I Should Be Folding Laundry

So many suitcases, so little time

Brian left for his second business trip in 11 days, this one is one night longer, which also means a whole day longer which also means by Friday I am going to be very, very tired.  But that's okay, because after Friday, he'll be home and I'll be able to breathe a sigh of relief that I can now go to Target alone, er, rather feel safe with my husband by my side.

He was home for a total of five nights.  Four of the nights I had planned events to attend, meetings, a conference call, bowling and the ever important Bunco night.  The fifth night, he and I actually went out of town without the children for a planned surprise party for a dear friend in Illinois.  On Friday afternoon, we joked, in a sad kind of way, that we were living like a divorced couple, sharing custody of the kids.  It was sad really, realizing that we hadn't sat down for a family meal in nearly 8 days and it would be another six days before we could again.  Our family sitting down for a meal together is so important to us and it's something we really miss. 

We did stay in a hotel last night that was actually very nice and extremely clean and would you believe the bed was soft?  Almost billowy, which is something you just don't see very often.  We (myself, my husband and the chickens) are taking a VERY LONG DRIVE in June that will require stopping in the middle of the drive to sleep at a hotel, we typically stay at one particular type of hotel, but the beds are just not very comfortable, we just liked the hotel because of the warm Cinnabons they serve, okay?  So, we tried this new one and we are so pleased to have found the soft beds.  When we walked into our room we realized they had booked us into a handicap hotel room.  The doorways were so wide I'm pretty sure we could have pulled our car into the room to unpack. (which would have been nice considering I packed four pairs of shoes for a one night trip.)  We even had a lovely seat in the tub, wall bars everywhere and an adjustable shower head that I really did not know how to work at first, accidentally spraying myself in the face.  It was the best.  The most amazing thing was how large our THREE fire alarms were in the one room.  One had a strobe light so big that if it were to go off in the middle of the night, I'm not sure if I would run or dance.

Another benefit to being in a handicap room is that it is situated very close to the lobby, which is great when you are stumbling in late at night with blisters on your toes the size of dimes caused by the very cute shoes you had purchased that same day.  However, being close to the lobby also means you are close to the breakfast area which is very busy at seven in the morning.  Not to mention the outdoor area just outside the lobby for visitors to sit and relax in the summer warmth, or to get drunk and laugh and yell, like you're in a beer garden all night long.  Right outside our window.   So, although we had the nice wide doorways, the fancy hand held showers, and the enormous fire alarms and strobe lights, (did I mention we were also directly across from the indoor pool??), we think given the choice, we would have chosen a room three floors up, or you know, in a shed somewhere.

Either way, we did have a great time away and needless to say, I'm feeling a little down that my husband is in another part of the country.   I think I'll just sit here and stuff my face with nachos and queso and maybe some ice cream.   Okay, not the ice cream, I really have to watch this growing figure of mine, speaking of which, be sure to check back on Tuesday.  Remember almost two weeks ago I mentioned working on a little project for weight loss?  Well, I'm so excited to tell you that the unveiling will be on May 1, 2007.  So, check back, bring your friends and your scales, because y'all, I'm tired of feeling fat, are you?  If so, maybe I can help...
see you then.

Please Pass the Junior Mints

Yesterday, I blogged about my expanding belly (not due to pregnancy, but due to chocolate) and widening thighs (thanks to ice cream) and announced to the e-world that I would start counting points and I will.  I promise, but if I were to count points today, my brain may explode by the very large numbers that are being calculated. 

Today, my sister is visiting with her children and we are taking all of our four children (ages 3, 4, 6 & 7) to lunch because we are crazy and looking for a way to embarrass ourselves faster than dressing up as chickens and pecking random people on the head while singing "She Bangs."  Well, I may be exaggerating a little bit because really they all LOVE! EACH OTHER! SO! MUCH! they really just kinda look at each other with hearts in their eyes and a smile on their face with birds chirping and flying around their heads.  Unless, of course, one child takes another child's toy, then it's all over and divorce papers will be filed immediately.

Either way, we are going to a place with unlimited fries and really that is all that matters in the world.

