Saturday

An update:

Yes, confession time...
1. Right now my diet consists mostly of the following: blueberry muffins, banana bread, apple cider, oatmeal and cereal.  Holy carb heaven!  Some cookies, candy and coffee too.  SUGAR!! Yikes.  And I haven't really been eating many greens or whole foods at all.  I have also gone out to eat many times lately, something I haven't done in a long time  -- and that means I have consumed way more savory (read:cheesy) foods than usual.  Mmmm my love of cheese is soooo bad.

My world is a sea of confusion right now -- I am in a weird place and my food choices reflect this I think.  Lots of junk happening in all aspects of my life -- with the emotional junk being the worst too  -- I want to get rid of it asap.

Eating so much sugar and processed food feels wrong to me but I know it will change when I am finally ready.  It is a work in progress, a never-ending journey!  As always.

2. No exercise on purpose, as of yet.  I am hoping that someone who loves me will purchase yoga classes or a gym membership for me this Christmas.  It would help tremendously.

My bum and tummy are definitely growing from lack of exercise and the carb-happy diet (but so are my boobies, woo-hoo!).  I feel a little uncomfortable in my clothes now that they are fitting so much tighter.  But mostly, I am sick of feeling tired all the time.  I want my energy back and I definitely want to creak less in the morning.

3. I am working steadily on the job front.  It has to be important to leave my day hours with Violet or it has to be at night  -- I will not settle for less than that.  AND I am on a mission to figure out how to be less of a geek when interviewed.  I have recieved calls back but I always flub the in-person part.  Too many "ums" and weak answers I think.  My game is tired and I need a new approach.  I want to knock the socks off of these employers and I need them to see how awesome I am.

17 day diet- cycle 1, day 4: Rewards

Today was a busy, busy day. We had 2 real estate agents come to our house, to help us decide if we should sell our house or not. On top of that stress, we have our church's Christmas Party tomorrow, and I'm one of the people in charge of putting it all together. In a nutshell, I'm pretty surprised that I didn't actually go crazy today. And I'm even more surprised that I stayed on track with my diet, amidst all the stress and craziness of today. I'm pretty darn proud of myself for getting through 4 complete days with no cheats (minus 1 oreo:).

That got me to thinkin'... I really need to have a reward for myself when I get through the 1st cycle (and the 2nd, and 3rd:). And THIS is what I've decided it's going to be:LOVE. This will so be waiting for me in 13 days.

Do you set rewards for yourself? What are they?

Friday: Love

My Friday LOVE list:

A list of some loves just because.

1. VIOLET! My number one love. Her beautiful face, smile, crazy laugh, that rosebud mouth, her sense of humor, her little white bum, the curve of her "baby belly", the way she runs away when I try to tickle her, her amazement and excitement and her wet kisses!  Her love of unicorns, her drawings, the way she dances, her love of blue! All of her is my favorite thing.

2. My sisters and brother.  They are all so unique and special.  I am thankful for them and I will never be alone (even in the darkest of hours) because they exist.

3. Yoga.  Because when I am IN that place, safe on my mat and inside my practice, it is the place where I feel most like me.  I am so thankful that I found yoga and that it will always have a place in my life. My daily inspiration comes from **here**.  One of my major life goals is to be able to share this love through teaching.

4. Cooking.  Or UNcooking actually.  It is a wonderous thing to put recipes together with whole, fresh, raw foods because I already know what the finished meal will taste like.  Simple and refreshing.  Raw food cooking is rewarding, fun and pleases the body and soul.

5. Christmas music!  Especially Elvis.
6. Owen.  One-eyed and full of kitty magic.
7. Job interview call-backs!
8. Chai!
9. Watching bad reality tv, snuggled up on the couch after a long ass day.
10. Shopping (toys, clothes and otherwise) for Miss Violet.

17 day diet- cycle 1, day 3: Bedtime.

The evenings are definitely the hardest for me.
I think it's because after dinner I know I'm done eating for the day... and that's a little bit of a sad thought. Since being on this diet, I've been going to bed a lot earlier. Even if I'm not that tired, I tell myself that I need to put a little heart on the calendar ending a successful day, and just go to bed. That seems to do the trick. Plus, I have the added benefit of being on a better sleeping schedule, since I used to go to bed around 1am. But still, I hope that I can get to the point where I have more self control in the evenings, and I don't have to send myself to bed every night ;)

Day 3 was a success. I had eggs and an apple for breakfast. My snack was a couple tangerines. Lunch was turkey meatballs with veggies, and for dinner I had a greek salad at the spicy pickle. And now I'm sending myself to bed :)

Are you a night time eater?
How do keep yourself from undoing your whole day?

Thursday

Another shot from her first haircut last weekend. I had to add this when I found it, she is so damn cute.

Photo courtesy of S. Gray

Thursday

I pretty much have to tell myself this everyday now.  It definitely helps in the fray.

Thursday

I was looking through some pictures over the past year and it is amazing how much Miss Violet has grown up!

She is such a special little person.  I am having a wonderful (and bittersweet) time watching her grow and mature.  In only a few short months - like 9 or so - she will be in school!  And I have no idea what I am going to do when she is there -- cry?  Work maybe?  (Ha I probably should).

November 2010. She is just a little peanut here!

April 2011

October 2011

Last night 11.30.11  We had professional pictures taken.