Two Quick Things

#1. I am really sick of hearing sirens and different emergency vehicle sounds while listening to the radio. I think this should be banned and against the law. It's dangerous. And I'm sick of thinking I'm getting pulled over 30 times a day.

#2. My new favorite thing are bento boxes. What a great idea and concept. I think everyone should have one, and I am officially asking for one for Christmas :)
I would post a picture, but this computer hates me :( Google it, seriously. Awesome concept.

K. Nighty night all :)

Merry Thanksoween

Because @bysongasaurus asked so nicely, I have decided to post a little blog for my (un)faithful readers. The only reason I put the -un is because I give them no reason to be faithful.

Since we have spoken last much has happened. At the same time, nothing has happened. I saw "The Hangover". I also have worked 40+ hours a week. I am still raising two cute kittens, and am living in a bedroom the size of a jail cell. I went to a Blackhawks game, and also went to a Brewers game. I watched my calories, and also ate my weight in chocolate. I have gotten accolades and reprimands. I served a room service and got a $50 tip. I've gone to Naperville and Chicago a million times. I also went to Cape Cod for 26 hours to surprise one of my best friends in the whole world for her 30th birthday.

The one thing I have not done is turned 30. That shall wait until March. A few other things I haven't done; I haven't gotten a raise. I haven't watched "The Hills". I haven't had any children. I haven't forgotten my phone number. I haven't peed my pants, nor have I shat myself. I haven't forgotten how wonderful my friends and family are, and I haven't stopped being grateful that I have a job and a roof over my head.

As we approach this holiday season, I would like to ask that everyone be safe, be merry, and have fun. Next weekend is Friendsgiving, so for everyone who is coming, I can't wait to see you. After that, it may be a while as the busy holiday season approaches.

Love to all!

This post was sponsored by Sugar free Red Bull.

I have a blog?!

Why didn't anyone tell me? I would have posted on here months ago! Oh wait...haha!

Sorry for the absence. Life has been crazy and fun, and time consuming.

I'm still on the hunt to the biggest loser. It's an ongoing battle, and one that I will win. It will just take time. No overnight miracles in this city, that's for sure! I got 5th place in the last Weight Loss Challenge and am currently in 5th place again. Ugh! Story of my life!

Since I spoke to you all last I have turned 29, gone to Washington DC and effectively read all four Twilight books. Aren't I exciting? Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes...except SP who didn't really say "Happy Birthday" but instead kept telling me how she drove from Madison home....twice...not sure what that was about :)

DC was great-I went there for work. All I basically did was work, but it's nice to be asked to step in and help out, that must mean they like me :)

Work is crazy. Our meeting is in July, and right now we have a lot of important things to get done; sort of lying the foundation for the rest of the meeting so to speak. I will only "so to speak" since most people wouldn't understand what I'm talking about anyways. Not that I understand what anyone else does for a living either!

Tianna and Aaron's wedding is right around the corner, so preparations for that are going at mock speed. It's exciting and fun! I also refer to Tianna as "Tianna Rowe" as often as possible, because soon I won't be able to :( It's not that it's "sad" it's that it's....sad. Haha! I will just miss being the Rowe sisters is all. But, I'm glad to be gaining a brother (in-law).

Since we last left off I have developed a love for Zatarain's Red Beans and Rice with some Usinger's Italian Sausage. I have kept up with my running..and diet (most of the time). I have read about a gagillion books. And am looking for more (please send my way!). And I continue to have the cutest kittens in the world. So, what more is there to report? Things are great in Southeastern Wisconsin!

Catch up sooner this time, I promise!

Awwww...nuts!

In the great words of the even greater character, Michelle Tanner, I only have to say "Aw, nuts".

I have a nut story. I know that sounds strange, but it has a happy ending and will make more sense if you just keep reading.

A few weeks ago I was at work and opened my bag of delicious Italian Parmesan slivered almonds. Only....they didn't taste right! Well, I was in disarray. These nuts are the only thing getting me through my Southbeach Diet. They are great to snack on, low in carbs, high in flavor. So, I do what any normal american would do-I complain.

I wrote an e-mail to the company, first telling them how fantastic they are, and then telling them that they must have packaged them wrong. Of course, they were very concerned. They asked me to send them both bags (as I had bought two at the time) overnight so they can get to the bottom of this. I spent $47 to get them out to California, and then went to the nearest Pick'n'Save to buy more, as no matter what, they still taste good....just different.

