Catch up time.

Posted on June 2, 2013 by the2beths

Man Alive. I have missed blogging. Every day I am thinking of all of these things I want to blog. Then, the day gets away from me.
This past week was the last week of school, and to say it was busy is an understatement. You see, the last day of school was preceded by the death of my grandma. My very dear, very amazing, awesome Grandma Kerrigan. I am going to devote a post to Gramma K this week. She deserves her own post. Truly.
Updates:
School: So, I was out of school on Friday because of the funeral, and it was a 3 day weekend, and then Tuesday I was off because of a doctor’s appointment. So, I came back Wednesday and it was like I came back in the middle of a roller coaster ride, but in the middle of the down part of the biggest hill. I had to get awards, report cards, and the end of the year stuff all finished as soon as possible. But, alas, I got it done. HA HA. And now, I am in the first weekend of summer break. I have to go to school this week to finish things up and for a few meetings, but that is not stressful.

Weight Watchers: I completely jumped off the WW wagon the week I started my first cycle with the specialist. I have gained 4-5 lbs and started back on the wagon yesterday. I feel much better already. I was starting to feel like crap every single day, and the more I felt like crap, the more I fed myself crap. And the more crap I ate and felt like, I didn’t exercise at all. It’s a downward spiral for me, but what I’ve noticed now, is I am able to get back to it after only a few weeks and a few pounds, and not let it turn into a year and 20 lbs. I am hoping to undo that damage by the end of the week or the middle of next week.
I did a meal plan for the week, and went grocery shopping. I always spend way too much money at the grocery store. I need to work on that.
For real.

I am trying to cut down on my carbohydrates, as directed by my doctor and as I know I need to do. I was not cutting down on carbs the last few weeks, in fact, it was as if I was trying to set a world record for most carbs eaten. : )

Infertility: We are in the middle of our first monitored cycle with the specialist. Keep your fingers crossed. Interestingly enough, my blood tests revealed that while my thyroid is normal for regular life – for fertility it was a little lower than the doctor wanted. I am on a low dose of thyroid medicine. Also, he upped my Metformin because of my testing. These were all messages to me that I need to continue my WW journey, and eating lower carb, and healthfully. I know that most of my issues are related to my weight, and rather than just self loathe, I am working on making the necessary changes. Self Loathing does not get you any where, but eating healthy, and exercising gets you in a good place mentally and physically. Plus, clothes look much cuter and feel better. : )
So, keep your fingers crossed that this is the summer that baby Allman is created.

Life: Well, I still miss my brother and his family like crazy. They were here last week for a week, and this visit did not help matters. It just made me miss them more. I feel lucky that I got to spend a lot of time with them. It was really nice to see them. I was supposed to go to Houston for a week at the end of June, but with this whole infertility thing, I am land locked. It is really upsetting to me, but I know it will be worth it in the end. Well, the hopeful part of me knows that.
The good news is that Ava, my niece, is coming to Ohio on June 12th for SIX WEEKS!!! It’s going to be so great to be with her this summer and swim, hang out, go to the zoo, and do other fun things.
My mom is having hip replacement surgery on June 24th. It can not come soon enough. She is absolutely miserable. She can not walk without a walker, and is in constant pain that is only dulled by medication, but not eliminated. She was going to try to put the surgery off until August, but decided ASAP was better. I am so glad, because it is hard to see her so miserable.

And lastly, TODAY IS MY PARENTS’ 40th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!!!
FORTY.
YEARS.

We are celebrating tonight with a delicious dinner at a restaurant called Thai 9.

I have about 15 loads of laundry to do, so I am off to do that.
Have a good Sunday!!
xoxox,
Beth WA

I’m baaaaaacccckkkkkk….

Posted on April 13, 2013 by the2beths

Hello, everybody!! I am back from Texas.
Well, I have been back for a while, but it has taken me so long to adjust. My sleep patterns have been terrible.
I’ve been so exhausted from not sleeping that I take a nap after school, then I can’t sleep at night, so I am exhausted, and take a nap….grrr… So, last night, I fell asleep at 8:00, and I woke up this morning at 5:22 AM BOO!

I had a really good Weight Watchers week before I went to Texas, but then I went to Texas and gained 6 lbs. But, I just weighed in this morning, and I lost the 6 lbs I gained in Texas, plus a little bit more. YAY!!
I have tried lots of new recipes this week, which I will share this week. Some have been successes, some have not been. But, it’s fun to find low point, healthy recipes that are delicious.

Well, here is my Texas recap in pictures….

