BUHHH BYE 20! Hope I never see you again!

I DID IT! I lost 10% of my body weight for a total of 20.6lbs!


I was award my 10% key chain last night. I kinda feel like it's my 6 month sober chip from AA.

Isn't it so pretty and shiny? Hopefully I'll be adding my 25lb circle charm onto it in a few weeks, and then my SAS (stay and Succeed) charm onto it at 16 weeks. You receive a circle charm for losing 25, 50, 75 and 100lbs. I plan to lose at lease the 50. You get a star charm once you achieve your ultimate weight goal.

Pretty cool huh?

So here's how it all went down!

Week 1 - Lost 5lb

Week 2 - Lost 3.8lbs

Week 3 - Lost 2.6lbs

Week 4 - Lost .6lbs

Week 5 - Lost 2.6lbs

Week 6 - Lost 2.6lbs

Week 7 - Lost 2lbs

Week 8 - Lost 0lbs, Gained 0lbs. Stayed exactly the same!

Week 9 - Lost 1.4lbs

Do you see my trend? It appears that every 4 weeks I tend to fall a bit of track. That's okay because it actually helps me stay on program. Every now and then you need to treat yourself to the yumminess!

FOR A GRAND TOTAL, SO FAR, OF 20.6lbs. Not bad it averages 2.3lbs per week! Studies show that long term weight loss averages 1 to 2 lbs per week. I'm on the right track to keeping it off for good!

WISH ME LUCK

Speechless

It starts with a key fob, from inside the house! Need I say more?

2012????

It's almost JUNE and it's RAINING! I think Thunderstorms are in the forecast for tomorrow.

WTH!!

Last year this time it was hot! I'm talking 104 degree HOT!

I know you've all heard about December 21, 2012 how it's supposed to be the end of the world and everything. Supposedly it all starts with weather changes (I saw a whole documentary of it on Discovery Channel or History Channel one of those.) Hotter summer, colder longer winters.

I'm not one to believe these things, I mean hello, the computers didn't crash in 2000, like they predicted.

Throwing it out there, what do you think about this whole 2012 Mayan calendar thing?


2012 phenomenon from Wikipedia!

A date inscription for the Mayan Long CountThe 2012 phenomenon comprises a range of eschatological beliefs that cataclysmic or transformative events will occur on December 21, 2012, which is said to be the end-date of a 5,125-year-long cycle in the Mayan Long Count calendar. Various astronomical alignments and numerological formulae related to this date have been proposed, but none have been accepted by mainstream scholarship.

A New Age interpretation of this transition posits that during this time, Earth and its inhabitants may undergo a positive physical or spiritual transformation, and that 2012 may mark the beginning of a new era. Others suggest that the 2012 date marks the end of the world or a similar catastrophe. Scenarios posited for the end of the world include the Earth's collision with a passing planet (often referred to as "Nibiru") or black hole, or the arrival of the next solar maximum.

Scholars from various disciplines have dismissed the idea that a catastrophe will happen in 2012, stating that predictions of impending doom are found neither in classic Maya accounts nor in astronomy. Mainstream Mayanist scholars state that the idea that the Long Count calendar "ends" in 2012 misrepresents Maya history.

The modern Maya, on the whole, have not attached much significance to the date, and the classical sources on the subject are scarce and contradictory, suggesting that there was little if any universal agreement among them about what, if anything, the date might mean.

Astronomers and other scientists have rejected the apocalyptic forecasts, on the grounds that the anticipated events are precluded by astronomical observations, or are unsubstantiated by the predictions that have been generated from these findings.

NASA has compared fears about 2012 to those about the Y2K bug in the late 1990s, suggesting that an adequate analysis should preclude fears of disaster.

I know, I'm weird my random thought of the day!

Life Is Good! Award show!

I won an award, thanks to Jamie over at THIS IS ME CONSEQUENTLY!

The LIFE IS GOOD AWARD!


