Friend Makin' Monday - 10 things that make me HAPPY!

A bit late to the game, but ~gasp~ I was actually busy at work today and I had to leave a bit early to get my eyes re-checked - my new contacts aren't letting me focus close up and it really sucks when you have to keep looking between a paper on the desk & the computer monitor! 

Now let’s get to this week’s topic!

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section over yonder at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Ten Things That Make Me Happy

This is an easy one, since it doesn't take much to make me happy!  

1. The opportunity to go horseback riding!

me on Captain Slow, Miss Angela on Princess (brown horse) and sister Laurie on Kisses (paint)

2. Babies!

my niece's boyfriend brought this 3 week old kitten over to her grad party. He's bottle feeding her after mama kitty abandoned her.  I think it says a lot of a big guy like Drew taking care of such a tiny kitten! 

3. New underwear!  I've recently noticed how annoying my undies were - because they were too big!  So I got to go buy some new ones. 

4. iTunes - so I can listen to my favorite jams as many times as I want.  Currently listening to classic Def Leppard. 

5.  A ready & willing walking partner. 

And I'm happy that I've managed to get the hubby out walking twice with me recently! I let him choose the route & we've gone about 1.6 miles each time, just by chance. 

6. Driving fast with the windows down and radio cranked. 

7.  The thought of vacation next month. We're driving up the west coast of Michigan, spending my birthday someplace awesome. 

8. Taking Miss Angela and one of her friends to Cedar Point in 2 weeks.  I haven't been there in 24 years! Can't wait to ride some coasters, especially since I know I'll fit in the seats easily. 

9. Only 3 days left of summer school!  Not for me, but for Miss Angela  But I've had to go into work late after dropping her off the past 6 weeks, and most days leave at lunchtime to go get her.  This means making up a lot of time and that SUCKS!  I prefer my 7:30 - 3:30 schedule and can't wait to go back to it. 

10.  These cools days & nights we've been having.  It's so nice sleeping with the windows open!

bonus happy - my new blog name & look!

Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions! Take time to get to know someone new this week, leave a few comments and come back and link up in the comments. Happy Monday, friends!

Happy Blogiversary to me!!

My very first blog post was July 25, 2009.

I believe it was on FreeWebs, then.  I'd been on Yahoo 360 before that & don't even know what happened with that blog / host - it doesn't even exist any more!  I think I moved to Freewebs, & nover knew how to import my posts over.  Hmm.  After freewebs, I moved again and settled happily on Blogger.

I was undecided for a while, whether or not to have 1 blog or 2, especially once I joined Weight Watchers. I didn't know if I wanted to have a separate weight loss one or keep it in with my personal one.  So I went back & forth for a while.  Then left them separate. When I fell in love with Halloween, there was no doubt it would get its own blog!

Anyhooooo,  have I learned a LOT since those 360 days!

• use actual titles on the posts instead of just the date.
• labels. 
• write more often instead of 2 - 3 per month.  
• posts don't have to be novels.
• pictures are good!
• edit.

So, onto now business!  I went to my meeting tonight, instead of Wednesday, so I could stop by Mom's and get some pics of my niece to make a picture board for her graduation party Sunday.  I noticed later, that after all the years she was taking skating lessons and dancing, there were no pics from those. WTH?  That was a big part of her life!!  At least there are pics from 4-H with the horse and such. 

 In 2 years when Angel graduates, there will be one solid board of dance pics!!  And I plan to plant annuals in my yard in her school colors (black, orange & white)  But I digress. 

I was pleased with 1.4 lb loss tonight!  I was rather concerned since Randy & I went to Red Lobster last Friday night and I ended up using 60 points for the day!!  ~swoon~   But earning 42 APs was da bomb!! All those hours painting at the studio really paid off!  Now that its done, I don't know what I'll do.  I should check out the Zumba class they have there - it happens to be shortly before Angel has her acro class, so that could work! 

 Activelink Progress Report

WW Progress Report

So I have 5 weeks from today til my birthday and my mini-goal is to reach Onderland - I think it's gonna happen - SQUEEEEEEE!

