Life Bulleted

• Las Vegas is not for a pregnant lady with gestational diabetes
• Life will go smoothly until you return home; then child reverts to poor sleeping habits and crankiness
• Mini eggs are even more tempting after Easter, when they are on sale and a diabetic no-no; so are creme eggs
• Apparently corona (or any other alcohol) is an acceptable form of breakfast in Las Vegas
• Preparing for the vacation always takes longer than adjusting back to regular life
• Even though it feels like your belly can not get any bigger... it always finds a way to surprise you, making you feel even more hippo-tastic
• Three days of 80 degree weather have quenched any desire for a warm summer. Please keep it to the 70's and everyone around me will be better off
• Outlet shopping is never as fun when you are pregnant
• May 23 can't come soon enough, yet at the same time I don't want it to ever come
• Hiring a personal grocery shopper might not be a bad idea
• Chocolate cheerios and fresh raspberries are awesome for breakfast or any time of day
• GD I rue the fact that I must live with you and not enjoy chocolate milk, ice cream, key lime pie and all other forms of sugary goodness (chocolate cheerios and raspberries included)

Thoughts on a Tuesday Night

Here I sit wishing I had picture in picture in picture in picture. Or at a least a DVR capable of taping 3 shows while I watch a fourth. Man did we pick the wrong time to take the second DVR back.

So I can no longer watch the Canada-Germany qualification game. Thankfully Canada was up 4-1 when the DVR kicked on it's second taping, making me miss the third period. And I can always check the score online since NBC deems it necessary to relegate all hockey games of the Olympics to MSNBC or CNBC. Really NBC? Come on.

Speaking of Olympics, I also had to miss watching the women's skicross. Man is that sport insane. What is lacking in your life to make you choose this as your sport? I don't know, but I hope I never find out. To top it off Canada won the gold and I didn't get to see it!!

It's all worth it though since Lost is taping and we all know my obsession with Lost.

However, spending my time watching American Idol whilst waiting for Mark to maybe be home in time to watch Lost has brought some thoughts to my mind. Will you let me share them with you?

1) Leggings and all forms of the "pant" - I'm talking to you jeggings - need to die, and do it quickly and quietly.

2) Didn't we already have a rebirth of 80's fashion a few years ago? Were the contestants not told about this? Or are they hoping to somehow keep it alive? While I am a larger than life fan of 80's music, the fashion should never be reproduced.

3) Idol should NEVER be watched live.

4) Once Idol hits the voting stage, why are there judges? It's not like they make a difference anyway. Unless they give them that judges save card again this season.

5) Randy should really be the judge that gets replaced. I'm not sure his comments contain enough nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc., to make up a proper, understandable sentence.

6) Kara reminds me of my friend and that's all I can think about when I see her.

7) Why people insist on singing songs by "Divas" and legends is beyond me. If you were as good as Whitney, Mariah, Madonna, Heart...would you be on Idol?

and lastly (and having absolutely nothing to do with Idol or Fox);

8) INXS is still my all-time favourite band. I don't listen to a lot of music these days and when I do, it's usually in the car for a short period of time. Lately I have come across a lot of INXS being played and it just reminds me of how good they were and how good they still are (minus lead singer issues). People might want to label them as an 80's band because that's when they had their big success, but take a listen. Those songs are timeless. It could be released today and would still be a hit. The two INXS concerts I saw while Michael Hutchence was alive were amazing. Anyway, if you're not too familiar with INXS, do yourself a favour and check out some of their songs, videos, concert footage...you won't be disappointed. For those of you who are familiar with them, do yourself a favour and revisit some songs. They just make you feel good!

My Two Cents

Google Reader.

Do you use it? I do and I am having mixed feelings about it. While it makes blog surfing extraordinarily easy, it makes me feel lazy. I used to leave comments most of the time I visited friends blogs, now...it's rare. All thanks to Google Reader. Is it really that hard to click and be taken to the actual blog so that I can leave a comment? No. Do I? Not usually. While it surely makes it handy for checking blogs, I no longer have to devote more than a minute or so to see what's new as opposed to clicking through every public blog I read. I know the sole purpose of blogging is not to have comments left, but as a blogger, don't you like getting comments? I know I do. It's not the only reason I blog, but I think there is a part of everyone who posts that wants to see comments, no matter what their blog topic is for that day.

So tell me, does Google Reader make it easier or harder for you to comment? Do you only comment when it's a really important blog, earth shattering news or whenever it strikes your fancy? What is the proper blog comment etiquette, do we have to leave a comment at every post we read to let that person know we were there?

I should definitely comment more... so to those whose blogs I read, I do read them I promise, and I will try and be better about leaving comments, even if you don't want me to!!

Looking Ahead

I wish I had something exciting to say kids, but I don't.

