DAMN DIET! and a full plate

I am in a total love/hate relationship with my new eating habits.  Let me give you my issues. 
1.  Ralph and I went to Chili's for a Friday night date...I really wanted some chicken strips and fries (Sarah I think you can relate).  Anyway, by the time I had two small strips and a few fries I felt done and almost too full.  Had dessert anyway and came home feeling just gross!
2.  One of my co-workers brought Banbury Cross donuts in to celebrate her birthday.  I didn't get to them early enough to grab a maple bar - they were already gone, but I probably would have eaten it and then regretted it.  What was left didn't even look good to me.  So I didn't have any.
3.  I hate that I would rather have a protein shake with fruit, than a piece of french toast slathered with butter and syrup for breakfast
4.  I love the way I feel when I eat right
5.  I hate that I can't eat as much
6.  I love the way my clothes fit
7.  I hate not being able to have Halloween candy around the house - I would eat it!
8.  I love setting goals, sticking to them, and seeing the results of my diligence.
9.  I hate not being able to bake.  This is the best time of year for baking -pumpkinney, warm, gooey, cinnamonny goodies.  It's killing me.  I keep tyring to come up with reasons to cook and then give it away - just so I can have a taste.  It doesn't work - the goodies never leave the house. 
Anyway I think you get my point.

Silly me has loaded the schedule again.  This time mostly with stampin projects.  I have 35 table favors to make for my Mothers RS Fall dinner (I volunteered and am ok with it)  I have birthday cards for October to make.  I have a stamp a stack in just a little over a week.  Gotta get moving on that project - so much paper cutting.  We are hosting a dinner next weekend as well. If you know us - we don't do things small scale so that mixed with the stamp a stack weekend should keep me busy.  I also will...with tomorrow being the first post, start the 12 week countdown for Christmas with project samples.  I know you can hardly wait.  (secret...I already have my Christmas card designed - yes I know that is a little ambitious, but that way I get them done in time to send out)

Well - gotta get moving
Ta Ta for now

A Spoonful of Sugar & Weekend Report

Some days I really feel like I need something sweet to deal with the nasty medicine that comes my way.  Bring on the homemade ice cream and peach pie!  Nooooo, that is not quite what I mean although a little bit of comfort food doesn’t hurt – just not everyday which is what I need.

I have another co-worker quitting church employment for greener pastures- which means a lot more work for me.  We have new financial software that doesn’t work-which means a lot more work for me, I am now down 4 staff in primary that need to be replaced-nursery, 2 activity days leaders, and a chorister.  Any volunteers? 

I know that doesn’t seem so bad, and yes I will make it through, but, it seems like this kind of thing doesn’t stop happening.  It seems like we barely get caught up and then somebody else is leaving, or there are problems with the software that need to be fixed and always changes in ward callings.  One thing that is constant is change.  It makes me tired.

Actually – I have a lot of spoonfuls of sugar that help me deal with the hard times.  I am so looking forward to general conference this weekend – should be a spiritual refill.  It always flies by, but so worth it.  My husband and my doggie always help me get through the tough times, as do my family and friends.

I am loving this fall/summer weather.  It means more time to wear my shorts and it means more garden produce.    I love the fresh fruit and the tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beans, corn etc. The forecast is for more 90 degree weather. 

The football game on Saturday was a blowout.  56 to 3  I actually felt sorry for those San Jose players – they took a beating!  It was still fun to go hang out at the stadium and enjoy the fall weather.  In case you were wondering – no treats.  Gotta be good.  Yes...I did miss the RS Broadcast, but caught it the next day.  Loved the talks.

The primary program went off without a hitch – short of two of the kids not showing up (they didn’t have big parts).  The stake approached me afterward and told me that we were the model of a perfect program.  Yikes!  Don’t put me on that pedestal – too much pressure!  I think my favorite part was during one of the talks when one of the kids was trying to explain how Jesus is our Savior.  He said “God doesn’t want dirty people living in his house”  I loved it.  From the mouths of babes!

Ralph made several quarts of dill pickles – should be ready for Thanksgiving.  He also made a sweet spicy pickle.  Kind of like a bread and butter, but with a little “hot”.  I can’t wait to try them. 

My stamp club activity on Saturday went well – two of the gals had to leave early to make it to other scheduled events and one wasn’t able to make it, but I think it was enjoyed by all.  The projects were cased from my fellow stampers.   Somdays there is just no need to reinvent the wheel.

Friends never fade by Wendybell

Stamps – Friends never fade, fabulous phrases

Ink – More mustard, Cajun craze, old olive,

Paper – Very Vanilla, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso

Accessories – 1 3/8 square punch, small oval, more mustard ¼ grosgrain ribbon, dimensionals

Be Yourself – (idea taken from a sample at convention)

Stamps – Extreme elements, Smarty Pants, skateboarder

Ink – Garden green, stazon black, not quite navy, river rock, so saffron,

Paper – Not quite navy, garden green, basic black, whisper white

Accessories – star punch, antique brads,

Halloween Candy Wrappers – ideas all over the place

Stamps – Wicked Cool, All Holidays

Ink – Stazon Black

Paper – Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Spooky DSP, Daffodil Delight

Accessories - black lace, large oval punch, scalloped oval punch, bitty bat punch, smooch accent ink, 1¼ in Circle punch

Book Review and Stuff

Once again the scales have dropped despite the Bugle treats this week...must have been those walks up the hill.  YAY!!!!  I feel like I have broken through a barrier I thought I would never get through. yes!  I have now officially lost more than what I ever did with Weight Watchers.  Every little drop provides just enough motivation to stick with it.

