My mom, my friend

Today is my mom's birthday and, every year, I feel like I just can't do enough to show her how much I appreciate her and the relationship we have. Even 2100 miles away, we still have the kind of relationship I know any girl would love to have with their mom. I love our marathon phone calls and the time that we do get to spend together (lots of times in a movie theatre somewhere). Some day, I'll take her to lunch or to the show on her birthday. For now, though, I guess flowers will have to do. I love you Mom! Happy Birthday!

Weigh In...

2.8 lbs down!!! Woo Hoo! And that's with three nights of going out for drinks! Brings the total weight loss to 3.6 lbs. now, that's 10% of my goal. 11 more meetings until Jamaica - bathing suit, here I come!

I am woman!

While doing ten, yes TEN, loads of laundry today, I also single-handedly put together this lovely dresser that we got at IKEA yesterday. I also took the drawers off of the wardrobes that we already had, took them apart, and put them back together so that they worked again. Thankfully, our clothes all have a place to stay now and we no longer have to force things into drawers in order to have them put away.

0.8 lbs

I finally went back to my WW meeting this past Monday to find out that I weigh a meager 0.8 lbs. less than I did when I made my resolution to lose weight back in January. As a positive, at least I hadn't gained any weight since then. I suppose that's why I need to continue to go to my meetings. I've had a pretty good week so far. We to Dave & Buster's out on Tuesday night and are going out for drinks tonight after Lindsay's show. But, accordingly to our scale this morning, I'm down 2.5 lbs. this week. I think I'm back on track!

Weight Watchers? What's that?

So, remember those 30 pounds I was talking about? Still here. I have no idea why it has been impossible for me to get and stay motivated. We are going to Jamaica three months from today. That's 12 weeks. I can lose, AT LEAST, 12 pounds in that time. I just MUST STAY MOTIVATED. The saddest part is that Mark is totally there and ready to do it but I'm the one who can't - a bit of a role reversal. As I'm sitting here typing this, I should be at my WW meeting. I've had a good couple of days though so I'm hoping to stay on this role. I drank a gallon of water today. That's a good thing. I also ate a cupcake. Not such a good thing. Like I said, though, I just need to stay on track. Wish me luck...

A Day At the Races (and then some)

In California there are three companies that supply all restaurants, bars, and stores with beer, wine, and alcohol. One of them is called "Young's Market." This past Monday, Young's hosted an event at Santa Anita Racetrack where everything was completely covered. We pulled into valet parking for no charge and were then admitted into the exclusive restaurant/bar at the track. We were able to find a table right at the finish line! They hosted a delicious buffet and an open bar. The best part was that there were representatives there from any liquor company you can think of trying to get people to serve their particular brand at their respective restaurant, bar, or store. These people were mixing drinks and giving away all KINDS of free samples. After the races (where, incidentally, we won $80) we headed to a hole-in-the-wall around the corner called "100 to 1" and then on to BJ's where we could eat again for free. Needless to say, by this point, we had consumed our fair share of adult beverages. Luckily for us, we ran into a representative from the Doubletree Suites next door. They hooked us up with a $200+ room for $39. The room was beautiful - ultra modern and trendy. We had left our car at BJ's around the corner so we looked like quite the couple walking the block and a half back in the morning with Mark in a suit and me in a dress and heels. Can you say, "Walk of Shame?" People were looking at us like we were crazy. But it was totally worth it - we had a great time! We always love being treated like the VIPs we are.

Help...

Mark and I have been invited to a 10th anniversary party for one of my girlfriends from work. It's at a trendy bowling alley - their invite said "10 pins, 10 frames, 10 years" - I thought it was pretty cute and creative. Anyway, I have no idea what to give them as a gift. Any ideas?

Woo Hoo!!!!

It's FINALLY Spring Break!!! I am so thrilled to have an agenda full of nothing to do. Well, not exactly nothing. I still have class Tuesday and Thursday night (with assignments due both days); but, Mark has 5 of the 9 days off with me and I am super excited to sleep in and not have to deal with my students, parents, and paraeducators for a few days. It's crazy that this year is already 3/4 finished. Just crazy! Time flies when you're having fun, I guess...

That's It!

On Sunday morning, I weighed in at the most I have weighed since my first endeavor with Weight Watchers back in 2002. Don't get me wrong, I haven't maxed out yet but I was heading in that direction. Mark and I both agreed that we need to get motivated again. After all, we're going to Jamaica in 3 1/2 months. So, it's on. My ultimate goal is to lose a total of 30 lbs. There it is, in writing - 30 lbs. Most recently, I'd been attending WW meetings on Monday nights but have found that it gets very hard after Mark has a weekend off since we like to out for dinner and drinks. There is a 4:00 and a 6:30 meeting on Friday afternoons so I'm going to start going to one of those. Wish me luck and please bear with me as I continue along this path of lifelong struggle with my waistline.