Wednesday, June 30, 2010

No Weigh Wednesday

Well our place has been treated by Terminex and now we will start packing and moving things into storage and find a new place to live. We did have to throw away our box spring which is less then 6 months old. :-( and we spent a small fortune for it. For appearance sake we will be acting as if we are staying. The eradication process requires alot of moving furniture and clothes etc. so it will help disguise the fact we are leaving. I talked to the owner yesterday and although he was somewhat empathetic it didn't bring any resolution to the situation. Sidenote: The police were there twice yesterday for disturbances.

We had pizza for dinner and I had a small salad to go with. I did not enter my dinner but I imagine my calories were in the 1500 range so doing okay. Extreme stress causes me not to eat much but being diabetic I have to eat.

I wasn't able to weigh this morning because we were at the motel so I will weigh myself when I have a chance. Tonight is my mom's birthday (was my dad's too) so Deb, Larry, Dave and I will be taking her to dinner at the Fish Market. It will be a nice little distraction.

We will be in limbo for awhile and I will just have to try and make the best of it. I am dog sitting from July 4th-11th and then going on the Alaskan cruise July 24-31 so the timing for moving is the worst. In the meantime, we will probably stay at a Residence Inn or Courtyard. I need to find out what the rates are for a month. Our saving grace is that we have some money in the bank to facilitate all these expenses. My plan is to recoup some of them by suing him for it when all is said and done but that could take a long time. I need to talk to a lawyer to find out if I should pay July's rent or not. Hopefully not but we will see. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger right? Until next time...

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

What a Difference a Day Makes

I am in a much better mental space today... whew... yesterday was a doozy! I told Dave, I am on the edge, do not push me! I did really well on food between the heat and the stress I couldn't eat very much. I did get some walking in but nothing noteworthy. I have my bodybugg on today and plan to keep tracking even though I need to figure out a new way of keeping it updated.

There is a whole lot of steps in the bedbug eradication process. Dave washed all our bedding and we ordered a new mattress cover that will insure they can't get in. Furniture moving, pictures off the wall, lamps off the floor, curtains washed, etc. Couch has been thrown out and the carpets will get shampooed afterwards. It has to be habitable while we are still there. Meanwhile I am building a case against them and should not have a problem getting out of the lease.

Just to give you an idea of what I am dealing with: We disposed of the couches from our unit and next door and they were piled up in front of the complex awaiting removal. It was hot last night so the manager decided to come downstairs and sits on the couches and starts moving them around. I let him know it was probably not a good idea to be sitting on them and he said that he doesn't give a f*ck and that there are no bugs. He said I was just scared... Ok dumbass, why would we get rid of furniture if it did not have any bugs? You can't reason with the unreasonable so I just walked back inside but wow... just another reason we can get out of the lease.

I went to the doctor yesterday afternoon because of the eczema issue and for the fact I have a big ole fever blister on my upper lip. They had dermatology look at it and confirmed there were no bedbug bites. Amen! They prescribed a stronger steroid cream for the eczema and I can already feel the difference in just two applications. Oh sweet relief! The doctor also sent me for blood work and all my results were in range and normal. Also, based on my blood sugar readings, she reduced my insulin by 10 units. I am thrilled to reduce it as my goal is to be off it completely by next summer. One of the best NSVs for me!

Tonight is most likely going to be spent putting things back together. I probably won't cook but I want something healthy so we will have to figure something out. Thanks for hanging in there with me. Until next time...

Monday, June 28, 2010

Don't Let the Bedbugs Bite!

Hope you all had a good weekend. Mine was decent for the most part. I did not go to the birthday party. Just wasn't feeling it. I hung out and watched the Ugly Truth and spent time with Dave. Sunday I went to church, went to my mom's and then came home in the afternoon.

Some of the neighbors have been commenting about bug problems and remember when I thought I had been bitten by baby spiders? Well they could be bedbugs!! I am sooooo grossed out. Our couch had a bunch on it so it being thrown out today. It was given to us so I am not heartbroken about it but... Our bed has a protective barrier so they can't get it but I am freaking out. Then, I saw a cockroach last night before we went to bed! Ewwwwww! I had the worse time trying to sleep after all that so I am draggin arse today. Then to top things off I have a fever blister the size of Montana on my upper lip. It looks like someone punched me in the mouth. I am using Abreva on it so hope it goes away fast.

We will most likely be moving and breaking our lease. Not that there is ever a good time to move but I am dog sitting for a week and going on the cruise next month so it really is not the ideal time to relocate. Aside from the bug issue, there is a noise issue which I have talked about before. There are some pretty unsavory characters hanging out sometimes and the police are out on a weekly basis and know exactly what is going on. I will get legal advice but I believe we have grounds to terminate our lease.

My eating has been good and bad. The heat and stress doesn't help. When I couldn't sleep we ran to 7-11 and I got chocolate milk and cookies and it was midnight? What the heck? I haven't done that in a longggg time but I rationalized it by thinking it would help me sleep. Bad... bad... bad... but today is a new day. Until next time...

