Oh, hello. Have some tea and graham crackers.
Have you ever given someone advice about their life or how they are living it – whether invited to or not? (If you said no, you are a big giant liar. *grin*) I did this weekend and it got me thinking.
A friend had made a statement that I interpreted to mean that while she currently was in a very happy place in her life, she was holding back celebrating it out of fear. The way I understood the situation, she was either afraid of being happy because she has other friends who are struggling and didn’t want them to think she was rubbing it in; OR she was afraid because she has other friends who celebrated their happiness and it ended up going away.
What the hell do I know? Who am I? I was able to work myself up into a snit to tell her that she needed to be thrilled with her happiness and to celebrate or keep it quiet as she sees fit based on her own feelings, not based on others’ experiences.
Again – what the hell do I know?? I’m so consumed in my own brain, and my own thoughts, that looking back, I recognize I do EXACTLY what I told my friend not to do. It is so easy to give advice to others. I suppose it has something to do with an objective view of a situation. Or fresh eyes. Or it could have to do with being really, really meddlesome.
I’m pretty sure I fall into the meddlesome category. I’m not asked for advice, but I readily provide it. I’d like to think that I might have some nugget of wisdom to impart on occasion, but realistically I either need to just STFU or spend a little time cleaning my own house, so to speak. I need to quiet some of those nagging voices in my brain, the pointless nattering, the over-thinking of EVERYTHING.
I know it won’t be easy. But it’s necessary. And, who knows? Perhaps soon, I, too, will have something joyous to share. (Or not.)
Oh, hello! Have some chocolate covered potato chips.
I LOVE HOCKEY!!
There. I’ve said it. I should clarify that I like hockey live. Hockey on television is boring. I think it’s because of the tedious announcers.
For the past 4+ years or so, Herb and I have had half season tickets to our local AHL team. There are 40 home games, and we have tickets for 20 of them. We get the same seats every time. Ours are located right behind the penalty boxes. They are great seats.
Our team, the Pirates, used to be the farm team of the Mighty Ducks. But for whatever reason, they broke ties, and that group of young men went to play in Iowa. (?? I know!). Last year, we became affiliated with the Sabres. It was sad at first, but the new team was so good! They play well together – like a real team. There is one player, Nathan Gerbe, who you would not initially think of as a professional hockey player. He’s only 5’6″, which is very small for a hockey player. But he is AWESOME! He’s zoomy fast and never backs down from anyone. It’s great to watch him play. Then there is the goalie – Enroth. He is phenomenal. And he’s only 21. It’s astounding.
We have a game tonight. They started the season out not well. But we’re hoping for a win tonight. We both have our fan jerseys, and I have my pom-pom. I can’t wait.
Oh, hello! Veggie wraps for lunch. I hope that’s okay.
Some of my furry friends.
Archie
Millie
Fergus
Oh, hello! Tonight, we’re having some pasta salad. Help yourselves.
Where we were last week:
Amanda -5 to 230 and Rebecca -4 to 244 (1.86%)
Daniel -0 to 287 and Shay -5 to 432 (.69%)
Allen -7 to 285 and Abby -3 to 213 (1.97%)
Rudy -11 to 377 and Dina -5 to 229 (2.57%)
Liz -3 to 240 and Danny -8 to 382 (1.74%)
Julio -4 to 364 (1.09%)
Mo -8 to 318 and Tracey -4 to 213 (2.21%)
Julio was sent home.
Previews for tonight showed that they are now going to be split Blue v Black. One contestant wins the power to decide the teams. Everyone is praying Crazy Eyes doesn’t win it. Fingers crossed.
Here come the fatties. There is a black and blue wheel that looks almost like a Wheel of Fortune wheel. Sami tells them that they will be blue v black. They are freaking that one of their own will be picking the teams. 36 spaces, 1 golden ticket. They pick the team and the trainer. The other 35 spaces have other things like cash or food. They don’t all have to play. Sami tells them that if they want in, they need to step forward. Everyone is in except Abby – she said that nothing on the wheel has anything to do with why she’s there. GO ABBY!!
They are going to spin based on % lost so far.
