It's that day of the week again- TGIF!!!

Anyway, time to BYOC! (BTW Drazil, your tutorial on button-copying worked, I just had to make it smaller.) This is where you get to answer some questions so we can learn more about you and you don't have to think about a sparkling blog post on your own!

1). How do you feel about college? If you have kids or siblings, will you encourage or require them to go? If you went, how long did you go and what for?
      I am one of seven siblings and all but two went to college. The other 4 that went to college first went to community college for 2 years and then transferred to a 4 year school. I was all gung-ho and went right to a 4 year school, Hamilton College in upstate NY. I was going pre-med. And then I got there, and it was tough! High school was nothing like this! I did poorly my 1st year and decided that all of this calculus and science really wasn't for me. I am a people-watcher and I became fascinated with Sociology. I got to take classes like 'The Sociology of Addiction' and 'Psychosexual Diversity.' Once I did that my grades soared. But, in my 2nd semester of my sophomore year, I started dating my now husband. I had asked him to my sister's wedding (he is a friend of my b-i-l's) and we kept in touch long-distance. Well, things got serious that summer and when I went away again my junior year, I missed him terribly. I only had classes on Tues. and Thurs. so I could take the long weekends to come home and visit him. (I still managed to make Dean's List that semester!) I decided to transfer back onto LI. Only I never did. I went 5 semesters and I have no degree to show for it. Now that my kids are older, I want to go back to school, but I have no clue as to what I want to study.
     I will encourage my kids to go to college. Although my husband didn't go and makes enough money for us to live on, he doesn't make a lot, and he works 55 hrs., 6 days/week. He wants the kids to go to school so they rely on their minds and not their bodies (NOT like that!) to make a living. At 45, all of the physical labor he has done has taken a toll on him. Thank God, both of my kids are doing really well in school and enjoy learning. I can't wait to see what they make of themselves.

2). Pink or purple? Coke or Pepsi? Pen or pencil? Cursive or printing? Ketchup or mustard?
     Neither pink nor purple, but if there's a gun to my head I would have to say pink. yuck. Pepsi (though I rarely drink soda). Pen. Printing because I'm a perfectionist and I'm not happy with my cursive right now. And if we're talking hot dogs, I'm into ketchup now. Mustard on ham and in egg salad- YUM!

3). If you could live in any generation, which would it be?
     I grew up in the 80's, so I don't know any better! I had what my brother likes to call a "Flock of Seagulls" haircut. I actually shaved the back and the sides! I loved Tears For Fears, The Cure, R.E.M., Crowded House... good times. I know my son would choose the 40's because he's so into WWII and the Big Band Era (he plays trombone in jazz band). I think I'd choose the 50's, when there wasn't such a stigma on being a stay-at-home mother. Then I could wear the adorable dresses and pearls while fixing my family dinner. Ooh, and ignorance was bliss! I could smoke and drink and be none the wiser! (I don't do either of those anymore.)

Guess which one is me!

4). What do you sleep in?
      Depends. Sometimes I just take off my jeans and go to bed in the shirt I wore all day. I know, some of you are recoiling in disgust. Guess what? I don't wash my face either! *GASP!* Most times I put on a nightgown, all because I really just want to take my bra off. If I had my way and there were no children in the house, I might just sleep naked.

5). Repeat- Summarize your week.
     Well, got the new car last Thursday and was rear-ended (with only a paint scratch) on Sunday on the way home from church. Wednesday weigh-in says I lost 2 pounds. Hope I don't find them. And now that it's noon, I'm back from the gym having run 8 miles in 1:20, plus a quarter mile cool-down, walked a mile back and forth to the gym and did 20 minutes on the arc trainer so I could talk to my gf. That's a grand total of 10.33 miles today.
*UPDATE: As of 7am those kids still aren't here. FML.

**UPDATE: They showed up at 7:15am, right as the older one needed to get to the bus stop with my daughter.

WOO HOO! Wednesday

---(Hooted and hollered like Vicki Gunvelson (whom I can't stand) from RHOOC)---

I apologize for the crappy picture and pedicure!

My hard work is finally reflecting on the scale (this week anyhow!)! I had to weigh-in quickly since it was almost 6am and the little brats cherubs from across the street were getting dropped off. I didn't even remove my nightgown! So, I probably lost 4 pounds, not 2, right?!?

Anyhow, I've been changing up my workouts. I've been cutting back a bit on the arc trainer and adding hill hikes on the treadmill which have been kicking my butt, along with a more intense interval run and some strength training sessions. I've also been trying to keep so much food from passing my lips! Thank God the nice weather is coming and the appetite will naturally decrease with the heat. I'm looking forward to eating a lot more salads for lunch and dinner as well as enjoying more daylight to be walking or running outside. Today I decided to walk to the gym instead of taking the car. That was a 1 mile walk in 18 minutes. After coming home and taking a shower, I went back out and walked to the post office which was another 1.4 mile walk in 22 minutes. That's on top of the work I did in the gym. Can NOT complain about a 65* day in the middle of March! I should be dragging out the rakes soon and hitting those workouts! Major calorie burn!!

Of All The Rotten Luck!

Would you believe I was hit from behind while stopped at a traffic light on my way to my parents' house after church? I've had this car for only 3 days! And I've NEVER been hit or been in an accident, EVER!! We were all backed up at the light (which always happens after mass ends) and I looked in my rearview mirror, saw the side of the guy's head, and thought "He's not going to stop," and he didn't! So, I pull over and brace myself for what I'm about to see. Thankfully it was just some chipped paint on the bumper. I called my husband and he freaked, but I talked him down off that ledge.