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Shaking the Salt Habit

I don't know about you but I am a big salt fan. I prefer savory tastes to sweet in most cases but as we are all aware, salt is not our friend. It can cause fluid retention and high blood pressure. But how do you shake the salt habit? Well the American Heart Association put together a list of spices to enhance your foods without adding sodium. Here is the list with the foods to pair them with:

Allspice: Lean ground meats, stews, tomatoes, peaches, applesauce, cranberry sauce, gravies, lean meat
Almond extract: Puddings, fruits
Basil: Fish, lamb, lean ground meats, stews, salads, soups, sauces, fish cocktails
Bay leaves: Lean meats, stews, poultry, soups, tomatoes
Caraway seeds: Lean meats, stews, soups, salads, breads, cabbage, asparagus, noodles
Chives: Salads, sauces, soups, lean meat dishes, vegetables
Cider vinegar: Salads, vegetables, sauces
Cinnamon: Fruits (especially apples), breads, pie crusts
Curry powder: Lean meats (especially lamb), veal, chicken, fish, tomatoes, tomato soup, mayonnaise
Dill: Fish sauces, soups, tomatoes, cabbages, carrots, cauliflower, green beans, cucumbers, potatoes, salads, macaroni, lean beef, lamb, chicken, fish
Garlic (not garlic salt): Lean meats, fish, soups, salads, vegetables, tomatoes, potatoes
Ginger: Chicken, fruits Lemon juice: Lean meats, fish, poultry, salads, vegetables
Mace: Hot breads, apples, fruit salads, carrots, cauliflower, squash, potatoes, veal, lamb
Mustard (dry): Lean ground meats, lean meats, chicken, fish, salads, asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, mayonnaise, sauces
Nutmeg: Fruits, pie crust, lemonade, potatoes, chicken, fish, lean meat loaf, toast, veal, pudding Onion powder (not onion salt): Lean meats, stews, vegetables, salads, soups
Paprika: Lean meats, fish, soups, salads, sauces, vegetables
Parsley: Lean meats, fish, soups, salads, sauces, vegetables Peppermint extract: Puddings, fruits
Pimiento: Salads, vegetables, casserole dishes
Rosemary: Chicken, veal, lean meat loaf, lean beef, lean pork, sauces, stuffing, potatoes, peas, lima beans
Sage: Lean meats, stews, biscuits, tomatoes, green beans, fish, lima beans, onions, lean pork Savory: Salads, lean pork, lean ground meats, soups, green beans, squash, tomatoes, lima beans, peas
Thyme: Lean meats (especially veal and lean pork), sauces, soups, onions, peas, tomatoes, salads
Turmeric: Lean meats, fish, sauces, rice

Some of these I have actually never used like Mace and Savory. I bet the foodies like TJ and Biz know what they are!


Friday, June 25, 2010

Friday Fandango

I had a good night last night. My appt. with Grace was at 5:30 p.m. which was a good thing. It was a really good workout! I was soaking wet when we were done. She offered to train me one more time even though I am done with my sessions. What a sweetie huh? I will reassess using her services in the fall. Tony came over and we Wii'd it for 20 mins. Oh, and I kicked his arse in Boxing :-) Dave had a late game so I just had leftover chicken and salad for dinner with some wheat thins.

This was on the bed when I got home! Isn't it cute? It's a pillow. It's a pet. It's a Pillow Pet. I happened to mention to Dave when I saw the commercial for these that I liked it and he got it as a surprise for me for my bday. It is super duper soft and you just unhook it and it is a pillow :-D It's for kids of all ages lol! He thinks it looks like a boy and is calling him Felix. Kinda random but it fits.


They changed the computer access at work so I can't log into my bodybugg software which is a total bummer. I can use my iPhone app to log food but it is a little clunky. I need to dig out the Digital Display so I can keep track of the activity but I will have to keep on top of entering the cals. consumed too. I will figure something out but in the meantime... that is why I haven't been posting my screen shots.

My only plan for the weekend is a birthday party for a 2 year old. I would like to go to Zumba at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday morning but you never know. Sunday I will go to church and hang out with Deb and Larry for awhile. Hope you have a wonderful weekend! Until next time...

Thursday, June 24, 2010

I Didn't Go to The Gym But...

I worked on the Wii for 45 mins last night and then we got up this morning and went for our morning walk. We did about a 1/2 mile on the walk.

Last night I made a really yummy dinner. I barbecued some chicken kabobs and made purple potatoes with a Mediterranean salad. Dave raved about it so it will be added to our regular menu. I bought them pre-made but next time I will do them myself. I like the onions when they are all crispy from the bbq and there were only 2 on the skewer. Speaking of the bbq that was the first time this year I have used it. I keep it behind the apt. bldg. but it is on wheels and can be moved around. I really like using it and it is easy to use. It is propane which is a little scary but I haven't had any issues.

Tonight is my last appt. with Grace. I am going to hold off on seeing her privately for awhile. Shelley had a good point in her comment yesterday. I was gungho at first but then lost steam as the weeks went by. I have MANY other options for exercise that are FREE so I will focus on those. Plus, I can emulate what she taught me and I still have the gym membership. I have been wavering with the exercise but it is truly the key to getting the scale moving again.



P.S. Have I mentioned Laurie is GIVING her bodybugg away? Click here to enter.
P.S.S. Christine is paying it forward by giving away clothes. Click here to check them out!

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

LHA Summer Weigh-In #7

Went home last night after work and expected the handyman to be there but apparently he called in "sick." Okay, thanks for the advance notice!! Grrr... I am trying to roll with the punches when it comes to the antics that transpire around our complex but it is getting on my very last nerve.

Speaking of getting on my nerves, I got on the scale this morning and I am up 8 lbs. :-( which puts me back at 260. Some of it has to be water weight because of all the sodium I have consumed lately but I did overindulge over the last week or so, so it is also a result of that. So... that would mean I need to lose 4 lbs. a week over the next 5 weeks to get to my goal. That is a steep number so I am shooting for losing 70 lbs. total by cruise time or 3 lbs. a week. No more lollygagging Katie J! Back to tracking! The good news is I drank 64 ozs. of water yesterday :-)

My plan tonight is to go to the gym for cardio and a do a few weights. Tomorrow night I meet with Grace for the last time. I need to write down all the things she has shown me so I can replicate them. I am going to hold off on going to her privately. It is $50 session and she wants me to go twice a week. It is worth it BUT it I want to build up my savings account too. I could go to a trainer at an alternate location too so I have options. I just need to think about it some more. Until next time...