Rudy spins first and gets a huge piece of cake for 1000 calories. Rebecca is next and she gets a 280 calorie donut. Allen is up – a cupcake, 100 calories. Danny is up. He gets a cupcake – 780 calories. (The cupcake is HUGE!!) Crazy Eyes is up. OH. MAH. GAH. She got it. Everyone is pissed! Everyone is gasping. They all think it’s eerie. Mo is convinced it’s something supernatural. She’s a witch. BUAHAHAHAHAHA
Same is putting pressure on her. Everyone is speechless! She goes off to think about it. Or, you know, kick a duck or something equally evil. We see her walking. They are all sitting around kvetching about someone else getting to pick their teams. Oh, goat. Lots and lots of crying. Dina says that if Rudy is not on her team, she will have no one to count on but herself. THAT’S THE FRIGGIN POINT!!! Own your own shit. Honestly.
They all meet up again. B&J come in. J is pissed that Crazy Eyes won. She’s grinning like…. a crazy person. *heh* She picks Bob as her trainer. He’s like… Um. Wow. But you can tell he isn’t happy. J wanted her and just wanted to kick her ass.
Blue team: Black team:
Crazy Daniel
Mo Shay
Allen Abby
Liz Danny
Rudy Amanda
Rebecca Dina
Okay, while she’s picking teams, Crazy interviews that she “needs to stop trying to please other people and take care of myself”. Um, really? When did you start to consider anyone but yourself? You whining spineless hag.
Anyhoo. The fatties aren’t especially happy with Crazy’s choices. More tears. (At least we know there will be no water weight gain this week. BUAHAHAHAHAHAHA – I kill me!) Crazy is trying to make herself cry. Now they are all back in the house, bitching. She has no integrity. She has stabbed them in the back. Liz is all whipped up.
We’re in the gym. B&J are beating up their respective teams. Amanda has already puked. The former teammates are all gazing longingly at each other. Liz just passed out or something on the treadmill. Her eyes are open. Her face is maroon! She’s eating fruit. She seems okay.
Dina can’t seem to do the leap on the stool thing. J is telling her that she needs to change her life. Dina just walked out of the gym. She wants to believe in herself. Rudy is giving her a pep talk. He brings her back to the gym and is making her jump onto the platform thing. Everyone else goes to eat. Dina stays to “confront the platform”. (It’s a little odd that she won’t just try it. What’s the worst that can happen?)
Bob has taken his team to the grocery store to teach them about food. OOO! Jennie-O product placement. They made wraps with Romaine lettuce leaves. Looked pretty good, actually.
Challenge time. Sami has some strange conductor hat on. Each team runs up a hill, carrying a platform with one of the teammates sitting on it. The winner gets videos from home. The sitter can be switched off through the game. Black team has Dina sitting. Blue team has Rebecca sitting. Blue is slow and steady and takes an early lead. They are through the mud. Black switches, Amanda is sitting now. 2nd mud pit. Black is struggling. Shay is having a hard time hanging on. Blue team wins. Black team finishes. Blue gets videos from home. Rebecca gives her video privileges to Dina. WOW! Dina sucks it up and declines it. She’s starting to own her shit. Nice.
Video night. Allen: crying. Rudy: crying. Mo: crying. His family is cute. Rebecca: crying.(Her sister is pretty funny though). Crazy: her husband doesn’t look crazy too. Um, their kitchen chairs have bull skull prints. WTF? Liz has asked Danny to watch her video with her. It’s Danny’s video! SURPRISE!! That’s so sweet. (And here I was thinking that she was kinda mean to do that to him.)
Last chance workout. J has her team outside, working as a team. Bob has his team in a 24-hour fitness club. Crazy is on a treadmill. Mo has a walking cast on. (WTF?) Liz is killing herself. Dina is still not able to do the platform jump. Maybe next week. (Makes me want to try it though.)
Tonight’s weigh in: they weigh in and get a total team percentage, whichever team loses sends one team member home.
Blue team: Total pounds: 43 Total %: 2.56
Liz -8
Rebecca -7
Mo -6 (his cast is gone??)
Tracey -7 (she weighed in first and interviewed all snotty. hate her)
Allen -7
Rudy -8
Black team: Total pounds: 54 Total %: 3.05
Abby -5
Dina -6
Amanda -6
Danny -10
Daniel -11
Shay -16 (HOLY SHAT!!!)
Blue team is sending someone home. I’ve mixed feelings. I would like to see Bob finally win a BL. But at the same time, SEND CRAZY HOME!!! Liz had the highest percentage lost – she’s got immunity. Crazy is trying to convince them to keep her. Mo is trying to decide who to vote for. Mo is falling on his sword for Crazy. He said he’s not pulling his weight, and he should go home. Now they are reconsidering. Oh goat. Please tell me they aren’t keeping her. UGH!