The scrape on the left was already there.

The guy finally gets out of his car after rummaging through his glove box (probably looking for his non-existent insurance card) and says really slowly "You ok?" English is definitely not his first language. Myself and the two kids are fine, thank God! Good thing we were coming out of church, huh? Although, this will give my son another reason why we SHOULDN'T go to church! Twice in mass he mouthed to me "THIS SUCKS!" Anyway, we assessed the damage (he had none) and I decided to just go. Later on, Charlie tells me that while I was outside the car he cursed! (Mind you he's 15 but I don't allow him to curse. He SAYS he doesn't and that he thinks the "F-word" is disgusting.) He asked his sister if he should tell me he cursed and Chelsea told him no, that I would be mad! He tells everyone at my parents' house that he said "WHAT A D-HEAD!" Of course he used the actual word. Well, he was right. Can't fault him on that!

A Fantastic Idea!

I was just reading Holly's blog over at 300 Pounds Down and she had a really cute story that ended with her daughter drawing an adorable picture of a mouse. That reminded me of a segment on the Today Show with Hoda and Kathie Lee, where a woman makes "softies" out of your children's drawings! That would make a fantastic birthday or holiday gift, right? I have no clue how much they cost, though, and she told the journalist reporting the story that she's swamped and 600 orders behind, but if you're curious, check her out. She's at www.childsown.com. She does refer other softie makers as well.

This drawing becomes...

...this softie! How adorable!! 

Bring Your Own Crazy

I SO don't know what I'm doing here when someone says to steal her "button," so I saved it as a picture. Anyway, Drazil (check her out at It's Just Me, Drazil & Sheniqua..., she's hysterical!!) does this thing every Friday called "Bring Your Own Crazy," a fun question and answer segment to give yourself a blogging break and help get to know one another. You can do the same!

1). When you're sick, what comforts you?
      Knock on frickin' wood, I haven't been sick in a while, but what I love is laying in bed with my favorite movie characters to keep me company, like Kathleen Kelly from 'You've Got Mail,'  Loretta Castorini from 'Moonstruck or Jane Adler from 'It's Complicated.'

2). How attached to your cell phone are you?
     NOT AT ALL. I have it solely for emergency purposes. I got it free for doing an online survey and it's a 'pay-as-you-go' phone. I can access the web and text, but , get this, I DON'T KNOW HOW!!! I'm just happy knowing that I have a way to get in touch with my husband and cry in his ear when I get stuck at the intersection of two major highways in town or receive a phone call from my son begging me to pick him up because he has a migraine. THAT'S ALL I NEED IT FOR. Bonus: No outrageous bill. Without using it, it costs just $10/month. Pretty affordable for peace of mind.

3). What brand, color and kind of sneaker do you own to work out in? Why? Do you get a custom fit or just pick one off the shelf?
      Right now I'm running in Nikes. I'm not sure what they are. I bought them at Kohl's right off the shelf and I love them because they were pristine white with just a bright orange/melon colored Nike symbol. I should get thyself to a running store and get properly fitted, one day.

4). Do you ever wish you had picked a different name for your blog and why?
     I like the name for now, and I guess it could work in the future because 40 was when I decided I was fabulous (said with jazz hands).

5). Repeat question: Summarize your week in real life and in blog land.
     Aren't they one in the same? Well, I GOT A NEW CAR!! My day-to-day real life has become wonderful now that I don't have to worry if I'll make it from Point A to Point B in one piece! I can listen to the radio without it cutting out on me, (when I could hear it over my rally car exhaust!), I can put my groceries in the trunk without them getting rained on and my window's aren't taped shut! Plus, it's pretty!

In "Blog Land," I love waking up in the morning, making my vat o'coffee and sitting at the computer reading everyone's entries. I love to see what my friend Katie at Runs For Cookies is up to or what mad crazy workouts Fit Mom at A New Beginning... has endured. Everyone inspires me to do better and push myself harder, and then I eat my muffin.

Out With the Old and In With the New!!

So, we did a lot of searching for cars on our cable company's auto channel, and I fell in love. My husband's always liked this particular car, but it wasn't until I started looking, knowing that this was going to be MY car, that I realized, "Hey, that car is frickin' cute!!!" Yesterday afternoon we set out with my jalopy to test drive it and WE BOUGHT IT! BONUS: they accepted my car as a trade-in so we wound up getting $600 off this car. That doesn't sound like a lot, but we were just going to junk it, so we would've gotten maybe $50 for it! AND the dang car won't be sitting in the driveway for God only knows how long! When all was said and done, the new car cost $8,200.

This morning we had my daughter's honor roll/perfect attendance award ceremony and after that we stopped at the bank to take out the money to pick up the car this afternoon.

What all that money looks like...

While I was counting it, I asked my husband, jokingly, if it turned him on, and he said "Looking at that much money makes something else withdraw, too!" He won't cry seeing the car go, but he'll shed a tear saying goodbye to all of that money!

So.... we just got back and here she is...

2008 PT Cruiser

Isn't she pretty??!!?? My favorite part is portions of the dashboard are that same color!!

WAAAHHHH!! Wednesday

Aunt Flo visited and left with me with an extra pound, the bitch! And I had a good week so I even painted my toe nails to prettify my weigh-in, thinking it was going to be a good one. My belly feels especially flabby and not bloated, so I was thinking this was it! Oh well...