I almost forgot - 2 NSV' today!  Well, one definitely is, the other...maybe not.  I got Randy to go for a walk with the dog & I !!!!  It was so nice & cool out after dinner (we ate on the patio!) that I suggested a walk around the neighborhood.  he agreed and then decided we should go halfway around the park.  MapMyWalk calculated us going 1.6 miles, so that's pretty darn good for him!  Jack kept yanking on the leash, trying to get me to go faster, aka our usual pace, but that wasn't happening.   NSV (kinda) #2 is something I've just recently noticed in the past 2-3 weeks.  My underwear are too big!!    They're making me crazy!  So I can't wait to take my measurements next week.

:)

Happy Blogiversary to me!

My very first blog post was July 25, 2009.

I believe I was on FreeWebs, then.  I'd been on Yahoo 360 before that & don't even know what happened with that host - it doesn't even exist any more!  After freewebs, I moved and settled happily on Blogger.

I was undecided for a while, whether or not to have 1 blog or 2, especially once I joined Weight Watchers. I didn't know if I wanted to have a separate weight loss one or keep it in with my personal one.  So I went back & forth for a while.  Then left them separate. When I fell in love with Halloween, there was no doubt it would get its own blog!

Anyhooooo,  have I learned a LOT since those 360 days!

• use actual titles on the posts instead of just the date.
• labels. 
• write more often instead of 2 - 3 per month.  
• posts don't have to be novels.
• pictures are good!
• edit.

Sunset at the park tonight. 

What will I learn in the next 4 years??

btw - I'm loving my new look!

Ta Daaaa!

Here is the New & Improved offering by ME!

After seeing on the A-Z Challenge how common the name "Random Ramblings" was, I knew I had to change it.... and since our home is often referred to "the Love Shaque"...why not??

And a whole new makeover & I'm pretty happy with it!

...now I have to go figure out where I have links back to all my blogs & update them!

Ta Daaaaaaa !!!!

Welcome to my new & improved blog!!!

The Life of Lisa was very vanilla - don't get me wrong - vanilla is good stuff.  But I wanted some ooomph.

I chose the new name Slow & Steady because A) I am not a runner = slow.  LOL!  But also because B) I have been on Weight Watchers since August 2008.  While I have not been losing weight steadily, I have taken it off slowly and I have not gained (much) back.  I feel much better for it.

Slow & Steady is the way to go!

btw, both Blogger & Bloglovin told me that followers will not be affected by this change since my URL stayed the same.

A change is lurking.....

I'm copying & pasting this from one of my other blogs, Random Ramblings so if it looks somewhat familiar, that's why! I'm all about change right now!

 Hmmmmmmmmmmmm

(these are my "thinking cats" Maddie & Chester)

I've been seriously thinking about changing the name of my blog. 

I haven't really been happy with this name for quite some time. I don't feel that it actually fits me anymore. 

I need something that is unique. 

I don't have a new name in mind yet, but I have researched with Blogger & Bloglovin' that since my URL is staying that name, it won't affect my followers any. 

My Blogiversary is July 25, so that will be date of the change! 

I only have a couple days to come up with something new & improved, just like I'm working on being! 

But I'll get 'er done.

Friend Makin' Monday - TV Talk

Happy Monday!  It's so nice to know that my years in Deck Department while in the Navy haven't gone to waste!  I spent 3+ hours Saturday night and 9 hours yesterday painting.  Happy to say  - the damn studio is finally painted!!! 

Trimming the new office

Anyhoooo, today is my Mom's birthday so we will be going over to her house tonight. We'll probably take her out to dinner, since it looks like it'll be me, Angel & one sister.  I'm taking my bathing suit, too! 

Now onto FMM - this is gonna be a tough one since I'm not a big TV person. 

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section over at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Let’s Talk About TV

1. Share your current “Must-See” TV shows.  Umm.  nothing right now.  If I happen to turn the TV on and something catches my attention, I'll watch.  Or if the hubby has something on.

2. Do you prefer reality shows or sitcoms? I prefer sitcoms, but I always make sure to watch RuPaul's Drag Race (or Drag U)

3. Who is your favorite talk show host?  From what I see during the day - probably Ellen.  She's hysterical!

4. Which network(s) do you turn to for news? Sadly - when I watch the news, its the BBC.

5. Do you have Tivo or DVR?   I think we have DVR.  I don't record anything.  Hubby records Under The Dome, Top Gear and IDK what else and things he thinks I might like to see.  He was correct with Hotel Transylvania and Frankenweenie is there waiting for me now. I know they're movies, but they're ON the TV!

