- Drive by Graceland to see the light display
- Check out a holiday play (maybe, If Scrooge Was a Brother)
- A Concert (Transiberian Orchestra on the 8th, perhaps)
- Watch a modern Nutcracker (Nut Remix 12/9-12/11)
- Zoolights once Mom & Alex get here
Monday, December 5, 2011
Christmas Goings On
Let's just say I feel a little left out. I didn't feel left out until I had a friend at church mention how busy she'd been now that it's Christmas-time. You know, all the parties, baking, decorating, pot-lucks, events... something every night. I nodded my head in agreement and thought about how we put up the tree and created a pandora station. Honestly, my schedule keeps me from doing much with people so I can't be too upset... but it would be nice to be asked. Anyway, I've decided to make a list of what I want to see and do this Christmas season and to try do at least a few of them. Here are some I've pulled from ILoveMemphisBlog.
Christmas-time is here again
Welcome to Advent. I have not been very good at focusing on Advent this season despite rudimentary effort to make my life "cheery & bright." My house and life are a mess and adding anything to my day is typically a thought as I fall asleep to try for tomorrow.
That said, advent is important. God took on human flesh... and we're not talking beautiful rippling muscles and shiny white teeth. God came as a helpless baby and subjected himself to our diseases, discomforts, aging, and limitations. He limited and lessened himself with the end goal of sacrifice for me. The only immortal one became mortal, tired, and gave himself up willingly for me. We waited and waited. Our only hope seemed ridiculous. Why would anyone do this? But our hope came. We need to remember. We need to celebrate.
Step one will be to go through Fellowship's Advent Devotional. I'll keep you posted on steps to come.
That said, advent is important. God took on human flesh... and we're not talking beautiful rippling muscles and shiny white teeth. God came as a helpless baby and subjected himself to our diseases, discomforts, aging, and limitations. He limited and lessened himself with the end goal of sacrifice for me. The only immortal one became mortal, tired, and gave himself up willingly for me. We waited and waited. Our only hope seemed ridiculous. Why would anyone do this? But our hope came. We need to remember. We need to celebrate.
Step one will be to go through Fellowship's Advent Devotional. I'll keep you posted on steps to come.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
PR
You can't PR every day. I know it. It just feels like lately all my days have been worse than days before. My motivation to continue eating clean has been performance rather than weight loss. Sure, weight loss was the initial motivator but I can't sustain a diet based on wanting to look good. I get sick of the restrictions and decide that I look good enough to give up (never mind that going back to the old way of eating means going back to the old way of looking). But paleo stuck because I had to eat that way to make my way through my workouts. This is the way to eat if I want to be active and have fun and see results (strength and body composition).
Lately there have been no results. At least that's how I feel. My sleep is jacked up. I have no energy to work out. When I make it to the WOD it just doesn't seem that exciting and I don't feel like I do that great. All in all my motivation to workout: through the tubes; and my motivation to eat right: in the crapper. It's a big and vicious cycle. My body hasn't started changing back yet but that's the next step... if I don't put an end to this.
I guess I've got a short term plan. I bought Primal Pacs and they are going to be what I eat when I really just want crap. Quick easy and clean food. It's a stop-gap until my body doesn't beg for the carbs I've been feeding it. I have to not cheat for 3 weeks (I may have to order more Primal Pacs).
Also, I think Walt & I are going to 'switch' boxes. He's using Faction to stretch (he's got the current membership) and I want to use their programming. Hopefully I can get the excitement back and start to see improvement again. It may be more disappointment at the beginning, however, if I really have regressed. I have to prepare myself for it. Even if I'm not worse I am worse off... my lack of sleep has got to be a factor.
That leads me to my final point. This one isn't so short term. I guess I have to start looking for a day-shift/12 hour shift job. If they can't give it to me on 4E (12 hours... not days) I'll have to consider it. As much as I hate that, my health is worth it and I'm going to have to start thinking in that direction.
Lately there have been no results. At least that's how I feel. My sleep is jacked up. I have no energy to work out. When I make it to the WOD it just doesn't seem that exciting and I don't feel like I do that great. All in all my motivation to workout: through the tubes; and my motivation to eat right: in the crapper. It's a big and vicious cycle. My body hasn't started changing back yet but that's the next step... if I don't put an end to this.
I guess I've got a short term plan. I bought Primal Pacs and they are going to be what I eat when I really just want crap. Quick easy and clean food. It's a stop-gap until my body doesn't beg for the carbs I've been feeding it. I have to not cheat for 3 weeks (I may have to order more Primal Pacs).
Also, I think Walt & I are going to 'switch' boxes. He's using Faction to stretch (he's got the current membership) and I want to use their programming. Hopefully I can get the excitement back and start to see improvement again. It may be more disappointment at the beginning, however, if I really have regressed. I have to prepare myself for it. Even if I'm not worse I am worse off... my lack of sleep has got to be a factor.
That leads me to my final point. This one isn't so short term. I guess I have to start looking for a day-shift/12 hour shift job. If they can't give it to me on 4E (12 hours... not days) I'll have to consider it. As much as I hate that, my health is worth it and I'm going to have to start thinking in that direction.
