more lent(ils)

tonight we had the tilapia that i had thought i would eat either on Wednesday or Friday this week. since that didn't work out i am just going to go meat free until Saturday (fish excluded obviously)

We had our broiled tilapia with trader joe lentils and steamed broccoli. yum!

junk food hangover

yesterday i ate way too much junk food and now i have a headache that i think is the equivalent to a junk food hangover.

last year i tried doing something different for lent instead of abstaining from anything (though i think i did give up pop) i decided to proactively do something, reading the bible every night of lent.

This year the church i always attend ash Wednesday mass at had some other suggestions on their web site :

1. Each day, say something positive about someone in your family, your neighborhood, your office.

2. Each day, pay a compliment to someone you know or

3. Find a new way to tell your loved ones that you love them.

4. Thank someone for something they have done for you. If you cannot think of anything that someone has done for you, say thank you to God for something he has done.

5. Spend a few minutes listening to someone without comment or interjection. Simply listen.

6. Send a cheerful little note to someone each day.

7. Stop and whisper a prayer whenever you hear the clock or your watch strike the
hour. Alternate using prayers of petition, thanks, sorrow for sin, or praise on different days of the week.

8. Hide notes of encouragement or love in your child’s book bag or lunch bucket or your spouse’s briefcase or purse.

9. Embrace a loved one each day.

10. Console someone who is mourning the loss of a loved one.

I like these suggestions. None of them set you up to fail (ie don't complain, don' speak negatively about people) While I like those I know I as a human won't succeed at either of them. i can try to do both less, but that is about it. I like all the communication included too. so if you start to get random communication from me I may have decided to do that.

F A T Tuesday

work food log

8:30 "heart healthy" portion of oatmeal with 1/4 cup of dried "antioxidant fruit" (this is my usual breakfast)
9:00 krispy kreme doughnut with chocolate icing and sprinkles
11:15 Estelle's double cheese burger with fries
1:30 mini twix
2:00 handful m&ms
3:45 mini milky way

we know how to celebrate fat Tuesday

eew

So, Mondays are rather long days for me right now.  I get home around 1030pm and then try to relax for an hour, eat a bite and then shower and get ready for bed.  Well, today despite the length of the day and the killer shin splints that have re-emerged, was a very nice day.  I enjoyed the work I did, I learned some stuff and even used my Starbucks coupon one more time before it expired.  Anyway, I get home and watch Chuck (my favorite nerd on NBC) while snacking on some left overs from Bill's yummy dinner.  Then I hop in the shower.  With my aching shins (and a stiff back from sitting so much today) I was really looking forward to the shower. I even had a new shower puff thing to use.  So, I get some of my favorite shower gel on the puff and start to wash off.  That's when I glance down and see brown stuff on my belly.  I then look at the puff and throw it as far from me while shrieking.  

yup there was a large brown centipede in my shower puff. 

I think it had faced its demise long ago in the linen closet (or at least that is what I am reassuring myself with).  So much for relaxing. }}shudder{{

Tomorrow, is Fat Tuesday which as a tradition at my work we all throw in money and get greasy burgers and fries from a local place.  Tomorrow night, is school with Winnie.  Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and Bill made reservations some place for Chicago Restaurant Week (they had been on Tuesday but then they conflicted with class).  I think they have fish, so I should be ok. Thursday is a night at home, followed by Friday and more Chicago Restaurant Week reservations.  I am sure you folks with little ones at home are rolling your eyes saying enjoy it while you can, but honestly I think I would rather be at home more.  It seems these thing always come all together at once.

...

Bill and I just watched the HBO movie Taking Chance tonight.  I had heard about it a few months ago and had really been looking forward to it.  It isn't a long movie and was very touching.  Well filmed and not overtly preachy.  

Anyway if you have HBO, I am sure they will play it a few more times and I would recommend seeing it.

beans beans the magical fruit...

...the more you eat 'em the more you ... well you get the picture.

So I was looking for resources for starting my seeds that should be shipped soon and stumbled across this website. the most recent blog post being about one seed chicago.

I think that it's a pretty cool idea. and if Mr. Brown Thumb is right and the seed that was chosen is beans, I will be participating with my Empress Beans.

time to bundle up and gas up our snow blower. up to 8" over tonight and tomorrow. Oh well, Winnie will be super excited -- she loves that snow.

brr

so the temp has dropped and we're expecting a storm for the weekend. but i am officially getting ready for spring by buying my seeds today. Yay!!! now i just need all the accouterments for the seed planting and i will be on my way!!!

Welcome Back!

One of my bestest friends Carolyn has returned to the blogging world. Her blog has a bit of a theme for a very good cause. You should all check it out.

And Carolyn, I apologize so few people read my blog that I don't know if this will help you.

Nice long weekend

So the long weekend isn't over, but the weekend part is.

Andrea, thanks for asking about Bill he is about 85% better, but still can't shake it.  Happy Birthday to you by the way! and Happy Birthday to Aubrey too!

We had a nice Valentine's Day.  We went down to the Art Institute (which is free this month) and looked at the re configured impressionist rooms the small Burnham exhibit.  The we started to look at the photography exhibit but the they kicked us out for closing time :(

We had dinner at an Italian restaurant that we both enjoy.  President Obama was eating about a block away from us, so we passed the police units etc as we went to have cake with Brian and Christie afterwards.

Today was just a normal Sunday. After church, we had to run errands and when we got back Bill was super hungry so we ended up grazing for dinner and having apple pie for dessert.  I swear if I eat many more desserts all my exercise and smart eating of the past year will have been in vain.

On a healthier not I have just about decided on my seeds/ transplants and need to get in my orders.  Spring is coming quickly!

happy birthday

Lincoln and Darwin!

odd to think that they were both born 200 years ago. Each have had very big and very real effects on the world in different ways.

66

that is what the newspaper said today's high was going to be. and for those of you keeping tabs Phoenix is supposed to be 56.

The weather has really brought me out of my funk. It's been so nice out it is pretty hard to complain about anything.

Bill is still fighting this cold he got from me 2 weeks ago. Hopefully, he gets better before Valentine's day.

-------
Ok I started this yesterday, but didn't get to posting it. Anyway, class last night was fun there are two goldens, a rottie, a cockapoo (otherwise known in my house as a duffydog) and a mutt which looked like a cattle dog corgi (long legs, tail but total corgi face and markings). Winnie is now one of the "smart" dogs since she has seen everything before. I am hoping by the end of this class she starts to really understand heeling and will do things like sit automatically when I stop walking. right now in class i have to tap my foot lightly on the ground, but outside i have to "remind" her every time.

happy weekend!

the weather is warm, the schedule is clear, and Bill is making top notch stir fry.

Happy weekend everyone!

jin ...

is alive?

just be happy

So the last week or so I was pretty down and pessimistic about everything. weather was icky, i was sicky, work was stinky etc.

I just was talking with my coworker who told me that the daughter of another coworker was hospitalized this weekend. She has been battling breast cancer and things have gotten worse for her.

Talking about everything put thinks into perspective for me, and my whole attitude has shifted.

All of a sudden things are pretty darn good.