A few days later I hear back from the company, and it turns out they had changed their recipe. They said that most people would not notice the change, but since I eat them so frequently of course I did. I said "Are you calling me fat?!?!"...nah, just kidding. But, they were still very gracious and sent me a whole box of the OLD nuts that I enjoy so much (the last box actually), and it arrived today. So, now I have 12 bags of the nuts, and my $47 back.

And that, my friends, is closure.

For Kelly and anyone who likes to laugh :)

Fantastical

Well, loyal readers-I managed to see quite a few of you this weekend :) And what a fantastical weekend it was!

Thursday after work I took off for up "Norte" and headed to Menomonie ala Nicki's house. We partook (not a word?) in a few beers and had a grand old time that night. Miss P met us out and was a nice little treat to tap off the evenings festivities. The next morning we bummed around, played with Amelia (she ate our dougnuts) and then went to get Alexis from kindergarten. Nicki had a massage at 12:45, so we both took off, her for her massage and me for Steph's house in Prescott. Steph and I caught up for a bit, as Dain was playing around us, and then I had to leave as I had strict instructions to be at Mikey's at 4pm sharp. So, 4pm sharp I walked in the house to find him on the phone with his nephew, talking about Iceland....his nephew was obviously confused about where Mikey was. Haha!

Mikey and I then went to the grocery store and his friend John's house to get ready for Mikey's party. Once we were there we had to go pick up his boyfriend Per's best friend in Plymouth...in rush hour...so we were on the road for two hours. Not fun, but it had to be done. So, we finally get back to John's house and relax and play Mario Kart. Fantastic game, and I think my sister might have played it for the first time this weekend too! How strange!

At around 3:30 am we decide we've had enough of the party (okay, I decided much earlier than that) and went back to Mikey's place to get some needed sleep. We woke up around 12:30pm and plan out our day: Go to Kelly's, go back to Per's....okay, it was more planning than just that, but that is what it came down to! haha! We get to Kelly's around 2:30 or so, and immediately are swept out the door as there are two sleeping children and Kelly could escape! We had a great lunch at the Rosy Clam (or Red Lobster, I can't remember) and caught up for a while. We went back to Kelly's house and visited and played with children.

At about 5:30 we decided to let them eat dinner and went back to Per's house (where I had left my car). By this time I had found out that Nicki's youngest had the flu, so I was not going back there for the evening as was originally planned. Once at Per's I sat in a massage chair for about an hour, watched some TV and played cribbage (the best game ever). Per and his BFF went out to the bars at about 11pm but Mikey and I stayed in and fell asleep watching TV (LAME! But, whatever...we're old). I then set my alarm for 7:30 pm and was pleasantly (NOT) surprised when I woke up at 8:30 am the next day, a full hour later than I had intended. I rushed out the door, beat the alarm system (which gives you 60 seconds to get the F*CK out of the house), and was on the road to Nicki's to pick up what I had forgotten and actually say good-bye to the girls. I then met Jenny in Eau Claire for a bit, and had a quick bite at the food court. I was then on the road and home by 3:30 pm, almost exactly 72 hours after I had left.

The moral of the weekend? You can do it all.

The reason I don't blog...

It is the dumbest reason on this planet, trust me...get ready for it....I hate signing in and going through the whole rigamarole of putting in my username and password. But, now it just remembers me and look how many blog my faithful readers (3...4 of you?) get!

So, I didn't lose any weight this week. Not the end of the world, but still a setback. I didn't dwell on it, mainly because I had so much extra stuff on my mind today. We had a major deadline today and I was B-U-S-Y :0 But, I am also attributing the lack of a loss (is that a double negative?) to two things: TOM (ladies, you can figure it out) and the fact that I was in a contest yesterday. The dumbest (but kind of fun) contest ever known to man: a drinking water contest. Yes, my zest for water rubbed off on my team at work and we all of a sudden found ourselves in a little water drinking contest.

This is how it went down: Everyone at 8am started filling up their water bottles, mugs, really whatever receptacle they had handy. So, it began. I started off slow, but then caught up with a gusto. 100 ounces in and it wasn't even noon yet. At lunch I gave myself a half an hour reprieve, only to start up again with much gusto. Fast forward to 3:15; I'm down by sixteen ounces, but when I finish my current bottle I would have won by four. Kathy already conceded, but I wasn't at my desk when all the conversations were going down. Everyone else thought it was over except for me, because I wasn't there. Then Adam said "Hey Ande, how many ounces are you at?" to which I had to reply, since I took a page from Honest Abe's book, "This will put me at 220", which would give me the win. So, the Dragon, realizing he would lose, went and filled up again to beat me by 16 ounces. Yes, I drank 220 ounces in less than eight hours and still lost by sixteen. Who does that happen to? The reason I was still in it to win it was because the winner did not have to chip in for bagels, which I cannot eat anyways. The ultimate loser (Kathy since she conceded) had to pick up the bagels that we all chipped in for. That is my water story, and that is one of the reasons I did not lose weight.