What do you do when you're bored?
EAT!

Are you an Autumn or a Spring?
Autumn, bring on the rain!

Quick! You're stuck at an airport for hours, and the only options are crossword puzzles, or an old novel no body's ever heard of. Which do you pick?
Crossword puzzle! I would have liked it to be a word search as that's my favorite, but crossword puzzles will do.


Jane Austen or Emily Bronte?
Who are they? Am I that un-educated?

Do you feel prepared for the five other questions coming your way?
Sure why not, how bad can they be, right?

Who’s your hero?
My Momma, DUH. Please!

Favorite word?
F**k, Sh*t Yeah I have a potty mouth! Oh and SERIOUSLY!

Are you one of those “checklist” people, or are you a “wing it and hope everything goes well” sort of person?
Lists, Lists and more Lists when it comes to WORK. At home I like to wing it, let it all hang out in the breeze.

What phrase has stuck with you in your life?
DUH!

If you were to choose between coffee and tea . . . which would you go with?
Do I even bother answering this one. Seriously, This is SMELL THE COFFEE LISA! I'll take a non-fat, sugar free vanilla Latte please! Thank you very much!

Who do I think deserves this award?
How about....

MIMI
BETTY
LACIE
EMMY

My Kitten BAD, My Kitten GOOD!

YUP, that's our smart little Baby Boy Emmitt you see there chilling INSIDE the dryer.

Isn't he SOOOOO BIG NOW? He's only 6 months old and he's as big as Chloe who will be a year in July. Not to mention he has the LOOOOONGEST tail! Seriously, he is the weirdest cat I've ever met. He gets into the most peculiar places, I swear! He loves the dryer and the dishwasher! And no he doesn't take after me since he is MY kitten.

Then there is MAMA, The BF's kitten! The miss priss of all kittens ever. Miss spoiled rotten! Of course I can't go without giving her 10 seconds of fame! Isn't she the prettiest kitten ever!

We found her sleeping in The BF's Armour! Seriously, she sheds ALOT so I don't know what's worse, finding Chloe here in the Armour or Emmitt in the dryer.

Aren't Kittens so much fun!

Speaking of kittens, so Emmitt is my little love/cuddle/pur bug. He's my kitten and Chloe, well she's the BF's kitten. I mean she only lays on him and Emmitt on me. They are two totally different personality cats, however both love bugs!

You know that song, My Chick Bad, by Ludacris? Well I've revised it a bit and sing it all the time to The BF. Well, because my KITTEN IS BETTER THAN HIS!

"My Kitten bad, My Kitten Hood. My Kitten do stuff that yours wish she could! My Kitten BAD, better that yours! My Kitten do stuff I can't even put into words!"

LOL The BF, hates that song now! LOL The Boy is totally into it!

BITE MY WIENER

The Boy was suspended from school for TWO whole days on Thursday. YUP this handsome little Boy you see below, this INNOCENT little Boy was suspended!

Okay so he is far from Innocent. I have to say though he hasn't gotten suspended since the first grade! A huge feet for us! If you know his background then you know this is actually pretty darn good for us. I have to laugh at how and why he was suspended. Granted I know it's wrong, however with what we've been through with him you learn to pick your battles.

This is a Boy who use to get suspended and KICKED out of MULTIPLE schools for fighting, biting, pushing, you name it! So for me, this is kinda a joke, but a lesson needs to be learned and I get that. Doesn't mean I don't think it's funny.

So yeah The Boy is grounded, which means no TV, no Video and NO Books. He's obsessed with reading. Since his Dad has to take 2 days off from work, he's making sure to put The Boy to work around the house. Now when he comes to my house this weekend we won't be able to do anything. My punishment for him, dragging him on my 5 mile walk around the lake. Ohhh Yeah!

Scene one:

The Boy is at school playing handball on the handball court when the ball bounces off the backboard and hits a girl standing on the sidelines.

The Boy - HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

The Girl - BITE ME!