6. Have you ever started watching a show simply because you heard so much about it on social media? If so, which one did you watch? Nope.

7. List any TV series that you own on DVD.  We have a couple seasons of Top Gear and I think the first 5 seasons of CSI.  That was the best cast and it was sad when people started leaving.

8. Do you have a subscription to Netflix, Hulu, etc? Netflix.

9. If you could star in a TV show that already exists, which one would you choose? I can't think of a show I'd want to be on, but I would love to drive a reasonably priced car on the Top Gear track!

10. If you could bring back one TV show that is no longer on the air, which one would you choose?   Sheesh, I really con't think of anything.  The original Dukes of Hazzard??

Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions! Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments, and don’t forget to take a little time to welcome some of our new FMM friends! Happy Monday everyone!

checking in!

The name change plans are moving along smoothly!  I even contacted the help desk at Bloglovin to make sure everything would be OK.  Good to go!  Less than one week will be the new & improved blog by me!

Well, the move into the new dance studio still hasn't happened.  They were supposed to start classes on the 9th. Then the 16th.  Now the owner, Terina is almost 100% positive it'll be the 23rd.  Angel & I went over last Friday night and got the first coat of paint on the bathroom.  Teal & caramel brown.

Then Saturday Mom & I went to a memorial service for my 2nd grade teacher.  She was a great teacher and I'd exchanged Christmas cards with her for years.  She always sent a nice long letter and I did, too.   She was good friends with Mom, too.  It was amazing how many old teachers I saw who remembered me!!   Anyway, I spent the day with Mom and had to stop at the store on the way home.  By the time I got home and just settled my butt in front of the computer, it was almost 10pm.   Then at 10, my phone rang.  Terina begging for help.  So I changed my clothes and headed to the studio.  

This was around 2 am.  My kick-line partner is Terina's daughter Sarah.
I was also accused of "twerking" - but Terina's mom was doing it more than me!

 I spent 3 1/2 hours on these damn stripes.  Finished up at 6am.
She's lucky Angel had spent the night at a friend's since
I would NOT have stayed all night otherwise.
The purple looks faded here. 

Studio A back & side walls

 Studio B back wall
One the tape was pulled off, there is a white line on each side of the pink.
 It looks really cool!

Studio C (the green & purple zig-zag is the back wall reflected in the mirrors)

This pic was actually taken this Tuesday - the day classes were supposed to start.
Note the bare plywood floors. 

Since we were there, we did more painting. 

So anyway, we are going back over tomorrow and see what else needs to be done.  Hopefully there won't be much!  Ya know, one of the ladies at work wonders why I've been going over to help when I'm not "getting anything" for it, as in pay or tuition discounts.  It's called *volunteering* at my child's second home!  Discounts would be nice, but I'm not expecting any.  Besides, it's awesome painting those bright colors, since you can really see the progress you're making.  If you're doing boring colors, it wouldn't be as fun. 

Angel claims that when they finally do start classes, they're all going to be bunched up together, since they had to be in the tiny old studio.  Studio B is about the same size as the old one, but A & C are ginormous.  We paced it out and I could pick up my entire house and set it inside either studio with room to spare. 

So that's been about the gist of what's been going on around here.  I'm hoping once it cools off some, I'll be able to get some wood and finally build my cemetery fence for the Maple Grove Cemetery.  I'm going to need a good 70 feet worth of fence. ~swoon~  I'll probably end up with 80, since 10-8 foot lengths are a good round number. And - oh joy! I saw a suggestion to use ladder hangers on the privacy fence to hang the fence sections on.  Brilliant!!!  I'd probably put them on the back side of the garage to help protect them some. 

So anyway.  Is my life really that dull?  Nothing has been happening since the recital? 

 ~thinking~ 

nope.

Shuttling the kid to summer school (only 9 more days!!!) Work. Home. Laundry /shopping / cleaning.  Domestic bliss!

Yesterday was Randy's birthday (no loving, heartfelt post - yeah, I suck!) He got to leave work early and we went out to dinner at Texas Roadhouse. I wish I knew what they do to their steaks to make them so damn good!  Other than soak them in butter, that is.  Then, since it was his day, he got to decide what we did afterward.  So we went and walked around Radio Shack, the Salvation Army and a dollar store.  Spent a total of $2 since I needed some white glue for a paper mache project.  We are such party animals!!!

