate way over my calorie limit for the day, one of those just-can't-get-full days. (I learned a long time ago that one of those now and then, even once a week, is actually good for us when dieting.) And I even had lunch out yesterday with a good friend/colleague that I hadn't seen in months, though I chose a grilled chicken salad and passed on their to-die-for bread, the bread that you can smell two blocks away? Yeah, that bread. I stared at it. But I refused to let it pass my lips.
And as for the body-shaping approach, my workouts have been consistent and progressive. Yep. Life is boogie-oogie good!
"Let's see,"
as I wander into my closet this morning,
"how about this little black skirt,
this fitted feminine white blouse,
and nude pumps...for this fantastic Friday...?"
And so onward I go. Oh, it most certainly will get more challenging in the weeks ahead. One can't expect to keep up that pace week after week. But it is a very motivating start toward the end.
Arsenal for today: I'm reminded by a friend to plan my meals out ahead of time. After all, eating out is the biggest challenge a dieter faces. It's easy to plan our meals, weigh our meals, choose wisely when we're at home. But when we are out, seduced by good times or laughter or friends or romance, the intoxicating aroma of yummy food dulls our senses. We don't reason as well. We make excuses. Planning ahead is definitely the way to go. Get online, pick your menu choices, and stick to your game plan.
I'll be enjoying wine today -- hell yeah, it IS Friday after all -- but I want to be prudent about my eating. I can do this. I'm looking ahead ... oh, there she is... yes, I see her... there she is... she's looking very fit for her age, in that classy, flattering cocktail dress...who is she? Who is THAT woman? That is the woman of my vision.
While browsing Craigslist for the Charlotte, NC, area yesterday evening, I wandered over to the real estate/vacation rentals section -- no particular reason -- and was scanning down the list of ads, when I saw an alluring ad for lakefront property listed for a crazy-low price. My curiosity got the best of me. How can this be? I must check this out.
My first reaction: WTF?
And then I laughed at how ridiculous this ad was. I laughed and laughed and laughed.
Ironically, based on the wordiness of the ad, the seller was apparently quite proud of his custom-built dream home. I guess it takes all kinds. We shake our heads in disbelief sometimes, questioning how or WHAT people are thinking when they do what they do.
Weirdosis.
I think that's a word...isn't it? If not, it should be.
I guess it's okay to be weird. Who decides what's weird and what's normal anyway?
So. Moving on.
My agenda for today:
Get into a Friday ridiculously amazing frame of mind.
Stop by Capitol Market for some fresh tomatoes (since ours are showing no interest in ripening anytime soon)
Make a return to Gabriel's; those "juniors-cut" black dress pants that I eyeballed instead of trying on - their dressing room annoys me -- are unfortunately too snug. Of course, they were, considering most juniors pants are made to fit ostrich legs.
Stop by Goodwill and unload four large boxes of "excess" -- ahh, the joy of decluttering!
Run by the grocery store for almond milk, asiago cheese, chicken breasts, fresh spinach, and a bottle of yummy Spanish red.
Leave work a little early to beat the traffic (and maybe the rain)
Tidy up the back porch, light some candles, listen to some Blank & Jones...or, second though, maybe just listen to the rain.
And they REALLY rock when I get Fridays off. Today is a state holiday, and so as a government employee of this state, I get to enjoy that great little perk.
I got those transcripts out on time. Sort of a bummer having to work on a day off, but it's extra money I could use on vacation. I won't complain.
And now I'm sitting on my back porch, sipping Spanish wine, a storm brewing, the breeze blowing the ficus tree branches, the candle's flame flickering...I am loving this.
I've begun packing a little. I'm taking a bubble wand. The kid in me refuses to grow up. I love bubbles. Always have. And so I bought two of those huge bubble wands to play with at sunset on the beach. I'm taking my tripod for my camera too in hopes of getting some great shots playing with the settings on my camera. I've been checking the weather for Marco Island on my weather app, and it's not been the best this past week. Hoping we'll get decent weather while we're there, at least two or three nice sunsets. But even if we don't, I plan to be out there on the stormy overcast days -- which make for the best photos anyway. I'm hoping to be able to capture my gigantic bubbles on a stormy overcast day. How cool would THAT be?
I can already smell it ... the ocean, the surf...I can hear the birds...I can feel the breeze...I'm there in my mind already. Want to join me? Please?
It is a no-worries paradise. A place that makes it very hard to leave...
I could so be a beach bum. I envision myself living in a little shack somewhere, bare necessities ... the staples of which would include music, paints, wine and flip-flops.
Thinking today on what to pack, I'm planning on a tiny cotton sundress, a few pairs of shorts, tank tops, 2 bathing suits, two workout gear sets, tennis shoes, and flip-flops -- yes, I work out on vacation. Do fish swim? Do birds fly? Does T work out on vacation?
And flip-flops? Most women collect shoes, rows and rows, boxes and boxes of shoes. I've lost count on my flip-flop collection. Classy, ja?
Okay. I'm sufficiently jacked...I CANNOT WAIT.
Snapshots of the past couple of weeks in the life of T... a few artsy projects, a token gift that I took to a BBQ at our neighbor's last weekend, and nature. Things that placate me to the purest sense of gratitude.
The lovely red grass that we planted this year...
Yes, this will be harvested and strewn throughout my decor...
Tiger lillies are just ... WELL, HOT
This? A pitifully boring little chest that I picked up a few years ago,
sorely needing love...ugly, dull, who-even-cares, dimension-less dark finish, living a life unnoticed...
I may have blogged about this once before -- my lines of memory are somewhat blurred. My Friday evening glass of wine may have a wee bit to do with that, but not entirely.
