Jam-Packed Weekend

(Incidentally, it's also an adjective!)

jam-packed 

That's been my life for the past several days.

Especially over the weekend.

So many KEEPSAKES to blog,

but I'm against the clock...

trying to get it all done before having to return

to work and life as ususal.

One thing is for sure.

It's been exciting, productive, fun-filled

and incredibly gratifying.

So much to say...

so little time!

First on my list today:  trip to the gym.

Until later...

Go, T, Go!

Friday Afternoon, A Glass of Wine, & Sarah

Heading out the door in minutes for a late gym workout, my third trip for the week -- finally getting back into my regular routine after a few weeks of hit and miss, go-when-I-can attempts.  I intended to get over there earlier, but my late afternoon nap lasted longer than I intended.  My body must have needed the rest.

The weekend has started off perfectly ...

I managed to slip away from the office early this afternoon, making it home to enjoy a glass of wine on the patio.  Thought there was a chill in the air, the bright warm sunshine warmed both my body as well as my spirit.

It was a lovely way to start a Friday afternoon.  Cheers...

Easy, Yummy, Portable "Eat Clean" Meal

Life has been hectic this whole week.  No down time whatsoever.

I'm taking a break from my work to document this great little "clean meal" to my blog for a reminder at times when I need a quick clean meal-to-go.

I had no lean protein prepared this morning to take for my lunch (I usually prepare lean protein a few days in advance for simplicity), and I was in a huge hurry to get out the door and to work on time, having a few stops to make on the way.  What to do!

Have eggs, will travel.  Eureka!  I whipped up a

Pumpkin Oatmeal Pancake  

  
I then placed it in a ziploc and tossed it in my purse.  Out the door I go.  Done!

4 egg whites

2 Tbs Trutein Cinnabun whey protein powder

2 oz canned pumpkin

10 grams old fashioned oats

1 healthy shake of cinnamon

Dash of ground cloves

1/2 packet of Splenda (optional)

8 chopped, toasted almonds *

     (*I toast these in the oven ahead of time and keep them in a container in my pantry)

Whisk ingredients together.  Pour into pan sprayed with Pam, on low heat.  Brown lightly.  Flip, repeat.  Done.

This tasted SO GOOD as my second meal, i.e., lunch, if you will.  I nuked it for about 15 secs and devoured it with a cup of green tea.  Hit the spot, and was SO SATISFYING!

These are the Fitday totals using 4 egg whites.  Perfectly balanced.  Amazingly easy and delicious!

These are the Fitday totals using 3 egg whites and 1 whole egg:

Until the next time ...

Echoes of Autumn

my lens captured the moments of my weekend…

including a trip to a local market

where a mountain of gourds had been carefully stacked

reeds standing afternoon guard over a glass pond

the brilliant white bark of a leafless sycamore

a warm fire at dusk

as the sun sets once more

feasting on her charms

her very essence

in full display

This One's For You

I stumbled upon this video in my misdirected meanderings this afternoon.

Oh.So.Glad.I.Did.

There is just SOMETHING everything about this artist --
her voice
her style
her look
her smile
her body language --
all of her.

She is all of it.

I adore her.  My new FAVORITE version of this classic song.

Smiles fill my heart.

May they fill yours too.

I hope you don’t mind

I hope you don’t mind

that I put down in words

how wonderful life is

when you’re in the world…

Man's Best Friend

My youngest son sleeps with our dog Chessie.  Has pretty much since we bought her in 2005.  They share a very deep bond, and when he's away she's lost.  She sleeps outside his door in protest until he returns.

I feed her.  I bathe her.  I am usually the one that sees to her needs -- mostly.  By default anyway.  Being fitness minded, I know that being a small dog, she can put weight on rather easily, and excess weight is not good for her heart -- shortening her lifespan.  She's rarely given "people food," with the exception of vegetables, apples, an egg yolk now and then and the occasional bone from leftovers.  My oldest son, however, slips her food now and then.  She's just like humans; the more "crap" she eats, the more she wants, and she starts boycotting her dog food, which is a BIG clue (not to mention her expanding mid section) that someone is not following the house rules:  Thou shalt not feed Chessie people food.

So I find it necessary now and then to issue a public service announcement within the household to "cut it out."  No more junk, she's getting fat, and she's refusing to eat her dog food.

C (youngest son) became concerned the last time I found it necessary to issue the warning.  (He too is very fitness minded.)  He defensively pleaded that he was NOT feeding her people food.  I informed him that his brother slips stuff to her all the time behind our backs.

He decided to take matters in his own hands.  I couldn't resist snapping a picture of our message board on the fridge:

(Sporting her longer 'do)

Autumn Winterrupted

Superstorm Sandy, the most devastating storm to hit in decades - maybe ever? - has left horror and destruction in its path.  For a storm menacing enough to close the New York Stock Exchange for two consecutive days for the first time in over 100 years, the first happening as a result of the blizzard of 1888?  Rampant fires, flooding, destructive winds and rain, record snows, far and widespread power outages, lives and homes lost, mass transits flooded out, cars scattered like leaves ... the list goes on and on, the cost of the storm incalculable.  The photos I've seen depict the horrors of the storm's aftermath with haunting reality.

The mountains of West Virginia saw record snows for this time of year, but the Mountaineers of WV know how to deal with heavy snowstorms.  Most were spared the kinds of destruction seen further north.  My heart goes out especially to the victims of New Jersey and New York, those hardest hit.  I pray for their comfort, healing, protection, and restoration to a somewhat normal life.

Our power flickered several times throughout the day.  I got up at my usual time to discover the unexpected falling snow accumulating quickly.  I took a few photos.  The announcement came that schools would be closed for the day, so I let my son sleep.  I had proceeded with my morning workout, my shower, my normal routine, until learning that trees were down throughout my community, on the roads, and the snow was piling up quickly.  I texted my office and was told that court was cancelled, to stay put.  Luckily I had my laptop and I could still work from home on transcripts.

While working on transcripts, sipping coffee and listening to the relaxing music of Winter Sonata on Pandora, I found myself constantly peeking at my open browser at the updates and photos of the storm's path.  Horrible.  Frightening.  Grateful that I still had power, warmth, the protection of my home.

My heart hurts as I think about friends who live in the path of those hardest hit by this storm.  Are you okay?  I wish I could talk to you.  I need to know.

When does life return to normal for the victims after this unseasonal interruption with Mother Nature?  We wait and see.

My favorite season, robbed of its glory by the interruption of winter weather.  An event to remember for years to come ...