Today's Weight Update

Feel free to skip these posts folks, I promise to put something about weight in the title. I need to post them to make myself accountable to me.

Eating: Great, within points even before exercise
Exercise: No walk due to the rain and Brian early to bed. (Starting at 5am sucks!)
25 pushups (sore after yesterday)
30 minutes yoga video

Time for an ugly reality check...

I weight 230 lbs. I can't believe I let it creep back up that high. And I can't let it continue, I have to send it in the opposite direction. So I'm going to go public, and try to make myself accountable, publicly. I need to stop procrastinating because my arm chair is so comfy and the heating pad feels good on my back. I need to stop snacking from the vending machine at work. If I pack healthy snacks, I eat them. I *LIKE* healthy food. I'm just too lazy. The plan is to pay more attention to what I'm eating and why I'm eating it, to have healthier snacks on hand, and to do something in the way of exercise for a minimum of 15 minutes/day. Weigh ins will be ~ once/week as I remember to do them. I always start out strong but lose steam. If I'm doing well and manage the exercise up every day for the next two weeks, I'm going to sign up for the online Weight Watchers tools. I know I do well when I have the geekiness of tracking online each and every time I eat. I know I can do it, all I need is the motivation...

Today's Report:
Food: So-so. No snacking from the vending machine, but hotdogs for dinner. No evening snacks though!
Exercise: 50 pushups, 20 crunches and a 1 mile walk with Brian

Extermicake! Extermicake!

DSCN0796
Originally uploaded by Heather Eberhardt

Brian's Unbirthday party was Saturday night, and this was his cake... :)

March Monthly Report (only a *little* late)

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?
First three Valdemar books (How did I miss these?)
Two trashies
One SF about what would happen if there were no petro based products
(title completely escaping me)

What movies and/or tv shows did I watch this month?
TV: Usual silly forensics shows, Doctor Who Easter special, Castle, Dollhouse
Movies: Monsters Vs Aliens, Coraline

What special days did I celebrate and how?
Nothing too special, but Brian's birthday is coming.

What gifts did I give and/or receive?
None

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?
Ear/throat/sinus infection for me as well as another migrane, and the
increase in frequency of them is starting to concern me.

What fun things did I do with my friends and/or family?
Ruth and Dave came down from NH and brought 7 month old Ben for us to
ooh and ahh over. We had friends over for BBQ that turned into
lasagna because of the weather. Becca came and visited for part of
her March Break.

What new foods, recipes or restaurants did I try this month?
Rice pudding (and ICK, the texture is as bad as I was always afraid it
would be. Gag!)

What special or unusual purchases did I make?
None, we're trying to save money

What were this month's disappointments?
Traffic court (over a bad parking ticket) was pushed back into May. I
want it done with already.
Springhill Nurseries sending me three trees (which I can't plant)
instead of the 75 Stargazer Lily bulbs I'd ordered. And telling me
they couldn't send me the bulbs now but would do so spring of 2010.
No, you'll be giving me my money back, now.

What were my accomplishments this month?
Gathered all the paperwork to sue the old landlords to get our deposit back!
Brian survived his 6 weeks of hellish hours and horrid commutes
training staff for two new restaurant openings.

Anything else noteworthy to record?
Not really. I finally started stitching again a little, so I suppose
that would count.

What made me smile this month?
Baby toes! Nom nom nom nom
Becca!
Booking Disney for September

Quiet Sunday

Brian has his first day off in two weeks. He's just finished his six week stint of training staff for two new restaurant openings. So we're having a quiet day and it's wonderful. We went out and dealt with some bank stuff, shopped for BBQ's (looking for recommendations on gas ones <$250) for Brian's birthday, grabbed groceries and necessities and had lunch out. We're home now and watching today's Formula One race. Taking it easy and not even making Brian get a start on his honey do list. The sun is shining and it's gorgeous out. I even let Percy go out for the first time on his new harness. He didn't fight too badly getting into the harness, but he's going to require a lot of supervision. Idiot still tried to choke himself with it.

Yesterday was spent with Michelle and Dina. Michelle is going to be moving in the next month (or so) so we finally got her to come out and see the various apartment/townhouse options in the area here. She found one that's fabulous and I expect she'll take it Monday morning. We spent hours just being girls, hanging out and gabbing. It was so much fun. Next weekend we'll have Ruth and Dave and their 7 month old Ben coming to stay with us and I'm really excited about it. We had a great time with them last year, so we're planning a BBQ again this year. (And that's why I'm looking to buy Brian's present early.)

Random Photo Explosion...

This is my gateleg table out in the snow at the new place.
And this was taken before the snow finished falling...


This is a shot of the desk in my new craft room!


And since I now have a craft room, I'm actually (sometimes) making time to stitch! This is a shot of Fantasy Triptych. Colours are horribly washed out, but you get the idea... If I actually make time to stitch this weekend, I think I'll have everything done up to the bottom of the knight's feet...


