Lookin for Personal Diva Time!

Back to work today and my cold lingers on....I'm still channeling Lauren Bacall with a germ-laden husky voice.  Received many, many birthday wishes along with a ton of cards - thanks to everyone for remembering this Diva and her kicking and screaming descent into old age. 

Along with my birthday, there was another change to my life that will set me on a year of reflection and renewal.  I am single once again but all is good - I'm looking for this to be a year of dedication to myself.  I've already set the path by eating right, exercising and losing weight.  The continuing process is to work on myself internally to come into my own, making decisions that are best for me and my future.  This may mean a change of location - sell the house and move closer to my work and into a more metropolitan area.  Big lights, big city....this could work out in my favor.

On a side note, whenever there is a major change in my life, I'm often eager to change my hair.  Other than trimming my bangs, there will be no chopping of my locks because I'm determined to grow it out to at least shoulder-length!  Patience is not a strong suit of mine but I'm holding on until I can swing it back and forth!  So no change for now unless it involves color; however, I'm a born blonde so will stick to that palette.

Here's to a year filled with possibilities and the opening of new windows.  And it will be dedicated to dating exclusively the person who matters most in my life....ME!  Because she's a pretty entertaining, loveable person who will take me on the ride of my life.

Cheers!!!

Happy Birthday to Todd and Me!!

Happy 49th birthday to me along with a big happy birthday to my twin brother Todd!!  I'm celebrating by fighting the common cold - went home early yesterday and awoke this morning with runny nose and headache.  Will probably spend this birthday in bed, unless a hot shower removes my germs.  Here's to a year of improved health!!!

Kickin Competition Into Overdrive!!

It may not last long, but as of last Friday I'm No. 1 on the Biggest Loser list at work for overall percentage weight loss!!!  Yippee!!!  If I can hold on for 5 more weeks, there will be some moola in my pocket!!  Here's to happy walking and plenty more veggies!!!

Maybe one day!!!

Happy Birthday Christina!!

Happy birthday to Diva Christina on January 29!!!  Here she is at the company party; I couldn't resist adding a little funny to her picture!!

Shoe of the Week

More Diet Talk...And No I'm Not Obesessed!

I ran across this Jillian Michael's recipe on Pinterest and may just try it.  You drink it for 7 days and maintain healthy meals.  At first I thought this was all you ate for 7 days - no way could that be handled!  But drinking this along with eating may be an experiment to take!

 

 

 

This made an appearance on Facebook and I could totally relate! 

Gradation On My Mind

I'm so digging the gradation nails right now.  Here's an example but there are tons more.  Steps to do:

1.  Paint two coats of light colored polish over entire nail;
2.  Take a medium to dark shade and brush it over the top third of your nail.  It doesn't have to be french manicure perfect.  Do this two nails at a time;
3.  While your nails are still wet from No. 2 above, brush a glittery type polish over half your nail, from middle to end over the darker shade. 
4.  Finish the rest of your nails, add top coat and you are done!

This technique is pretty easy and the combinations are endless. 

Party and Progress

Once again another annual party has come to a close!   Wednesday evening Michael and I decked ourselves out in matching outfits to attend my company party.  Lots of people, acceptable dinner, and plenty of laughs. Poor Michael also had to bear and grin it when the entire sales department decided to hug him (not one of his favorite pastimes.)  We also shared several chuckles over the number of prom dresses on display along with the outfits that screamed "part-time hooker!" 

 I even maintained a healthy diet by loading up my plate with a large salad and small amounts of the side dishes and entree.  They had my all time favorite - macaroni and cheese - but I limited myself to only a tablespoon.  My efforts paid off as at the weekly weigh-in yesterday I was down another 2 pounds.  Yippee - I'm hoping to break the 10 pound loss mark next week.  As all the experts state, it's best to lose 1-2 pounds per week but boy there are weeks I wish I could lose 5 or 6 pounds. 

Thanks to Michael for being my party date as well as my cheerleader through my weight loss efforts.  Friday teammate Christine and I hustled up eight flights of stairs, walked all hallways, then hustled once more up all eight floor stairs before making our way back downstairs and outside where we finished off by walking half the building.  We were motivated!!  Michael says we are his role models so that puts another spring in my step!!



 

Poor, Poor Blog

My poor blog has been so neglected!!!  It seems the days have been packed with activities but no inspiration!  My healthy way of eating has been going great.  I've been staying away from sugar and haven't had milk in almost three weeks, with the exception of creamer.  Brother Todd previously gave me advice that "you must get off milk!", stating that the weight will roll right off if I took this course of action.  So far, so good but my daily exercising may have something to do with it as well.

