Pages

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Monday Mingle!


Whaddddaaap! It's time for Monday Mingle! The best way to start out your week! :D If you'd like to participate in Monday Mingle, hop on over to Jen @ EightyMPHmom and post a link.

Without further ado, my mingle for this week. Password as per usual, is: misadventure.
Enjoy!

MM Feb 1 from Lauren on Vimeo.

Friday, January 29, 2010

I'm a Loser

....And it's totally a good thing.

I'm going to start by saying that I do not remember a time when I haven't been trying to lose weight.  I've lost and gained more weight...it's just ridiculous.  There was a brief period of time during high school when I was a size 10 and quite happy, but it didn't last.  (Oddly enough, this was when I was working in fast food.  And yes, I did eat at work, all the time.  No, it doesn't make sense to me either.)  But without going into the "boo hoo I've always been heavy" thing, let's just say I've just come to terms with my weight.

I wanted this year to be different.  I was starting off with my resolutions trying to eat healthy and make a real effort to exercise.  Not even for the weight loss, just so I would feel better.  I mean really, I've felt kinda like crap for a long time now and I'm really sick of it.  My sleeping pattern was awful, I always had heartburn, headaches, nausea, blurred vision....you name it.  I have been checked out by multiple doctors on different occasions and have been assured there is nothing seriously wrong with me - much to both my relief and aggravation.  Aggravation only because if they knew there was something wrong, it can be fixed.  I want to be fixed.  Almost every one of them told me it was most likely due to stress, and that I just need to find a better balance.  (All but one, who told me just by looking at me that I was - without a doubt - pregnant.  Yeah.  You can imagine that went over well with me.  I did not give him a kind review.)  Now, as nice as it is that "I'm only stressed," it's not the easiest thing in the world to deal with.  I mean, if you could just wake up in the morning and go, "You know, I don't think I'll be stressed today" everyone's life would be dramatically different.  And I tried.  Lord knows I've tried, and keep trying.

But this month...this month I'm actually seeing progress.  For the first time in a long time.  At the beginning of this month, my sleep was still pretty much a mess, waking up every few hours, and I had fairly frequent reflux (or as I affectionately call it, The Breath of Fire).  I also took body measurements and weighed myself, so I would know what I was dealing with.  Well, I am happy and proud to report that this month I've lost close to 5 pounds (2.5 of that in the last week!), lost an inch from my waist and an inch and a half from both my hips and bust.  My sleep has been much better, even sleeping through the whole night the last few days.  I don't think I've had reflux in over two weeks.

I'm so excited.  Measurable progress.  Motivation to keep going.  My little victories.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Wouldn't it just make sense?

Hi guys!  No mingle this week, sorry.  :(  I've had the busiest last two days, you don't even know.  You know why you don't know?  Cause I haven't blogged in ages.  I'm starting to get really bad about that.  I refuse to slide back into not posting for weeks.  REFUSE!  But yeah, the last couple days I've been at both my jobs, which makes for 10 to 13 hour days.  And after that?  I don't want to do anything but visit with Ben & Jerry and then go to bed.
Anywork, here's my little tidbit for you today.
Ok, so in this day and age we as a people are becoming more and more health conscience.  Companies are starting to seek out better and more natural ingredients.  You can find "New! 100% Natural" and "Organic Ingredients!" labels popping up all over the place.  Now, I think this is fabulous.  I'm all about eating better.  However, I have two questions.

1) What *exactly* were you using to begin with?
and
2) If your product is improved, and, by your pronunciation "the same but better," WHY then do you not stop making the old product with whatever it is you were using and just make the "newer and better" version?

Seriously.  I mean, wouldn't that make sense?  Item A and Item B are the same.  They look the same, they taste the same, they smell the same.  Except Item B is made of better stuff and is better for you.  Why even bother with Item A?  From what I can tell, all you're doing is doubling your production cost and promoting an unhealthy lifestyle.

So I ask you.  What do you think?  Can you, blogland, shed some light on this for me?  What are your thoughts?

Friday, January 22, 2010

A Little Promotion

I decided after listening to a couple songs on repeat last night that I should share them with you all.
The first is a song I've been hearing on the radio and I kept saying, "I HAVE to find this!"  Cause I would just head bop along and be all happy and content when it was playing.  Turns out, this song is by Eric Hutchinson and it is called "Rock and Roll."  You'll love it.  Promise.
 

The second song is my *favorite* song by Owl City called "Hot Air Balloon."  I can't seem to find a "real" version of the video, so I'm going to post my favorite homemade video that I found.
 

Also, I would like to give some love to my friend Jess' new blog.  She's branched off and started one called "Jess of All Trades" that encompasses more of the art and writing part of her life.  Go say hello would ya?  :)

I might post more favorite things as I find them, but I these are my current loves.  Enjoy!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Cooking with a Vengence

So I've been a little stuck.  For quite some time now actually.  My Muse has up and left me and I'm rather miffed about it.  I think I've even written about this before, I have been in a rut for quite a while.  I think I'm just trying to force creativity, and I know very well it's not going to happen - or be very good - if I do that.  So while I wait for my Muse to come back, I decided I would Google creative writing prompts for some blog fodder.  The one I have chosen today?  What would you cook for an enemy.

Oh.  BOY.