Next month, we're planning on another Michigan vacation.  Last year was Hell to Paradise.  We're thinking driving over to Grand rapids and heading up the west coast along Lake Michigan.  I really want to see Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, but that's realllly far north!  I'm sure we'll figure it out as time gets closer.  Randy & I both took the week before Labor Day off again.  Angel will start school on Tuesday 9/3 so this is a fun way to get her tired of us and ready to become a junior!

So that's about all that's going on here!  The excitement is killer, isn't it?

checking in

I'm really pleased with my numbers all over.  I'll take that .4 lb loss, I was actually surprised to have those 2+ lb losses the last 4 weeks anyway.  Happy, but shocked.   And I'm loving the 44 APs !!!  I did many hours worth of painting at the girl's dance studio this past week and we're going back again Saturday to see what else needs to be done. btw - Saturday night - I was accused of twerking.  So you don't Google it and see something scary - Urban Dictionary describes it as "to work one's body, as in dancing, especially the rear end."  But I have to say - the studio owners elderly-ish mother was shaking it a LOT more than I was!  But you should have seen the look on Angel's face when she heard that!  Priceless.    

I am rather proud of myself - today is the hubby's birthday and he chose to go to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. Luckily, we had to wait to get the rolls (my downfall), and then they came after the appetizer did, so I only had one roll !!!  But the bacon cheesy fries with ranch negated that.  But my food was a grilled steak & shrimp and steamed veggies.  Yummy.  And then as he put it, wanted to go "pop some tags", and caused a loud groan from Angel.  He wanted to go walk around the Salvation Army Thrift Shop!  And the Dollar Castle.  And Radio Shack.  But it's his day and that's what he wanted to do.  I spent a total of $2 at the Castle for some glue & letter stickers for a project.   But it was some walking to help settle all that food!

Anyhoooooo, I'm going to go throw together my breakfast & lunch for tomorrow.  I tried cold steel cut oats for the first time this morning & it was pretty interesting.  It needs some tweaking & adjusting but I will definitely have them again.

Friend Makin' Monday - Foodie Questions

Happy Monday!  

Had a crazy, messed up weekend.  Friday afternoon, I (gasp!!!) went to the mall - I hate the mall, but that is where Yankee candle is and I wanted to find out first hand about the Boney Bunch preview party.  Guess it's a big thing!  Then Saturday I went to a memorial service with Mom for my 2nd grade teacher. She was a friend of Mom's forever and I'd been exchanging Christmas cards & letters with her for years.  She was an amazing lady!  I spent the rest of the afternoon at Mom's visiting & lounging in the pool, just the 2 of us!  I had to stop at the store on the way home and also stopped for an ice cream (bad, but I was celebrating a night alone).  I had just sat my butt down in front of the computer and at 10pm, my phone rang.  It was the owner of Miss Angela's dance studio, desperate for help to finish painting so the floors could go in.  So that meant an all-nighter with a paint brush for about 8 of us. Surprisingly, I really didn't get tired until 5:30 am and I finished my endless wall of stripes around 6 am.

this doesn't show the wall to the right that is "LSD nightmare green" 

but you can see the glow from it!  Imagine an electrified Kermit the frog.  

I grabbed a couple hours of sleep and had to go to my cousin's kids' birthday party.  Luckily Angel had a party of her own to be to not long after, so we didn't stay long.  

This is a great FMM today, maybe I'll be inspired when I go grocery shopping tonight!



If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments sectionover at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Foodie Questions

1. Do you make grocery lists? I have to or I'll end up missing half the stuff I needed.  I make a  general menu for the week and base the list off that.

2. Do you have a routine when shopping in your favorite grocery store? Yes.  I even make my list based on the the layout of the store.

3. What is your favorite seasoning? garlic powder.

4. What is the healthiest food in your fridge right now? milk.  it's pretty empty right now. I think I saw some frozen canteloupe slices in there. Oops.

5. What is the most unhealthy food in your fridge now?  Hmm, left over cheese quesadilla of the kid's.  Labatt's Blue.  At least my ice cream is the 1/2 fat kind!