Musical Pictures. It was a distinct and vivid memory of kindergarten for me. In the early afternoon, just after lunch and "recess," we were asked to lie down on the floor on little mats -- yes, of course they were...little mats for little people -- and rest a bit while listening to music. Most of the time, at least as memory serves, it was classical music, or something similar. Always instrumental. This may have been my first exposure to classical (such a shame...INFANTS should be exposed at an early age to classical in my humble opinion).
After listening for about 20 minutes or so, we were then handed large sheets of sketching paper -- I remember it was sort of off white and sturdy... funny how we remember these details of life that leave lasting impressions -- and we were asked to illustrate with markers, paint, pencils or crayons the music that we were hearing. What did it call to our minds?
It was my favorite class.
To this day, I think about musical pictures all the time. I'll be driving down the road and hear a song and I think in images, the brush strokes of my mind filling in the details, whether fiction or reality. At times quite vivid detail. And for those few moments in time, I've escaped to that place in "my picture."
It's THIS part of my personality that most people may find a little wacko. But truth is, it's an INTEGRAL part of who I am. How we long to be understood, not misinterpreted. Because I'm NOT wacko. It's just who I am, who I've become over time. And these traits aren't always obvious...aren't always seen on the surface. In fact, mostly are not. But dare tap into my heart, scratch the surface a little, and you will likely find the deeper wacko side of me. The dreamer.
This artist, Ludovico Einaudi,
SUCH A BEAUTIFUL NAME, I want to repeat it over and over
has become one of my favorites.
I discovered him via Pandora about a year or so ago. I keep researching, sampling his music now and then. I hear most of it on my Windham Hill station of Pandora.
Arriving home late from work today, tired and thankful the week was finally over, I poured myself a glass of wine and clicked onto YouTube in search of some escape music. Release. And I found this.
Experience
Its seducing effect on me was deeply penetrating. An ushering of vivid musical pictures ...
Listen to Einaudi's "Experience" -- don't cheat yourself, listen all the way through, you won't regret the ebb and tide -- and indulge your mind's eye of illustrations. Abandon all other thoughts, problems, duties, commitments, rules ... as you let the music release you. Are you there yet? What do you see? Is it anything short of spectacular?
Go ahead. Breathe. Escape. It's Friday. It's time to exhale.
It's frustrating to me when I want to purge in my blog, yet life gets in the way and there just isn't enough time. Thoughts... all these thoughts and words and just STUFF that pops in my head that I want to write about. They fill up my head and then have nowhere to go... when I'm too busy to write. The need to purge, to breathe, to exhale to empty. It's what sets it apart. Don't just write...one must write from the heart.
I try to remember to jot reminders on my NOTE app on my iPhone.
Don't let this escape, I say to myself...
I'm headed to PA this weekend to see my son -- first time in two months.
We have tickets to see the Pirates vs. Cardinals on Sunday!!!
Woooohoooo.
I was thinking the other morning as I was getting dressed for work:
What could top this, getting to see this high-energy game with my family?
And then my mind darted instantly to music.
Imagine that.
Of course music is gonna have something to do with the perfect dream.
I imagined Toni Braxton singing the Star Spangled Banner at the game.
Right! Toni Braxton?
Dream on, T.
It's fun to dream.
(Pause...for a sip of wine)
Delish.
Checking off things on my day's agenda, one by one.
It's been a day of accomplishments as well as relaxing.
I'm blessed to have been able to take the day off...have this day to myself.
For myself.
I sleep in. I leisurely lather in coffee. Then I head to the gym and kick ass.
I Skype with Zach...!!!... (imagine my heart on a playground swing, riding high as the clouds...how high can I go?)
Among the other things I managed to accomplish?
Homemade macaroni & cheese for Son #3.
Oh, he's gonna kiss my feet for this stuff!
I gloat.
(Another sip of wine)
But the list is not finished...there's more to do
before heading out to his football game tonight.
So. I will end with some live music to kick off the weekend
Can't believe it's been almost one week ago since Live on The Levee.
It turned out to be a great evening -- good company, a yummy, light dinner on the grill (just my style), a couple of beers, and wrapping up down on the Levee with "Toothless Ruth."
Okay. So I'm sure this group has sound reasons for this ridiculous name, but uh... really? Toothless Ruth? I had no idea what to expect from that name, but I was pleasantly surprised -- their lead vocalist sounded almost identical to Steve Perry. Very cool! Definitely a "rock" band, many of their songs from Journey, Styx, Aerosmith. Works for me.
Yeah...such great music in that era... I miss it. "Lady." I don't think I'll ever grow tired of listening to that timeless romantic rock ballad. Same for songs like Wicked Games (Chris Isaak), Love Look What You've Done to Me (Boz Skaggs), Miss You (Stones), Sweet Emotion (Aerosmith), Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen), Dream On (Aerosmith), Bennie and the Jets (Elton John), Start Me Up (Stones)... and the list goes on and on. The great artists and classics of yesteryear. Those were GOOD TIMES.
I'l be doing Live on the Levee again later this summer. Hoping for some jazz at some point. I won't hold my breath. Not wildly popular in these parts. But stranger things have happened.
Heading to the levee from across the river ...
A shot from the bridge, facing east
... and facing west, seduced by the brink of sunset
This would be Toothless Ruth
Those boaters had the BEST seats!
Night sets in on the river
happy people everywhere...
...and the love affair resumes ...
Mesmerized by the energy of the atmosphere
heading back across the bridge...
twinkling reflections of city AND river night life in the water
I wanted to open the apartment door and yell to maintenance or whoever else was conducting this drill, helllooooo? Mine is working is just fine. Thanks! You can stop now.