I've been trying to come up with something witty, thought provoking, even something mildly amusing, but I've had no luck. Many posts have been started and deleted...I just want to update my blog so I don't have to see that last post. So I guess I will just give you a here's to list:

Here's to:

new shows this week

25 days until Christmas

no snow in MN yet

shopping without the wee one in tow

family members to entertain said wee one

online shopping

Christmas candy

cookie exchanges

shortened upcoming church services

Costco

Christmas lights and wreaths up on my house

a hubby who puts them up for me

Nanaimo bars - oh how I can not wait for you!!!

appetizers on Christmas Eve

watching T on Christmas morning

Christmas tree shopping next week (yes Mark, next week)

no more work travel for Mark this year

holiday dresses

candy cane kisses (and mint and cherry cordial)

going to the 'Peg for the holidays this year

Music Makes the World Go Round

As I embarked on my (hopefully) daily exercise regime today, I noticed something. I'm not sure what this say about me, but I found it interesting.

Since I have been exercising in the basement, I no longer have a TV to keep me entertained, and I have found it difficult to read while I run (yes run, sometimes interspersed with walking, well walking interspersed with running actually), so I have confiscated the iPod from Mark to help the time pass as I slowly die in the basement. Yesterday after the "run" I realized that when I choose shuffle it becomes more like fast forward due to the fact that 80% of the music on the iPod is either Mark's or T's, so I decided to make a playlist of my tunes so I didn't have to fast forward so much. Well, it turns out that even with a playlist of just my songs, I still fast forward as much (musical ADD), but I did listen to 4 songs fully. Want to know what they were? Ice Ice Baby, Blue Monday '88, Come On Over, and (And That's The) Way It Is. During my cool down walk Dirrty came on, so of course I had to speed up for that, and when I was seconds from being finished I had to run again because I Believe In A Thing Called Love came on and who can cool down walk to that!? Not I sir.

I am glad that I am in the basement and not at the gym because I fully believe I look like a dork as I sweat, rocking out, dancewalking, to Kylie Minogue's Love At First Sight, with my wrist weights on (who knew wrists could sweat by the way??), but there's no mirror in my basement, so dancewalk I will!!

I've stropped with my little weekly check ins...they didn't seem to do too much for me other than serve as I reminder of what I hadn't done, but since I have started exercising at home, I think I am doing better. Last week I exercised four days, in addition to park play and walks. This week I have the goal of 5 days...2 down, 3 to go. Of course, then T and I leave for 2 weeks so I am sure it will all go to pot while we're gone, but we'll just focus on the present for the time being. Now if only I hadn't bought those chocolate covered pomegranate things from Costco. They're not as good as I had hoped they would be, but they're still good. Must refrain.

Random Rants and Raves

Ok, I don't know about you, but I can't look at that bear bum anymore. :o)

Anyone out there had those Fiber One bars? Or at least seen the ads? The latest one has a guy coming back 4 or 5 times, in disguise, to steal more samples. We used to buy them all the time, because they are actually quite tasty, however, the ads neglect to inform you of one small side effect. Gas. Flatulence. Farts. Whatever you want to call it, you get it. And, if you are like some people in this household and decide to eat more than 1 in a day (like 3)....well, just ask Mark what happens if you want the specifics.

Growing up, I loved to watch You Can't Do That on Television. It was awesome TV. Alanis Morissette used to be on the show! Well, Tuesday, Barth died. He was awesome, but so gross at the same time. An integral part of the show. Where is TV like that these days? YCDTOT and Degrassi...all the good TV comes out of Canada!

I am trying to find some sort of decor to put in the bathroom now that it has a sparkly new paint job, but what do you hang on bathroom walls?? It's been harder than I thought, or maybe I am just thinking too hard about this. Anyone have any good bathroom decorating tips/ideas?

HBO's new show is ri.DIC.u.lous. And yes that was intended. Is there really no other worthy topics out there to base a show on, this is what's left? Granted, I've never watched an episode, but I really don't want to, and why would I?

SYTYCD this season just seems to be missing something from seasons past. There's no personality this time around. The dancers are great, but they all just seem to mix together and no one really seems to stand out. And this last episode, the 100th? Lame. Were those encore routines even done live? Doubtful seeing as they never spoke to the dancers. Or maybe they were live and they just wanted to give more time to the spectacular Katie Holmes number. Lame-O. Definitely not live. Definitely lip synced. Massively Lame-O. It was fun to see Wade (Pink Elephants on Parade) Robson step in with the kids for a number though.

How is it impossible that I can't find a cute pair of sandals when I live a mile away from DSW? I have been searching for 2 months now...guess I will wait until next summer.

I finally got this shirt from Express that I have wanted for months and months...and I love it. Only, it's in green and I got a discount because the seam on the zipper had ripped (2 minute fix). I wish I could wear it every day.

Oh, and stay tuned. We're going to get Mark his own little platform for all of his politics, sports, jokes, stories and anything else he can offend with! You won't want to miss this.

Until then kids...enjoy the weekend!

Third Times a Charm

Week 3

Got to the gym three times! Woohoo! Only because the folks were down and I could go first thing in the morning. It was nice starting the day that way, but now we're back to evenings and forcing myself that it's worth it.

Food wise was okay. I only had fries once, and I didn't even have cake/cupcakes on T's birthday celebration (don't worry, I made up for it yesterday)!