6. What is the most exotic produce you’ve ever had? Kiwano.  It tasted similar to cucumber, actually.  But slimier. 

7. Tell us about your favorite local restaurant. Hmm.  I like Texas Roadhouse for the sirloin & grilled shrimp.  I like Cheeseburger in Paradise for the grilled mahi-mahi (and adult beverages) and I like this little diner called "chomp" for the unique sandwiches they make.

8. What kind of pasta do you prefer (regular, whole wheat, etc.?)  We usually get whole wheat.  I prefer thin spaghetti over regular, too.

9. If you could make one food calorie-free for an entire week, which food would you choose? I can think of several.  Chocolate chip cookies.  Cheesecake.  BBQ meat of all kinds.

10. If you had to choose would you rather give up french fries or chocolate? Fries.  It would be the easier to give up of the two!

Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions. I’d really like to grow FMM so look for some fun changes in the coming weeks! And don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments!

GASP ! ~swoon~

I don't know what I've been doing, but I'm doing something right!  I was down another 2.6 lbs at weigh in tonight!  This makes over 10 lbs since June 12 !!!  This makes me have 7 weeks (til my birthday) to lose just under 7 lbs so I will be in Onederland!  Then I may actually be happy with hitting the big 4-0.  OK, I'll be happy with Onederland.  Still in denial about 40.

I updated my photo gallery.  With one of me in a bathing suit (faint!) but it's one that the 105 lb / 5'3" dancer / BratGirl kid of mine is NOT in.  We don't need to see that comparison!

The topic at the meeting tonight - that I did stay for! - was "are the Points worth it?"  So I should be asking myself  that before I dive into a bag of M&Ms or ginormous bowl of ice cream.  Good thought.  

OK, hubby is almost home.  We're going to "Taco Timmy's" for dinner.  Which means parking at Tim Horton's and walking a couple doors down to Taco Bell to eat, then going back to Timmy's for coffee. I already know that I'm going to have a Chicken Cantina Bowl, which is 14 PPs. And very tasty! 

Later!  

Friend Makin' Monday - Easy Answers

Happy Monday!

Man, I am sore today! Miss Angela starts summer dance classes next week and as you can see from the pic below.....



The studio is totally bare. Brand new bare drywall on the newly built walls and gross ancient carpet glue covered cement floors. So this was us yesterday - priming the walls. We were the first ones to get there and we got that cinderblock wall primed (and ready for mirrors) and one other almost done before anyone else showed up to help. Angel did the rolling and I did trim - which meant a lot of crawling & bending. I bet the studio owner is freaking out! Once all the primer is up, she has to have another building inspection and then floors & mirrors installed. Not to mention actual paint & decor! Crazy Busy!!

The rest of the weekend was nice. I worked half a day Friday, then did some shopping. Saturday, hubby & I slept insanely late, then went out to breakfast & walked around a couple antique stores. Went home & he watched a movie & I napped. Then we went out to dinner (got to love a diner called "chomp"!) and walked up and down Main Street, window shopping. Then did actual shopping at WalMart. Yay! Sunday, he did stuff around the yard while we were gone. 

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section over at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Easy Answers

1. Are you a planner, or do you prefer to see where the moment takes you? I like to plan, but then I want it to happen NOW! I also like to be spontaneous.

2. How often do you blog? I have 3 blogs, all with different themes. This one is weight loss / health. Random Ramblings is just that - random. And Maple Grove Cemetery is all about Halloween stuff. OK, now that I've done some shameless plugging for myself - a couple times a week.  Obviously MGC will be picking up a lot soon.

3. Do you color your hair? Yes. My natural color is MUD. dull, ugly brown. So now I am a nice auburn.

4. If you had to choose between running or riding a bike, which one would you choose? Seeing as how I don't run unless chased - I'd ride my bike happily.

5. Have you ever traveled outside of your home country? Yes. I spent 8 years in the Navy, so I've been to cool places like Hong Kong, Singapore, Diego Garcia, Jebal Ali and Bahrain. And of course Canada (I live less than an hour to 2 different border crossings) & Mexico. And I've been to Grand Cayman and St. Maarten.