Tomorrow night is my company's annual party, which should be interesting to say the least.  I'll be decked out in a pink and black dress with black sweater; Michael, my date of course, will be in his black suit with pink shirt and black/pink tie.  Can't wait to see us together!! 

Here's to more inspiration coming my way so my writing can get back on track! 

TGIF

So very glad Friday is here!  I have been swamped this week finishing up a DVD for work so it's been work at work and work at home.  Ugh.  On top of that, today was simply one of those days when you are torn between strangling someone or simply tossing in your resignation letter!  Thankfully I did neither.  I did, however, lose 2 lbs this last week when we had our Biggest Loser weigh in!!  Yippee!  I'm currently number 4 out of 12 participants so that made my day.  Together with my two daily workout partners Bobby and Christine, we've lost a total of 20 pounds so far!!  Way to go teammates!!

Enjoy your weekend!!! 

Give 'Em Hell Jodie!

Awards season is in full swing, starting with the Golden Globes last night.  Unfortunately unable to watch the full show I may just catch up on it with a rerun as with Tina Fey and Amy Pohler as hosts it was sure to be very entertaining. 

Turning on to a portion of it, I caught Jodie Foster giving part of her speech for her Cecil B. DeMille award.  Hard to believe she's old enough to receive such a lifetime award.  As she gave her speech, she mentioned Mel Gibson as someone who was there for her.  They panned to Mel and whoa!  Look at that face!!  Not sure if he had tied one on or was simply bewildered but that look on his face was unsettling!

Jodie's speech was funny and touching.  From The Courtship of Eddie's Father to Taxi Driver to Accused to Silence of the Lambs most of her work has been impressive. 



Tonight my attention was toward E's Fashion Police, where the good, the bad and the ugly fashion was highlighted.  I'll wait until the Oscars to provide my input!

My Fitness Pal....It's a Good Thing

The first week of Biggest Loser at work is over and....I lost four pounds!  And it was only for five days, not a full seven, which seriously motivates me!!  I'm now eating oatmeal for breakfast, soup for lunch, and a large, green salad with brown rice and meat for dinner.  I'm trying to maintain six days on with a free day on the seventh; however, I'll still be aware of what I'm eating so won't go all carb and sugar crazy. 

I also completed five days with 30 minutes of exercise every day - walking and stair climbing.  My co-worker Crissy sent me a calorie counting application so my daily calories against my goal total can be tracked.  The website is My Fitness Pal if you are interested!

Here's to continued success!!

Healthy is the Goal!

Only one more day in the workweek and so far my commitment to eating healthy has been going spectacular!  In addition, my dedicated co-workers (shout out Christine and Bobby) have continued 30-minute vigorous walks every day, going up eight floors and walking every floor.  Today we actually scaled all eight flights of stairs then walked each hall on the way down.  That seriously got our blood moving!!

While performing my new hobby, Pinterest, the following chart popped out at me.  This is how the pounds sneak up on a person!  Becoming more aware has done me a world of good in knowing what to put in my mouth.  (I attached a gram to cups chart for those of us who aren't so good with the metric system!)

Tomorrow is our first weigh-in then every Friday for eight weeks.  Let's hope Mr. Scale treats me right!

Dry Measures
3 teaspoons	1 tablespoon	1/2 ounce	14.3 grams
2 tablespoons	1/8 cup	1 fluid ounce	28.3 grams
4 tablspoons	1/4 cup	2 fluid ounces	56.7 grams
5 1/3 tablespoons	1/3 cup	2.6 fluid ounces	75.6 grams
8 tablespoons	1/2 cup	4 ounces	113.4 grams	1 stick butter
12 tablespoons	3/4 cup	6 ounces	.375 pound	170 grams
32 tablespoons	2 cups	16 ounces	1 pound	453.6 grams
64 tablespoons	4 cups	32 ounces	2 pounds	907 grams

Call Me Motivated!

Today was the first day of the 8-week Biggest Loser contest at work and I am motivated!  Weigh in was this morning (ugh) then four of us co-workers gathered together at noon for 30 minutes of exercise.  Since it was raining (when isn't it?) we went up the stairs then down the hallway of all eight floors in the resort.  It was a good workout and got us going for the competition.  We are planning on doing this exercise, or something close to it, every day at work, and have promised to kick each other's asses to work off our fat.  I also moved my candy jar across my office on top of a filing cabinet - close enough for employees but far enough away from me in case temptation strikes!