Monday, October 24, 2011
My Weekend is Too Short
Delightful dinner. So quick and easy that the only picture I have is of its leftovers.
Honestly, it was just lunch meat rolled up in cheese & the best apple ever. Who can't use a simple and tasty paleo meal on their night off? I'm seriously tempted to eat another apple. The honey crisps I got on Saturday are the best I've ever tasted. YUM.
In other news, it's my weekend again. This month I get Monday/Tuesday off (which is really Sunday night and Monday). So on my first weekend night off (since May) I slept until 3, drank some highly caffeinated tea, took a walk with Walt & the dog, went to church (drank some more tea), and rushed to Arkansas (less rushing next week) for a bonfire with the Wilsons.
Let me just say, I married a man who can make an incredible cooking fire. We had s'mores (yay, that's the treat for this week) with nutella and cheddar brats and pork ribs. Great food and as a side bonus: my clothes smell like campfire. One of the best smells on earth.
Tomorrow I'm going to try to get up early (I'll hopefully go to bed early too) so Walt & I can go to Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park to hike some new trails. I want to cook some chicken I've had my eye on for at least a week and carve some pumpkins too. Unfortunately, I guess the zoo will have to wait until another time. I'm kind of hoping for a cold and drizzly day. Is that weird? I just picture myself and Walt all bundled up and close together with the animals and a distinct lack of whiny kids thanks to the slightly crummy weather. I might even carry around a coffee or spiced cider. This could be just perfect. :)
In still other news, I'm not feeling very motivated to work out lately. I feel like I'm getting weaker, not stronger and miss the programming I got used to at Faction. I like my new box... just not the main site workouts. It's hard to get up for a work out when you don't see the results. It's hard to get up at all with this crazy work schedule I have. I really just want 12 hour shifts or days. But with my manager not (truthfully) willing to consider 12 hour shifts it looks like I'm stuck trying to motivate myself on too little sleep for a little while longer. Thankfully, I just got my copy of Make It Paleo to play with this next week. (It's the size of some of my nursing text books. I can play with this book for weeks and weeks to come!)
Honestly, it was just lunch meat rolled up in cheese & the best apple ever. Who can't use a simple and tasty paleo meal on their night off? I'm seriously tempted to eat another apple. The honey crisps I got on Saturday are the best I've ever tasted. YUM.
In other news, it's my weekend again. This month I get Monday/Tuesday off (which is really Sunday night and Monday). So on my first weekend night off (since May) I slept until 3, drank some highly caffeinated tea, took a walk with Walt & the dog, went to church (drank some more tea), and rushed to Arkansas (less rushing next week) for a bonfire with the Wilsons.
Let me just say, I married a man who can make an incredible cooking fire. We had s'mores (yay, that's the treat for this week) with nutella and cheddar brats and pork ribs. Great food and as a side bonus: my clothes smell like campfire. One of the best smells on earth.
Tomorrow I'm going to try to get up early (I'll hopefully go to bed early too) so Walt & I can go to Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park to hike some new trails. I want to cook some chicken I've had my eye on for at least a week and carve some pumpkins too. Unfortunately, I guess the zoo will have to wait until another time. I'm kind of hoping for a cold and drizzly day. Is that weird? I just picture myself and Walt all bundled up and close together with the animals and a distinct lack of whiny kids thanks to the slightly crummy weather. I might even carry around a coffee or spiced cider. This could be just perfect. :)
In still other news, I'm not feeling very motivated to work out lately. I feel like I'm getting weaker, not stronger and miss the programming I got used to at Faction. I like my new box... just not the main site workouts. It's hard to get up for a work out when you don't see the results. It's hard to get up at all with this crazy work schedule I have. I really just want 12 hour shifts or days. But with my manager not (truthfully) willing to consider 12 hour shifts it looks like I'm stuck trying to motivate myself on too little sleep for a little while longer. Thankfully, I just got my copy of Make It Paleo to play with this next week. (It's the size of some of my nursing text books. I can play with this book for weeks and weeks to come!)
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
VI
It must be the caffeine coursing through my veins, but I'm pretty excited about life right now. There's no good reason. I'm still trying to live days and nights and thinking about whether or not I should look for a new job, whether or not we should move back to Arkansas, whether or not to live above our means and join back up at Faction, whether or not Walt's back will heal and he'll join the army, waiting to see how long we live in limbo until we know and can move ahead, etc. etc. (I know, I know... 1st world problems).
All of that, a messy house, and here I am meal planning for the next 7 days. It's 4 AM Wednesday morning. I just hope I can get the energy up to buy the groceries and prep the ingredients for these meals. But right now, it all seems very doable. And this morning I'm going to go work out (hence the coffee). 0600 WOD here I come. I'm just crossing my fingers that it is still on. Life feels pretty good.