There are a couple different ways to go about this really.  You could of course serve them awful, bland, tasteless food.  Cause clearly if they're your enemy you don't like them, and why serve them anything but the worst, right?  Reasonable.  However, I don't think that's the way I would go.  Nope, I'd make them good food.  Maybe even their favorite food.  Do something fancy and delicious.  The same thing I would serve my best friends.  Why might I do this you ask?  Why waste my time and my energy and delicious ingredients on someone I hate?  Because they wouldn't expect it.  Play the mind game with them.  The whole time they're eating I want them to wonder why I would possibly serve them such good food.  Did I spit in it?  Did I poison it?  What did I do to it?  The answer of course is nothing.  Just serve a good dinner to the best of my ability.  Whatever mental questioning they would be doing is far more than I could ever do to the food I made for them.  Tricksy huh?  :)

That is not to say that I would ever skimp on food I made for my friends.  I of course try to make only the best when I cook for those I love.  But that's the difference.  The food I make for friends I make with love, and the food I would make for an enemy I would definitely not.  Has anyone seen Simply Irresistible?  I fully believe that your feelings go into your cooking.  I would like to actually test this theory sometime, making the same dish once when I'm upset and another time when I'm in a really good mood.  See if I can taste the difference.  What do you think?  Do you agree or do you think I'm full of hooey?  ;)  Discuss!

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Monday Mingle!




Monday Mingle time again! If you'd like to join in the fun, go visit Jen @ EightyMPHmom and link your video! Or just stop by and say hello to all the other lovely ladies and gents. :D
Passoword as always, is: misadventure.



Monday Minge Jan 18, 2010 from Lauren on Vimeo.


And the link I mentioned in the video, the Pound for Pound Challenge! Go and check it out!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Mid-month checkin

I am happy to report that I'm...well...happy!  Still a little irritated some days, but overall I am in a much better place than I was a couple months ago.  I am taking charge of my life - finally - and I'm glad.  I've been working out (almost) regularly, even though some days are not the Shred.  I've been eating much better too.  (And eating BREAKFAST.  OMG.  Why didn't someone tell me the reason I felt like I got hit by a train was because I wasn't eating breakfast?  Criminey.  Makes all the difference in the world.)  AND.  Now, this is the best part for me really.  AND, I even have a POSITIVE bank balance!  Whoo hoo!  *does a happy dance*  I even deposited some in savings like a good girl.  I've had to make it a game for myself.  I call it "Watch the Numbers Grow So You Can Move Away From Home."  :D  The good news is, that seems to be working for me, lol.  And the really nice thing is that with my two jobs I get paid every week, and I'm being kept busy for a large part of that week by work, so in theory I should be making it faster than I spend it.  In theory.  Man, I hate that phrase.  It always messes everything up.  But not this time!  Ha HA!  *hands on hips in defiant pose*

I can only hope that the New Year's momentum keeps up!

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Monday Mingle 2010 kickoff!



I'm baaaaaack........

Guess what time it is?  If you said Monday Mingle time, you would be correct!  Yeah!  Welcome to my first mingle of the new year!  :)  Password as usual, is: misadventure.


Untitled from Lauren on Vimeo.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Things

I know, I know.  I've been really boring lately.  Truth is, I'm not much more exciting in Real Life.  Just been working, coming home, eating, and going to bed.  Whoo hoo eh?  Anywho, here's a brief list of my current interests.

Things I am loving right now:
The Tudors
Owl City
My will power this week (I've spent NO MONEY this week!  NONE! :D )
My job transfer prospects
The random phone calls from my far-away friends
The fact I actually picked up my guitar and "played" it (two chords, whoo!)
This video!  The last couple minutes are the best...OMG...so cute.  :D


**ADDENDUM**
I'm adding Travis and his blog to the "Loving it" list.  Cause he whined at me and needed an ego boost.  But mostly because he's hilarious and you should check him out.  (He said he'd try the standup comic thing when he reached 200 followers, so go show some love and tell him I sent ya!)

Things I am not really loving right now:
Banks in general
How much in debt I am
My hellatious sleeping pattern
The absolutely bitter cold (although the sun is a bonus, and thank you, Sun, for being so bright even when the temperature outside immediately freezes my nosehairs.)
My lack of fitness motivation (yell at me people.  I need it.)

An actual update to come this weekend!  Maybe even a vlog!  Whoo!  :D

Sunday, January 3, 2010

A New Year, the Same Old Changes

Hello all!
Keeping in the traditions that have gone on so long before me, I am going to set forth some New Years Resolutions.  Upon looking back at my blog from this time last year I realize I didn't actually make any.  Boo me!  I think I was just so wrapped up in being all sad about my situation that I didn't think it would get any better.  *in best emo voice*  "No one understands me...."  ;)
ANYwho, not this year.  This year is a time for some serious changes.  And by that I mean the same basic stuff I try to do every year and fail epically at.  But this time it's gonna happen.  Srsly.

This year I will try to:
Make myself eat better and exercise more.  Like the whole rest of the nation is trying to do again too.  But I have two big goal rewards.  One, a pair of Silvers.  Two, a bikini.  For the first time in my life.  I would really love that.
Actually SAVE my money!  After looking at my finances, I've officially cut myself off of excess spending.  Now, let me just state that in my current Goals of Things to Save For lies a Wii Fit.  I really, *really*, REALLY want one.  So all that other crap I don't need?  Yep.  Not gettin it.  I'm saving for not only a Wii, but an apartment as well.  And yes, that is my number one priority.  ;)
To get back into blogging more regularly.  I was doing so well.  And then...I wasn't.  Sorry ya'll.  But thanks for stickin by me anyway.  :)
On a similar note, try to keep in touch with folks a little more as well.  In this day and age there is really no reason I shouldn't be able to keep in touch with my friends more often.  I'm just a slacker really, is what it comes down to.
Get serious about this craft business I want.  I'm never going to make money at it if I just whine about it. If I made stuff to sell half as often as I whined, I'd be rich by now.  I need to GET ON IT.
Learn to play my guitar.  It is beautiful and cost me a pretty penny.  It needs to not collect dust.  Plus, I want to be a rockstar.

Those are my major New Years goals this year.  I'm off to a good start, hopefully I'll keep it up!