P.S. Laurie is giving away her bodybugg! Check out the post here!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Back to Reality

First of all I want to thank everyone for the lovely birthday wishes. You sure know how to make a gal feel special!

Oh my goodness is P.F. Chang's yummy! Wow! We ordered the lettuce wraps and they were as good as anticipated. For our entrees the 5 of us split 3 entrees and it worked out perfect. We had Walnut Prawns, Lemon Chicken and Beef with Snow peas. My fave was the Walnut Prawns. We got dessert as well which was cheesecake and chocolate cake. I shared the cheesecake with everyone. I also had 2 lemon drops. It was all phenom! Wow! No wonder everyone raves about it.

So, now it is back to reality... whew... I want to be down a total of 75 lbs. by the time we go to Alaska which is July 23rd. It is 5 weeks from now. The scale has been wavering the last week or so so I will need to reassess tomorrow (#7). If I truly busted arse between now and then I am sure I could do it. Reign in the portions and exercise like a mad dog. I can do it! I can do it! One thing that I have been bad at this entire journey is water. I am better then I was in the past but I am still lacking the 8-10 glasses I should be drinking. I need to keep trying to drink it though.

Tonight I am going to Wii it while they repair the bathroom ceiling. Today makes it a month since it happened. I am so ready for it to be finished. The latest thing though is insects. We have not had any in our place, except for a few baby spiders but the neighbors have some. I won't go into what kind but they are yucky. Ewwww... They may have to fumigate the building but we shall see. It just grosses me out thinking about it... Until next time...



P.S. Laurie is giving away a Bodybugg! Check her post out here.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Happy Birthday to Me!!

Happy Birthday to Me! In addition to it being my birthday it is also the Summer Solstice and the longest day of the year. The kickoff to summer in the Northern Hemisphere is 7:28 a.m. EDT. Happy summer everybody!

We had a wonderful weekend. I just wish it had not gone by so quickly! Saturday we drove up about 2:30 p.m. and got settled in. Dave went down to the jacuzzi and I relaxed in the room. I wanted to go in the jacuzzi but I was afraid of inflamming the eczema. We had an early dinner at a trendy little place called Buchanan's. I had an Asian Chop Chop salad and 3 Lemon Drop cocktails. We went back to the room and I watched It's Complicated. I fell asleep around 9:45 p.m.

Sunday we got up and had breakfast about 7:30 a.m. The hostess Flavia sang Happy Birthday to me and she had a lovely voice. I had a made to order omlette with spinach, bacon and green onions. Dave wanted to use the jacuzzi again so I watched Dear John. Wow, was that a tear jerker. Then we took off to go to the Academy of Sciences. Here are some of the pictures I took:

The trail behind the hotel (view to right)

Trail behind the hotel (left view)

Yummy Lemon Drop!

Dave - my honey!

Aquarium tunnel

Aquarium tunnel

My favorite part was actually the rainforest. We need to go back up there and spend the entire day to really see everything. The extreme Mammal exhibit will be there until late September. We had to cut our visit short because Dave had a baseball game to umpire.

My coworkers are taking me to Elephant Bar for lunch. I am going to order something small and healthy. Tonight we are going to go to P.F. Chang’s at Oakridge. It will be Debby, Larry, Mom, Dave, Danielle and me. All my besties in one place! How wonderful is that? I looked at the menu and have some fairly good options to choose from. Oh and I will be having cheesecake for dessert! I can split it with Dave or my momma.

This has been a big year for me. I have made a lot of breakthroughs on the emotional front and I think I am in a much better place. I am healthier now then I have been in years. I think my 44th year is going to be a good year. I am hoping to reach my WL goal before I turn 45 so that will be exciting to see. Hope you all had a good weekend! Have a good day and Happy Summer! Until next time...


Saturday, June 19, 2010

What is a Workout?

A workout is 25 percent perspiration and 75 percent determination. Stated another way, it is one part physical exertion and three parts self-discipline. Doing it is easy once you get started. A workout makes you better today than you were yesterday. It strengthens the body, relaxes the mind, and toughens the spirit. When you work out regularly your problems diminish and your confidence grows. A workout is a personal triumph over laziness and procrastination. It is the badge of a winner – the mark of an organized, goal-oriented person who has taken charge of his, or her, destiny. A workout is a wise use of time and an investment in excellence. It is a way of preparing for life’s challenges and proving to yourself that you have what it takes to do what is necessary. A workout is a key that helps unlock the door to opportunity and success. Hidden within each of us is an extraordinary force. Physical and mental fitness are the triggers that can release it. A workout is a form of rebirth. When you finish a good workout you won’t simply feel better – you feel better about yourself.



P.S. I have posted this before but it bears repeating I think :-D

Friday, June 18, 2010

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!


I survived the DMV. Whew! I missed three which is the maxi but I passed so I am happy! This is the first time I put my actual weight on my license. I figure when I get to goal I will renew it then but in the meantime I am okay with it. Even though I had an appt. I spent almost 2 hours there. Glad I only have to do that every few years. I think it had been like 10 years since I had done it. They just kept sending me renewals but I finally had to go in.

I had a really good workout with Grace. She was cool and didn't give me too much grief for not coming last week. In fact, she said that ususually I would have been charged for the session but she likes me. Awww... I still have one more session with her next week. We didn't talk about working together after that. I will approach the subject next week. The rest of the night I had to deal with repair on our bathroom ceiling. It has been almost a month since the flooding and I am tired of looking at it plus there is a bit of mold so I am concerned about that. They worked on it until 10:00 p.m. and will be back tonight. Grrrr....

So on to the winner of my Birthday Giveaway. The random number generator chose Deb at Deb Will be Thin as the winner! Congratulations Deb!! Please email me at katiejisonherway[at]gmail.com with your address and I will send it out on Monday or Tuesday. I will be doing another giveaway before I leave on the cruise (July 23rd) so stay tuned for that!