On a happier note, my husband told me on Saturday that we are actually shopping for a car for me! Usually I get his hand-me-down and he gets the new vehicle, but he doesn't want me driving around in his jallopy, so this is my first "new" (we only buy "pre-owned" but it'll be new to me!) car since I bought my Cougar in 1994!!! Before that I bought my sister's Mazda 323 for a steal. After the Cougar I drove two Oldsmobile 89s, two Lincoln Continentals and now my Hyundai. We're going this afternoon to shop some more. I REALLY have my eye on this one car and I'm hoping and praying we get it today!!


                                                          MY LIFE IN VEHICLES:

Mine was gold and totalled in front of my house when an idiot rammed into the back pulling away from my neighbor's.  Paid my sister $800, got $1,700 when it was totalled! (1993)

This was a hot car (at the time)! (1994)

Our first 89 was red and our second was white. Good family vehicles- Charlie came home from the hospital in this car and Chelsea came home in the white one! (1996)

Our first Lincoln was grey, the second was gold with the nice sun roof. The air suspension went on the gold one and you felt like you were in one of those low-rider cars with the bouncing hydraulics! HORRIBLE! (2000-2006)

I've been driving this since 2006! Time for something new!

I hope I can write a post about the new car VERY SOON!!!

I Freakin' Did It!

I ran my first double digit run! 10 miles in 1:45:07!!! That's a 10:30 pace. I had to split the run up into two parts since the treadmill I was on had a 60 minute limit. (Some of the treadmills countdown from 96 minutes, but that still wouldn't have been enough time.) So, to play a mind game with myself, I figured I'd run more in the first half, so the second half wouldn't seem so bad. Hey, whatever I have to do to get it done! I set the speed at 5.7 mph figuring slow and steady wins the race.

1st leg

2nd leg

I felt pretty good through most of the run. My hips got a bit tight towards the end, and my ass really did feel like it slid down to the backs of my knees, but my breathing was nice and easy and there were no cramps or stitches at all. My new music towards the end of the run REALLY helped push me through it, like The Wanted's 'I'm Glad you Came' and Nicki Minaj's 'Superbass.'

So, there's still just over seven months until my half-marathon. I think I got this.

Happy 2nd Runnaversary To Me!

Well, nobody else would remember. I started running in March 2010. I'm thinking it was more towards the middle or end of the month, but I didn't write it down, or if I did write it down (probably on the school calendar, the bible to a house with any school-aged kids!) I don't know where it is. ANYWAY, I started running after losing about 40 pounds, and the notion of running in a race, possibly a marathon (thanks to the bug my husband stuck in my ear), gave me the determination to continue to run, even though that first lap felt like it nearly killed me.


Ugh, I look horrible. I didn't even have any running clothes yet! I ran/walked with denim shorts!


This was my first 5k, the Long Island Macarthur Airport 5k For Veterans, on 6/5/10. A 5k on the taxi ways and tarmacs of an airport- how cool is that? Yep, that's me, trailing the old guy. I think he was in his 80's! I tried so hard to get past him, but my attempts were in vain. He was slow, but steady and I think he finished 4 spots ahead of me. My time for that 5k was 42:42. I couldn't run the entire thing. I picked up the Couch to 5k program around week 4 after that and the next 5k on 9/10/10 (right in my town!) I finished in 34:40. I ran the entire race. Slowly, but surely I've improved my time and increased my distance over the last 2 years. I'll do the LIMA 5k again as well as my library's Family Literacy 5k in September. I plan on coming in under 30:00 for both of them! Then it's my half-marathon in October! Butterflies!

A Sad, Sad Day

Well, it's official. We need to put my car to sleep. My 1999 metallic pea-green Hyundai Sonata can't take much more. It was supposed to get inspected this month, but when I brought it in I knew the news wasn't going to be good. The check engine light was on because of the evap sensor in the exhaust, (which I knew about forever), and even after getting it fixed, you need to drive the car for at least 100 miles before the inspection computer will allow the car to pass, IF that was the only thing wrong with it. That was not all she had going on. With labor (I think it's around $80/hr. here) we were looking at a $1,600 bill. She just isn't worth sinking that kind of money into with 113,000 miles on her. (That's not bad for a 13 year old car, probably because I only drive on average 5 miles a day!)


Like the tape on the window?

 We were planning on replacing my husband's car, but since his car was just inspected and possibly can make it another year, I'll drive that and he'll get another car, since he's the one that makes ALL the money! We were supposed to do that last year, but figured we'd hold on as long as we could. So, with our tax return money, we'll be buying another used car. We just can't afford a car payment, not with me stuck watching the kids 3 days/week for a measly $70/week. Come September, when both kids are in school full-time, I'll have to find a better part-time job. Even if I made $150/week that would be great.

Anyway, enough of the pissing and moaning... I did a great "treadmill hill hike" workout I found on Pinterest yesterday. It had you walking between 3.5 and 4.5 mph with an incline from 4-10. It was really tough! 4.5 mph at a 10 incline and I was jogging. I managed 3 miles in 45 minutes with a vertical distance of 1,078. My shins feel it today! Today I ran at 6.6 and 6.7 mph and finished 3.25 miles in 30 minutes. Saturday I'm attempting 10 miles. It would be my first double-digit run EVER.