A photo for Randi and certain other gamers (inside joke...).
Does that reindeer look scared to you?


As promised, this is the photo of my favourite Valentine's Day gift ever.
Even if I bought it for myself! :)
I've been doing my laundry in a laundromat since I was a teenager, so this is proving to be a huge luxury to me.


And finally, I met Bully!

Spew Warning!

Isn't there supposed to be an upside to behaving like an adult?

I got up early and went into work early so I could leave *on time* for
a date with hubby to go to the movies.
There was a bad crash on the LIE that closed three lanes.
I got home too late for the date...
(But in a count my blessings way, I did get home safe and sound!)

I was good and did three hours of housework this evening.
Unpacked a lot of boxes, vacuumed both floors, made a great, healthy
dinner *and* did two loads of laundry.
I wanted chocolate so I pulled open the chocolate drawer in the
fridge, and then spent 20 minutes organizing it better without
actually eating any actual chocolate (or other treats).
Then cut my leg pretty significantly while trying to load the dishwasher.
(Don't ask, just remember, I *am* that klutzy...)

We decided to do the financially responsible thing and skip several
events that have non-minor costs involved this year.
And a whole lot that do have minor costs.
I'm okay with that decision, and know it's the right one.
Even if I've just discovered that great friends we never see are going
to be at one of them.
But we're trying to do the right thing.
With all the cutting back, saving and Brian working extra hours, we've
paid off over $3000 on the credit card so far this year.
The credit card company just cut our limit by $2850
(And WTF $2850? Could it have been a more random amount?)

To end on a positive note, here are three things that make me happy:
1) Spring bulbs lead to fabulous flowers (one splurge before the
responsible gene kicked in, I've got 75 Stargazer Lily bulbs coming my
way, they shipped over the weekend! Wohoo!)
2) Reconnecting with old friends through the wonders of the internet
3) My heating pad-adapted chair. After all the bending, stretching
and reaching, little feels as good as to curl up in my chair with the
heat on!

Holy Shit!

Am I ever extra glad we moved...

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/suffolk/ny-lifire0305,0,7360795.story

This is the complex we moved out of last month...

SNOOOOOOWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!

Wow, did we get snow. 15 inches of it! And just Friday I'd been hearing Becca complain about all their snow and telling her she could send it my way! Needless to say, I'm happy about it. Not so happy about having to shovel the driveway myself, four times over the course of the storm, but I'll live! I've got photos but still haven't unpacked the cable to get them off the card. Rest assured, once I do, I'll be posting a ton of photos! We've had visitors at the new place already, and I need to post photos of said new place! Also, I want to show off my Valentine's gift. Favourite one ever!

Reminder to stupid children

I don't care if you can't be bothered to actually work with the sash
down on the fume hood.
I get that you're tall and it irritates you.
I get that the alarm tone doesn't give you headaches like it does me.
But if you're leaving the lab, shut the fing hood already.
And when I politely remind you as safety commitee member that you
should, don't all but tell me to f myself using gestures.

Love,
Me

The right way to start the day

I pulled into the parking lot at work this morning after a
particularly rough morning.
And saw the most gorgeous rainbow in the sky over the building.
It changed my whole outlook for the day in the most wonderful way.

mutter mutter, grumble, grumble

Stupid drivers who don't know how to safely drive in snow.

Stupid plow drivers who only plow down the middle of two lanes of
traffic. On one of the busiest roads in the region.

Stupid car that wouldn't start after I'd cleaned it off.

Stupid Cablevision that still hasn't fixed my phone so I had to call
Hyundai on my cell.

Silly husband (silly, not stupid) who caused the problem with the car
so it wouldn't start.

Stupid me for not just staying in bed! :P

But now I'm at work, safe, sound and warm. And grateful for all three.

Squeeee!

We got the new place!
Wheeeee!
Oh crap...
That means we move in ~ 3 weeks...

Something that makes me smile a LOT!

2008 in Review

1. Where did you begin 2008?

At home, sound asleep, fighting con-ick.



2. What was your status by Valentines Day?

Same as the last 13 years. Happily married.



3. Were you in school anytime this year?

No. Would have liked to though.



4. Did you have to go to the hospital?

No, a rare year for me! I like that!



5. Did you have any encounters with the police?

Yes, several! They were very curious about my smart car.



6. Where did you go on vacation?

Disneyworld for 8 days!



7. What did you purchase that was over £100?

2 cars! (My smart, which I sold, and the Elantra to replace it!) Does $1300 in car maintenance on the old Elantra count?



8. Did you know anybody who got married?

No.



9. Did you know anybody who passed away?

Yes.



10. Did you move anywhere?

No. Soon, but not until 2009.



11. What sporting events did you attend?

None that come immediately to mind.


12. What concerts/shows did you go to?

Brad Sherwood and Colin Mochrie, Curtains, MacBeth (Patrick Stewart!). I'm sure I'm forgetting at least one...