Tomorrow would have been my parents 58th wedding anniversary. Its still hard on my mom even thought it's been 11 years since his passing. Sunday is Father's Day and it will be good for me to have the distraction of being away. My mom and dad also shared a birthday which is June 30th so June is a kind of a funky month for us except for my birthday :-) Which by the way is the first day of Summer and the longest day of the year! We will be going to P.F. Chang's for dinner on Monday night. I have never been there so decided it was a good day to try it. I hear the lettuce wraps are good. I will review the menu and the nutritional information but I do plan on having cheesecake and will plan for it accordingly lol!

I am really looking forward to the weekend. We will leave around Noon to go up there. We are only about 45 mins. away from San Francisco. Dave has a game in the morning and I am going to be helping with the Blinky's Golf Tournament until we leave. I don't golf but I help out with set-up and prize displays etc. I won't be posting over the weekend but will be working and posting on Monday. Hope you all have a great weekend! Until next time...

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Topic-a-Plenty Thursday


So here is a picture of the blouse I wore yesterday. I had someone take one of me in it but I didn't like it but still wanted to share. I got quite a few compliments on it. Had a good night exercise wise. My friend Tony came over we Wii'd it hardcore. Dave has been too injured to play with me :( Food wise I grazed a bit and didn't track what I ate. Bad move but back on it today.

I have to go to DMV this afternoon to renew my driver's license. I am a little nervous but it should be okay. I need to take a test but only 18 questions. At least they give you 3 tries! I am wearing the same top I wore the last time I renewed it AND it is the same top in my Passport photo. I look good in pink so I might as well have the pictures match right?

Dave and I are going to San Francisco for the weekend to celebrate my birthday. We will stay at the Marriott Courtyard where we were for the concert. I have two things on my agenda for the weekend. Shoe shopping and the California Academy of Sciences. They have a cool exhibit right now called Extreme Mammals. This is what it says on their website:

The Biggest, Smallest, and Most Amazing Mammals of All Time, the Academy explores the surprising and often extraordinary world of extinct and living mammals. Featuring spectacular fossils and other specimens from the Museum’s collections, vivid reconstructions, and live animals, the exhibition examines the ancestry and evolution of numerous species, ranging from huge to tiny, from speedy to sloth-like, and displays animals with oversized claws, fangs, snouts, and horns.

It should be interesting! I am really looking forward to it. Hopefully, I can take some pictures. I plan on bringing my camera (not just my phone) to capture some good ones.

When I got my finger surgery, I saw a pamphlet on tummy tucks so I grabbed one. I called to inquire about costs and so forth even though I am clearly nowhere close to getting surgery. You have to weigh 163 or less according to the gal I spoke to. The tummy tuck is $8,400 and the breast lift would be $8,200! Holy Crapola! Guess I better start saving now! Sheesh! I am going to talk to my doctor and see if any could be covered under insurance. I have heard of cases where it was covered so it would be worth checking into. Also, I wouldn't have to use Kaiser for the surgery if it was not covered. I will be doing some inquiries elsewhere just to get some numbers.

Tonight is my appt. with Grace. I feel like a L-O-S-E-R but I will go and face the music. Not sure if she would even want me as a client now because I have proven that I am flaky. Maybe I can resume with her in the fall when the weather turns funky again. There are a bazillion activities that can be done outside during the summer. I guess I will just have to see. Until next time...

P.S. Don't forget to enter my Birthday Giveaway! I will announce the winner tomorrow a.m.
P.S.S. Carlos is back... shhhhhhh!!!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

LHA Summer Weigh-In #6

First and foremost, I wanted to give a shout out to Debbie at Weigh to Go: Diary of a Fat Chick. She just reached 100 lbs. lost. Go pop over there and say congrats when you have a chance!

So I tried to go to the AT&T store at lunch yesterday and there were 30 people waiting in line so I opted to go after work. I can wait around a lot longer when I am not wearing heels :-D I was able to get out of there in about 45 mins and my phone will be available sometime after the 24th of June. I laughed at myself though for being one of "those" people. Oh well, I will remember yesterday for a loooonnnnngg time.

On to the weigh in. I am the same AGAIN. I suppose I should be happy about it though. I really need to get my arse in gear here if I am going to meet any of my goals. My goal is to be down 75 lbs. by cruise time which is only a month away so I need to get cracking! I have been able to reach my all my goals so far so I really want to achieve this one too!

Today I am wearing a blouse that I bought 3 years ago and it never fit before now. I just cut the tags off of it! I will try to get someone to take a picture of me in it. It is really cute and it's PINK! It has some sparkle to it too.



To help me reach my goals and because I am a shopaholic I ordered this DVD for the Wii. It will be released June 29th. I love boxing and I can handle 10 minutes of anything. The other DVDs she has were rated very highly so I thought I would give it a try. Have any of you tried her workouts before? Until next time...



P.S. Don't forget to enter my Birthday Giveaway! I will annouce the winner on Friday.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Katie J's Birthday Giveaway!


Had a decent night last night. Only did a few minutes on the Wii. We had pork tenderloin, baked potato and salad for dinner. I was pretty tired so I went to bed early since I am now setting the alarm for 5:45 a.m. We got our walk in this morning yay! We are already improving on speed so I want to start going a little farther now.

Today, is the day to pre-order the new iPhone 4. It is probably going to be a zoo at the AT&T store so I will most likely wait until after work to go and will go to the store by my apartment. The phones will be released on June 24th which is a week from Thursday. Too cool!!! I will be giving Dave my 3G. He doesn't even like cell phones but that is a whole other post!