Tonight, Brian and I are going on a date. (Reason number 1,239,512 not to count points)  A date, do you hear me?  Like dinner, beer and margaritas and then a movie.  We haven't been on a date since early December, even though all of the Save Your Marriage!!!!!!! books tell you to date once a month or more often, well, we find that to be a little impossible.  So, we've tucked away tonight to be alone.  (I was also inspired by this post which nudged be gently to go this weekend, so thank you to Shalee.)  Hopefully I'll have pictures of the Mister and I to share with the e-world to prove that I am married, that I have gained weight and that we did in fact get dressed and go out and were not in our pajamas at 8:30pm. 

Seen any good movies lately?  First of all, I admit that I have a fear of going to the movie theater, mainly because sitting in one spot doing nothing but looking straight ahead for two hours is painful, the thought causes me to break out in hives, but also because sitting for that long, with my hands doing nothing, typically leads me to popping chocolate and peanut butter into my mouth at a very unhealthy rate.  Screw the popcorn.  Screw the soda (or pop, if you live in my area).  Bring on the chocolate.  But in an effort to do something different besides going to Wal-Mart on a Friday night, we thought a movie would be divine.  So, what are we going to see?   I'm not sure.  I don't want to see Blades of Glory with Will Ferrell, and I don't want to be scared, and I love Don Cheadle, I love him so much that if I were to meet him I would stuff him into my purse, take him home and make him live in my basement.  So, that leads me to Reign Over Me.  My only resignation is that Adam Sandler is in it, as a serious actor, and well that is frightening, but I'll just pop a glance over at Mr. Cheadle and I'll be just fine.    

And for those of you who are wanting to join my weight loss journey with me, first of all, thank you and welcome, secondly I am working on a little project that most certainly will help me along and hopefully you, too.  Things should be ready in 1-2 weeks, yip.pee.  You have your warning, eat up that box of Ding Dongs and get ready.

If these walls could talk

If these walls could talk they would tell you that I am consciously eating too much.
If these walls could talk they would tell you that I have truly gained almost five solid pounds.
If these walls could talk they would tell you I feel like that's not a big deal, but I know it's the beginning of the end of my weight loss and maintenance.
If these walls could talk they would tell you I wish for that girl last year who was so determined to lose weight and eat healthy, the same girl who would never have eaten a chocolate zinger at 10:30 in the morning...and another one at noon.
If these walls could talk they would tell you I am still paying for a gym membership and paying for Weight Watchers on-line.  Every.single.month.
If these walls could talk they would tell you that my once measured 1 ounce of Baked Doritos has turned into a massive pile on her plate, and then digging into the bag for more when the pile has been eaten.
If these walls could talk they would tell you that my "newish" jeans fit much better after wearing them for a day or two. or three.
If these walls could talk they would tell you that with every bite I shouldn't take...I shame myself I little bit more.
If these walls could talk they would tell you that nothing feels better than weight loss, I know that, but the food won't.stop.entering.my.mouth.
If these walls could talk they would tell you how badly I don't want to look like this again:

If these walls could talk they would tell you how much I dread counting points again, but I will, I promise. 
Right after this zinger.

It's up to me to begin this journey again, and friends, you are going with me.  I will hit my goal, once again.

Works for Me Wednesday

You know those days where you are running errands and you become hungry and wish you had a snack?  And instead of a snack, you stop at McDonald's and get a chocolate shake to hold you over until you get home?  I have discovered THE GREATEST snack to keep in your car.  AND it's low in fat, just 2 points for you Weight Watchers participants.  (by the way, chocolate shakes are 13 points.)  I'm sure you're all familiar with the Nabisco brand 100 calorie packs, they have now introduced 100 Calorie granola bars in Chips Ahoy and Oreo flavors and they are good!  (I personally like the Chips Ahoy one better, but they are both tastey!)  Enjoy and don't feel guilty!  (P.S.  They also come in Nutter Butter flavor, but I have not tried that one, yet.)
For more WFMW--Click here!

If Kirstie Alley can do it.

