How will I change the channel when my arms fall off?

I must type quickly because there is no telling how much longer my arms will work. Sarah and I had partner training this morning with Vinny, which turned into an hour long kettlebell workout.

Evil "Turkish Get Up"

My limbs want to fall off of my body. I had to take a break drying my hair this morning because my arms were too tired to continue. Going down the stairs of the parking garage was tiring. Going DOWN! Imagine when it's time to leave and I have to go UP the stairs.... Why am I so wiped out? It's like I've never worked out before. Sarah said she'll probably be tired later, but her limbs don't want to secede from her body like mine. What is wrong with me? I haven't been working out nearly as much or as hard these last two weeks since I've not felt 100% healthy, but it's not like I've done nothing! Maybe I am having sympathy pains from watching The Biggest Loser last night. ;-)

Well... it's been awhile since my last update, so here's a quick recap of what you've missed.

Friday: Did not clean all the things. Instead I ate baddies while watching Say Yes to the Dress. I did manage to empty the trash and do the dishes.

Saturday: Worked job number two, ate more baddies, took a nap, then went to job number two's holiday party. It was fun, but not quite as fun as last year's - not as many people came, there was only beer (no wine), and there were no prizes (I always look forward to a chance to win a gift card!). I'm glad we were able to meet up with Andy at a bar afterwards though - he had a concert so couldn't go to the party.

Kristin, Katie, and Giant Babs

Sunday: Slept in - in fact stayed in my pajamas until 1:00pm doing laundry, cleaning some of the things, and reading a book. Then Andy and I ventured out to see The Hobbit. It. was. so. bad. We both thought it was bad. I was actually pretty disappointed because I've read all of the Lord of the Rings books and actually enjoyed the movies a lot (yes I know, this makes me a giant nerd). The Hobbit movie was just laughable compared to those other movies. Please... save your money. Don't see it. Thankfully my faith in visual media was restored that evening since Downton Abbey was on. Amazing! Poor Lady Edith. She's not even that ugly anymore, and things still just never go her way. :-)

Monday: Job number one, Zumba, The Biggest Loser. Solid day.

Now that I've caught you all up I'm realizing I'm becoming quite the TV watcher. But I love Downton Abbey and the Biggest Loser, and really... now that I'm engaged can't watching Say Yes to the Dress count as "research?" I guess this is what happens when you don't have money to go out... at least I have enough to pay the cable bill, otherwise I'd really be in trouble!

Babs feels blah

Last night's press conference was quite interesting. Side note: While I was typing that, I actually started typing "stress" conference. That should tell you something... Andy and I both attended - by the time we got out of there, Zumba had already started, so instead of dancing out my frustrations, we headed to the Elmwood Inn. Back at home we wound up staying up late trying to catch the press conference on the evening news. Stress + Eating out + staying up late... I turned into a food monster. Today is not going much better. Once I get a taste, I can't stop! And tomorrow is Job Number Two's holiday party. I'm going to try to get my life in order by Sunday so that I can get back on track before things get too far out of control.

One exciting thing from the press conference - my picture is in the paper today!

I'm in the white coat - that is the back of my head!

Notice I am the only one not clapping. That was on purpose. See the person leaving? That's our ex-music director. I hope he keeps walking and doesn't stop until he gets back to Vienna. It's amazing how one person can create such a mess. 

Anyway, this morning I had the pleasure of picking up Chris Botti at the airport and taking him to his hotel. For those of you that don't know, Chris Botti is sort of the "Kenny G" of trumpet.

Chris Botti

My job used to be driving the guest artists around, so it wasn't a foreign thing for me to do. Thankfully he fit the mold for guest artist behavior. The more famous the person, the nicer they are. The no-namers are HUGE a$$holes. I could list several who I'd wish uncontrollable diarrhea on. But the well known ones - super easy to deal with. Quiet but friendly. Thank you, Chris Botti, for not being evil. 

So the rest of my night/weekend... 

Tonight I hope to make some quality progress getting life in order while watching Say Yes to the Dress (I've loved that show even before getting engaged, but now it is especially exciting!). Ideally, getting my life in order would include: finally unpacking, cleaning all the things, going through all of my clothes with a super amount of will power to get rid of things I don't wear or that don't fit, reorganizing the remaining clothes so that everything has a place (separated by season), ironing all of those clothes so that everything is instantly ready to wear, cleaning out the fridge/cupboards and stocking them with all of the healthy foods I need to cook all of my pre-determined healthy meals (because obviously I would have my meals planned out as well), and prepping several ingredients so when the time comes to make a meal I'm already halfway done. Piece of cake right? 