I am going to give one of you lovely readers a present for my birthday which is next Monday the 21st. It is a DVD of Alice in Wonderland with Johnny Depp. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post telling me if you are the type of person who arrives on time or are you always late for a very important date? If you Tweet or Facebook the giveaway, you can earn an additional entry for each posting. I will accept entries until midnight Thursday, June 17 and announce the winner Friday, June 18th. This is open to ALL readers. Good luck!

I got my Pink Armband the other day and it was a M and it was a little too tight so I asked Julia if she wanted it. She told me she had a Zebra print in Large if I wanted to exchange it so now I have a Blue, Pink and Zebra armband plus the original black one. For $6 it is a fun and cheap way to express myself :-) I feel a little saucy with the zebra one! LOL! Until next time...

Monday, June 14, 2010

Flying My Freak Flag


View from the campsite

Anklet I made

Wearing anklet I made

Hope you all had a nice weekend. I sure did! We had a good time at the 90th birthday. It was 95 degrees so thankfully, there was air conditioning. They had a nice spread of appetizer style foods like chicken satay, sliders and crab cakes. I hadn't eaten much in the morning so I made it my lunch and mom and I split a piece of cake. Dave and I had Chinese food for dinner. It was good but I ate too much and was way too full. I haven't felt like that in a long time.

Yesterday I got up and headed straight for Santa Cruz. I was concerned there would be too much traffic if I left late. I ended up getting there in a 1/2 hour and there was no traffic at all. I hung out all day since Dave wasn't done until 5:00 p.m. We made jewelery and then went down to the water. I am really self conscienceous about my legs because of my NLD and have only worn a bathing suit in public a few times. Well, I had capris on and Debby decided she wanted to roll them up so I wouldn't get wet and she rolled them above my knees. Her niece Julia and I played in the water, dug up sand crabs and hunted for jelly fish parts. Good times and I actually was flying my freak flag and nobody really noticed. Gave me more more confidence for next time. I made it back over the hill in about 45 minutes. There was more traffic coming home unfortunately.

I had a rock shrimp caeser salad for dinner and they always serve sourdough bread with their meals. Well, I ate some roasted garlic with Balsamic and Olive Oil. Garlic has some healthy benefits and one of them is digestive health if you get my drift. We got our walk in this morning but it was a quickie, just around the block. Tonight I am hoping to Wii it, make dinner and call it an early night. I am feeling a little bloated and I am not sure if it was the overindulging or if it is the creeping crud. Hoping the feeling goes away soon. Until next time...



Saturday, June 12, 2010

It's gonna be hot!

Had a nice time with Dave's family. I had a salad and 3 pieces of pizza. One cheese and two veggie. I budgeted for the calories though. We got home fairly early and actually got motivated and hung window treatments, pictures and a new mirror. I didn't get any good pics of us so I am going to keep trying but I got some of Dave as a toddler and in his 30s. I will scan them next week.

We got out for our walk this morning about 6:30 a.m. We walked to Blinky's to check out Dad's and Grads. Every year the bar opens at 6:00 a.m. to welcome the Santa Clara University students and their Dad's. It is packed solid from door-to-door! It is a sight to see and in years past I was on the welcoming committee ;-) I am a good greeter!

It is going to be in the mid 90s all weekend. I am so glad we hung the window panels! It will take like 8-10 degrees off the front room. Tomorrow I am planning on going to church and then heading coastal to see Deb, Larry and family. It will be much cooler there and I always love going coastal. Hoping the traffic isn't horrendous. Have a great day! Until next time...

Friday, June 11, 2010

It's Magic!


Yesterday afternoon I bid on and won a Magic Bullet on eBay. I have heard nothing but rave reviews about it so I thought I would get one. I have been using the regular blender to make our protein shakes but I don't like having the blender on the counter 24/7 so I think this will be a nice solution. They retail for $99 + $34.99 shipping and handling through their website but I got mine for $51 + $15.99 shipping and handling so basically 1/2 off. It will be here in a week or so. If you have one, how do you like it? Pros? Cons?

I bailed out on Grace last night. I am a LOSER. It was my own fault but I did not plan well yesterday and did not have a proper lunch. I had snacky type stuff but nothing sustaining so by the time I got home my blood sugar was way low so I called and cancelled. I feel like a shmuck but onward and upward.

We did go on our walk this morning! We haven't been very consistent about our morning walks but we are still getting up at 6:00 a.m. every morning. I may need to get up just a little earlier because it takes me about 15 mins to wake up and get dressed to get going. If we could leave at 6:00 a.m. or a few minutes after and walked for a 1/2 hour that would be good. I could come back and jump in the shower and get ready for work. I am not particularly a morning person but I really want to make this a habit so I will make whatever adjustments are needed to make it happen.

Tonight we are going to Round Table and meeting up with all of Dave's immediate family. It is his mother's first birthday after her passing last summer. Dave is actually the patriarch of the family now. Whoa! It will be good to see everyone. Hopefully, I can get some pictures. Speaking of pictures, Dave is not a fan of getting his picture taken. His justification for a while was his smile. He has had it fixed so I am not sure now why he still has an issue. He is about 20 lbs. overweight so maybe that is it. I barely have any pictures of us together. Part of that was on me but now that I am not horrified by seeing myself in a picture I am hoping he will be willing to have some taken of us. His friend just got a brand new camera so I am sure he would be happy to take some of us. He is a good looking man IMHO and I talk about him all the time here so it would be nice for you guys to see him right?

Tomorrow my mom and I are going to her friends 90th Birthday party! It is at a restaurant in Sunnyvale called Tarragon. I have been there before for company parties and the like. Should be fun. Not sure what the food situation will be but I will make good choices. I am on a roll again and I want to keep the momentum going so I can reach my next goal. Well that is about it. Hope you have a wonderful weekend and have some fun. Until next time...