Voting:
Liz: Mo; Rudy: Mo; Crazy: Mo; Rebecca: Mo. Mo is going home. He’s crying!! *sob* (I cannot believe they kept her.)
At home update: he’s lots 76 pounds. He looks SO GOOD!! He’s paying it forward with kids. His goal is to be down another 75 by finale.
Next week: they go home for a week..
Oh, hello. Have a Skinny Cow.
I know I already posted today. But I just tried this recipe and wanted to share it with you.
*******************
Low Cal Chicken Cordon Bleu
4 5oz boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 wedges Laughing Cow cheese, garlic and herb
12 slices ham
Salt and Pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Place chicken in sealed bag. Use meat tenderizer to pound chicken to 1/4″ thick. Season with sale and pepper on both sides.
Lay chicken flat; spread cheese wedge over it. Layer 3 slices ham. Roll chicken tightly, secure with toothpicks.
Bake in baking dish lines with foil. Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes. Uncover and bake another 15 minutes.
**************
It was pretty darn tasty. I wouldn’t use salt next time because the ham is pretty salty already. I used the thin sliced ham from the deli section of the supermarket. But this will become a new dinner for me.
Try it.
Oh, hello! Have a Tootsie-Pop.
It’s Columbus Day. (I know, big whoop!) But it normally is a day where all the *important* businesses shut down and celebrate some city in Ohio. Whatev. Since we here at the Gas ‘n Stuff switched to PTO this year, we no longer get all the holidays off. If we choose not to work, we have to take a PTO day. (If you aren’t familiar with PTO, it is where the company claims they are doing you a favor and gives you a lump of days to use for vacation, illness, bereavement, etc.) So, let’s see. A vacation day for some city in Ohio? Not so much. Not surprisingly, I’m one of the very few people at work today, and that suits me… just fine.
There is one other lady here in my department too. Velma is one that you would not normally think of as exciting, but sister has had a life!! She is always doing cool things and is certainly not letting life pass her by in any way. (Hang on. My point is coming.)
So Velma walked by and I started complaining about the rumor that we’re getting snow, and how I haven’t cleared the leaves off the lawn, and all my trees have not dropped all their leaves, and blah blah blah. I need to shut up, but that’s just how I roll. (Here comes the point.) Velma has convinced me to….. compost.
I know.
If you know me at all? You know, too. Kitten doesn’t like to do yard work.
But Velma was telling me all the benefits to it and how great it is for the environment and how easy it is and on and on. (Velma is a talker!) And I’m all “Yeah, but it will smell.” and “Yeah, but it will bring bugs.” (I know.) And she’s all *blink blink* and I could see the effort she was putting in to NOT roll her eyes at me. But the more she talked, the more it made sense.
So when I get home today, I’m going to take the 6 bags of Hosta leaves that I’ve cut back, and move them to the “Compost Corner” (I just now came up with that name) in the back yard. Then, when I tackle the leaves from the 3 ginormous maples in the yard (if the things ever decide to shed… *RUDE*), I’ll add to the pile. Velma tells me this is “Brown Compost”. (I”m getting greener by the minute.) Food compost is known as “Green Compost”. IDK why.
I’m a little leery about doing the green composting. Because I’m pretty sure that *will* smell. Velma told me otherwise, but I’m pretty sure Velma is a little crazy. (Ok, she’s not.) (Yes, she is.) (Not really.)*nods*
So, now, you’re all “What’s the big deal you sissy? People have been composting forever. Big deal.” And I’m all “Don’t judge me!” The big deal is, as I mentioned above, that Kitten doesn’t like to do yard work. I almost bought a condo for the simple fact that I wouldn’t have to do yard work, but that’s a whole other story.
However, as I get older, I am more willing to recognize curb-appeal and pride of ownership, and I do want my teeny little doll house to look pretty. And I am more willing to make aesthetic changes to make it pretty. Well, you know, as long as it doesn’t take more than an hour once a week. *heh*
How could this go wrong, you ask? I know me. It is highly likely that come next spring, I will go out to Compost Corner, and think “ICK! WTF was I thinking? And now I have this huge pile of ICK!” and I won’t have anyway to get rid of it. And I’ll have a huge pile of festering muck and… *shudder*… I can’t go on. But you know what I’m saying.
So, here is me, trying to do my part. I’m going to need encouragement from anyone who already composts. And sympathetic ears from anyone who will be kind enough to listen to my whine about my festering muck. And I will thank both groups in advance.
