Finding my way back.....

Somehow, I feel I've lost my way.  I know I haven't and have all the tools necessary to pull it all together.  Just feel so.... hmmmm, how shall I put this.... tired?  No.   That's not it.  Unmotivated?   No.  That's not it.  Lost?  Not quite, since I know exactly where I am, where I'm headed and where I need to go.     Just blah.

I have spent the last few weeks with mom and loving every bit of it.  Now playtime is almost over.   I will miss hanging out with Mom.  That's for sure.

Now the time is right around the corner, the work begins soon, the true real finally serious this is it training for my first half marathon.  Time to get my butt going, get serious again, eat right, fuel the system and meet another goal, a dream, make it a reality.  Just Do It!!!!

See, when I started thus post, I was so down and negative and just turned it all around!   Feel better now.  Missed blogging.  Must go read some more blogs, get back in the swing of it!!!

Comfortable Just Being Me...The New Me!

Wow, been a long time since I posted.  Sorry about that.  It's been busy around here.  Mom visiting from Florida, working, tending the garden, running...well, not so much running this week.  Way too hot!

There is news though.  I have come to the point where I am totally comfortable with the new me.  So comfortable that I was ready to "pose" for a bathing suit shot. !

 It started out a joke, but was so fun, and the picture turned out okay, I think.  I can't believe I'm actually comfortable now with not only having my picture taken in a bathing suit, but showing it to others

So like I said, going to be so so hot today.  Trying to plan dinner, something that I won't have to heat the kitchen up with but also don't want to be standing outside over the grill cooking.  What do you make for dinner on these brutally hot days?

Chickpeas and Avocado

Nice dinner Saturday night consisted of two new recipes I found along with fresh steamed veggies from my garden.  The two other items on the plate are Lemon Garlic Marinated Chicken Breast (yum) and Chickpea Avocado Salad (double-yum).  The picture is a little "foggy" though.

Two of my favorite summer salad fixins, chickpeas and avocado, but never thought of putting them together.  You can find this recipe at http://ciaochowlinda.blogspot.com/2011/06/chickpea-avocado-salad-and-other.html.  Love this blog, by the way!

Of course, I put a little of my own spin on it.  I have a lot of cucumbers coming out of the garden.  So I added diced cucumber to the mix.  I didn't have red onion, so I used sweet onion.  Also, in addition to the fresh parsley and thyme, I added fresh basil (of course), and I used pomegranate vinegar instead of white balsamic, just because that's what I had.  But this salad is so nice and fresh.  I'll definitely be making this one again, and, in fact, have another avocado waiting on the kitchen counter.

It's been busy around here.  Saturday's meeting was a pretty good meeting.  Then home, lunch on the patio, an afternoon of work, and then a nice dinner and some relaxing in the garden.   Sunday morning I met my running buddy and we accomplished a great run considering how warm it was already at 8:30 a.m., 6.25 miles.  Gearing up for some serious training next month for my half-marathon. 

Would have liked to run today, but just too warm.  I could wait and get a run in late tonight, but then I'm afraid I'll be all pumped up and won't sleep.  So I'll settle for a little gardening later and then relax and work on "projects".  :)

Powerful Statements

Just a quick post this morning before I get myself up and out to Weight Watchers meeting. 

I've struggled.  I've struggled for weeks.  I have not been tracking faithfully, and for me, that's a HUGE step in the wrong direction.  

I have a terribly busy schedule this weekend, have to work all weekend, plus get the house somewhat in order since Mom is coming to visit this week (YEAH).   Last night, I had pretty much decided that I was going to skip the meeting this morning. 

However, my WW buddy, http://woobielosingweight.blogspot.com/, sent me a note this morning, and one comment at the end straighted me right out.  She said:  "Hope to see you there - it's always good to take time to do something just for you. But if it just isn't practical, have a great weekend!!"

Isn't that what got me here, taking time first to do something for myself?  Not practical?  How can it not be practical?  It's a few hours.  Yes, it may mean that I can't sit out in the garden after dinner and may instead have to go back to work, but there will be other times to sit out in the garden.  THIS IS ABOUT ME!  I enjoy my meetings and get a lot out of them, even two years post-goal.  So thanks, Woobie, for shaking it loose and getting me straight.  LOVE YOU!

Okay.  So now to the next thought.  This morning I went on and started reading another new blog for me, http://ronisweigh.com/, and her post about being "A Rocking Horse" also stuck with me this morning.  All this time, two years post-goal, I have been "rocking" and "rocking", sometimes slow, sometimes as hard as I could, trying to get another ten pounds off, but never "getting anywhere".   I have realized this morning that I need to get off that rocking horse and just be happy with where I'm at.  I'm at goal.  I am two-years at goal.  I am such a different person now, eating and cooking healthy foods, and have such an active life, roller skating, running, training for my first half-marathon, hula hooping. 

I have realized that this is my life now.  I AM HAPPY.  I am happy if I never get that ten pounds off.  I am happy right here, right now, where I'm at. 

Maybe I'll decide some day that I still want that ten pounds off, but right now, today, I'm good.  I need to stop focusing on the negative and LOOK AT ALL THE POSITIVES!

Too Much Celebrating

What a great weekend! 

Happy Birthday America....





 
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And Happy Birthday to me too! 

First of all, I wanted to share this picture of my birthday cake made by my sister-in-law and her two children.













Adorable, right?  Made my birthday even more special that they took the time to make such a nice birthday cake. 
 
Family picnic on Sunday filled with family and friends...oh, yeah, and lots of food...AND LOTS OF DESSERTS!  Took a picture of the "dessert room", but it didn't turn out well enough to really describe exactly what I mean by "dessert room". 
 
My intention was to get up on the 4th of July and go for a long run.  Okay.  That didn't happen.  But I did do some gardening and other stuff around the house before spending a few hours hangin out in the yard, grilling and even splurged and had "a few beers". 
 
I did get up early this morning for a run.  Wasn't easy though.  Three days of celebrating took a toll, but I managed to get through. 
 
Been back on target in the food category so far this today, although I need to drink more water.  Water, water, water is the word of the day.
 
Hope everyone else had a successful holiday.  If not, do what I'm doing.  FORGET ABOUT IT and move on. 






... and had a hard time getting back on track this morning.