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Bye Bye Stiches!

Had an uneventful night last night. Got my happy Viva Pink toes, came home and had a tuna sandwich for dinner with some potato salad and took it easy for the rest of the night. Did not do any activity. (No screenshot today because I forgot my bugg this morning)

I am getting my stitches taken out at 10:00 a.m. I use my lunch hour to reduce the time off from work but then I don't get a lunch. I will just have to eat something at my desk. I am glad to be getting them out. It is still just a little tender but healing nicely. I heal so much faster then I used to. At my heaviest, I was having some major healing problems and getting cellulitis a lot so this is much better. Another wonderful NSV!

Tonight I meet with Grace. I believe this will be my last session with her at 24hr. She is going off on her own and will be right down the street. Her sessions will be $50 each which is actually less then what I was paying at 24hr even with the "special" I am just thankful I am in a position that I can budget for that. I am really seeing the results and liking it. Of course, she suggested I come twice a week but that would be too pricey. What I could do though is go and see her once a week and then replicate what she would do on another day at the gym.

Dave read in the news that if you have an iPhone that you may be eligible to upgrade to the iPhone 4. All you have to do is dial *639# and you will receive a text message with your eligibility. You can read about it here. I would just need to renew my contract for another 2 years and I can get one :-) Pre-orders start on June 15th and are available June 24th. Hope you have a good day! Until next time...

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Bodybugg Review V3 & LHA #5


I made the pork chops that I mentioned yesterday with this new product from McCormick called Crusting Blends (with Panko Bread Crumbs) The flavor I chose was French Onion, Pepper and Herb. You can use it on fish, chicken or pork and there are a variety of flavors available. Check it out here. It was really simple. I just sprayed the chops with a little water, sprinkled on the bread crumbs, drizzled a little olive oil on it and voila! I really liked it and Dave did too. I would say the only drawback is the sodium content but that is par for the course for me. I seem to gravitate to salty things.

I did the Wii for about 20 mins. I tried a new activity which was bike riding. It was fun! There was a cute little dog that cruised along with me and Dave and my friends were on the sidelines waving and cheering me - bwahaaaaaa! I love my Wii! Speaking of, did you know that you can download movies instantly to your Wii from Netflix. All you need to do is get a DVD from them to use each time and you are all set. Please note: You do need to have the Wii connected to the Internet for this to work.


Know what this is? It's the PINK armband for the Bodybugg!!! When I upgraded to V3 (the latest model) I wanted the pink one but they were out of stock so I got blue instead. Well they finally restocked so I ordered it. It should be here today! Speaking of V3, I wanted to do a review of this model since I have had some time to use it and see the difference compared to V1. In case you need a refresher or you are not familiar with the bodybugg click here.

The functionality of V3 is similar to the older version. There are some added benefits to V3 though. For one thing it is super slim so it is not noticeable under your clothes like the original. You don't have to put batteries in the new version which is a major bonus. It charges through a USB cord and only needs to be charged every 10 days to 2 weeks. The older version used batteries and they would only last a week or so. The alarm function still works on V3 but the older one used to vibrate to help it communicate and I liked that. Sometimes it is hard to hear the confirmation beeps. I have an alarm set to 10 am, 1 pm and 3 pm. I initially set it up to remind me to drink water but the times coincide with my break/lunch times. Plus you gotta love the colored armbands! They have blue, silver, green, pink, camo, zebra and of course black. A style or color to appeal to everyone :-D Man, I should get commission from Apex! LOL!

The questions I get the most about my bodybugg is about the cost and do I think it is worth it. It is an expensive tool, I will agree. They are available online for $175 plus tax and that includes a 6 month subscription for logging food. You can also get them on eBay or Craigslist for less. Additionaly, I heard from Kyokocake you can get them at Costco for a good price. After the 6 months it is $9.95/mo. to log in. I was reading another blog and she mentioned how much she spent on dining out for the month and it was $900+ My point being that sometimes we spend money without regard but the return on investment for the bodybugg is big as long as you use it faithfully. I have used it for 75 weeks total.

I got on the scale this morning and I stayed the same which is 253. I am not surprised as I am just now getting back in the groove from the last few weeks. Next week is going to be a good weigh in for sure!

Tonight I am going to get my toes painted Viva Pink. When I went in last week she had overbooked herself and she is a friend of mine so I told her to go ahead and take care of the other lady and I would just come back this week so that is why. Most likely will go home, eat a bite and then do some belly dancing.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Topic-o-rama Tuesday


We ended up going to Costco and I got my mug shot for the card. We did a little shopping and then headed towards the food court. I had looked up a Chicken bake and it was 770 calories! Holy crapola huh? So, I decided on a Turkey Wrap thinking that would be the best choice and it has 810!!! Goes to show you all the hidden calories in so called "healthy" choices. Always a learning lesson. The good news is I had accounted for it calorically so it did not put me over my cals for the day.
I got my haircut yesterday at lunch time. My new gal is right down the street from where I work. I found her by asking a woman that I saw when I was running errands one day "Who cuts your hair?" She told me it was Susan at Supercuts so I have been going to her ever since. So when I got back to the office I asked James to take a pic. He just happened to be walking in the door when I was trying to do it myself. I had spaced for a moment the fact he is a professional photographer. I think this is one of the better pictures I have taken. I asked him if we could work out a deal for my "Goal" pictures and he said yes! In case you would like to see some of his work you can go here.