Oh yeah, this fourth grader told my son to "BITE ME!" I don't even think I know what that means let alone her. I mean, seriously, I don't think it's something a girl should say let alone a fourth grader.

ACCORDING TO URBAN DICTIONARY:

1. bite me

I would have to believe that originally 'bite me' was a slightly more acceptable way of saying 'blow me.' Just like people use fricken instead of fuckin.

Although I think it has evolved to really just mean something like 'F*** Off!'
Why don't you bite me!

So The Boy, being the genius that he is, approaches said girl.

The Boy - BITE MY WIENER!

How do you not laugh at that? Nice response BOY, The BF thought he taught you a little better than that when it comes to quick come backs. I don't even think The Boy knows what BITE ME means!

THERE YOU HAVE IT! Where do kids learn this crap from? So obviously the Girl knew exactly the meaning of it! She used it in the context of F*** Off. The Boy, YEAH not so much. F*** Off my wiener? HUH?? Blow my Wiener? Yeah no! That doesn't make much sense to me! So the one who has no idea gets suspended. Let this be a lesson, it's hard to break stereotypes and The Boy has been stereotyped as the BAD kid since pre-school. He can't help the fact that he was deaf for 2 years and his social skills are lacking because of it!

So like any fourth grade Boy who wants to avoid the wrath of their Father, he denies the fact that he told the girl to bite his wiener. He finally confesses (the next morning), however the damage of lying has been done and according to the school a lesson needs to be taught.

So The Boy is suspended not for saying BITE MY WIENER, but for denying he said it and then fessing up to it the following day.

I don't know about this one! I have to laugh because I think it's ridiculous. I know a lesson needs to be learned but PLEASE!

The worst part is they won't let him make up the missed work for the two days he is out. Which to most kids this would be a good thing, right. Not to my son who is obsessed with getting straight A's. You all saw my previous post regarding this issue.

So what happened to the Girl? She got in trouble for saying, Bite Me, but no suspension.

Who will rise and who will FALL?

I'm discouraged today because during weigh in last night I found out I didn't lose any weight! I guess I should be happy because I didn't gain anything either. One would say that I should be content with the fact that I've lost 19.2lbs in 8 weeks, only I'm not!

I really really really really really wanted to hit my 10% weight loss yesterday. I don't think you understand how badly I wanted that copper key chain for doing so! I don't get it! I feel like I'm depriving myself of so many things for nothing. I just want a burger and fries. I mean who cares if I sneak a cookie here or there. I deserve it right? I deserve to lose weight!

So I ask you this:

1) Is it possible that you can gain weight from staring at a picture? Is it possible, I didn't lose because I've spent hours on end staring at the bacon cups in the post in the post below? Oh how I would envision that the yummy goodness that is bacon in my mouth?

Seriously, though. Do you think it could happen?

2) Do the points count when you pop a tootsie roll in your mouth, chew it, suck out the flavor and then spit it out? I mean you are not swallowing it! Right? So does it count as points?

Lifestyle changes suck! It's not easy! Life's not easy. Sometimes I just wish it could be though! LAME!!

All you people who can eat whatever it is you want top eat all the time and stay stick thin, well YOU SUCK!! No seriously you suck! Okay so I'm a little jealous, leave me alone!

So I need to rise above, because seriously this whole cutting weight thing is about to be dumped in the toilet. I'm not sure how much more I can take!

SPEAKING OF LIFE SUCKING!

OMG, DID YOU WATCH GREYS ANATOMY LAST NIGHT?

It was the two hour season finale and all I can say is mouth was left hanging open for an entire TWO HOURS! The suspense, the drama the horror! I couldn't believe all the characters who were shot. All the characters who were killed! WOW! I thought Private Practice had a jaw dropping moment when they killed off Dell during their season finale last week, but come on!

I can't believe I have to wait months and months for it to start back up again. SHONDRA! You can't leave us with an ending like that without telling us how it pans out! SERIOUSLY!