Y'all remember when Kirstie showed up on Oprah in a bathing suit?  Well, this may be the only time she has inspired me to anything.

I took pictures of myself in my bathing suit, my FOURTEEN DOLLAR Wal-Mart suit.  And I'm going to share them with you.  Gutsy, no?  I just thought, if I'm going to be in front of the actual public, why not share with the people who have read and encouraged through the whole "bathing suit" dilemma.  If anyone had told me one year ago (and 188 pounds) that I would be posting a picture of myself on the internet wearing a bathing suit, I would have laughed...for months .
                        
Just a few things:
1.  Michelle, unfortunately, the price of the suit, was the sale price.  Originally they cost over $70.

2.  Lynette, when I said OxiClean, I meant for clothes.  I would not recommend that on your face.  (I think I spelled it with a "y" last night)

3.  I cropped my head off the picture because I was too scary, it was pre-shower, pre-contacts, pre-hairwashing.  I wanted you guys to stick around, so I cut my head off.

So, GET THIS.

Remember that post...a few days ago, where I talked about my weight and not being able to find a bathing suit?  Well, I didn't tell you that at Kohl's they did have these belly reducing bathing suits, called TrimShapers, and they're a great idea and everything, but trying to pull one up around your "JellyBelly" can be a bit tricky, perhaps with Crisco it would be easier, BUT I'm not saying it's a bad idea, because, believe me, I would have purchased one, but these bad boys are FIFTY EIGHT DOLLARS.  I don't spend FIFTY EIGHT DOLLARS on shoes or jeans or sex, so why would I spend FIFTY EIGHT DOLLARS when I don't even know how to swim?  (leave me alone, get over it, I never learned to swim.)  Anyway, I considered talking to Brian about taking out a 2nd mortgage on our home to help pay for this swimsuit, but I figured I could wear a pretty sheet with rope tied around me, if need be.  BUT.  I took the kids to Wal-Mart yesterday and I happened upon bathing suits and would you believe they had the prettiest black bathing suit I have ever seen?  There were no silver rings in between the boobs and it didn't have rope or electric blue stripes with gold trim.  Just black.  Just plain.  Just the way I like it.  I took it home, tried it on and it was the best I have looked in a bathing suit in years.  All for FOURTEEN DOLLARS.   (now, please be aware that the price of FOURTEEN DOLLARS could very well have made the swimsuit SEEM even prettier on me that it actually was...but that is a risk I am more than willing to take.)
(by the way, the pictures of women in their bathing suits on this post, are women who are wearing the TrimShapers bathing suits.  I don't think they need TrimShaper suits.  cuz you know, they ain't got no jelly bellies.)

On a non-bathing suit front.  Racecar is doing famously with potty training, no pee mistakes in almost 10 days, except he has been pooping all over the house.  kinda like living with a horse.  Our biggest concern is going to DisneyWorld with The Boy Who Poops Anywhere But In The Toilet.  Should we bring a pooper scooper and a shopping bag?  Do we pray extra hard upon entering the park in hopes that he doesn't have the urge to have a bowel movement.  Do we only feed him bananas, milk and cheese?

Well, last night, while I was away at my Mommy's Group, the boy FINALLY pooped in the toilet.  It was exciting.  Even more exciting?  He pooped in there twice today.  Could it be?  Could we be done with diapers???  Oh my word, it's so exciting.  What's more exciting is not having to use the word poop in an entry anymore, wouldn't that be nice?

Oh and speaking of poop.  I had another Caramel Mocha from Starbucks, you know, CARAMEL + CHOCOLATE + COFFEE.  And I didn't poop afterwards.  SUCCESS.

I don't even want to talk about. But I'm going to anyway.

It's ironic that tomorrow is Fat Tuesday.  Which means today is Fat Tuesday Eve.  How freakin' appropriate.

Today started out depressing and ended up depressing and now I want to roll around in chocolate chips cookies and pizza rolls, but I won't because then I would have to clean it up.

