After a very looooong, busy week at work, I’m heading out towards Alabama. Watch out for me if you’re along I-10 between Houston & Mobile

Weight watchers weigh in: 166.8

Woo-woo!! Down 3.2 since starting WW 2 weeks ago. Not only that, but this is a 2008 low weight. Yeah!!

All I can think to say is that as long as I stick with it, I should be great. But isn’t that always the issue?

My new obsessive sweet treat is marshmallows. Not even sure why, but give me 1 graham cracker and melt a marshmallow on it and I’m a happy  camper for very low points!

Now, if you will excuse me, I’m off to purchase my new CS3 software - after my annoyance over being a taxi service to someone I don’t like, my mother bribed me with the extra $$ I needed to purchase the software. Yes, I can be bought and I’m perfectly willing to admit it!

This upcoming weekend, I was supposed to go visit my dad and mom.  I was gonna drive with one of my cousins. Well, apparently, this cousin called my mother and asked if she could bring her friend. My mom said yes. Even though mom knows I don’t care for this friend. Completely disregarded that I will have to spend 8 hours in a car with a person that I don’t particularly care for and that is just on the ride up there. Why?! Because she just “didn’t know how to say no”. Really, cause NO is one of the simpler words in the modern language. One syllable. Universally understood by all.

Very excited that the weekend is about to start. I need this break.

I met with my boss yesterday (90-day performance review) and was told really nice things. It’s nice to know I’m appreciated, and it’s amusing that she is the second person here who feels that I have amazing observation and communication skills. A coworker told me last week that I could be an amazing politician Yes, I take that as a compliment

I also mentioned the 4 -10’s issue and was offered another option that I didn’t even think about. TELECOMMUTING! As long as I have CS3 on my home computer, I can telecommute one day a week. I SO LOVE MY JOB RIGHT NOW!

Tomorrow is my WW Weigh-In. As long as I don’t lose my mind and eat a gagillion calories today, I’ll show a loss - I’m a daily weigher. I’m trying to be super good because this morning I showed a 3 pound loss for the week and would like to keep it that way

Also, last week I had to order a book for Kirk (his info was ‘verified’ on ebay, so the seller wouldn’t ship) and saw that the same seller had a brand new copy of Hungry Girl’s book for $5.  Well, of course I added that bad boy to the purchase! It came in yesterday, it has some great recipes in it - I’ve managed to read all of the Breakfast & Chopped Salad sections. I love how she includes single serving recipes. Makes it easier for days when it’s just me at the house.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Received a text from my mother this morning:

“If something were to happen, could you pay the bills on the house.”

Can you feel the sense of dread?! I mean, of course I can pay all the bills on the house (currently they are split between my parents, brother, and myself), but any message like that startles a person (to say the least).

My dad has been doing his job (in natural gas pipelines) for over 30 years - it’s been good to him and in turn, given me a lot in life. We are in no way rich, but we don’t hurt either. They helped pay for part of my college, the rest are loans in my name ($24K). Anywho, we really never complain about the oil industry because of our affiliations with it.

But, in the past year or so, my dad has noticed a shift in the behaviors of the ‘upper level’ executives. A company that used to make profits yet also look out for their employees, is now forcing my father to oversee 5 different pipeline installation projects at the same time. Meaning he is responsible for happenings at 5 different locations that he can not be at.  He has mentioned this to his executive director several times and keeps getting the answer of “we know we are getting someone in to help”. Two weeks ago he gave them the option of either getting him help or paying him more money (his salary normally oversees 2 projects at once).

Well, today, there was an accident at one of the sites he was not at. Although he is 100% in the clear and not responsible for what happened, it pisses him off knowing that if he could have been there, this accident would not have occured. Basically, his concern is more with the welfare of his workers than with whether or not he pulls the project in on time.

So, he apparently called my mom and asked if she would be upset if he walked off this project - something he has never done (but is somewhat common in the industry). Mom called me, and we both agree that if it is so severe that he’s actually wants to leave, then he should and we will support the decision.

Kind of makes me wonder if this was supposed to happen (newbie readers: I believe in ’signs’ and fate). Maybe I was supposed to move home and work in Houston, so that my dad would be able to have the opportunity to take his own little stand. 