I think I did lose, but a few female/natural factors are standing in my way. But, watch out next week as I am not messing around or playing games, I am winning! Don't believe me? Huh, punk? No, JK readers, I'm not mad.

Tomorrow my friends at work and I are having a X-mas/Gift exchange party at Pammy's. Luckily, friday night dinners are my cheat time, so I can enjoy some good food and good company. I am making taco dip (obvi), and then I made those oreo truffles, which some may remember from a previous post. I just made them and didn't lick my hands once :) They were messy and they don't look as good as they did earlier this week, but I bought the wrong chocolate except for one stick and was trying to make do. Note to self: Remember the recipe when you go to the grocery store.

This weekend LB comes into town, which is fantastic. She's one of a kind and really good people. Ti and I are both blessed to be able to call her one of our best friends. Ti and her are the best together and really compliment each other so well. I'm just the third wheel, big sister but I'm glad to be included. "Hey, Ti and Lori-someone wants to talk to you on the porch." Don't worry readers, two of you will get that!

I would like to conclude with a rant to mother nature. Ahem (clears throat), now that I have your attention Ms. Nature, I would like to bring up a quick, fun fact....it is record breaking low temperatures and it is unsafe for people to go outside, nonetheless, live comfortably. There was a power outage last night (touche Mother Nature-that wasn't funny) and while it did not affect me, it affected my fellow man, and for that I am outraged. That is cruel and unusual. Furthermore, the pets that must go outside or live outside, actually all animals that are outside, should not be subjected to such inhumane temperatures just so that they can perform their natural acts and get their daily exercise. Please shape up or ship out. (end rant)

Oh, quick question: Does anyone know if Native Americans used to travel south for the winter, much like birds? If not, how did they survive?

Peace!

Day 8

It's kind of weird how cutting out carbs from your life seems so tragic, but now that I'm doing it, I can't think of how I would turn back. I constantly quiz myself to see what I would eat if given the opportunity (it keeps me going), but usually I can't pinpoint anything at all. Lately it's been popcorn or an apple with peanut butter that I could really go for, but even that seems....kind of healthy. Maybe not the popcorn if there is too much salt and/or butter, but really...of all things that is what I would cheat with? I'm losing some gusto here!

On my Myspace page I lost two friends over the last couple of weeks. Normally I would be devastated, but...I dont' know who I lost! Isn't that kind of sad? I have no idea who deleted me or their page (I'm hoping they just deleted their page), and one of them was in my "Top Friends". Oops. I never really log on there anyways, so I guess it's all for not. I should not be concerned about that little fact. I prefer Facebook, but got in trouble last week from one of my aunts for not befriending her daughter (my cousin). Um, this isn't grade school and I don't have to defend my decisions to not befriend your horrible specimen of a daughter. Ick. It made my friday interesting though, so that was nice :)

I realized I did not give a kitten update yesterday in my blog, so I must do that now. Mozzie is growing so fast....well, she's growing taller and that's about it. She absolutely adores closets and bathrooms, and whenever you walk towards either one she will literally beat you there. Every night as I go to bed she races onto my bed, kneads me for a bit (our own private moment) and then takes off, presumably until I wake up six or seven hours later. She's still as curious as ever, and as cute as ever. Tianna and Aaron have taken to calling her "ADD", which is fitting.

Cheddar is just as sweet and as gentle as ever (except when he's trying to hump Mozzie). He loves sitting in my lap, and has his moments where he refuses to let me put him down for any reason. He is the reason I know I will be a good mother, seriously. I know that makes me sound like a crazy cat lady, but whatever...I love my cats, and I will someday make an excellent mother and caregiver because of them. Every night when Mozzie sees something shiny and has to leave my room, he takes her spot and sleeps next to me; I'm not sure if he is there all night, but when I wake up in the morning, he is right next to me, ready to welcome me to my day.

I know people say you love your cats more than they love you, but why are they both right next to me right now as I type? And they always are close to me? Hmmm....I deplore you, could my cats be the exception? I think so....

The crazy noisy kids from down the hall are not as loud as they used to be, but still have their moments. For a while there their mother was playing with them in the hallway! The hallway! They would scream and cry all the way up and down the hallway. One day I finally opened the door and yelled "Hey!" "Hey! You're too loud, get out of the hallway!" to which I got a "Haha. Ok. Sorry." Um, no you're not. Otherwise you would have listened the day before when our neighbor and Tianna told you the same thing. Do not fret, I made a formal complaint.