13. Describe your birthday.

Spent gaming with friends and then a quiet dinner and a movie with Brian.



14. What is the ONE thing you thought you would not do, but did, in 2008?

Make it to the annual microscopy conference. Finally it was approved!

 For 2009 I'm hoping to buy an SEM...

15. What have been your favourite moments?

Hanging out with friends and relaxing. Brian's birthday weekend with Ruth and Dave (and Michelle for BBQ) in particular come to mind.



16. Any new additions to your family?

Nope, but two new nephews late in 2007...



17. What was your best month?

September. And also the worst in some ways...



18. Who has been your best drinking buddy?

I think I'd have to drink to have a drinking buddy, wouldn't I? I'm not opposed to drinking per se, I just have a choice between alcohol and my arthritis drugs. I prefer to walk...



19. Made new friends?

Yes. Michelle in particular!



20. Favourite Night out?

MacBeth



21. Other than home, where did you spend most of your time?

Stuck in my lab at work, I guess.



22. Have you lost any friends this year?

One online friend, but it was expected.

 Cancer sucks!

23. Change your hairstyle?

Nope, growing it out to donate it again next spring.



24. Have any car accidents?

No!!



25. How old did you turn this year?

34 last week!



26. Do you have a New Years resolution?

No, I don't generally make them.



27. Do anything embarrassing?

Do you really think I'd admit it here?



28. Buy anything from eBay?

Several things. Nothing truly fabulous, mostly things I didn't want to get ripped off for to buy locally. (Cables etc.)



29. Get married or divorced?

No, Brian hasn't totally lost all ability to tolerate me yet.



30. Get hit on?

Yes, strangely enough. Even with Brian standing beside me...



31. Been snowboarding?

Never.



32. Did you get sick this year?

Yes, a number of times. And threw my back out in March for two weeks off work. Not how I wanted to spend two weeks off...



33. Are you happy to see 2008 go?

Not really. It's been a pretty good year overall, even with some problems. 



34. Been naughty or nice?

Again, do you really think I'll answer this here?



35. What are you looking forward to most in 2009?

Moving away from these damned squirrels!

Sexy Geek!

Your result for The Are you a SEXY geek test...

The Hip Nerd

53% Sexy!

You are one of those rare geeks that has style! You march to the beat of your own drummer, You enjoy the geeky things in life, but you can mingle in any crowd. As the geek. You definitely love your sci-fi and computers, probably a bit TOO much, but you also know when to put it on the shelf. Supermodels may be out of your league, but you have enough style to date. And you can always download the supermodels later when you get home.

Take The Are you a SEXY geek test at HelloQuizzy

Funny, I expected Tosh...

Which Torchwood Character Are You? Your Result: Gwen Cooper   You most resemble the team's second-in-command and ex-police officer. Empathetic and stubborn, you tend to grab the bull by its horns and have difficulty admitting when you're wrong, though you always mean well. You are inconsistent in your relationships, wanting stability but also craving drama, and sometimes end up putting yourself first.
Ianto Jones
Toshiko Sato
Captain Jack Harkness
Owen Harper
Which Torchwood Character Are You? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

A partial update

Remember way back when we had that squirrel in the kitchen?

He came back in September. And brought a whole bunch of friends. They decided the attic space above our apartment would be a great place to shelter over the winter in and made themselves at home. We notified the new landlord as soon as this happened and told them it had been a problem in the past and would need to be dealt with ASAP. So about 3 weeks later they brought an exterminator in. The same initially ineffective one as last time. Who put traps out and then said they ignored the traps and there was nothing else he could do. Cue same repeat this year. And nothing further from the new landlords.

Do you have any idea how much noise a family (or whole clan from the sounds of it) of squirrels can make? Besides the requisite scratching sounds, we've discovered that apparently we're infested by clumsy squirrels who frequently drop their nuts, which then roll all across the attic floor. Surprisingly loudly. Also, apparently 3:30am is when the Squirrel Fight Club meets... At this point, neither Brian nor I are sure we've slept through the night without drugging ourself since we got back from Walt Disney World. In September. The accumulated sleep deficit is definitely affecting both of us.


So in November we sent the landlords politely asking for a written plan of how they plan on dealing with the squirrels. And they completely ignored it. Not even a phone call. No response at all.

Last Thursday they were sent (registered, signed receipt required) the notification that we intend on breaking our lease due to their lack of maintaining a habitable apartment. So now we wait (at least a little while) to see if they're going to contest it. And if not, we're out of here as of Feb. 15th. Although we don't normally celebrate it, S. Valentine's Day will be a special celebration for us this year!


So that's the short version of what's been going on lately with us. We've been getting all our ducks in a row to do this. And finding a new place to live. We've pretty much decided on where we want to go. It'll be a much longer drive for both of us, but it's worth it in trade off. Assuming we get it, it'll be a two bedroom townhouse with a garage and a back yard!

Oh My God!

WANT!
Want, want, want!
WANT!!!