Whatever Wednesday

Got on the scale this morning. No change. Annoyed because I've been really conscious about my snacking or grazing throughout the day and I'm trying to switch things up with my exercise, thinking that my body needs a change in routine to actually change again. I'm not discouraged. I am really enjoying surfing Pinterest for fitness ideas. I find a workout I like and I write it in my little "Oprah's Life Class" journal I got for free through Facebook! It's small enough to take to the gym and stick it in the water bottle holder on the treadmill.



Look familiar?



Today I have to take my car in to get the exhaust fixed so that it no longer sounds like a rally car and will then pass inspection (fingers crossed!). So, I'll be walking the two miles home. I bring my car to a service station by my parents house because we've used him forever, and some times I'll sit and visit with my parents while the car is in the shop. Today I just feel like getting home, getting some stuff done around the house and maybe walking the 1/2 mile to the gym for one of those walking/hiking treadmill workouts I found on Pinterest. Thankfully it did not snow last night, but dear God, please let the rain hold off until I'm home!

Boredom Buster?

More like hump or gut buster. I truly can see how people are pushed to the point of vomiting during a workout. Pinterest. Lovely Pinterest. I wrote out this "Boredom Buster Interval Treadmill Run" that I found on there. Since I do an interval run on Tuesdays I thought it was the perfect time to try something new.



I thought I'd share it in case any of you felt like torturing yourselves.


Now, I know a lot of you do run on an incline when you run on the treadmill. I don't. So, this workout was pretty outside my comfort zone. I had to make several adjustments to it and I STILL only made it to the 35 minute mark. With my 5 minute warm-up I managed 4.2 miles in 40 minutes. I think it was the most intense run I've ever done. When I do intervals, I don't run for 5 minutes at 6.5 or 7.0 mph. I run .25 miles, which at that speed only takes 2.25-2.31 minutes. I was running double that, at an incline! So, now that I've worked out all the numbers, I'm pretty impressed with myself! And so I'm going to attempt it again next week.

Jelly Arms

You know the kind? Where you can hardly lift your mug to your mouth? I just finished the Firm Cardio Sculpt. I've been doing it recently, and for some reason, today killed me! Maybe I shouldn't let so much time go in between workouts?? ;) I can't wait to see how I life the pot to drain the pasta!

The infamous Fanny Lifter. This system is so old it's on VHS!!!

A Moment To Myself

I shouldn't complain. I get plenty of free time since I only babysit 3 days/week and my kids are 15 and 13. I definitely don't hear "mommy" anymore. Gosh, how sad is that? Most times it's "Mom do I have any clean underwear?" "Mom, are there any clean towels?" "Mom, can I go to the library?" Next year my son will be a junior and my daughter a freshman, so pretty soon the nest may be empty. I'll probably be getting a job outside of the house come September since even the little ones I babysit are growing up and will be in school full-time.



My little ones- Charlie was 5 1/2 and Chelsea was just 4- her first recital.



This past week was mid-winter recess, so my kids were home and I had the 2 little ones all day, instead of shuttling one to the bus stop for 1st grade and picking up the little one from pre-k after her 2 1/2 hours there. I also had my 10 year old niece yesterday, so there were 5 kids in my house ALL day. So today, when Chelsea asked if she could go bowling with her friends then hang out at the library and Charlie asked to go to a friend's house, I was more than willing to be the chauffeur. So what did I do with my free afternoon? I cleaned the living room! I dusted and vacuumed and put all the toys into their proper bins and on their shelves and I put everything that didn't belong in the LR back where it belonged.

This was all to take place while catching up on the 3 episodes of the Biggest Loser I'm behind. (Chelsea has dance and Charlie has jazz band Tuesday nights, so if I don't get to see it from the beginning I'll wait until it goes onto Free on Demand.) Wouldn't you know I went to pause the damn thing so I could walk out of the room and something got screwed up, so I'm still behind! I did get to see the Bethenny Ever After and an episode of RHOOC that I missed, so it wasn't a waste. Oh, and I made dinner- Tastefully Simple's Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe. Now we're just waiting for Daddy to come home to eat and enjoy the last bit of "vacation" before it's back to the grind on Monday, until spring break, which is a very LONG six weeks away. Good news? Only four more months until SUMMER VACATION!!!

Wretched Wednesday

So, the batteries in the scale are new and so is my weight- up a pound! I will not let that number define me, yada-yada-yada... It's still annoying, ya know?

Anyway, today is Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting and no meat. Hopefully, I don't pass out. I gave up chocolate, again, which includes any type of candy, chocolate chips in things like cookies and muffins and ice cream. What does that leave? Oh, I said I wouldn't give up chocolate flavor, like I guess the cocoa on Chocolate Chex cereal. But I think I can live without that as well. My grandma always said that we could have what we gave up for Lent on Sundays and I thought she was sort of making it up because she always wanted to spoil us with treats. So last year I looked it up and she was right! Lent is 46 days from Ash Wednesday to Easter because there are 6 Sundays in there. Every Sunday is to be celebrated as Easter Sunday and that is why you are "allowed" to partake of the item you gave up. But, I'm up for the challenge of going the entire 46 days.

You can also look at Lent as a time to give of yourself. Volunteering your time is a huge sacrifice when so many people feel they don't have a moment to spare. It puts the focus on something positive, unlike the self-sacrifice. I really have to look into getting myself and my family involved in some sort of volunteer work. It'll help make us even more appreciative of the little we DO have. This month, our Relay For Life team, Dorothy's Determination, (in honor of my mom's battle with bladder cancer last year), is up and running again for this year's Relay in June. Last year we came in 5th in donations raised out of 90+ teams, so we're going to try and beat last year's amount raised. There are many opportunities to help with the Relay committee in organizing the event, so I think that's where I want to give of my time. RFL is an AMAZING event.