This morning, I went in for my Monthly Weight Watcher Weigh-In.  For my new readers out there, I joined Weight Watchers on February 8th, 2006, and on that day, a very strong willed girl entered my body and vowed to lose weight and to never cheat and to start working out.  I lost 32 lbs in four months.  After four months, I met my goal and I have maintained my wait since June of last year.  I love the fact that I lost this weight, nothing feels better than to walk into a store and see something and buy it and love it.  Nothing feels better than to see a picture of yourself and like it and nothing feels better than seeing yourself fat and thinking, "I did something about it."  I go every month to be weighed and I must be within 2 lbs of my goal weighed to be considered at goal weight.  If I'm not at my goal weight, or within 2 lbs of that weight...I have to pay 12 BUCKS.

Well, let's just say I'm 12 bucks poorer.  (I missed it by one pound.)  And man, does that get my goat.  I was very surprised and very irritated.  What was even more irritating was the girl who told me the bad news.  She kept saying "I'm sorry, I'm SO sorry."  It was all I could do to keep myself from stuffing a points calculator into her mouth and walk away.  But, I didn't.  AND, she said "weren't you going to start working with us??"  (WW had offered me a job last summer, I turned them down because I don't have anyone to watch my kids and they pay SO TERRIBLY I would LOSE money to pay a sitter.)  I said "well, yeah, I considered it, but...look, I'm weighing in with my kids.  Kinda says it all, " I said while pointing at my kids trying to step on the scales.   She agreed and I'm pretty sure she said "bye Fat Ass" but maybe that was my paranoia. 

So, I went and paid Sheila 12 DOLLARS and all I could think about was how many Oatmeal Creme Pies 12 DOLLARS would buy me.  (144) So, I hung my head in shame, looking down at my dirty yoga pants and I swear I could hear snickering.  But again, paranoia.

THEN, THEN!  To make matters worse.  I went swimsuit shopping tonight.  Holy Mary Mother of All That is Good in This World.   WHY DON'T THEY MAKE BATHING SUITS TO FIT PEOPLE WITH FLOPPY STOMACHS??  WHY WHY WHY?  I want to start a bathing suit line called "Jelly Bellies.  For Moms with too much skin."   Because, seriously, I want to lay in a ball and cry now.  But I won't.  I do feel discouraged, but it's okay.  Who cares that I'm going to Florida next week and can't spend time in a pool, I'll just lounge around the pool with my yoga pants rolled up to my thighs.   

While eating an Oatmeal Creme Pie.

Recipe Review

Well, I made my goal.  I've shared 3 new recipes in the month of January.  How very kind of me.  I made Parmesan-Crusted Chicken last night.  Unfortunately, I have no idea how it tasted because I can not taste or smell anything.  The fact that I even made dinner was out of complete devotion to all of you.  I love you, you know?  Oh, and I love my husband, too.  I love that he wanted to know if I wanted to take a picture of the food before cleaning up dinner.  I did not, because, I didn't care.  Because I'm sick.  bleh
Here's a stock photo for you, though, and the recipe.  Brian gave it 3 stars.  I can grade it on how easy it was to prepare...it was easy.  HOWEVER, I must tell you that I did not make the cream sauce because I did not have another can of chicken broth.  I was pretty disappointed, but got over it quickly.  (oh and I only buy Whole Grain Ritz, and they worked just fine.)

PARMESAN-CRUSTED CHICKEN WITH CREAM SAUCE
(this is a light recipe, by Kraft Foods Healthy Living, one serving is 9 points with the rice, not bad.)

2 cups MINUTE Brown Rice, uncooked

1 can (14 oz.) fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth, divided

6 RITZ Crackers, finely crushed

2 Tbsp. KRAFT 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese

4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1 lb.)

2 tsp. oil

1/3 cup PHILADELPHIA Chive & Onion Light Cream Cheese Spread

3/4 lb. asparagus spears, trimmed, steamed

COOK rice as directed on package, using 1-1/4 cups of the broth and 1/2 cup water.

MEANWHILE, mix cracker crumbs and Parmesan cheese on plate. Rinse chicken with cold water; gently shake off excess water. Dip chicken in crumb mixture, turning over to evenly coat both sides of each chicken breast with the crumb mixture.