(Oh- and fyi, today I had brats for breakfast and then picked up a DELICIOUS cup of illy coffee at Cafe Eclectic on our way to Arkansas. It's gray and chilly and rainy and it made me want to move to Seattle and drink coffee all the time --that is a lot of and's--. In Arkansas I got to see most of the Stokes clan --Bob, Barbara, Dorothy, baby Julia, Kora, Saja, David, & Tobias-- and then got to break in a "youth gun" for my niece's birthday. I hadn't realized how much more fun it is to shoot a gun when it doesn't leave bruises on your shoulder and take all your might to pull the trigger, hold the gun, and avoid kickback. I feel kinda sheepish but... I think they need a little rebranding so that I can proudly own one myself. After dark Walt & I made our way back to Memphis to the 3 Angel's Diner --this is attempt two in two days, I wanted me some brussels sprouts-- where we had the amazing Colossus Burger sans bun, pickle and chips. You know it's good when you can get full sans bun, pickle, and chips; and this burger stuffs me. We came home where I fell asleep during Toy Story 3, oops, made some coffee, did some laundry, discovered the accent vlog -- more to come on that--, and sat down to plan our week in food. Also, on a slightly related note, this is a 4 day work week for me. Yet another reason life is looking good. :) Sorry for that ramble. This is probably proof positive that coffee has a profound affect on me. I just hope I don't crash just before 6.)
All of that, a messy house, and here I am meal planning for the next 7 days. It's 4 AM Wednesday morning. I just hope I can get the energy up to buy the groceries and prep the ingredients for these meals. But right now, it all seems very doable. And this morning I'm going to go work out (hence the coffee). 0600 WOD here I come. I'm just crossing my fingers that it is still on. Life feels pretty good.
(Oh- and fyi, today I had brats for breakfast and then picked up a DELICIOUS cup of illy coffee at Cafe Eclectic on our way to Arkansas. It's gray and chilly and rainy and it made me want to move to Seattle and drink coffee all the time --that is a lot of and's--. In Arkansas I got to see most of the Stokes clan --Bob, Barbara, Dorothy, baby Julia, Kora, Saja, David, & Tobias-- and then got to break in a "youth gun" for my niece's birthday. I hadn't realized how much more fun it is to shoot a gun when it doesn't leave bruises on your shoulder and take all your might to pull the trigger, hold the gun, and avoid kickback. I feel kinda sheepish but... I think they need a little rebranding so that I can proudly own one myself. After dark Walt & I made our way back to Memphis to the 3 Angel's Diner --this is attempt two in two days, I wanted me some brussels sprouts-- where we had the amazing Colossus Burger sans bun, pickle and chips. You know it's good when you can get full sans bun, pickle, and chips; and this burger stuffs me. We came home where I fell asleep during Toy Story 3, oops, made some coffee, did some laundry, discovered the accent vlog -- more to come on that--, and sat down to plan our week in food. Also, on a slightly related note, this is a 4 day work week for me. Yet another reason life is looking good. :) Sorry for that ramble. This is probably proof positive that coffee has a profound affect on me. I just hope I don't crash just before 6.)
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
V
I made it 5 days no cheat. Alas, only 5 days. We had some good meals before The Belmont Grill gave me a very measly little burger on quite delicious bread, note to self, The Belmont is probably not the best choice for a paleo dinner. They did have a great Long Island Iced Tea tho... This week I ate some delicious meatloaf (covered in bacon and stuffed with sweet potatoes), Chicken Coconut Curry, Maple Balsamic Mahi Mahi, and Cinnamon Chipotle Sliders (those smelled incredible while cooking). Very nice.
On Friday Walt & I went to the Broad Avenue Arts & Bikes Night. Fun beautiful art and metal work. Also DELICIOUS brussels sprouts and "colossal burger" at the 3 Angel's Diner. We spent a little time with some friends from Faction, Walt talked with a blacksmith, and I bought some art that I need to frame and hang on the walls. I still can't figure out when to sleep. I want to be awake during the day but I have to be awake at night. This post isn't very exciting. I guess it's time to take some melatonin and hit the sack.
On Friday Walt & I went to the Broad Avenue Arts & Bikes Night. Fun beautiful art and metal work. Also DELICIOUS brussels sprouts and "colossal burger" at the 3 Angel's Diner. We spent a little time with some friends from Faction, Walt talked with a blacksmith, and I bought some art that I need to frame and hang on the walls. I still can't figure out when to sleep. I want to be awake during the day but I have to be awake at night. This post isn't very exciting. I guess it's time to take some melatonin and hit the sack.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
I
Day One Success! Well... 24 hours down. :) I'm still happy. I've had egg salad (2 eggs, organic mayo, salt, pepper, and paprika), almonds, coffee with coconut creamer and coconut curry "throw together." I'm taking the leftovers with me to eat for "lunch" at work tonight so hopefully there'll be no cheating there. The curry was pretty good. Life lesson I need remember, however, is that my ovens never cook as quickly as recipes predict. Regardless, who can complain about chicken, broccoli, butternut squash, sweet potato all smothered in coconut milk, coconut flour, and amazing seasonings? Not me! I'm going to pull it together and head out to work.
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