If you have not seen it, you have to watch it! So many twists and turns, it's INSANE!

Is everything better with Bacon?

I use to believe so! I love me some bacon! Until I saw this!


That my friends is a bacon FRUIT CUP! A WHAT! I don't know about this one! Who fruits their bacon? Do you?

See now if this were me, and if I could still eat this kind of food, my bacon cup would be filled with eggs and hashbrowns. Now doesn't that sound a tad bit more YUMMY?

So here are the ingredients for this bacon fruit cup, I'd be interested to see if anyone actually would try to make this.

Ingredients: 2 lbs Bacon (long skinny pieces are better than short fat pieces) Fresh basil leaves Homemade aioli (substitute: store-bought mayo + lemon juice) Fresh mango, cubed Large avocado, cubed 1/4-1/2 cup powdered sugar 1 teaspoon cocoa powder 1 large onion, sliced into thin rings 1 tablespoon brown sugar.

Tools & Materials: muffin tin baking tray large enough to catch all the greese.

Here's how to make the cute little cups, because I know you are just DYING to know. I was!!

Preheat oven to 500F. Turn your muffin tin upside-down, and place it on top of a baking dish to catch grease drips. If you don't have a large enough pan, get creative with aluminum foil - there's going to be LOTS of grease, and you don't want it smoking and burning on the bottom of the oven. A double sheet of foil with a folded-up lip will probably do the trick.

When the bacon cups are cool, carefully pry them off of the muffin tin. Lift from the bottom to avoid cracking the bacon, or otherwise damaging the shape.

Your fingers should do the job, but a silicone spatula can also be handy. I used a flexible silicone pan, so was able to fold the muffin cups inward away from the bacon for even easier removal.

Place the finished bacon cups on paper towels to finish draining and cooling.


OMG, it's like HEAVEN on a Paper TOWEL!!

Then all you do is fill your bacon cup up with whatever yummy goodness you wish. If you dare make the fruit cups, I totally want to hear about it!

Firmer Butt and Thighs?? Is it to good to be true?

As you all know I'm cutting weight and in the past 7 weeks I've already lost 19.2lbs and am down 2 pants sizes (or is it one pants size when you go say from a size 16 to a 14?). I don't know. I've dished on my secrets and I swear that walking 2-9 miles everyday is what has contributed to my success thus far.

I'm sure you all have seen the commercials regarding the REEBOK EASYTONE shoes and if you are like me, found yourself staring at the women imagining that those thighs and buttocks were yours.

I've been wanting to purchase these shoes for a while now and have gone back and forth between the Sketchers Brand, Reebok's and Asic's. I have to be honest and say the the Reebok's look the most appealing to me. I also have to be honest in saying that I have had a difficult time finding them in an actual store. I have also heard some negative reviews about the bubbles on the bottom popping and how they cause pain in the your feet. The price tag to me also seems a bit steep, however they are priced the same as their competition. Being a single Mom with a mortgage in California, splurging on such luxuries have to be well thought out and planned.

So I decided to contact Reebok's PR department directly to see if I could become their Jerrod. You know, Jerrod of Subway! Duh!

I want to put these shoes to the test. I'd post my weekly measurements, weight loss and mileage walked. I'd post reviews on how the shoes felt while walking on different terrain through out my city. I'd also post a link at the top of my blog for you keep up on my weekly progress. I'll create a button for you to post on your blogs as well.

Wish me luck in hoping that Reebok responds to me email.

FINGERS CROSSED!!

0 to 10 in 60 seconds

HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY BOY!

Today The Boy turns double digits! I can't believe how fast time flew by. I remember not too long ago he looked like this:

Always happy go lucky and smiling! Even in his terrible two's, he wasn't so terrible.

I can't say he's been a total Angel, as he's had his fair share and more of moments. But he's ALL mine and today my little boy has grown up!