Oh, before I leave you for the evening I must say this: One of our HR ladies today (I have the pleasure and the privelege of sitting next to HR...lucky me) brought in homemade Oreo truffles today...and I didn't eat a single one! I looked at them, had someone take a bite so I could see the inside, heard the Oohs and Aahs about how good they were, and passed so I could keep up my 100 oz of water at work regimen. Woot!!

Now I will list some of my favorites for you to enjoy:
Lamb by Christopher Moore-everyone must read this
Stomp the Yard-Columbus Short...I need say no more
Italian Parmesan Almond Slivers-deliscious and very Southbeach friendly
My new purple shoes-They will look great all year round, and go with black and brown
JLo and Skeletor breaking up-What does she see in him anyways? Get rid of him already
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner-These two should reproduce once a year (congrats on the new baby)
Broccoli-I now crave it. WTF?
Wedding planning-It is totally fun! I have vowed to be the best MOH ever, and I am happy keeping up my end of that bargain
Walkvest.com-I must get one
Yoga-Everyone should do it, it's fantastic. I have also rediscovered my excellent balance via yoga
String cheese-Fun to eat, and tastes great too


Okay peeps, I'm out. Must shower and go to bed. Adios!

Clever Title

Wow-it's been a long time between posts. I am terrible at blogging I have found out! I appreciate everyone else's blogs so much and forget that some may want to read what's up with me too! Oops. Please forgive me.

So, since we've last spoken I have eaten carbs again, but then swore off carbs again. The reason I ate carbs was for the holidays, and I don't regret that I made that decision. But, once the holidays were over I resumed my previous diet and even joined a Weight Loss Challenge. We do weekly weigh-ins, and I lost the first weeks weigh in by .06%! What the heck? I don't feel like a failure or that I've technically lost anything because I didn't win the weekly challenge, but .06?! Come on now!

I've been down this getting fit road before, and once I get in the swing of things it comes easily and naturally to me. I'm trying to reshape my thinking so that this is a lifetime change, not just a "get to a comfortable weight and then start eating poorly to have to do it all over again" change. I have been doing yoga with my aunt and want to start to look into doing some classes. We did an intermediate DVD yesterday and I was doing poses that on paper, I never in a million years thought I'd be able to do. Along with eating right, I feel so much more energized! Last weekend I was a sloth and didn't have much more energy to be anything but, this weekend, after five days of eating healthy, I was up at 8 and going non-stop all day! What a change!

Work is going to be getting busy here for a bit, which I appreciate. I hate being bored at work. I'm not sure if anyone knows this about me, but I can be a bit of a talker. And when I'm bored at work, I tend to get even less done because I'm chatting all the time, or as much as possible. I know-hard to believe....since that is the only thing I've ever gotten in trouble for in my life! Haha!

Tianna found a beautiful wedding dress on Saturday. Her and I immediately burst into tears the minute she had it on. They then came with a feather/flower connoction for her hair (ala the bird from SATC Movie), and while Ti and Beaky both scoffed, I put it in her hair because I had to see it....it was awesome and gorgeous! Oh my goodness, who thought feathers would look nice? What is funny and ironic about that is this whole time while planning Ti's wedding with her I've said the only thing I want to be able to do is wear a flower in my hair; I don't care about the bridesmaids dress, I'll support any decision, just let me wear a flower. Now Ti is wearing a flower and loves it so much she wants all the girls to do it too! Haha! Other things for her wedding are running smoothly as well-we just had someone over today to put together the invitations, there will be a proof back on that next week. The tasting still needs to be done; If I can, I'll go but I would like to refrain from tasting the food if at all possible. Why tempt fate?

Oh, Ti has been doing the Weight Loss Challenge as well, but she is going to have to be much more careful than me over the next few months as she will not be able to lose as much weight as she was planning on. Not that she was necessairly doing it for the wedding, she was also making a lifestyle change, but her drastic lifestyle change will have to wait until after May 22 :) Which means, less competition for me to win some big bucks! Haha! I think the WLC will help keep her motivated to tone up and live a healthy lifestyle. I just think we're both so grateful for the challenge and our newfound outlook on life and health.

I was thinking about taking a picture of myself every hour that I was awake the other day....I wonder what that would be like. Maybe I will still do that and use it as a blog. I wonder what that would for sure be like at work. Maybe not necessarily a picture of myself, but maybe a picture of my surroundings. That way, people who don't get to see me very much or doing the day would know what I'm doing at any given time....interesting or lame? Input :)

All right, I'm being a chatty Kathie, time to go. Peace and love.