A few weeks ago Julie at Wine at the Finish Line gave me the Oh My Blog award and since I had received it before and did the early a.m. picture, this time I decided to do the soundtrack of my youth. I kept it to a total of 10 but I could have gone on and on. This exercise made me feel old LOL. I know at least some of you will recognize these songs:
  1. Free to be you and Me by Marlo Thomas
  2. The Robert E. Lee by Neil Diamond (Jazz Singer)
  3. Faithfully by Journey
  4. Telephone by ELO
  5. The Wall by Kansas
  6. Trick of the Tail by Genesis
  7. Do you feel like we do by Peter Frampton
  8. Loving, Touching, Squeezing by Journey
  9. The Reflex by Duran Duran
Tonight I am going to do the Wii and make pork chops for dinner. I found some seasoned bread crumb mix that I want to try. I will make some mashed potatoes and broccoli to go with. Hope you have a great day! Until next time...

Monday, June 7, 2010

Muggy Monday

Hope you all had a nice weekend. Mine was good but it was hot and humid so it was a bit of an adjustment. We have had unseasonably cool weather up to this point so basically we went from upper 60s and low 70s to upper 80s and low 90s in two days. We don't have A/C so we make do with fans. I don't know how you all handle humidity on a regular basis. I think I would melt!

Saturday I went to brunch with my mom, Aunt and cousin. We had a nice time. Scott is a nice young man and we only get to see him like once or twice a year and it is always a pleasure to see him. After brunch my mom and I went to the Tiffany & Co. store. I had a necklace to pick up from being repaired. I have been wishing for this necklace and Dave and Danielle bought it for me for my birthday which is June 21st. I big puffy heart little blue boxes. Pun intended! LOL!


Speaking of... I planned a giveaway so I can give one of YOU a present for my birthday. Stay tuned for that.

Sunday I got up early and went to church. It had been a couple of months since I had gone. The church secretary said "Look there's Katie!" and the pastor said "Katie!" really loud and hugged me in the reception line. Made me cry actually... I am such a sappy gal. Spent some time chatting with Deb and then went home for the rest of the afternoon. I dinked around mostly and I also made some homemade potato salad. I had told Deb that I was going to stop at the grocery store and go to the deli and she said "You like their salads?" and I told her "Meh... they are okay" She suggested that I make homemade so I did and it came out dynamite. Dave loved it. Since it was so hot, I decided to go to bed early and was up at 5:00 a.m. this morning. Dave did 4 games yesterday so his legs were too sore to walk this morning so we will try again tomorrow.

Hoping to go to Costco tonight. I need to take my picture for the Membership Card since this will be the first time using it. I want a Chicken Bake for dinner but I need to look up the caloric content. I may split it with Dave or bring it home depending. Until next time...


Sunday, June 6, 2010

40 Random Things about Katie J

  1. Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed? Closed
  2. Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotels? Yes
  3. Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out? Out
  4. Would you rather be attacked by a bear or a swarm of bees? Swarm of bees
  5. Do you have freckles? Yes, quite a few
  6. What is your biggest pet peeve? People who don't listen and interrupt others
  7. Have you ever peed in the woods? Yes
  8. Do you ever dance if there’s no music playing? Yes
  9. Do you chew your pens and pencils? No
  10. Is it ok for guys to wear pink? Why not!
  11. What do you dip a chicken nugget in? Honey Mustard
  12. What is your favorite food? Sushi
  13. What movies could you watch over and over and still love? Sound of Music
  14. Were you ever a boy/girl scout? Brownie AND Girl Scout
  15. Can you change the oil on a car? Yes
  16. Ever gotten a speeding ticket? Yes
  17. Ever ran out of gas? Yes, on the way home from an Eric Clapton concert
  18. Are you lazy? Sometimes!
  19. When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween? Hobo, Witch, Baby
  20. How many languages can you speak? English and a little Spanish and French
  21. Who is better…Leno or Letterman? Don't watch either
  22. Do you sing in the car? Yes!!
  23. Ever eat a pierogi? No
  24. First concert? Madonna!
  25. Where would you be able to spend hours and be happy? On the beach with a good book
  26. What’s your favorite kind of doughnut? Maple bar
  27. Do you have any tattoos or piercings? Yes 2 and yes I have 7 but only use 2
  28. Who was the last person you spoke to on the phone? Mom
  29. Are you still friends with the people you knew in middle school or high school? Yes a few
  30. What is the last thing you ate? Cereal bar
  31. What did you want to be when you grew up? A truck driver
  32. Name three things that are close to you: Coffee cup, Band-Aids and notepad.
  33. What was your best subject in school? Reccess! Actually it was English
  34. What is your favorite restaurant? Fish Market
  35. Any hidden talents? I can sing and I am fairly artistic/crafty
  36. What is your favourite girl’s name? Amber
  37. Would you rather be a rock star or a famous athlete? Rock star
  38. What are you wearing right now? Black pants and white blouse with flowers, pumps
  39. Did you graduate from college? Yes, I have an AA in Business and a BS in Marketing
  40. Do you have any nicknames? Kate, Katie Co., Katester, Bunchers, and Katie J

Hope you are enjoying your weekend! Until next time...


Saturday, June 5, 2010

Bra Buying Tips

I recently bought new bras and spent over $120 but boy did I need new ones! I learned a few things about wear and care so I thought I would share (I'm a poet and I don't know it!) You can skip this post gentlemen. I found this information on a website called Lifetips

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Wash, Dry, Replace?
When you buy a bra, it has that bright and new feeling. You want it to always look as beautiful as it did the day you brought it home from the store. Unfortunately, unless you take care of your bra you will find your bra needs to be replaced sooner rather than later. Many people just toss the bra in the washer and dryer, thinking this is going to be okay. Yes, you have heard before that you should be hand washing and line-drying your bras, but you don't have time to do that and want an easy solution to the bra care problem.