So I am still plugging away. Intending on getting to the gym 3 times this week. I made it there yesterday - 2 cupcakes means I have to go - and hoping to get there tonight. Luckily the cupcakes are gone, now I just have to get rid of the leftover lime flavoured icing in the fridge.

Not sure if I can get 5 off by next week, that would require a lot of work...if I could manage 3 before we leave for Idaho I would be happy. If I can keep it off or even lose a few while there I would be even happier!! Think I can do that Eva? Your house has no treats in it right?? Maybe I should bring my runners and gym clothes to pretend I have plans to exercise while there.

Anyway...we did hit a great burger place this past weekend. If you're ever in St Paul, check out The Nook. Great burgers, even better fries, and CHEAP. Luckily I had a salad for lunch that day!

Only like 13 more weekly updates for you to put up with - it seems just the thought of someone reading this and holding me to it sort of keeps me on track, so bear with me! It will be over soon enough. What should I reward myself when all is said and done and I've reached my goal? I'm thinking a cheesecake, brownie, fudge sauce creation from Coldstone. Oh and some new clothes!

The Beat Goes On

So I told Mark he needed to post something on here because it's been far too long since he has offended anyone, but I'm not sure he'll have the time to find a way to offend everyone (he doesn't like to leave anyone out)....so I guess we're all stuck with my ramblings.

Since it seems the only way to keep myself on track is to post my weekly doings and assume everyone is on the edge of their seat waiting to find out how the week went, here I go!!

I got to the gym twice, only ate 1 cookie all week, drank lots of water and skim milk (I know, it's pretty much water anyway), danced around the house with T (Mark wouldn't join in), walked around at the outdoor shops nearby....and tried to limit my intake at Denny's. I am happy to say that I think I have parted ways with a pound or two over the last two weeks.

This week I have made it my goal to get to the gym 3 times and I think Mark's schedule may allow for it, now just to make myself get there!! There are still no treats in the house, although that might change this weekend for the little one - everyone needs a birthday cupcake or two, right?? (Anyone have any awesome cupcake recipes they want to share?) I may still reach 10 pounds by the middle of July, although it would be nice to hit 10 by the end of next week but since I don't live at the Biggest Loser ranch I am pretty sure that won't happen without losing a limb.

Now everyone just needs to stay on my butt to make sure I get to the gym and don't make a cake or two while we are stuck inside on a rainy day!

On a different note, anyone seen any super cure sandals I should buy? I stopped by the mecca this past week and saw a couple pairs, but without a coupon to use I had to pass...perhaps one will come in the mail today? That would brighten the gloomy skies and give me a reason to procrastinate cleaning the house even longer. Visitors don't really care if your house is clean, do they?

Until then...

It's Been One Week

I never used to like the Bare Naked Ladies...but I sure do now.

Anyway that has nothing to do with anything other than the post title.

So, it has been one week of my challenge. Let's recap (for my sake).

• gym - twice (I know, I won't win a body building challenge or even an arm wrestling contest, but twice a week is my goal - an attainable goal with an 11 month old and a husband who seems to work more now than he did when we lived in NYC)
• dessert - just once, but it was one of those mini, personal ones from Famous Dave's, but I didn't eat the bun that came with my brisket sandwich and I sent most of my fries back
• one nice long fast paced walk with the kid
• no mid day cookie baking, did make some pudding, but it's the low fat low sugar jello pudding, so it doesn't count right? :o)

No huge accomplishments but it's put me in a more motivated mood for the week. So much in fact that I am contemplating getting dressed before 10 and taking the wee one for our walk this morning. AND I also told the husband to be home so I can go to the gym. We'll see if that happens though.
I did notice that it's not just the drive home from the gym....it's every where I go - to church, to the grocery store, to Target....McDonalds, DQ, Coldstone, Chipotle...it's like they're multiplying overnight when I am not looking. Trips to Target become more difficult as I walk by their food court and smell those fantastic Pizza hut bread sticks...oh how I love them, but I resist!
Anyway, there's my report...feel free to ignore it, it's not anything to gloat about but I am hoping telling the world (or the few folks who read this) will help me to stay the course and not give in when I go to Costco and buy that XXL bag of peanut M&M's and eat them for dinner. But what a fantastic dinner that would be.....
I've also been debating getting the new Wii Active - anyone tried it or know anyone who has...any thoughts on it? Worth the money? Waste of money??

Oh, and just as a side note, I've totally been kicking Mark's trash in Scrabble lately. I think we've played 10 or 12 games and I think he's won 2 or 3. So we're both thinking we're pretty good players, but maybe we're just good against each other. Anyone else play? If so, what's your typical score...we need something to gauge ourselves against.

Day One

Got off to a good start today, only ate half of a brownie at the BBQ!! I even got in a trip to the gym when we got home.

Of course they have to put a McDonald's AND a Dairy Queen right across the street from the gym...but I succeeded and drove right on home. Oh but how good a soft serve cone, or a blizzard or a chocolate dipped cone would have tasted after a day outside in the sun.

One down...many more to go.