This picture was taken about 5 minutes after we reunited!!

This was a picture of her in her pink Stetson that my uncle sent her…

She is so sassy.

I took her to the park a few times to try to get some exercise (I did walk three times for 2.5 miles while I was there, but I also ate and drank a LOT.)

Ava and Craig colored eggs. They are so cute together, I just love their relationship.

One of her Easter gifts was a pleather jacket that she really wanted. My mom sent it to her, and she was THRILLED. This is Ava modeling it for me.

One of the days, I picked her up from school and we got our nails done, then went to get frozen yogurt.

And here are some of the delicious foods my husband and I ate while we were there…

My first po’ boy.

I LOVE hush puppies.

This delicious lobster bisque…

And this drink – I call it my “vacation drink.”

It mostly tasted like a beer slushy. But, it was refreshing.

We really enjoyed our visit with my brother and his wife, and their friends, and of course, Ava. It was nice to see what their lives in Houston are like, and to see how much they like it. Of course, after seeing them, I miss them even more now! But, it’s back to face timing….

Well, I am off to catch up on my google reader, then to walk on the treadmill.
THEN I AM GETTING MY HAIR DID!! YAYYYYYY.

xoxo,
Beth WA

Frozen Grapes.

Posted on March 26, 2013 by the2beths

I will admit, that I was skeptical about frozen grapes. Especially since my teeth are super sensitive to temperature. But, it’s my first week back on Weight Watchers and I am desperate for healthy 0 point ways to quench my sweet tooth.

Especially because I can’t earn any activity points (extra points for exercising) because I am in the trial week of the Active Link, and they are assessing me, so it doesn’t allow you to add activity.

But, I’ll be honest. I haven’t exercised. HA HA.

Anyway, back to the Frozen Grapes. I’ve heard of these from so many people, and I have never tried it. Until this week. My school had a bunch of extra grapes the other day after lunch, so I took a baggie full, and stuck them in the freezer. (They were already off the vine.) And let me tell you – I have been enjoying them like crazy. It’s a great night time sweet snack. They take a long time to eat – I have to keep mine in my mouth until it is soft enough to squish between my tongue and the roof of my mouth. It is refreshing and delicious. (These are red grapes, by the way – the only kind I like.)
I can imagine these are really satisfying in the summer heat!!

Here are my frozen grapes:

YUMMMM

Well, as you can imagine I am getting more and more excited about my trip to Houston to see my niece (and brother and sister in law). I face timed with my niece tonight and she told me she misses me as much as I miss her.
Well, friends, that is a LOT.

Happy Tuesday.
Only two more days of school until SPRING BREAK.

xoxo,
Beth WA

One More Week…

Posted on March 23, 2013 by the2beths

One more week and I get to see this sweet face in person, and smooch all over it.

I can NOT wait.

This has been a busy few weeks, at work, at home, and just all around.

Last weekend was St. Patrick’s Day, and Saturday night I went out locally with my bff’s, and had a great time. Beth FS’s husband is very hilarious, and he was entertaining us all night.
Here is a group pic of the ladies from the night. Darn it for not getting pictures of us with our husbands. That is something I need to work on, taking more pictures of fun times!

And here is a picture of the Jameson shots that Beth FS got us. It’s a tradition on St. Patrick’s Day in honor or her late Uncle Dan.

On Sunday, my dad and I drove up to Cleveland (where we are from) to see his side of the family as they always celebrate St. Patrick’s day in a big way. My cousin was home from the Navy so it was nice to see him. I have lots of cousins, but here is a picture of a few of us from the celebration.

Last night we went to my parents and I brought pizza over from the place across the street from my house that has delicious New York style pizza. We went through some old pictures (because when my dad hung his coat up in the closet, the closet broke, and the bar fell down, and it all came tumbling out….so a box pictures were discovered by me).
Here is a picture of me and my cousin, Cortney. She is my most hilarious cousin.* Truly. And she is gorgeous. She does not age, seriously.
This is us at Niagara Falls in the 70′s.

I just thought it was the sweetest picture.

On the weight front, I have been struggling. Majorly struggling. And by struggling I mean eating like crazy and not exercising. I made the decision last week to join Weight Watchers Online, and utilize their Active Link. It is a device that you wear all the time that measures your activity, and helps you set goal to become a more active person, little by little. So, I have been preparing all week for today, the day I start WW, and I have to say I woke up this morning relieved. Relieved that I am finally doing something.
It’s a vicious cycle. Infertility depresses me. I eat. I gain weight. It increases infertility. So, I need to change my coping mechanism. And that is what I am working on. I will keep you posted.