Oh, hello! We’re having saltines with fluff. Sounds odd, but the salty + sweet = YUM!
Where we left off last week:
Amanda -5 and Rebecca -7 (Amanda counts) (2.08%)
Daniel -6 and Shay -6 (Shay counts) (1.35%)
Allen -4 and Abby -5 (they have immunity)
Rudy -12 and Dina -3 (Rudy counts – he’s in the 300s!) (3.00%)
Antoine -11 and Sean -6 (Sean counts) (1.46%)
Liz -4 and Danny -4 (Liz counts) (1.62%)
Julio -7 (1.87%)
Mo -1 and Tracey -11 (Tracey counts) (5.26%)
Red team, Antoine and Sean went home and have done really well. Everyone hates Tracey. (Including me.) And the previews showed that she gets hurt this week. I know I shouldn’t celebrate an injury, but…. *heh*
Recap of week three. Replaying all the reason’s everyone hates Tracey and how she screwed everyone last week. Shay is blaming both purple. Dude! Mo didn’t do anything!!! Snatch.
B&J are counseling the fatties to stay for themselves. Crazy eyes has to meet with the Doc about getting to exercise. The rest are working out with Bob – weights. Now onto cardio. Bob is talking to Miss America. Jillian is talking to Julio. “Why are you so fat??” “Have you ever been good enough? Have you ever excelled?” He knows food. He’s obsessed with food. (His words, not mine. But he was 407 pounds. Just saying…) The only failure you will ever have is not trying. ~Jillian. Very deep.
Crazy eyes is with the Doc. Blood tests every three days so far. (Holy crap!) High levels of CPK – muscle damaging. She’s shut down. No exercise. No walking. No swimming. (WOW!) She crying. She doesn’t want to go home. Whatev. Now she’s going to break the news to Mo. The Doc doesn’t want her to lose any weight at all. (Um, he didn’t say that.) Mo is being kind. And now he has to pick up her slack. Again.
They all walk into a kitchen. Sami is there. The cupboards and fridges are chained and locked. For 7 days. They have to order out every single meal. Tough love, fatties. Order good stuff, just like in the real world. Challenge. 3 Choices for dinner. The team that makes the healthiest choice wins a kitchen stocked with healthy food for a year. Shay says – I work 3 jobs. I need this. (Yeah, witch. So does everyone.) They each have a chance and are grilling Sami. Half pick A, half pick C. A was healthiest. Brown, Orange and Pink are all up for the free food. One last question. Pink wins. Shay looks pissed. Shocking.
Product Placement: The Biggest Loser Simple Swaps book. Things you can swap at restaurants. Kinda cool. $13 at Amazon. Blue guy and Brown chick went to get the food. None of them got what they ordered. Brown guy is mad. Jillian tells us to swap mashed taters for cauliflower. Um, how ’bout, no. I like both, but no comparison.
Trainers are just finding out about the take out meals. Natch, Jillian is pissed. (Quick product placement with Extra Sugar-free gum). B&J are going to take them all out for a meal to show them how to eat. J has some tough ass boots on that makes me fear her even more. They are at a Mexican restaurant. They say no thank you to the free chips and salsa. J is dogging one of the pink chicks and has made her cry – but still not good enough for J.”What is your purpose for changing?” (Day-um! J is being very deep tonight!) B is chiming in now too. They are told to order water. Shay sent her meal back to get it fixed. I’m sure she’s getting back a spit meal. J is analyzing Miss America’s meal. Whew! That’s over.
Here’s Bob with a tip, in his “Hi, I’m gay!” rainbow striped shirt. Telling us all to be a PITA at restaurants – think “When Harry Met Sally” and how Sally ordered stuff. Expect spit.
They’re having a challenge – something on water. They are playing for immunity. Grab a handlebar, hang on as long as you can. Platform keeps getting steeper. Abby and Crazy eyes aren’t competing. (I am so sick of Shay always getting her comment in.) Brown chick is out. Brown guy is out. Miss America is out. Blue guy is out. Pink is out. Blue chick is out. Mo is out. Shay is out. Julio is out. It’s down to Green guy and Orange guy. (I’ll get their names eventually.)
Recap of hour one. And now back to the challenge. Green is out. Orange won immunity. Back to the gym. Last chance workout. B has them on treadmills. J is working with Blue guy. I guess his name is Rudy. She’s yelling at him. Natch. (He’s like a giant next to her. Heh.) She isn’t letting him put the kettlebells down. B is now picking on pink team. B has them jumping onto those benches like he does every year. And here is Crazy eyes sitting in the kitchen. Whining. Mo is working his butt off. (GO MO). Mo is hurt. Lower back. Trying to do too much.