HEAT oil in large nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add chicken; cook 5 to 6 min. on each side or until golden brown on both sides and cooked through (170°F). Place chicken on serving plate; cover to keep warm. Add remaining 1/2 cup broth and the cream cheese spread to same skillet. Cook on medium heat until mixture just comes to boil, stirring constantly. Simmer 3 min. or until sauce is thickened, stirring frequently. Spoon sauce over chicken. Serve with the rice.

24 *UPDATED*

Apparently, I need to start watching 24.  Like. Now.  Every site I go to, okay, almost every site is about 24.  I think I saw the first episode ever and I haven't watched it since.  But I should, right?  Like. Now.  Right?  Oh and apparently Jack Bauer is totally awesome.  Right?  That's what I've heard.  It's crazy that I even know the man's name.  (that is his name, right?)  I did say I wanted to watch more TV when I listed my goals for 2007, right?  And 24 should be on the list, right?  Okay, I'll start.  Soon.  Maybe in March. 

Speaking of my goals.  My purse is still a total disaster area, full of receipts.  Ridiculous.  How do you people do it?  How do men not have purses, where do they put their receipts?  Oh, you're right.  They put them right on the kitchen counter, or on the living floor and sometimes in the bathroom.  Of course, they do.   That and they really don't do any of the shopping, well, sometimes. 

Also on my list of goals:  Turning 30 gracefully.  I'm really going to try, but as the date approaches I keep remembering how much I enjoyed my twenties.  Getting married.  Living in a high rise in Chicago.  Sleeping.  Resting.  Watching TV.  Having children.  Buying our home.  You have to admit, the twenties were good.  Here's hoping my thirties will be better.

This afternoon I am taking Noah to the doctor because he says his ears hurt.  He's been saying it for awhile, but because he exhibits no other symptoms of an ear infection I've been reluctant to waste another $20 take him in.  But, it's been almost 2 weeks, so it's time.  Nothing like taking two toddlers to the doctor's office.  I could almost pee myself with this excitement I am feeling.

Oh and one other thing.  EAT EAT EAT EAT EAT EAT EAT.  I can't stop eating today.  Maybe it's because I've had at least 2 pieces of birthday cake everyday since Saturday, but I'm going to Florida in a month and I need to stop this eating.  On Friday.

*Noah does, in fact, have an ear infection.

As promised...

A new recipe, just for you.

I discovered this recipe on the Weight Watcher's website.  It caught my eye for 3 reasons:
1.  It's a mexican dish, which I love
2.  It has black beans in it, which I love
3.  It's in a series called "Cook Once, Eat All Week" which I like

The recipe said the prep time was 20 minutes, it took longer than that, so we ate late, which was irritating.  Using the ingredients below, it's 6 pts/serving.  I added a little more cheese on top than the cup they told me use.  (about 1.5 cups)

I give it 3 out of 5 stars. 

Layered Mexican Chicken
1 spray olive oil cooking spray
2 lbs uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast
30 oz canned black beans, rinsed and drained
3 cups fat-free sour cream
2 cups shredded reduced fat Monterey Jack Cheese or mexican style blend
8 oz chopped green chilies (2 4 oz cans)
2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp black pepper
12 medium corn tortillas, cut into 2 inch strips
1 cup salsa, mild, medium or hot

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Coat a lasagna pan with cooking spray.

Place chicken in medium saucepan and fill with enough cold water just to cover chicken.  Set pan over high heat and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to medium and simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes; drain.  When chicken is cool enough to handle, cut into 1 inch pieces.

Transfer chicken to a large bowl, add beans, sour cream, 1 cup of shredded cheese, chilies, cumin and pepper; mix well and set aside.

Arrange half of tortillas in bottom of prepared lasagna pan, overlapping pieces to cover surface.  Top tortillas with half of chicken mixture, layer with remaining tortillas and then top with remaining chicken mixture.  Sprinkle with remaining cup of cheese.

Bake until filling is bubbly and cheese is melted, about 30 minutes.  Let stand 5 minutes before slicing in 12 pieces.  Serve with salsa on the side.