What will I more likely accomplish tonight? Empty the garbage, wash the sheets, unpack one of two bags, and maybe try on a few pants, get sad that they don't all fit, then lay on the couch in my PJ's (without hanging the pants back up, of course).

Saturday I work at job number two... then our associate holiday party. Last year's was really fun so I'm looking forward to it, although Andy has a concert and can't go, so I'm bummed about that. Sunday is pretty quiet thankfully, so if I don't accomplish everything tonight, I'm sure I will be able to make some more progress then. ;-)  

PS - Kate Middleton's first official portrait was revealed today. I'd just like to go on record that I don't like it at all.

Bionic Woman

Ready for surgery!

My mom's surgery was yesterday and according to my dad, everything went very well. She is a bionic woman now!! In addition to titanium in her neck (she got that a few years ago) she now has steel in her ankle. Airport security is going to love her! Unfortunately she had to stay over night to monitor the pain. My dad called late last night saying she was in a lot of pain and that they did a "nerve block" to help her out. Hang in there mom!!!! Now the healing can begin. You will be good as new sooner than you know it!!!

Screws (no that is not a floating screw...it's holding the break together)

Plate

I also suffered some pain last night (incredibly trivial compared to my mom). 

See the teeny tiny split on my knuckle?

It's from boxing!!! I might look nice but looks are deceiving - I am a total bad ass!!! Hahahaha. I showed that punching bag who was boss last night. ;-) Rebecca also cracked me up when she referred to herself as the "Lady Edith" of boxing. You Downton Abbey fans will understand the reference. 

Tonight a group of super evil crazy people are having a press conference related to job number one, so I will be attending in hopes that it will be free entertainment and not make me toooo angry when they spew their uninformed BS to the press. Then Zumba to dance out my frustrations, haha. Should be an interesting night!

All Things Kate

It is the Duchess' birthday today!!!! Which means....

I've decorated my hair a la Kate

I've glued her in my food/exercise journal

I've made her my phone background

I am ready to celebrate! I'm meeting Sue for tea this afternoon which is super fitting since 1) English people drink tea, duh, and 2) Sue frequently sends me a "Kate of the Day" email with pictures of her latest outfits! How would you spend your birthday if you were the Duchess of Cambridge? I'm sure if I was actually her, I'd want to spend it in sweat pants watching bad tv - or doing something else "common" out of the public eye. If I could spend my birthday anyway I wanted... hmmm. Well, my birthday is less than 2 months away, so I better start thinking!

In other news, my mom is having surgery on her ankle today. I know that will not be a fun day at all for her, and I wish I could be there to hang out in her hospital room and play with a wheelchair (what I did the last time she broke her ankle and we went the the ER). But at least once she gets the surgery over with, she can start healing and get back to normal. Good luck today Mom! Friends - send her good luck vibes please. :-)

Weekend Review

Happy Monday friends. It's the first full week of the new year back in my normal routine. You'd think I'd be high on new beginnings and all gung ho to execute life perfectly now. Whelp... so far in 2013 I've gained a pound, still haven't finished unpacking, have been going to bed way too late and sleeping in to make up for it, the apartment is messier than ever, and I have done nothing in the way of planning ahead (you know... figuring out what's for dinner, what I'll wear the next day, packing my lunch the night before....). I did have the yucks though, and that has put a serious kibash on my attempts at perfection. Keep calm and carry on! As long as I wash my hair tomorrow, I will at least be better off than I am today. ;-)

I was still feeling pretty sick, so Friday night was very low key. Andy and I stayed in, made grilled cheese sandwiches and soup for dinner, and watched a movie. We've been living in these pajamas my Mema got us for Christmas. They are nice and warm, which has been much needed lately.

Friday night = pajama night

I went to a Weight Watchers meeting on Saturday morning - down another 1.6 pounds (although I gained all of that back over the weekend). After the meeting it was time for my first day back at job number two. My shift flew by because the club was SOOOOO busy. Those New Year's resolutions were definitely being accomplished on Saturday! Hopefully people will give up soon so we are not so busy! Just kidding. I do really hope everyone keeps their resolutions... maybe they can just meet them when I'm not working, lol.