6. Do you like weddings? Yes! Especially the one that happened 7 years ago today! MINE! Today is our anniversary!



I have to say my cousins re-wedding on his 30th anniversary was awesome.  Granted it was a dry reception, but they had the best DJ - I think I sat out a total of 3 songs all night. 

7. What is your favorite guilty pleasure on TV? RuPaul's Drag Race.  Love it!

8. Are you good at math?  The day to day stuff, yes.  And I cannot remember the last time I used algebra!

9. What is the last movie you watched?  Hmmm.  Warm Bodies with Miss Angela.

10. Share five adjectives that your friends would use to describe you. Loud. Fun. Bold. Unique. Practical.  (I hate that one, but it's true)

Bonus: Did you celebrate Independence Day? If so, what did you do? I helped out with radio communications at the parade, then we did some visiting and hung out at Mom's house for the afternoon. Food & swimming!  We didn't catch any fireworks, tho.

Happy (day after) 4th of July!

Hope you all had a lovely 4th!!  We got up early & went over to my Mom's house to watch the parade with her.  This included both sisters, one brother (I was surprised to see him!), a niece, a nephew & a niece-to-be.  

The hubby was helping at staging and I was the only ham (amateur radio operator) on the parade route - within 1/4 mile of the start.  Completely pointless. The important info I heard on the radio was "the giant psychedelic worm is leaving staging" and "Politician So-N-So is carrying dog treats".

Honestly, this was the lamest parade I think Clawson has ever put on.  As usual, the firetrucks & police cars at the beginning were the best part.  And seeing Randy bringing up the rear.  He was following the final police car, which was supposed to mean the road was open for traffic, but the cop was throwing candy out his windows!  So Randy followed him on the right lane lane so no one came driving up and ran over any kids grabbing candy. 

 The Psychedelic Worm and Miss Angela with her 5 foot stuffed Uncle Sam who she was making wave at people.  I'm sure lots of people were laughing at her! 

 We almost missed the "flyover" since these gliders sounded like someone's lawn-mover a block away. 

 Jack & Morgan patiently waiting for treats.

And I'm not sure what the heck the point of this was.  

There was a pipe sticking up out of the truck, shooting flames.  WHY????

After the parade, we went over to a cousin's house to sign a congrats banner for another cousin who just got his masters degree and is also retiring from the Navy.   Then we went over to the guy's house who "coordinated" us hams (insert snort & eye-roll here) for burgers & such.  The best part of that is his neighbor has a soft-serve ice cream machine that he runs all day on the 4th - and doesn't care who comes over to get some!  Oh, and Gerald's overgrown puppy.  He had some odd name that I don't remember, but he's a pit bull / dalmatian!!  He has the build of the pit bull, but coloring of a dalmatian.  Very pretty!  He apparently claimed me for himself, since he would lay down and put his paw on my foot, or he'd lay on my feet and Heaven forbid I made eye-contact with him across the table - nobody better be in his way getting over to me!  He must have liked how I rubbed his ears & jowls & yes - I baby talked to him.  And fed him bits from my plate.

After that, since I think Gerald is afraid of females and I intimidate him - we went back over to Mom's house for more food (ugh!) and to go swimming and to visit.  Then we went home & crashed.  We didn't even have dinner!  

my obnoxiously pink rose

I had to work today, but I managed a half day before I mutinied and left.  I am still irked that Geri & I - who live in the dispatch area, instead of the front part of the building with everyone else - always get forgotten when it comes to being let go early.  Even our boss left early Wednesday.  I can see dispatch having to be there, since trucks were still on the road - but we didn't need to be!!  

OK, off that tangent.  I left at 11:30 because there happened to be a 12:15 WW meeting today!  And wouldn't you know that the girl who weighed me in happened to be the leader.  So she saw my stats and how long I've been going there - and kept looking at me when she asked questions to the group!  Nope, I'm giving everyone else a chance to put their 2 cents in!  I did answer a few, since it just seemed like I should. 

Anyhoooo, I was down 3.2 lbs !!  After eating 3+ hot dogs, beans, chips & brownies and of course the bacon/egg/lettuce/tomato bagel and donut from Tim Horton's yesterday!!  And I totally didn't drink enough water, since I still feel slightly dehydrated. 

Now that I'm done rambling on and it's time for bed!  Have a great night!

Ooops, can't forget progress reports!  btw - I didn't track at all yesterday. 

A change is coming!