The signup for the charity bike ride I did last year has started. The place where I now work is a huge sponsor of the event, and I’m officially joining the team (last year’s team had over 60 members!) I’m so nervous right now, because instead of doing the 23-mile ride, I want to train for the 47-mile ride. AUGH!

I’m trying to calm myself with the fact that last year’s ride, I showed up with no training and was able to go for 23-miles. This year I have roughly 2 months to build up. Plus the new gym I’m at has Indoor Cycling at 6:45p.m. every other day. I know I can do it, but gee…that’s daunting.

Medical Results Are In: I do have a fatty liver, my liver was slightly enlarged, but not enough to warrant a biopsy. Gastroenterologist wants me to follow a low-fat diet and try to lose 10-15 lbs. in the next 6 months, then come back to more blood tests. He truly feels this can be reversed with diet & exercise. So that made me feel so much better about myself.

LOL, gee, a girl joins a challenge and all sorts of new readers pop up Hi everybody!

Ok, for non-HYC-ers let me explain. I was looking for new blogs to read, when I came across the Healthy You Challenge.  The premise to become a healthier version of who you are right now. No specific goals other than that, unless you chose to add some on yourself. So I signed up. Every Tuesday (today) we are supposed to give an update. Technically I joined Thursday of last week, so I’m counting the 1 pound loss as part of it. My goals again are lose a pound a week and get to the gym 3 times a week.

Also, to explain about the gym situation: I was a member of 24-Hour Fitness, a chain of gyms. Had a bad experience where they misquoted prices of the BodyBugg and kept pushing me to buy more personal trainer sessions BEFORE I even had 1 session that I did pay for. I quit them, but am now part of a locally-owned gym called FIT FOR LIFE that happens to be open 24 hours, but is NOT affiliated with 24-Hour Fitness chains.  Hope that makes sense

So for the new peeps to my blog, feel free to look around, I’ve added an About Me section so you can learn my whole story.

Also, completely random question: If work offered you the ability to work 4 - 10 hour days (Friday, Saturday & Sunday off) would you take the offer?

Sorry, was so enamored with the armadillos, I didn’t post anything else!

On Saturday, I went to a WW meeting and ended up transferring my online only subscription to a monthly pass. The meeting is held at the hospital of a neighboring town. The group was so sweet and helpful. They even let me know about a locally owned gym that is open 24-hours. ((Jaw drops))

As soon as I was done with the meeting (down 1 lb., btw) I hauled booty to the gym. It’s staffed from 8am-8pm; but you use your access card to get in at any time. It has classes that start at 5a.m. and run to 9 p.m (including a Spin class that I want to go to). They also have a pool and personal trainers (10 sessions for $330!!!) THEY EVEN HAVE A WII Fitness CLASS!! How crazy is that - they have 10 controllers and project the ‘game’ onto one of the walls. LOL!! Yeah, I completely signed up on the spot ($32 a month).

I cancelled my membership to 24-Hour Fitness the next day

I got half of my health news back. All of the blood work - which would have indicated severe liver issues - came back negative.  They are supposed to call me today or tomorrow about my ultrasound. I’m still hoping for no problems or fatty liver! Will keep you posted.

I was blaming Raccoons for destroying my garden (my squash is completely dead), but yesterday evening I finally found the culprits:

There is a whole family of armadillos living under my neighbors house, coming over to my garden at dusk. For non-country dwellers - armadillos are blind, so they don’t really have a concept of daylight savings time….it was 8:30 p.m. when I took these. Because they are blind, all I had to do was sit completely still and wait for them to walk up to me. The only reason I made him run away is because he was about to walk on my foot….armadillos have crazy sharp claws and I was scared he’d scar my leg (was wearng flip-flops).

Sadly, I’m going to have to remove these creatures from their current residence. Yes, they are much cuter and less rabid than raccoons; but they do do a number on a person’s yard. Tonight I’m going to ”catch” them with a fishing net, pop them in a plastic container and take them down to a river. My neighbor is trying to kill them, so I’m hoping I can be faster than he.

Why would a doctor’s office call my office and leave the following message:

” Paige, we have the results of your ultrasound and bloodwork, please call me back immediately” at 12:42.

Then when I call back, at 1:05, I have to leave a message because the doctor’s office closes at 1pm.

WTF?! They have my cell number, WHY DIDN”T SHE CALL THAT?! Not only that, it is freaking FRIDAY!! I now get to panic and freak out until Monday morning to get my results. ERG!!