Bob think Mo is wussing out. Panicking. Bob wants to know if he wants to go home. He’s thought about it. Bob is giving him an hour to rest and then try the bike. And he goes back into the gym. They are all happy for him. He’s pushing himself.
Walking to the weigh in. They are all saying how hard it has been with the eating out.
This week’s weigh in:
Amanda -5 to 230 and Rebecca -4 to 244 (1.86%)
Daniel -0 to 287 and Shay -5 to 432 (they have immunity) (.69%) (B thinks Daniel is game-playing)
Allen -7 to 285 and Abby -3 to 213 (1.97%)
Rudy -11 to 377 and Dina -5 to 229 (65 in four weeks, Rudy?!?! Holy crap!) (2.57%)
Liz -3 to 240 and Danny -8 to 382 (1.74%)
Julio -4 to 364 (1.09%)
Mo -8 to 318 and Tracey -4 to 213 (Crazy eyes gave excuses before she even weighed in.) (2.21%)
Brown and Black are up for elimination. Much wailing and gnashing of teeth while they decide who to vote out. They all think Liz would vote them out with no problem.
Orange votes Black out.
Blue votes Brown out.
Green votes Black out.
Purple votes Black out.
Julio is going home. Much crying and hugging. At home, he’s at 299. (He started at 407.) Still cooking. Lots of local organic food. The wife is being very supportive. He looks good. He wants to be at 200 by the finale.
Next week: blue v black. Golden ticket winner picks teams.
Oh, hello! Come in and have some tea.
Yesterday, I woke up feeling like something wonderful was going to happen to me yesterday. (I know – MONDAY!!) I didn’t know what was going to happen, or when, or even where this feeling came from, but I just knew that it would be before the end of the day.
Nothing wonderful happened. That I know of. I think whatever it was just got caught in traffic, or delayed in the mail. It’s coming, but I just don’t know when. Although, someone also suggested that something wonderful DID happen, I just don’t know it yet. Like whatever it is set in motion something that will lead to the wonderful thing. You know, like the principle that a butterfly flitting in one region can cause a tsunami in another region. I kind of like the idea that yesterday, a butterfly set in motion something for me.
I’ll keep you posted.
Oh, hello! Come in and have some chips and dip.
It seems winter has come to our little neck of the woods. Yes, I know it is only October 4. But jeepers, it has been COLD around here lately. Saturday was cold enough that I actually contemplated turning the heat on. I don’t normally touch the heat until November, but I was so cold. So, instead, I grabbed a book and hunkered down on the sofa, bundled in a sweater and socks, under a blanket. Then 20 pounds of cat came over and made themselves comfortable. I was snuggly in no time.
Now that it seems kayaking season is over, I’ve been thinking about what to do this winter to get myself off the sofa. I’ve been thinking about snowshoeing for a few years. Previously, Satan wouldn’t go, due to myriad excuses. I think now, Herb would be more open to trying it. I do hear it’s a lot of hard work, but it will get me moving. That’s the goal.
Yesterday was the day I switched out my summer clothes for winter clothes. Lots of laundry to make sure everything is fresh. I do love a good sweater, but it makes me sad that another warm weather season is past. Is it me or has Twitter lost some of its appeal? It seems like there are fewer people “playing” on there than there used to be. I tried out following all the people who were following me that I wasn’t following. But, as much as I like them, I don’t have anything in common with all the “mommies” and cannot relate to many of their posts. They are lovely people, but kids are out of my realm.
Does anyone listen to audio books? I got started with them because I HATE commercial radio. The morning DJs and their insipid blather in the mornings make me uber stabby. I tried to listen again last week, but, let’s see. One day, on the 6 stations I have preset, I heard 1 song. 1. And it was Queen. I love Queen, but, and correct me if I’m wrong because I don’t listen to the radio very often, but I’m pretty sure that there have been songs produced since Queen was first popular.
Anyhoo, audio books. Most of them I like a lot. I can’t listen to the abridged versions. Those aren’t good. And the narrator makes a HUGE difference. If their voice is too whiny or sing-songy or flat, I can’t listen. I also don’t count those in the total of books I’ve read for the year. I mean, I’m actively listening, but not officially reading.
Alright. This post has no point. And is quite boring. So I’ll stop my ramblings now. I need more dip, anyway.
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