These Dreams...

I have been dreaming A LOT lately AND remembering them, too! I wonder if it's a result of my falling asleep by 8pm and waking up before the crack of dawn (yesterday was 4:15am). Thank goodness the television shows I follow are either on Free On Demand from my cable company or they're repeated numerous times during the week. (That would include my Bravo reality trash favorites like 'Bethenny Ever After' and almost all of the 'Real Housewives' cities.)



My husband's favorite- stuffed French toast!

Last night I dreamt I was at my mother's house. It must have been a Sunday because almost all of my family was there, and we really do get together after church on Sundays at my parents' house for coffee, rolls and bagels and a lot of LOUD conversation (that's just to be heard). So, I'm one of 5 sisters. My ex-brother-in-law calls us "the council" because we weigh-in on every important topic. Anyway, (our conversations head off on tangents left and right, just like that, and we can't remember our original thought!), two of my sisters were talking about not eating breakfast and I chime in with "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Do you know that people who regularly eat breakfast are 65% more likely to weigh less than those who don't." Now, that was a dream statistic, not FACTUAL data, but I can't believe I'm coaching people IN MY DREAMS!

In reality, we do have conversations about losing weight and that yes, it's hard, but it's not a secret. I eat less than I used to and I move a hell of a lot more. I want everyone to just do it!

Anyone else frustrated with a loved one about their weight and the actions they are not taking to get on track?

Too Good To Be True

Found the damn batteries for my scale, you know those round flat ones that cost a small fortune for just one, and you need two?

Damn scale lied to me last week! 154.4! So, I did what any normal person would do and waited until I had to go the bathroom again, then got BACK on the scale. Same frickin' numbers staring back at me! I want to cry! I had a really good week! Well, "Ain't nothin' gonna break my stride..."

11 Random Things (Take 2)

Jen of From FAT to FINISH LINE included me in the tag game this time. I tried this game once before (Click here to read 11 random things about me and see if you were tagged! Keeping The Game Going. If you feel like participating and I didn't tag you, then click on the link!) and I don't know if more than a couple of people participated, but, she had some great questions so I wanted to make sure I answered her!

1). What was your first job?
      My first job ever was babysitting the kid down the block when I was 12. My first job on the books was the summer after graduating high school at a bargain store called Cheap John's. It was a chain here on Long Island and it was the BEST place to find cheap school supplies and candy! When I started there, all the candy bars were 3/$1 (you're lucky to find them on sale for $.79 nowadays) and you could get a one pound solid milk chocolate (REAL chocolate, not that flavored crap) for $.97!! We miss Cheap John's! Other dollar stores just don't cut it!

2). If you could only hear one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
     This is an impossible question! Amazing Grace? I don't know!

3). Favorite quote or saying?
     Another tough question, Jen! Since I started running, and things get hard, my mantra is "Do it for those who can't."

4). Disney World, Vegas or a cruise?
     I'd have to say Disney World because I haven't done Vegas or a cruise yet! I know my entire family would enjoy themselves at Disney. I think I would be WAY too grumpy in Vegas losing money or watching my husband lose money. And the cruise, I see myself gaining at least 10 pounds in a week from the non-stop eating!

5). Your favorite "kid" movie?
      Ok, I didn't see many Disney movies growing up. We watched a lot of cartoons and sitcoms... But since having kids myself, I LOVE watching all of the animated flicks that come out, even though my kids are older now. I have to say, the Toy Story trilogy was awesome. Toy Story 3 found my girlfriend and I sobbing in the theater, watching Andy give away his toys and head off to college! I can't believe I'm only a couple of years away from sending off one of my own! :(

6). Celebrity crush?
     Mmmm... who to choose? Justin Timberlake? Derek Jeter? Gerard Butler? George Clooney? All of the above?

7). Dream race?
     Thank you Jen for an easy one! NYC Marathon, no doubt about it.

8). Favorite blog?
     Since it was the first blog I ever read, this goes to Katie's Runs For Cookies. I found her when Spark People posted her weight-loss success story/video on Facebook back in June. I became hooked on it and all of the other blogs I've started to follow that relates to my weight-loss and running journey, like Jen's blog.

9). Italian food, Greek food or Asian?
     I've grown up on Italian food since I'm 75% Italian (25% Puerto Rican), so I am pretty capable of making a good Italian meal. Can't say I've had too much Greek food, maybe a few times I've ordered moussaka at the diner. I'll have to pick Asian, specifically our Americanized Chinese. (Not into sushi.) I can't replicate sesame chicken or boneless spareribs at home. If we ever go out (which is RARE) it's to Ding How, our favorite Chinese restaurant. You might remember it from my 40th birthday party!

10). Favorite sports team?
       Yay! Another easy one! "Theeeeeee Yankees win!!!" So ecstatic to have had the chance to run at Yankee Stadium with my husband last summer!

11). What was your first concert?
        My girlfriend had tickets to see Diana Ross at a small theater on LI when we were in high school. Sad, I know. I haven't done many concerts in my lifetime. Madonna at MSG in the 90's. Saw Billy Joel a few times, once with Elton John at the Meadowlands. Most recent concert? Barry Manilow at the Garden with my husband and my parents! I have loved Barry for as long as I can remember!