The heat from the dryer is really bad for your bra. If you have an entirely cotton bra, it can even shrink a little, making it more likely for underwires to poke through, no matter how reinforced the bra is. There is never a good time to put a bra in the dryer. But if you still want to save time, you can get away with washing your bra in the washing machine. Here are a few tips to clean your favorite bras more quickly than the somewhat overwhelming hand wash, line dry theory.
If you toss your bra in the washing machine, make sure you switch your washer to the "delicate" cycle.
  • Hook the back clasps on the bra. It prevents twisting and makes it less likely for the underwire to get twisted in the bra. Consider tightening the shoulder straps as well so there is less to get tangled around another bra or piece of clothing in the washing machine.
  • Set the rinse for cool or cold. This can make the elastic in the bra snap back to its original shape as long as the bra isn't too old.
  • Do not put your bras in the dryer. No, really. It ruins the bra. Hang it up to dry in your laundry room, or in the bathroom, or somewhere else. Leave the back clasped and fix the cups before hanging up to dry.
  • Remember, delicates are called that for a reason! Bras are made with elastic and possibly lace as well as other very sensitive fabrics within the bra. The plastic clips or metal hooks need to be taken care of properly, as well, so they don't melt, warp, or wear out prematurely.
Switch up Bras on Various Days
Avoid wearing your bra for two consecutive days. Your body exudes heat and heat makes the Lycra in the bra stretch when it is warm. Wearing your bra for more than one day in a row will cause it to deteriorate faster. Lycra needs at least 24 hours to cool off --- so alternating bras each day will go a long way towards good bra care.

Never Machine Dry Bras
All-around bra care is important. Whether your bra is under wire or soft cup, putting it in the dryer will severely shorten its life and distort its shape. Instead, hang your bra over your shower rod or on an outside clothesline to dry naturally. This will help to keep the shape of your bra and extend its life longer.

Store Bras Properly
Caring for your bras properly also means taking measures to store them correctly. In many cases, bras are haphazardly placed into a lingerie drawer with other bras and lingerie items. This contributes to wear and tear on your bra because the hooks and snaps on your intimate apparel can snare the fabric and cause tears in your bras. It is best to store bras in a separate drawer, folded neatly so they can stay in top condition.

Washing Intimate Apparel
Invest in a delicate care wash bag for your intimate apparel. A delicate care wash bag allows you to wash your intimate apparel in a washing machine without damaging sensitive fabrics. If hand-washing is not an option, this wash bag is the best way to ensure that your intimate apparel
won't be damaged in the washing machine. After spending the time and money to be fitted and searching for the perfect style, caring for your bra properly is important. Wash bras on the delicate cycle and protect them with a lingerie wash bag. Rotate among three or four of your best bras. This might seem like a lot of effort, however, if you invest time in caring for your bra and other intimate apparel, your collection will last much longer.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend!


Friday, June 4, 2010

Free for All Friday


This post is going to be all over the place so don't say I didn't warn you...

Thank you so much for all the wonderful comments yesterday. You sure know how to make a gal feel good! I wanted to mention something I didn't put in my post yesterday. As catty and shallow as this sounds and at the risk of offending someone, it felt really good not to be the biggest lady in the room of 500+ people at the banquet. When I started working here 6 years ago I was neck and neck with another gal for being the biggest employee in California. Nothing to be proud of but it was the facts. Now, I pretty much blend in with everyone. It made me want to go up to them and say "You really can change your life ladies!" but I could never do that. We all have to make the decision to do this on our own.

Speaking of... the other day I bumped into one of the gals in our office building and she asked me how my weight loss was going and I updated her with my latest numbers. So she said "Well you inspired me to get healthy and I have lost my baby weight and started running at lunch..." I inspired her? Wow! That just blew my mind - I guess you never really know how you affect people. There is also another lady in the building who is wearing a bodybugg so I have been watching her and comparing notes.



As I mentioned in a recent post that I recieved the Beautiful Blogger Award from Sarah and here is my list of 7 things you may not know about me:
  1. Every time I eat an apple I still play the Alphabet game with the stem and pull a little extra hard when I get to "D" for Dave
  2. I am not particularly superstitious but I make it a point NOT to go out at night when there is a Full Moon.
  3. I have only had one cavity in 43 years
  4. I always thought I would be married and have children by the time I was 30. Didn't happen... I have never been married and have no children.
  5. I do not like my foods to touch on my plate.
  6. I do not like gravy of any kind. I do like sauces though...
  7. I love to sing and have been told I am good by enough people that I learned to embrace it. Maybe someday I will do a vlog so you can hear me. Don't hold your breath though LOL

I have been reviewing my short and long term goals and my next short term goal will be to be down a total of 75 lbs. by July 23rd which is when we leave on the cruise. That is 13 lbs. in 7 weeks or .5 lbs. per week. That is totally achievable and realistic. For the long term goal I hope to be down 100 lbs. (or more) by the end of the year. That is 23 weeks from the time I go on the cruise and .92 lbs. per week. Again, totally achievable. I can't help but wish that it would be quicker then that but from experience and according to what weight loss experts say it is a decent rate. As I incorporate more and more activty into my regimen it may come off quicker but I need to keep the goals attainable.

Tonight I am going to get a pedi. They are practically a medical necessity for me because I have some toenail issues. I still have the eczema all over my feet, legs and belly. I am so fricking sick of it I could scream but I am doing everything I can to treat it so it will go away soon but in the meantime I just have to deal with it. I wish I knew what the heck caused it. I may never know. Oh by the way I am doing Viva Pink (Avon) on my toes. My feet look pretty beat up right now so I don't think I will be taking pedi pics.

I would like to go to Zumba on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Years ago I used to do a Salsa class at that same time every weekend and loved it so I would like to make it a regular thing again. There is also an 11:00 a.m. class at another nearby location so I have options. Always good to have options. I also need to get some packages shipped out. I am the complete slacker! Sheesh! Well I think I rambled enough for today. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! It is going to be gorgeous here in sunny California! Until next time...