Here is what the Active Link looks like…

You can wear it clipped in the waist band of your underwear or bra, or in your pocket. You don’t even feel it. I am currently in the 7 day period where it gets a baseline of your activity. I am in day two. I am anxious to get it started when it is over. It will be just in time for my trip to Houston where I am hoping I get to take walks outside in the warmer weather.

Well, I am going to try to clean up my google reader, and do paperwork, then cleaning, laundry, and some work for my online class that I can NOT wait until it is over.
Have a great Saturday.

Beth WA

*Tied with you, Bridget. ; )

Saturday morning chat

Posted on March 16, 2013 by the2beths

Good morning. It’s my favorite time of the week. My leisurely Saturday morning.
I have chores to do, and school work to do, but I am just going to enjoy the morning first. It was a go-go-go week, so it’s nice to be still for a bit.

Can we first talk about Lil’ Wayne? What the heck?
I open my facebook app and I see this last night.

Now, Beth FS and I have a theory about TMZ. And it is this. All stories from TMZ always end up to be true.
HA HA. Right?

Now, I don’t know if you know this, but Lil’ Wayne is Catholic. And I am not sure if the fact that he got “last rites” is what made them think that he was on death’s doorstep or what. But, nowadays, that sacrament of “anointing of the sick” or “last rites” is performed more often, and not just when you are about to die.

However, when I got up this morning, I saw this…

So, weezy is recovering. Phew.

Next, can we talk about the impending doom of Google reader???? I am on google reader every single day. It is how I read the zillion blogs I read.

And now it is going away in July, and I have to find a replacement. I have been searching for suggestions, so if you have any, I’d be glad to hear them!!

My parents have been gone for two weeks, and I miss them. They are visiting my brother and his family, and I miss them, too. It’s been a lonely two weeks.
But, they have been having a great time. For the last three days, my parents took Ava to Galveston for a mini vacation. She got to do all the things you do on vacation with your grandparents…swim, order virgin daiquiris at dinner, and order room service.
Here is my little sweetheart by the pool. I just love her hair.

Well, I have a few other things I wanted to write about, but this post is getting too long! I will finish up later.
Have a great Saturday…
xoxox,
Beth WA

Continuous Improvement.

Posted on March 3, 2013 by the2beths

Well, day two of exercising and counting calories has been making me feel a lot a better about life in general. I haven’t been doing super great, but I have been doing…
Last night, after I had my calories done for the day, I had pretzels and dip. Boo! But, I still counted them out and measured them.
And today, I am a little over. But, still tracking every thing.
It’s the weekend, and I always do worse on the weekend. Hopefully, tomorrow I am able to stay in my calorie count.

I have walked both days (and even Friday). I didn’t walk that long or that fast, but I walked. I could tell today was even easier than yesterday. Although, my legs are killing me for another reason.
This workout:

I cut it out of Weight Watchers magazine. It doesn’t look like much, but when you are completely out of shape, it makes it so that your legs hurt like nobody’s business. My inner thighs are soooo sore. Squats are difficult for me. But, it is a good hurt. I feel like I am heading somewhere.

Tonight for dinner I made pulled pork in the crock pot. It was a new recipe, and it was good, but not great. The meat was delicious, and tender, which helped. I served it on a kaiser roll, with cole slaw from the local fried chicken joint. I also served creamed corn from a can, which is one of my favorite foods ever, and I haven’t had it in a while because my husband doesn’t like it. I make it then add a bit of butter, sugar, salt, and pepper. Mmmmm. And also, we had Bob Evan’s mashed potatoes. I am so full right now.

Well, I am off to do a little grading. I’ve managed to procrastinate, and put it off until right now. 7:00 Sunday night. Oops.

Have a good Monday!
Beth WA

Today is the Day

Posted on March 2, 2013 by the2beths

Source

I woke up this morning, and said to myself, Today is the Day!! It is the day I get back to this journey of losing weight and taking care of myself. It was only one day, and it was challenging, and busy, but I did it.
I did cardio and strength training, and I even stayed in my calorie count after going to the most unhealthy restaurant in my town. Actually, it’s a local restaurant that has the best burgers in the world, and delicious steak fries. They have a “dinner menu” with entrees, but I have never gotten one of them. Tonight I got the chicken breast dinner with a baked potato, green beans, salad, and a roll. Delicious. And less calories than one of their burgers.