Tonight my dinner consisted of lots of salad topped with chicken and a little brown rice.  Along with laundry, my main activity tonight consisted of cruising Pinterest to find interesting salad recipes.  If you've never visited Pinterest, do it today.  It can be quite the time waster but it is also filled with tons of food, beauty, health, decor, ad nauseum ideas for you to try, cook, tweak, or simply steal.  My pins, including some tasty salad recipes, are available at Diva Pins so take a looksie!

Here's to an abundance of motivation along with a decrease in dress size!!!

  

Green Hornet Come to Mama!

While relaxing with my man this weekend, I discovered a sexy, hidden treasure....Van Williams.  Michael flipped on to watch The Green Hornet from 1968/69, which starred Bruce Lee along with this gorgeous specimen named Van Williams.  It was as if Jon Hamm from Mad Men was an actor in the sixties!  Isn't he dreamy?  In glorious Technicolor he absolutely jumped off the screen!!

Mr. Williams is still alive today at 78; he quit acting but often appears at nostalgia conventions.  He lives in Hailey, Idaho and Adam West (the original Batman) is his friend and neighbor.  I actually looked up his address; the website gave instructions on how to obtain an autograph.  That just may be on my bucket list for 2013!!!  And yes, Michael is fully understanding, although a little puzzled, with my Van Williams/Green Hornet stalking behavior!!

Van Williams in all his glory:

  




Jon Hamm of Mad Men

Van Williams today

An Abundance of R&R

This weekend held exactly what was needed in my life....rest and relaxation!  After work Friday I cruised to Michael's, where I hadn't been in a very long time, due to the holidays and Dad's passing.  Michael made up for my recent stress by pampering me all weekend.  Dinner, drinks, movies....he even shared his new purple Snuggie with me!   He delivered coffee and breakfast in the morning, let me nap at will, and simply took sweet care of me.   It was exactly what the doctor ordered!

I arrived home today to a house filled with....nothing.  No boys, no mess, and continued peace and quiet.  All of this will be gone soon once the kids arrive but right now I'm enjoying my extended R&R.  This Sunday evening is also my "last supper" since Monday morning brings a Biggest Loser competition at work with my name written all over it! 

OCD Cleaning Rather Than a Kiss at Midnight

New Year's Eve has come and gone it was apparent that 2012 went out kicking and screaming!  After showering and beginning to pack for Michael's, the window caught my eye and I saw....snow!  Yes, big flakes billowing down and covering everything.  Unfortunately, this would hinder my ability to have a New Year's kiss at midnight with my sweetie because slick, snowy roads and my econo car simply do not mix.  With the boys gone, this meant a solo holiday for the Diva.

Instead of focusing on what would be missed, I instead focused my energy on cleaning and organizing.  Down came all of the holiday decor, including the tree.  The bedroom was next where a mountainous pile of clean clothes were put away (yes, this is a continuing story so my 2013 resolution is to keep on top of this tedious chore.)

While keeping an eye on the Food Network, carmel corn, courtesy of stepmom Arlene, was my next activity.  Popping, boiling, mixing, heating in the oven, and stirring at 15-minute intervals for an hour kept me occupied. 

Carmel corn completed to perfection, my attention was then turned toward....kitchen drawers.  Several of my kitchen drawers were filled to capacity and this problem could no longer be ignored!  I organized six drawers and three cupboards, throwing out odds and ends which had no obvious purpose then switching storage around to make more sense.  Key findings....one CAN have too many store plastic bags, attachments from 2-3 mixers which are no longer in your possession make no sense, and spices you haven't used for over six years simply will not enhance a recipe.

After making dinner (seafood fettuccine Alfredo in honor of New Year's Eve), a batch of no-bake cookies (dubbed Horton's by my big brother Jay) were then whipped up in case a late evening sweet tooth arose.  My time was also spent keeping an eye on the gigantic bruise forming on my hand courtsey of the lab test performed that morning.

Throughout the day, my Michael and I texted and spoke on the phone frequently.  It was almost like being together...okay, not really but we were still able to enjoy each other's company while my cleaning obsession continued.  Unfortunately, my eyes simply would not stay open so his call to me at midnight was missed.  But he was in my dreams.....along with thoughts of the next cupboard to be organized!!