Saturday night was spent being treated to a delicious dinner at Will and Rose's apartment. It was so nice of them to invite us over to celebrate our engagement. :)

Everything tasted amazing!

Will and Rose were kind enough to let us borrow several books too - although I must say this has been my main problem in going to bed at a decent time. I've started reading "The Princess Bride" and it's so entertaining I'm having a hard time turning out the light. I saw the movie once several years ago and don't remember much of it at all, so I'm really enjoying the book.

Sunday I slept in. Mmmmm. Sleeeeeeep. Then Zumba. Then after the youth orchestra's rehearsal, Andy and I purchased.... a new toaster!!!! Walking through Bed Bath and Beyond was a magical experience because I kept thinking, "Ooo I can register for this, and I can register for that!" But sadly our toaster died and I really like toast, so I wasn't willing to wait to register for one. :-)

Then... the moment I've been waiting for. The return of DOWNTON ABBEY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rebecca invited us over for the show. She made a delicious dip for veggies (much appreciated) and then also had wedding cake to celebrate MATTHEW AND MARY'S WEDDING!!! Can I tell you that as much as I loved the show, I was so disappointed that they didn't spend more time showing us their wedding? I had to wait through two seasons for them to finally get engaged. Then wham bam thank you ma'am "kiss me before I get cross" and it's over!

Not exactly my style...

Luckily it looks like Lady Hedith, err I mean Edith will be getting married next episode, but considering the source... I don't have high expectations. ;-)

All in all a great weekend - although I wish I had been a little more productive so that this week started off on a better foot. Keep calm!

I have the yucks

This was not the "Oprah's Favorite Things" show I always hoped to be on... but it seems to be my luck. I am still sick. How can something so beautiful and delicate as myself ;-) be reduced to a pile of snot and Kleenex? Nighttime medicine is amazing, but it makes it super hard to wake up in the morning. Daytime medicine makes me feel better but not good enough. I'm tired of my "n's" being replaced by some strange "d/b" combination, I'm tired of blowing my nose, I'm tired of coughing up surprises (they are not good surprises), and mostly I'm tired of not feeling up to exercising. I was on such a roll!

I also feel bad for Andy. Oh, you want to spend the rest of your life with me? Lucky you, you get a girl who hacks in her sleep, wakes up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat, and asks repeatedly if you think she has a fever. Lucky man! I hope this goes away soon...

Nothing is planned for tonight. Probably a date with the Kleenex box on the couch. Tomorrow morning I'm back to job number two for the first time in a long time. I really don't want to go back but I desperately need the money since job number one laid us off for a week. Hopefully I'll be feeling better tomorrow!

Happy New Year

2013 isn't starting out so hot for the Larson ladies. I've been sick - like, call in to work sick because I actually am too sick to just sit in a chair without dying. But even worse... my mom broke her ankle yesterday when she slipped on a patch of ice trying to go to the gym. :-( I feel so bad for you Mom!! Things can only go up from here!

2012 was quite a year: I ran my first marathon. I got faster and got PR's for both my half marathon and 5k distances. I got a promotion. And of course the latest news of getting engaged! All very wonderful things, although it's hard not to look back at 2012 and see it tinged with my struggles with weight. The year started and ended alright, but there was a huuuuge part (especially the summer which is when people usually like to feel their best) that I was uncomfortable in my own skin.

This year I've not made any specific resolutions (although there are tons I could think of that I'd like to try). My main goal for this year is to.... Keep Calm and Carry On!!! Way too many times I've weighed in the morning... it's higher than I think it should be... I enter the pit of despair... then bury my head in a jar of peanut butter for a solid week until I have an "I can't live like this" meltdown, buy a new food journal, and start over again as the Patron Saint of Baby Carrots. Plus I think the Keep Calm mantra will serve me well as I'll be entering the many phases of wedding planning which I'm sure will prove to be quite the experience.

Lucky for me, the lovely Sue Becker got me the most perfect notebook for Christmas. As I told Rebecca today, I will NOT tear out pages when I slip up and want a "do over." No friends - I will keep calm, and carry on. ;-)

2013 Food/Exercise Journal