Could It Be?

I stepped on the scale this morning and this was what was staring back at me:

I'm not sure whether to believe it or not, especially since those damn batteries still haven't been replaced! So, I had to go back and look at all my check-ins on My Fitness Pal, and my lowest weight recorded on there was 147.6 on 10/29/11! I have been working out diligently, as usual, but I've also not been eating after dinner again. It seems my resolve dissipates once the couch calls my name and there's a little reality television to zone out with. Brushing my teeth and just going to bed helps! If this is accurate then I'm only 8 pounds away from goal (again).

Happy Valentine's Day!

These are waiting for my husband to get home from work in 20 minutes. Can't wait to share a few with him! ;)

Nothing special today. My husband went into work later than usual and spent some time with me before I had to pick up the little one I babysit from pre-k. No flowers, chocolates or dinner out. I asked him not to spend any money on me since we just got done paying off our three Christmases and I renewed my gym membership this month. We will be bleeding money profusely this year with two weddings among other things (like getting my car inspected this month and possibly another car for Charlie...). Lord, I need a better job!

Anyhow, how was YOUR Valentine's Day???

"And I Ate My Very First..."

BRUSSEL SPROUT!!! I am 40 frickin' years old and never had the opportunity to even try one! I mean, they must have been on a restaurant menu somewhere along the way, but my mother never made them, none of my sisters have ever made them... I guess EVERYONE was as scared of them as I was! I always heard they smelled really bad and had a funky mushy surprise inside. Well, I've been seeing them on both Katie's and Lori's blog, so I thought I would just break down and give them a try.

I prepared them like the roasted vegetables I usually make (zucchini, grape tomatoes, cauliflower, peppers...) by tossing them with about 1 T. vegetable oil, 1 T parmesan cheese and some Tastefully Simple Seasoned Salt or Adobo seasoning. I spread them out on my PC bar pan and roasted them at 425* for I don't know how long! I remember hearing that they were in the same family as cauliflower, but I didn't expect them to smell exactly like it while roasting. I figured they were done when they were caramelized and a bit crispy. And then I ate my very first one... and I'm HOOKED!

(Not my photo- I quartered mine)

There's plenty more items on the Food List Challenge I have yet to try. (Can you believe brussel sprouts isn't included in the list??) Some seem to be pretty basic foods. I do know for a fact that I will NEVER try durian. I've seen too many faces made by Andrew Zimmern on the Travel Channel because of both the aroma and the consistency of it to even bother an attempt.

Are there any foods that you have never eaten because you're scared of them??

Healthy Heart Weekend

Lori, a fellow blogger with an awesome weight-loss success story at http://www.findingradiance.com/ posted her Healthy Heart Weekend challenge to her readers a few weeks ago. Thankfully she reminded us all of the challenge, so I hit the gym early to get in the 9 mile run I pledged to complete. I'm one of those crazy people who actually prefer to run on the treadmill than outside. Don't get me wrong, I WILL run outside, but I prefer inside. I like that the treadmill keeps me at the pace I want to go- I have no choice, my mind can't tell me "no!" I also like the distraction of the television (I usually watch the Today Show and Live with Kelly) and the comings and going of all the other gym rats. It just makes the time go faster! Once the weather improves I will make it my business to run outside more- promise.



The "first" 6

 So, I found one treadmill that had a 97 minute workout limit and hopped on, knowing that with a 10 min/mile pace I'd get my 9 miles done. Well, at 1.15 miles in the damn thing shut down on me. I started her back up and she crapped out again at .15 miles this time. (Thankfully I didn't kill myself!) So I had to resign myself to another treadmill that only allowed a 60 minute workout. So, I ran another 6 miles in 59:40 and then started her up again to finish my 9 miles. I ran 1.7 miles and because I want to PROVE I did my 9 miles I walked the rest to total 3 miles.


The last 3

Gee, I guess these pictures don't really prove anything, huh? I really have to hold today's paper up if I want bullet-proof evidence of the dang workout. Definitely can't fluff anything with the Forerunner, though! So, should I push for 10 next week? Nine miles has been my longest runs so far.

Anyway, there's still time to participate in Lori's challenge if you want! Click here to sign up!www.findingradiance.com/2012/01/23/healthy-heart-weekend-sign-up-feb-10-12/

Second Biggest Eating Day Of The Year

Well, that's what I heard them say about Superbowl Sunday on the Today Show, I think. It's second only to Thanksgiving. Can you believe that Americans will consume 1.25 BILLION chicken wings tomorrow??!!?? They're not really my thing. (Of course, if they're there...) It's all of the other crap that will be out along side the chicken wings that's dangerous for me- pigs in a blanket, chips and dip, my sweet and sour meatballs... then there's dessert!

It's my side of the family that gets together and squeezes into my parents' kitchen and living room to watch the game. (Can't wait for more commercials! The ones I saw were hysterical.) Superbowl Sunday is treated like any other holiday in our family. Now, mind you, there are a lot of us. When we're all present and accounted for the grand total is 30. That's my parents, siblings, spouses and kids. So we need a lot of food, but we probably have enough to feed at least 15 more. We all have to bring something and a dessert. This year there will be a roasted turkey (my parents won it from our local deli), pulled pork, my dad's chili, chicken wings and my sweet and sour meatballs. I don't know what everyone else is bringing. I also decided to make a veggie platter- peppers, cukes, baby carrots and broccoli served with a creamy cucumber dressing. I plan on parking myself right in front of the thing!! I think I'm going to make monkey munch for dessert- chocolate and peanut butter, my favorite!

