Monday, January 18, 2010

Per the Planner

One of my favorite things about a new year is getting a new planner. When I was still in school I would actually get a new one both in August and December. I don’t have that excuse currently, but I do start hunting down my planner for the new year in October. Before I start Christmas shopping even.

This year, I’m using the MyAgenda by MomAgenda. I lurv it. I did not lurv the shipping price or 8 days from shipping date wait for it appear at my door. But the amount I lurv it overcomes all that. True lurv conquers all.

The MyAgenda is set up with the week spread over two pages and 5 rows. It also has monthly views, includes a “My Essentials” for key addresses, phone numbers, important dates etc, and is set up for you to start writing in events for next year. But, for now I’m focusing on the weekly view and my 5 blocks…

The top row is labeled my week and has space for appointments, the other 4 blocks are blank to be broken up as desired. One of the reasons I love it is because of this – I can change the planner as life changes. For now, my 4 blanks are work, the side business, to do (for personal and home life) and exercise.

But you know what, y’all? Do you know what my exercise block says for today? It says “C25k, Week 5, Day 1”. Guys, I haven’t run since December 14th. That’s just over a solid month of not running. And I’m down right scared. I’m so scared, that I’ve been putting off my triumphant return to the treadmill off for a solid week now. You know, because if I just ignore it, it’ll go away or get better, right?

But, my agenda, my pretty Caribbean Sea blue agenda, with my name in silver embossed on the cover, says that this is what I have to do…who am I to disobey? She’s a harsh taskmaster, y’all, harsh.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Proof of My Insanity

I just lint rolled our duvet cover. And when I was done, I wasn't satisfied, so I did it again.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Future Trophy Wife

A few summers ago I was wandering through a beach shop and came across a trinket I wanted my husband, then fiancĂ©, to buy me. It was a keychain, or drink coozie, or bookmark, or something emblazoned with “Future Trophy Wife”. I knew right then and there that that was my goal and I wanted the pretty thing to remind me of my new mantra.

And I know that sounds sort of pitiful, but it truly is my goal. It’s not that I don’t think I’m an excellent catch. I’m smart, kind, funny, clever, charming, hard-working, a great cook and baker. Some days I even think I’m pretty. Oh, and did I mention modest? I’m definitely modest. But I’m not the type of girl that the average person on the street would give a second glance.

I remember some years ago, at a bar with my cousin and his wife, this drunk guy came stumbling across the room to ask her to dance. She sort of indicated my cousin, who had already intimidated the bouncer to get me in (I may have been slightly underage at the time) and said, “no, but thank you”. The drunk then staggered to my cousin and pulled back his fist. His friends starting yelling at him to stop and my cousin braced to be hit, but instead the guy shook his hand and said, “Man, she’s amazing” and walked away. Now, don’t get me wrong, I have no desire be treated as an object or a possession. But knowing someone had said that about me – well it would certainly cheer me up on days when I was down.

When we first moved to Wyoming, I let my fitness and eating habits slip. I was depressed and lonely and the one thing I could do that made me less homesick was eat the things that reminded me of home. But then I figured out that being lonely and homesick AND out of shape wasn’t any better than just lonely and homesick. So this year, it stops.

I started the couch to 5k training program this fall. I didn’t quite finish it before going home for Christmas, but I did get to the point where I could run for 20 minutes straight (huge milestone for me, by the way). I’m going to get back to it and then make running a 5k a regular part of my routine. I want to then train for a 10k, a 10 miler, and a half marathon. I want to start bike-riding again. And if you read my previous post, you know I’m excited about the veggies and healthy eating. I’m excited and I’m ready. I’m also motivated by a couple of family weddings coming up in the spring. I AM a future trophy wife.

It has occurred to me though, since spotting that little thing that I was probably not the intended audience for it. I can’t imagine that the maker was trying to be inspirational to women who needed a little push into a healthier lifestyle. I actually suspect it was meant for tweens and teenagers to suggest or advertise their future “career”. And that sort of sickens me. I really hope I’m wrong about that. Regardless, I’m still grateful for the inspiration it gave me.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

I Suppose It's Best that I'm not a Vegan...

What is it about my parents’ house that makes me forget what a vegetable is? It really makes no sense. At home I manage 5-6 servings a day. Add to that the 3-4 servings of fruit I eat and you might think I was some sort of nutritional goddess.

But when we visit my folks, not so much. We were there for a solid 3 weeks and I averaged mayve 1 serving a fruit a day and half a serving of vegetables. Truly pitiful.
It is so funny to me how such a little thing like that can throw my eating off so completely. It’s not like we’re truly guests and I have say in what groceries get bought and suppers are made. But nonetheless, I am veggie-less.

Maybe it’s just easy to fall into childhood eating habits where food is safe and frequently canned. It works for them, who am I to suggest we sub some spinach for the biscuits? Or maybe, because I’m no at a perfect weight, I’m embarrassed to suggest a healthy change?

Whatever the answer is, my fridge, abundant with fresh produce is the one thing about Wyoming I missed over our holiday break. Bring on the veggies!

Friday, January 8, 2010

Again With the Resolutions...

Like the majority of the population, I cannot resist spending the time between Christmas and New Years re-evaluating and writing resolutions. There’s something so hopeful about a new year just around the corner that makes me feel like I could do just about anything. And you know, if I just complete all my goals, but this time next year, I might just be perfect!

My list of resolutions tends to always look the same – and probably the same as most Americans – you know, lose weight, get in shape, build a nest egg, etc., etc. Not that I haven’t accomplished quite a bit over the years, just that certain things get put on the back burner. That and while I’m quite good at writing out a list of things that I’d like to accomplish, I never bother to really figure out how I’m going to get there.

This year, I’m taking a different approach. For the first time ever, I have a 5 year plan. Based on that plan, I’ve figured out what I want to accomplish by the end of the year. AND (this is really exciting to me) I’ve figured out what I need to do each week to accomplish those goals.

That may sound borderline control freak to you (and who I am kidding, I’m totally a control freak), but it also keeps my goals in the forefront of my mind. It’s also comforting to realize that I’m taking tangible steps to reaching those goals. So at the end of next year, I’ll be able to check everything off, my resolution list and write out new goals for 2011.

So come on 2010! Bring it on – I’m so ready!

Monday, January 4, 2010

A New Start

Welcome to my New Year’s Resolution. Actually, it’s not the creation of the blog that was the resolution, but actually maintaining it. I’ve actually tried this once or twice before and just fizzled out. But since it’s January and I’m Resolved, surely that won’t happen again. Ahem.

I suppose here is where I would talk about myself for a bit. I was born and raised just outside of DC. I think District natives tend to claim to be a part of multiple regions of the US – it truly is a blend there. But I was raised very much Southern. Which means I can scare up a mean bunch of greens as well as navigate the metro.

I married my own prince charming in early 2008 and am now a proud USAF wife. Just after we were married, my husband was transferred (PCS’ed for you other military people out there) from DC to Wyoming. To say it was complete culture shock for me would be an understatement. It has been quite the adventure though and an experience I never thought I’d have. Maybe someday I’ll have nice things to say about it.

I work from home in the same job I had in DC. I’m very, very, very lucky that way. I work in the medical/public health sector. And that’s all I’ll ever say about that because I’d like to continue being very, very, very lucky!

Let’s see, I also have a stepdaughter. She’s a teenager but she’s still pretty awesome.

Our other daughter is a cat named Scarlett. She is a true Southern Belle. She also is an excellent office companion, but she won’t file.

I could go on, but I think this is a fine start.