 

Just finished another book titled Restless by William Boyd.  It took a long time to get into it and then for the last third of the book it really kept my attention.  There were parts of the story which really had no relation, I felt, to the true plot of the book.  It is about a Russian woman recruited to be a British spy during WWII.  The job of their team was to get the US to join the war.  It ultimately is about trust and revenge.  It was an ok book, but wouldn't suggest it as a "good read"

Just Now…

• The sun is coming up it is going to be a beautiful day.
• It totally feels like fall and I love it!
• After a cleanse day – I am starving - even a breakfast shake sounds good.
• I lost 3 pounds last week
• And even more inches
• Riley is still not awake
• I have a big day ahead of me lots to do

Ta Ta for now

Happy Birthday & Guilty Pleasures

Well it is another day to celebrate a birthday.  My aunt is having a birthday as well as my SIL who lives in WA.  Here is the card I put in the mail on Tuesday for my SIL.  Hopefully she will get it by today. 

One of her favorite colors is pink - so I thought I would give it a whirl.  Don't you just love this image.   She is so cute.  The inside reads "just thinking of you on your birthday"

This week has been jam packed with "stuff" going on.  Besides having to be at work everyday...

• I had to attend a meeting down at the Tabernacle on Tuesday. The topic was scouting and the new Duty to God program.  The flyers the ward received designated that primary presidents needed to be there.  I tried to get out of going, because I knew based on the other information given on the flyer - I wouldn't need to be there.  Plus - I hate extra meetings.  The counselor in the bishopric guilted me into going saying "that we have been asked to be there and that is why we go".  I went and sure enough I was right - nothing presented was applicable to my calling.  However I don't like to be a "negative nellie" so I found things that would work for me personally that were presented.  Avid scouters can be real scarry sometimes.
• My VT came over last night.  I always enjoy visiting with her.  She is a lot of fun. 
• Tonight I have my presidency meeting - whew the Primary program is Sunday and I have to do a little blurb to introduce it. 
• Date night on Friday as well as finishing my prep for my stamping group. 
• I think Ralph is also planning on doing some kind of pickles on Saturday as well as my stamp club and a football game in the evening.  We are playing San Jose.  Should be a fun time.

Always something going on - I guess that is the way I like it.

Guilty pleasure...last night we watched the season opener of NCIS (comcast on demand) as well as a new Ghost Hunters.  I also worked on getting the paper cut for my class this weekend.  We are going to do a couple of cards and one of those cute candy wrappers, Halloween style.   I love to spend evenings that way.  Another guilty pleasure...most of my Fall/Halloween decorations are up.  I love them.  Ralph allowed it on the condition I get rid of my favorite pair of shorts at the end of "short wearing season".  They are way to big for me, but I just can't seem to part with them.  He wears shorts all year so based on his calendar I should get to keep them right?  Another guilty pleasure...I get to go to lunch tomorrow at Jimmy Johns.  I love their sandwiches.  Hopefully I will be able to make a smart choice diet wise.  Sometimes those Itallian meats call my name!  Maybe I can just put another hour of exercise in.  LOL You are thinking yeah right -when would you do that.

Work to be done so, Ta Ta for now

I feel sick!

Yesterday as I was going about my work assignments, my immediate supervisor told me she would be bringing her bugle mixture for treats tomorrow.  I am thinking to myself..."Self, there is no way you are going to want to stick with your diet tomorrow"  On the way home yesterday, I told Ralph we needed to postpone our diet "cleanse" day because I wouldn't be able to stick to the regimen with the treats hanging around the office.  And...after the treats - I will need a cleanse day.

The salty sweet combo is irresisitable.  Normally - my will power can get me through days with yummy treats hanging around. But my boss doesn't bring the bugle treats in very often.  If I didn't get any the day she brings them in - then I would probably have to wait until Christmas.  There was no way I was going to do that!  So I have planned ahead.  I had my healthy breakfast and I have planned a tomato sandwhich for lunch.  That doesn't seem like much...but I know that after I have a handful of bugle treats I won't want anything else.

Sure enough it has hit 10:00 AM -I have had one good size handfull and I feel gross.  (Serves me right!) I have my big glass of water by my side and I know that my sandwhich and walk during lunch will save me!  The picture isn't that great (taken with my cell) but I am telling you, If you make these - you will have friends for life.  If you don't share them - I guarantee you will feel the sugar overload "sick" feeling. 

Bugle Treats

Cook to soft ball stage:

2 Cups Brown Sugar

1 Cup Butter

1 Cup Light Karo Syrup

1 14 oz. Can Sweetened Condensed Milk

Pour over:

3-4 Small Packages of Bugles

3-4 Cups Peanuts


ENJOY! (Yes Wendy...I am blogging during work hours - just wanted to share)

Silent Sunday

"Delicious autumn!  My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns." -   George Eliot

Mom and Me

Mom came for a short visit over Labor Day weekend.  We didn't take any pictures except for this one.  We had such a good time together.  This picture is during our lunch break while visiting the Swiss Days Festival that takes place in Midway, UT.  (notice my beefy arms?) There were loads of people there - busy busy busy.  There were several things we saw that we liked, but not enough to come home with it.   

Actually -  I did come home with with some cute magnets to go on my magnet board.  They are "stinkin"  cute!  My BFF Wendy and I purchased several to highlight different times of the year. 

The Utes play New Mexico State today.  Our quarterback is still out with injury as is our center.  Hopefully the team will have their heads on straight and it will be a great, clean game.  As much as I would like to travel to Albuquerque to watch the game, my couch won't be such a bad place either.  At least there won't be a sun burn to deal with.

Ralph bottled 14 quarts of tomato juice yesterday.  We will be grateful for the cup of hot tomato juice on those cold winter evenings. 
Well - things to do and places to go.
Ta Ta for now