(these are my "thinking cats" Maddie & Chester)

I've been seriously thinking about changing the name of my blog.  

When I did the A-Z Challenge this year, I noticed there were several blogs with a similar name and really, it doesn't leap out and grab my attention or stand out in any way.  

I need something that is unique. 

I have a new name in mind, one that I think fits better.   My URL will stay the same of course. Let's see - my Blogiversary is July 25, so that will be date of the change!  This also gives me time to research what will happen with both Blogger & BlogLovin, if there's anything special I need to do, etc.

And I've also been considering finding a bloghop or some sort of challenge to encourage me to blog more.  I'm not a writer (fiction, sci-fi, etc), but I do like photography and stuff like that.

Does anyone have a suggestion??

edit:
I found one!!!

June 13 in 13 Round Up

Happy First Day of the Second Half of the Year!

before I forget - Red, white & blueberry trifle - you're welcome!  I will be making this for the 4th of July, as usual.

So how is your year going so far?

Since January, I've lost a whole 11.2 lbs and that doesn't count January & February when I had gains.  Slow, but progress.

I haven't taken measurements since 4/24 so here's how that's going.
thighs  25 / 24.5 = -.5
hips     47.75 / 47 = -.75
arms    12.5 / 12.5 = 0
waist    42 / 41.5 = -.5
bust     46 / 46 = 0
 so again - progress!

Onto my 13 goals.....

1. rededicate myself to WW - meh.   I missed 2 weigh-ins this month.  I'm going up update this goal as to attend a meeting every week.  It's going to be tough, since I'm staying late at work every night due to going in late after dropping the kid off at summer school and then having to go pick her up in the middle of the day.  But it may also work in my favor since I won't be going home for 1 1/2 hours before the meeting.  We shall see! 

2. post eTools progress report weekly - here is my monthly progress report.  I've really slacked this month with my tracking .  ~hanging head in shame~

3. earn at least 15 WW activity points weekly - this I'm doing well with.  The fewest weekly APs I've gotten last month was 32, so I'll update this to 35. I'm pleased with my activity - I'm at 98% for the month on Activelink's challenge!  

4. use my waist & arm / thigh trimmers while doing DVDs or Wii Fit - Zero!  I'm going to change this since the DVDs / Wii Fit ain't happening.  My little Mii guy is probably dead, its been so long since I turned it on. 

5. plan meals weekly - check!  Why make grocery shopping any more annoying than it already is?

6. eat more / new veggies every week - changing this to add fruits since so many are in season. I've been addicted to watermelon since I had a watermelon margarita at dinner Saturday night.  

mmmmmmm!

7. be a better blogger - nope.  I think I need to find some blog hops to join for each one.  So I am guaranteed of at least 1 post a week! 

8. spend at least 15 minutes per day straightening up my house - I had a marathon cleaning session before the Donor (aka Angela's dad) came over last weekend.  Looks pretty good, still!

9. make time for ME!! hmm.  I guess I have been.  I seem to go straight to my room when I get home from work and spend some time just messing around on FB or Pinterest on my phone.  

10. find plans & designs for holiday displays (tomato cage trees / MGC fence / potion book) - this I can finally say I've made some progress with the fence plan.  I measured from the corner of the house, to giant maple tree #1, over to giant maple tree #2 and then decided I'll take it to the driveway, but make it look like the fence has fallen for that stretch.  I wasn't sure how to do the last side, but this works!  Now I have to decide what materials to use......

11. work on RACES certification - hasn't happened, but I'm leaving it on. 

12. 

13. wean myself off pop - nope.

******************

The June Challenge was to find something to be grateful for each day.  It was actually pretty easy, since I regularly count my blessings.  

6/1. for my body to be able to get out & mow the lawn & clean up the yard.

6/2. to see my niece graduate from high school.

6/3. for my car to get me to and from work

6/4. for my job & paycheck

6/5. for a house to keep us warm & dry

6/6. for my furry critters to love on & snuggle with & to laugh at

6/7. for sunshine & flowers

6/8. for spending time watching cheesy/cute zombie movies with the girl (Warm Bodies)

6/9. to be able to help get my mom’s yard ready for niece’s grad party

6/10. for a flexible job where I can leave when I need to and make up the time later.