Pretty soon he'll be driving! As for me, I actually can't wait. We've already got his first car picked out, although he's not thrilled about it!

It's a bright yellow pinto that's for sale around the corner from our house. I think it's pimpin! The Boy, not so much! You have to see the potential of this car, as the inside is super clean. All we do is murder it out with a black paint job, tint the windows and it's good to go!

So here is what we ended up getting him for his 10th Birthday. I think I'm more excited then he is, however once it's up and going I know he's never going to get out!

It's 4 feet tall by 15ft round. It's not very deep, but it will work for us. The BF has to pour a 20x20 cement pad in the backyard before we can put it up. Hopefully we will be using it by the end of June. LOL

Yes JUNE, we are just finishing tiling the Master Bathroom. One project at a time. Yeah I know I have not posted pictures of that yet, I've been busy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUPS!!!

I'm a loser and will continue to be one!

That's right, I'm a LOSER. In 7 weeks I've lost 19.2lbs. By this time next week I will hopefully have lost over 10% of my body weight! WHOOOT WHOOT! Here's to losing another 30 more after that. I CAN DO IT!

What's my secret you ask?

It's simple! WALKING, WALKING, WALKING and eating healthier foods and smaller portions. The overall key to success is a complete lifestyle change. It's all about making the right choices without sacrificing ANYTHING!

SOME EXAMPLES OF HEALTHIER FOOD CHOICES:

Here are some of the more healthier foods I choose from while dining out at not so healthy places. Let me say this; I usually eat these dishes 1 to 4 times a week and despite that I am still losing and average of over 2lbs per week.

I guess if I cut some of this out I'd be losing more, however I'm satisfied with my how my weight loss journey is going and if I deprive myself then I'll never succeed. This is a lifestyle change so you need to know how to roll with the punches):

1) Jack In The Box - Thank heaven for their chicken fajita pita. It's about the best tasting thing on the menu. Pair that with 1 egg roll instead of fries. Add a diet coke and you are good to go. I'm at the point where my stomach has shrunk and I could be full with just the pita.

2) Chilis - Can't go wrong with the Margarita chicken platter. Substitute the sides for double broccoli, it's sooooo good and filing. Feel free to treat yourself to chips and salsa, just limit yourself to no more than 6. TIRED OF CHICKEN? Then don't be scared, have the steak fajitas, just don't eat any sides, no cheese or sour cream or Guac.

3) Taco Bell - EAT anything you want that is listed on their FRESCA menu. I love the Chicken and or Steak Fresca tacos. Order up 3 of them to eat! I'm at the point where I'm satisfied with 2.

4) Celia's Mexican Food - Order up the grilled chicken taco salad, no beans, no rice with the dressing on the side. You have to have will power for this one to not eat the shell. It's okay to sneak a few pieces here and there, I sure do!

5) Subway - This is my main go to place. It's super cheap and nothing beats the 6inch turkey on wheat. No mayo or cheese, please! So it's not as dry, request add extra vinegar, iks nay on the oilay. Load up on all the veggies and get the apple slices or yogurt instead of chips. You'll be back again day after day after day. Their salads are the bomb as well! Just be sure to order the fat free Italian dressing. Every now and then I have Cesar or ranch. Remember it's okay to eat it, it's all about portion size.

6) McDonalds - I love this place, however nothing here is good for you! If you are in a bind and must eat here, simply order a hamburger, no cheese and the apple slices. Don't be fooled by the salads, some are just as bad as a BIG MAC. Always, always, always stay away from the Fry's as they are the worst. I love this place too they have the best cheeseburgers and Fry's.

7) Pizza - If you are having pizza, the key here is to limit yourself to two small slices or 1 large slice. Don't worry about thin or thick crust unless you want to eat more then a single portion. Thin is always better, however I say go BALLS TO THE WALL and eat whatever you are craving, in MODERATION. Trick is to FIRST eat a side salad with veggies and fat free dressing. This should fill you up a bit before digging in for a slice!