I did our meal plan for the week, and also grocery shopped. I *almost* put it off until tomorrow, but changed my mind at the last minute. I am SO glad it is over.
I am excited to try two new recipes this week. One is pulled pork, and one is a cheesy chicken. They are both made in the crock pot.

This week I am going to see P!nk with my girlfriends, and I am so excited. I even took a day off work, so I have a 4 day work week. Woot woot!!!

Right now I am on my couch catching up with my google reader, and watching the third episode of “Scandal,” the tv show. Does anybody watch that show?? It’s awesome and intense.

Looking forward to a relaxing evening. I am hoping to stay awake until 10!

Later taters,
Beth WA

Friday Night Burn Out

Posted on March 1, 2013 by the2beths

Man, oh, man, am I tired tonight. I am not sure why I am so exhausted, other than life has been a bit heavy lately. I was wishing I came home from work and wanted to do a million things, but that was not the case. I actually had a headache that I couldn’t shake. I walked on the treadmill for a short time – about 35 minutes – then I took a nap.
For dinner, we got pizza from the place across the street from our house. I also got a Greek Salad. I love Greek salads. This one had a bit too much feta for my liking.

And my dog stared at me trying to guilt me into a piece.

Tomorrow I join my friend in a weight loss journey. I’ve been mentally prepping this week. I am ready.
Tired of being tired.

But, for tonight, pizza and vino.

Have a great Friday night, everybody.

xoxox,
Beth WA

I kept a promise.

Posted on February 25, 2013 by the2beths

I did the thing I am worst at today – I kept a promise to myself.
I tracked my food on Fitness Pal, and stayed within my calories.
I exercised!!!! with a good friend.
I did work at work, and didn’t bring any home.
YAY.
It’s amazing how one day back on the wagon makes you feel so much better. Not to mention, when I got on the scale this morning for the first time in weeks, it was 2.1 lbs lower than I thought I was. So, I am already 2.1 lbs into my 30 lb goal. WOO HOO.

Today was a good day.
And, here is why…

* I was caught up with grading when I went into school this morning.
* I had a few kids in my room before school and I was able to help them without feeling rushed.
* My lesson plans were pretty laid back today.
* I tracked my calories.
* I ate fruits and vegetables.
* I went on a walk with my friend, Marianne.
* I am ’bouta make a good dinner.

This weekend we cleaned out my gramma’s assisted living apartment, as she has to move to the side of the home that is full time care. I found this picture of her when she was a baby. She has always been very ornery, or as she will tell you, she was a “brat.” This totally captures her ornery side.

I still have a lot of work to do for my UD class this week, but I am glad that it was a good Monday.

I hope you had a good Monday, too.

UPDATED: I can’t believe I forgot to mention the highlight of my day. My best girl, Ava, face timed me without me begging her to do it!!! It was a complete surprise!!!
I miss that girl!!

xoxo,
Beth WA

Snow Day!!

Posted on February 22, 2013 by the2beths

Well, we have a snow day today, and I couldn’t be more thrilled about it. I have two months of mail to go through….

You’re jealous, aren’t you?

I also have hours of grading to do, and work for a class I am taking online at the University of Dayton.
I was feeling kind of sad this week, (things aren’t going well in the infertility front, and I’ll leave it at that), and so it was nice to have this surprise day off to do some stuff that I needed to do to help make me feel less behind the 8 ball.

On Wednesday night, we ordered pizza from the place across the street called Bada Bing Pizzeria. The store has been many things before, ice cream places, pizza places, deli’s, and we’ve tried most of them. Well, this pizza was delicious. In my town, there are only a few pizza places outside of chain pizza places. And, this is the only one that serves New York style pizza — my favorite style – and they have many different kinds! We had the one that had everything on it, and we LOVED it. But, the star of the show was their garlic knots. They are knots of dough saturated in garlic butter. They are so freakin’ delicious, and I am quite sure I could feel my arteries clogging…

Here are a few pictures…

So, I am thinking about joining my friend Liz, over at lifelessonsbyliz in her weight loss journey. I’ve been in kind of a rut emotionally, and weight loss wise, and I realize that is not helping things at all. So, look for that to start in the next few days. I’ve missed you guys. I’ve just been a bit of a downer lately, so I didn’t want to be a whiney blogger. HA HA. : )

Well, here’s to a great weekend.
xoxox
Beth WA

the2beths

Discussing life, point by point…

Category Archives: Food

Catch up time.

I’m baaaaaacccckkkkkk….

Frozen Grapes.

One More Week…

Saturday morning chat

Continuous Improvement.

Today is the Day

Friday Night Burn Out

I kept a promise.

Snow Day!!

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