This year is extra special because the Giants are in! Go Big Blue!

What's everyone else's plans for the big game?

You Could Knock Me Over With A Feather

We have been experiencing some wonderful weather here in the mid-Atlantic states. Yesterday's high was around 62*!! I didn't take advantage of it at all. However, today I decided to get myself in gear and take a run outside. It was a tad chillier (about 42*) and a little windy. I was going to run my 3 mile tempo run and end it at the gym. I STILL can't get myself to just run, so I went to the track, where it always seems colder and windier. I put on my long-sleeve tech shirt, my mittens, my headband and my fleece and I was ready. I don't know if all the treadmill running/interval training has really increased my speed or I was just cold and wanted to finish, but I recorded my fastest 3 miles EVER!

That's really 12 laps which equals 3 miles.

I am beside myself! Giddy even!

Shockingly Enough... (and a little TMI, just warning you!)

Since January 2nd, I'm down 3 pounds. I believe it was the 42 trips (not exaggerating, although I didn't actually count) to the bathroom over the last 2 days. I can't believe how much water I can hold onto, and then RELEASE! My husband thinks there's something wrong with me, especially since I've been to the urologist for microscopic blood in the urine (hematuria), and my mother's history with bladder cancer. Over the last few years I have had several cystoscopies (scope into the bladder via the urethra), one under sedation in the hospital (it'll be 1 year on 2/3!) and a CT scan to find out the cause. I've also been to a nephrologist for another 24 hour urine test (those are REALLY fun) and he said the amount of blood found is an acceptable amount and that my kidneys just allow red blood cells into my urine when filtering the blood. He explained it as the kidneys work as a sieve and the holes are a little too big to allow red blood cells through. You didn't know you were going to get a biology lesson when reading about my weigh-in, now did you?

Anyway, I have to keep an eye on things because of my family history, so I shall be returning to the good ole doctor's office for another cystoscopy. I think it's even more invasive than the OB/GYN. I mean, this guy is standing there, with the long scope connected to his eye and he's looking and moving the scope and looking, and there you are, in all your Brittney Spears glory... So, the reason why I know that it's normal for me is because it happens every month AND I only woke up once to go to the bathroom last night. If it was a chronic thing, I definitely would be worried about it.

So, down 3 pounds this month (I won't tell you what last week's results were!).

Cropped to remove my unsightly toenails! Looks like I need new batteries!

8 Miles

That's what I ran today. Set the treadmill at 5.8 and just plugged away. 83 minutes later, done. My breathing was nice and easy, a little heaviness in the legs, (ok, my ass felt like it was hitting my calves, which for all I know, it was!), but nothing that would have stopped me from doing more than I did. Could've kept going but trying to take it nice and easy. I have plenty of time to get there, no need to rush it. I feel great an hour later, no headache at all. I think I was extremely overheated that run and pushing it too hard on the intervals. Oh, and today I could wring out the bottom of my tech shirt, that's how much I frickin' sweat!

I told you I'm a sweaty pig after I work out! (LMAO)

255 Days

ONLY 255 days until the Diva Half-Marathon! I have been reading WAY too much stuff about pants-pooping and bloody nipples and it's scaring the bejeezus out of me!! I can not for the life of me remember who posted the picture of someone who looks like an Olympic athlete running with excrement dripping down his legs, but it has scarred me for life! I will FO' SHO' be wearing DARK, LONG running pants the day of the race just to avoid THAT embarrassment! (Please don't go Googling that. You will never get that image out of your head!) But, if you haven't read any of Jen's blog From Fat To Finish Line, you should. She has a post on the "sh*t runners never say" and it's HYSTERICAL!!! She added this video and I laughed so hard I cried!!!

Anyhow, the half is 255 days away and I got a picture from Run Like A Diva on my Facebook wall of both what the medal and race t-shirt will look like. Can not wait to wear both PROUDLY!!!!

Each half has a different t-shirt design to honor the women from each area.

The "bling" spins and the other side holds a race-provided picture!

Raging Headache

Anyone else suffer from a headache after an intense run? I can understand when I get them in the heat, like after my 10k in September, but I was in the gym today. It did feel warm (and my friend agreed), probably because it got up to 55* today, but it wasn't THAT warm. I did an interval run, alternating between 6.5 and 7 for .25 miles each. In fact, last week I was able to run .5 miles at 7 and then run .25 at 6.5. I missed my long run on Saturday because of the weather. Maybe that's why I felt like complete and utter roadkill after a 45 minute run?? I managed to get in 4.87 miles in 47 minutes with warm-up and cool down.

Still waiting for it to kick in!

500 Calories

That's how much My Fitness Pal says I burned in 70 minutes shoveling this fargin' (anybody remember 'Johnny Dangerously'?) snow that's been falling since last night. I should weigh-in again. How much do fingers and toes weigh? I'm pretty sure a couple may have become casualties in my mission to clean the driveways and pathways and dig the mailbox out. And I didn't even clean the cars off yet.

So much for my long run at the gym this morning. I could walk to the gym since it's only a half a mile, but while I was shoveling I saw some bleeping idiot in a huge truck spin out at my corner. I don't need to get hit on the side of the road because people don't know they're NOT invincible in an SUV!

On The Bright Side...

So, I didn't get a chance at a hair makeover on the Today Show, (ASIDE: It was actually a "how to make the most of your gray hair" segment. The three models just sat there while the expert told the audience how to care for gray hair and change your make-up because gray hair can "wash you out." I didn't miss much.), but it came!

