• life,  my view,  weight loss,  weight watchers

    Limbo

    Are you all still on holiday or is it back to the grind for most of you? Right now for me it’s that strange limbo week between Christmas and New Years where the kids are out of school, but my DH is working so it’s not really a holiday anymore, but not quite routine and I’m busy, busy, busy.

    This week for me is also the week of reflections where I’ll look back on 2008 and will say a happy sayonara to it. Also it’s the week where I start to look forward to 2009 with a bit of fear (must work on that. I think it’s the artist way) and lots of hopefulness for better days ahead.

    This image came up when I did a search at the MET using the keyword ‘limbo’ It’s by van Gogh and I had never seen it before. Don’t ask me where it’s hanging or even if it is. I’ve been to The Met more times than I can count in my life as it’s probably my favorite place in New York since I was a child, but I’ve never seen this. It’s instant love and now I’m dying to see it in real life.

    Wanting to get a jump on the January 1 rush, I was up the morning after Christmas and off to Weight Watchers to get back on track with that. Go me! So far I had not fully embraced the new program (old one either) and the Monday meetings were just not working out. Too much weekend downfall and the singing, well, that’s another story. So I went back to Friday and had a few minutes of one on one time with the leader for a better understanding of the new program.

    Yay Me! Yay you too!


    Happy Monday.

    Best,
    Kwana

    Image: Artist Vincent van Gogh (Dutch, 1853–1890)Title : The Potato Peeler Date 1885

  • jack,  Oprah,  weight loss,  weight watchers

    Momentum

    What’s Jack up to? Jack is so fickle lately. We’re having a terrible time getting him to go outside in the morning. He is so not into the cold weather. Running and hiding under the bed and making the DH late for work. Sorry bud. It is what it is and you have to get your walk.

    I’ve been terribly unmotivated since returning from Savannah. Running is painful. Really painful and it’s oh so cold. It’s seems to have gotten deep into my bones and they won’t loosen up enough to go the distance to get in ½ hour on the Dreadmil. I find myself barely able to handle a brisk walk. I know it will be a fight through each and every exercise session during these winter months.

    So I took my very sluggish behind to Weight Watchers for a weigh in and to be introduced to the new program that came out this week. 2 problems:

    No.1. This may not be a problem just an uncomfortable change but once again Weight Watchers has turned the WW diet world upside down and come up with a totally new plan. No more flex and core plans but now a new flex/core hybrid (much like the auto industry) called Momentum. It seems to require lots of studying and new math. Oh joy.

    No.2. I’ve decided to jump start my motivation by changing my day. (Ok the other day interfered with a breakfast date with friends. Shhh don’t be quiet.) This means a new group and leader. More change. And here’s the kicker. They actually sang at the end of the meeting. Seriously, took a popular song and gave it WW lyrics. Cut to my jaw dropping. Too much even for me. I may have to go back for sure now just to see what they sing next week. I guess that’s motivation enough. Pretty slick trick leader.
    Weight loss is such a hard thing that the words “hard thing” are too weak to describe it. It’s a tiny percent physical. Mostly mental. And then there are these strange chemical things that go on that effect everything. All of it adding up to a big old mess. I’m currently watching GMA and they are talking about Lady O and how once again she’s struggling with her weight. I know there are some that won’t have sympathy with that, but I do. Weight loss and keeping weight off is such a tough thing to do while living an easy happy life. I’m feeling for you O.

    Best,
    Kwana
  • bad dog,  diets,  jack,  politics,  Reality tv,  weight watchers,  yorkies

    Bad Dog!

    What’s Jack up to? That Jack, well he’s all clean, but he’s his usual devilish self. I’m calling him and he’s ignoring me so I go to investigate why and I see he’s under my bed busy munching on my freebie Weight Watcher fruit and nut bar that I got at my last meeting. Bummer, I was so looking forward to trying that too. I could have sworn I had it put up. Who knows how Jack got too it. Darn Jack!

    Off to write. Novel idea eh? Sorry.
    Not much to talk about today. Oh, I know, anyone have thoughts on a Governor having a tanning bed in the mansion? Any real reason to need it besides that healthy orange glow? Lack of sunlight perhaps? Depression? Come on people help me out here. I’m trying to make this alright and not always be so cynical, but she’s the gift that just keeps on giving. And we (ok, me) were laughing at Shayne Lamas for tanning on The Bachelor. Who knew she was just building up her resume. Probably getting ready for her up coming cabinet position. Hush up, Kwana! Ok.

    Best,
    Kwana
  • dieting,  interviews,  jack,  Liza Palmer,  Real Estate,  Weekend,  weight loss,  weight watchers

    Manic Monday

    What’s Jack Up to? He’s shaking of the rain after his walk this morning and marveling over the quiet of the house. Whew. Could it be we’re alone again, Jack?

    The weekend and Spring Break are both over and it’s back to the grind. It was nice to have a week without the daily push and shove, but it will also be nice to have a few hours of alone time in the house again. Possibly a few house of writing time once all the missed errands of the week are done in a a day or two. Can you say laundry?

    This weekend before all the yard work the DH and I were super nosey and went to see a house that doesn’t know there’s a recession going on and gas is at 4.00 a gallon. It’s in walking distance from our house and we’ve watched this mini-mansion being built for the past year and a half so when the sign went up for an open house I was practically running over there acting like at potential buyer.

    Of course we started going back and fourth about what the asking price would be in this NY suburb. DH went low which was not low at all and I went considerably higher considering the schools and the town.

    As we were walking one of our neighbors drove by and asked where we were going and we told him. “Oh you gotta tell me what they want for that thing when you get back!” he said with excitement.

    Real estate is a funny thing. We live in a town where the houses go from modest cottages (like ours) to just a few blocks over Mc Mansions that need intercom systems to call every one to dinner. And in the end it’s all about the school. I often say, “we didn’t buy a house we brought a school.”

    Well, I’m proud to say I know my high end real estate. I priced it perfectly at 1.6 mil. Cra-zy. The house is gorgeous. Drool worthy. 4 bedrooms. Office. Great room with vaulted ceiling and stone 2 story fireplace. Basement ready to be finished as you like included in the price. I imagined a small theater and billiard room. The DH a 2 lane bowling alley. But still, 1.6 mil. I sure hope it sells. Will be great for my property value. Hmmm, must go and sweep the cottage steps.

    Since it’s Monday, that also has me thinking about dieting. I’ve been doing so poorly. So I’m shaking things up. I’ve been on WW forever and not really following it forever. Usually being done with my points by around 12:00. But instead of giving up on WW I’m shaking things up by going on core today where you eliminate the white products but get whole grains and fruits. It’s more limiting than flex with the food choices but maybe that’s what I need. Wish me luck. Let’s see if I can make it till 3:00 today. Eek.

    Oh, and once again the winner of the Liza Palmer Seeing Me Naked contest was Brown Girl Gumbo. See below and if you missed the interview click here. Liza was so inspiring. Thanks Liza!

    Best,
    Kwana