6/11. for a dog who is thrilled to go on walks with me.

6/12. for snuggles with the hubby

6/13. to see my daughter’s joy in the last day of 10th grade

6/14. for birds & critters to visit my feeder

6/15. for shopping excursions for nothing in particular

6/16. Happy Father’s Day! I’m grateful for Randy who willingly took on a ready-made family when he found me. This included 4 year old Miss Angela and my cat, Skeeter.

6/17. for the $ necessary to sign the girl up for summer dance classes.

6/18. for the $ necessary to sign the girl up for summer school (for failing US History) Grr.

6/19. for air conditioning

6/20. for a car that can fit a garment rack, 9 costumes, a duffel bag and a BFF for dress rehearsal

6/21. to see my daughter’s joy in dancing at her recital.

6/22. for my wonderful hubby to be a man who can be civil to my ex and a wonderful father to my daughter.

6/23. (don’t laugh) for my ex, for helping me to create a beautiful daughter.

6/24. for waterparks for fun days with the family

6/25. for a reliable car so I can shuttle the girl to and from summer school.

6/26. for fireworks!

6/27. for lotion to put on itchy peeling skin (from the sunburn at the waterpark)

6/28. for being able to laugh and have fun at the grocery store (with the family, obviously!)

6/29. for lovely cool(ish) mornings to go for walks in.

6/30. for Rebecca for coming up with this challenge!!

The challenge for July is to love myself. OK!

Friend Makin' Monday - The Interwebs

Happy Monday!  We had a wonderful weekend, temperature-wise.  Mid to upper 70s - it doesn't get more perfect than that!  Saturday morning I announced that I was going to put my "walkin' shoes" on and the dog came running into the room to watch.  He knows what that means!  Saturday night, we went out to dinner at Chili's and I had the most incredible yummy watermelon margarita - I was in Heaven!

Sunday, the hubby decided to unroll cinnamon rolls and re-roll them with bacon inside & they were freakin' amazing.  Totally not WW friendly at all, but tasty!  I worked those (yes - I had more than one and I'm not ashamed!!) off while mowing the lawn & pulling weeds.  We also made a trip over to check out the girl's new dance studio.  They moved to a new location & even tho we'd already signed her up for summer classes, we had to go check out the huge new digs.  Angel will be up north next weekend, but I plan on going over to help paint.

Now it's time for FMM !!

 If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section over at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

The Internet

1.  Have you ever met anyone online before meeting them in person?  Yes - I met my husband on Yahoo personals.  Our 7th anniversary is next week!  I did go on a few dates before I met him.  

2.  What is your opinion on social media’s impact on our society?  Does it make life better or worse?  For the most part, it makes it better.  We get news faster and manage to find old friends.  But on the minus side, there is less face-to-face hanging out & such. 

3.  Do you believe that it’s possible to fall in love with someone that you’ve never met in person?  Hmm, I don't know.  Especially since you don't really get to see that person in all their moods and their personal habits. 

4.  Do you prefer to shop in stores or online?  I need to try things on, so I won't buy clothes online, but other stuff, yes.  If there's something in particular I'm looking for, then I will go online.  But I like to browse.   

5.  What blogging platform do you use?  (WordPress, Blogger, something else?)  blogger

6.  Have you ever blogged for another site?  Would you? I never had, but I wouldn't be opposed to trying it out.  

7.  Do you use services like Netflix and Hulu?  We watch Netflix pretty regularly.  OK, the girl does, mostly. 

8.  Would you prefer to get blog comments or to interact on twitter?  Since I don't twit, I would have to go with blog comments. 

9.  Do you prefer to read books or e-books?  I like both, but it’s so easy (especially when I travel) to read books on my tablet.  If I had to choose one, I’d choose electronic books, but I’m glad I can do both. (I'm keeping Kenlie's answer)

10.  Share at least one experience that you would not have had without being a blog author.  I follow a blogger who is pregnant with #6 and is having health issues with the baby and her laundry cave is an unfinished, unsafe mess and another blogger set up a fund raiser to help get her laundry room remodeled.  I never would have known about this if I didn't do the blog thing.  I was so touched by the outpouring of love (and funds) toward Dwija and her family and was proud to have helped in my small way, and they raised almost $10K for her!    

 Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions.  Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments, and say hi to someone new this week.