I went FIVE weeks without pizza and let me tell you when I finally ordered it, I almost ate an entire pizza myself! Don't deprive if you want it, then eat it, again it's about moderation.

It's all about the EXERCISE!

Did you know the more you exercise the more you get to eat?

OH YEAH SO GET OUT THERE!

I'm not talking about hitting the gym for hours on end or running till you pass out. Who has time for that?

My exercise is walking! I try to walk 5 to 9 miles everyday. No silly, not all at one time! This is just what I try to walk throughout the day. Most days I walk at least 3 miles on the track. When it comes to the weekend, if I can, I walk 5 miles straight. Here and there, once to twice a week I do a 30 minute Pilate's ball video and if I'm up to it I play WII Dance.

OKAY I'LL ADMIT IT!!!! There are days where I don't do crap. I sit my ass on the couch all night and don't want to move. Some weeks I'll go two days in a row being lazy, however by the thrid day I'm back at it!

So here are some pictures of the hill I am trying to climb 5 days a week during my lunch break. It takes me about 10 minutes to climb up 4 super steep inclines in the city. My legs burn, my lungs hurt, however the views are amazing and soon so will my A** and Thighs!









Here are some pictures of my 5 mile walk I try to do on the weekends. I walk from my house past the Golf Course, through the regional park and around this big a** lake.

Roxie, my cousin's wife's guard dog. GRRRRRRRR. She's more of a Love BUG!

So 19.2lbs LOST and 30 more or so to go. I'm feeling good, staying on track and believe this lifestyle change is really going to work for me!

GO ME!!!!!!

Happy Mothers Day

For Mothers Day The Boy and I went shopping at the mall, ate lunch at Mimi's Cafe and ended the excursion with a trip to Barnes and Nobles. The Boy wanted to give me something special for MD, so we decided to take pictures in a photo booth at the Mall.

Aren't we so cute?

The best part is it came with two sets of pictures for only $3. So The Boy is able to keep a set in his bedroom at his Dad's house and my set I can place on the fridge.

The Boy turns DOUBLE DIGITS next MONDAY. I'm thinking of getting him a swimming pool. I'm not sure if we will have one set-in the ground, or just buy a $300 pool that sits above ground to which you have to take down every year. I'm all for the $300 pool as it is cheaper and we can have it ready before his birthday. The BF is all for the in-ground pool because it will look nicer and he won't have to take it down and put it up every year.

I don't know what we are going to do.

If you were us, what would you do? The cheap economical route, or the F-IT just finance the thing and do it right route?

Building a Mission, Literally

My son had to build a Mission this year in his 4th grade class. His Mission was Santa Clara. I have to admit he picked a really boring mission.

It burnt down they re-built. It flooded they re-built. It burnt down they re-built. It was destroyed in an earthquake, they re-built. Not much more going on besides it being destroyed and re-built.

The interesting thing is the Mission became Santa Clara University and since we live about 30 minutes away from it, he is able to actually go to the site of the Mission. I think that's pretty cool!

So here is his Mission. His Dad and him built it (paper Mached) and painted it. Do you like the little farm animals I picked out? There were a lot of farm animals on the Mission as well.

Enjoy!

Totally Totalled?

So here is what happens when your brand new 2009 Honda Civic gets rear-ended on the Freeway by a 2002 Ford F250.

The trunk had to be taped closed as the alignment was pushed off.

Poor little bumper.

This hole was caused by a hook think that was on the front of the truck. OUCH!

This is the inside of the truck. It accordioned Preliminary from the body shop is that there is frame damage. Could it be totally totalled? I don't know, should find out today.

Another picture of the inside of the trunk. That is the body of the trunk, metal not plastic.

The BF suffered some injuries to his shoulder and back and has been off work and in pain. I'd say we've been pretty lucky, doing this 2hr commute daily for two years with no incidents till now.

I like to think the glass is half full. It could have been worse.