I ordered this Half-Marathon bracelet through ChalkTalkSports/Amazon.com. I had a gift card from Christmas for my Kindle, but I'd rather have this instead. I'll wear it as a constant reminder of what I'm working towards for the Diva Half on October 7th. I was surprised to discover that there's a lot of marathon jewelry out there, different necklaces, bracelets, key chains also. Endorphin Warrior makes some really nice pieces, but they were more expensive.

Also, I went to Kohl's (on Tuesday) with a gift card from Christmas and my 30% off coupon (for being a credit card holder) and I got a ton of stuff for $81.77, plus I made $20 in Kohl's cash. Not bad, right? Two pairs of boots (tan ones for me, gray for my daughter), the hat's for my son, four long-sleeved t-shirts, three pairs of cute boy short undies, two bras ($64 when not on sale!), a cold weather reversible headband and that cute long-sleeved tech shirt (with thumbholes!) for some cold outdoor runs. With the "free" $20, I went back today and got a pair of Cuddl Duds cold weather leggings and another headband (teal/white) for NOTHING! I actually have $.49 left!

Who needs a trip to NYC with a free makeover anyway? (me)

Apparently, I Didn't Make the "Cut"

Disappointed. I'm a huge fan of the Today Show. I watch it every morning and even went to Rockefeller Center over the summer to see a live taping. So, I get all of the show's updates on my Facebook wall and there was a post looking for women under the age of 60 (since it's their 60th anniversary) who have gray hair and are looking for a cut and color. We all know I fit that bill! Who wouldn't want a day of pampering AND a trip into the city?

Here's Ann signing autographs.

I filled out the application on the 12th. They asked for up to three pictures and a little bio. I described how I've lost weight over the last two years and that having a hair make-over would be the finishing touch to my transformation. I even told the story about the horrible experience of having a woman in the gym ask if my 41 year old friend was my daughter and then having a neighbor ask if the little one I babysit was my only grandchild (read entry here). I added my before picture, a picture of me from over the summer and then one from December, waiting for Nate Berkus.

On the 14th I got an e-mail from a producer of the show asking if I would be available two times this week, once for a styling session and then tomorrow morning for the big reveal. We e-mailed back and forth after I had to rearrange my schedule with the woman I babysit for so Friday was clear. After all that, I sent her my most recent picture from the 11th, when my husband and I were in the city again to see 'Sleep No More.' Well, after that I received an e-mail saying that the team met and changed course and now were looking for someone with LONG gray hair. I told her that I was willing to get a pixie, wouldn't that be a dramatic enough change??? You know, these make-overs are all about the "WOW!" factor. She then told me I was perfect for their original idea, and if they reverted back, she made note of my availability and would be in touch. WAHHHHHHH! I was hoping someone would bow out and I'd get a phone call, but I got nothin'.

Now I have to watch the segment tomorrow and see the gems they picked over me. I'll be crying in my coffee.

NO FAIR!!

Katie at Runs For Cookies (this link has a picture of her nut butter collection at the moment) loves peanut butter just as much as I do, maybe more! She introduced her readers to PB2, which is a pretty good substitute for peanut butter, but it definitely wouldn't pass the test with my husband. He prefers nothing "diet" on his plate. But, why did she have to go and blog about this thing called "cookie butter?" She mentioned Biscoff biscuits as well. Wouldn't you know I found the cookies in my Walgreen's to give them a try and they are sensational. So, if you saw something called "Biscoff Spread" on the shelf at Stop & Shop, you'd have to give it a try too, right? I put off buying it the first time I saw it because it's $5 a jar. But last night I caved while picking up toilet paper (we ALWAYS run out!!) and OH-MY-GOD!!! Why, Katie, why????



This is in my special "HANDS OFF!!!" cabinet!



**CUE ANGELS SINGING**

Devil's Food cupcake filled with Dove Chocolate Discoveries dark chocolate mousse topped with chocolate fudge frosting. Need I say more??

batter dispenser- why didn't I think of that???

Ok, just a little more. I got to use my Kitchen Aid to mix the cake batter and whip the mousse. Then I got to use the batter dispenser to fill the cupcake liners and it worked like a dream! The cupcake plunger then made the perfect well for me to stuff the cake with mousse and I used my Pampered Chef Easy Accent Decorator to frost the cupcakes. I was in baking heaven! Perfect for my dad's 77th birthday! Happy Birthday again Dad!

Crumbs bakery shops better watch out!!

My mom and dad, the best parents I could have ever wished for.

Eye of the Tiger

I feel like frickin' Rocky. Planned on a 7 mile run. Ran 7.5 in 75 minutes. Can't wait until next Saturday's long run!

This is about what I look like when I'm done!

Fat So Sarah Giveaway!!

Sarah thought up a great giveaway: a Jillian Michaels Torture Pack! It contains two of her new workout DVDs.

I need to start doing some resistance training. It's been all about the cardio for me and getting the calorie burn, but I need to tone up! This would be nice to win! (I'll look like her after I do them, right?)

GIVEAWAY RULES:

1). You must be a follower of Sarah's blog: Fat So Sarah

2). You must post the giveaway on your own blog.

3). E-mail her your name to be entered into the drawing at fatso.sarah@yahoo.com

4). Enter by Friday, January 20th for the drawing on Saturday, January 21st.

GOOD LUCK!