Bulleted Blogging Is Better Than Nothing, Right?

Did you guys miss me?  It’s been a crazy week and a half, and I apologize for my absence.  Anyone who’s moved knows that no matter how well-prepared and organized you are (neither of which I felt I was for this move), it always takes twice as long to get everything done as you plan.  I don’t have time for a formal, well-organized post, but I did want to check in with some random thoughts:

• I moved!  I am loving the new house, and once I get more boxes unpacked and some pictures and decorations hung up this weekend, I will post photos on here, on FB, and maybe even a few on Twitter for you to see.
• There was some major drama with the management company of the old place, but I’m happy to say that I did not let them intimidate me, no matter how many harassing emails and phone calls they made.  While they weren’t the most responsive company in the world for the 4 years I lived there, I never expected them to be shady.  It saddened me that they were trying to take advantage of me, and I’m glad that I didn’t bow down to their scare tactics.
• The new place is big!  Well, bigger than I’m used to, anyway.  It’s a little more than 1200 square feet, which is more than enough room for Lulu and me.  It’s really nice having all this space and not feeling so cramped in.  Plus the cabinet/storage space is ridiculous.  There is absolutely no reason for me to ever be disorganized, again.  Love that!
• Lulu is slowly adjusting to the new house, and she loves having a yard to run around in.  The first few days have been bark-filled, which is annoying to my new neighbors, I’m sure.  She never, ever barked at the old place (unless something scared her), and she had so many reasons to bark, what with the wacky neighborhood and crazy neighbors.  Here, though, she’s barking all the time, which is weird.  I’m sure once she gets used to her new surroundings and all the noises that go with it, she’ll go back to her usual, happy-go-lucky self.  The nice thing is the neighbors seem very patient, and told me not to worry about her barking when I went over to apologize to them.
• I cannot wait for the house to be completely organized and everything to be in it’s proper place so I can get back to my normal routine.  I haven’t worked out (big surprise), and I am missing it (that’s the surprise). Plus the fact that I know working out will get me to my goal of losing 24 lbs for the surgery that much sooner.
• Thanks to Scale Warfare for introducing me to a new breakfast idea – Overnight Oats.  I highly recommend that you try them – they’re delicious, and the flavor combinations are endless.  I haven’t had any Greek yogurt in the house, but I did have light sour cream, so I’ve been making my overnight oats with 1/2 cup each of whole, rolled oats; light sour cream; and almond milk; plus a TBSP of molasses.  Yummy!  The combination of the sour cream and the molasses is really heart-warming and so delish.  This is going to be my daily breakfast from here on out.  Plus, it keeps me all morning.  I eat them at 6:30am and I’m not hungry again until lunchtime.  Definitely try it out if you haven’t yet.
• I’ve been tracking for the last several days and without even meaning to I’ve been eating really low carb, which means that I’m staying fuller longer because of all the protein.  The oats and fruits I’m eating do have some carbs, but I haven’t had rice, pasta, or bread for a couple of days.  I think I may try to do this several times a week for the next few weeks.
• My new neighborhood is so nice, and Lulu and I have already begun to explore it on our walks.  I love looking at all the beautiful houses in the area, and she loves the well-manicured front yards carpeted with grass.  Win win.
• I have a garage in the new place, and I can’t tell you how nice it is to know that my car is protected from the elements.  No more scraping the windows in the winter for me.  (Now, for those living in the Midwest or in the East, I know that my version of scraping windows is nothing like yours.  I just have to clear them of a bit of ice sometimes – you guys have to literally dig yourselves out of snow banks.  Still, it is nice).  Plus, it’s going to be great not to have to brave the rain and wind first thing in the morning on the way to the car.  It’s the small things, folks.
• Once again, Lulu and I have our beauty appointments in sync.  I’m going for my hair in a few minutes (just a regular color and trim) and she goes to the groomer’s tomorrow.  Boy, does she need it!  She’s looking a bit scraggly.  Still cute, but just “overgrown.”
• The weather today has been a bit cooler and overcast, which makes me long for fall.  I can’t wait to start using my croc pot for chili, soups, and stews.  I’m looking forward to the clothing of fall, too – the sweaters, scarves, boots, and jackets.  What’s your favorite thing about fall?
• I have tons of your blog posts to catch up on, so this weekend, I’m going to take “blog reading breaks” from unpacking. I need to know how everyone’s doing!

That’s about all I have time for.  I’m hoping to get back to my regular blogging on Monday, because I always feel more organized and “on track” when I’m checking in here regularly.  I hope everyone is well!

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Summer of Changes

The key to change…is to let go of fear.” ~~ Rosanne Cash

I’ve decided that this summer is going to be the summer of changes.  Summer always brings with it change – a break from the daily routines and obligations, a change in weather, a new variety of fruit and veggies available, a different wardrobe, etc. But this year I want summer to be filled with some other, positive changes in my life.

This summer brings with it a new birthday – the last birthday of my 30s (yes, I’m turning 39), and I want to make this the year I make significant changes to my lifestyle.  Turning 39 is freaking me out a bit – it means 40 is just around the corner, and 40 just seems too mature.  No offense to those who are 40 or above – I know you’re fabulous, but to me, people who are 40 are grown-up, together, and know where their lives are going.  All of those things are true for me, but I also feel like I am just beginning to figure out what living as an adult is all about.  I’m definitely young at heart, and I think part of that is because that I get to work with teenagers every day.  I’m able to stay up with the trends.  I listen to much of the same music they do.  Well, those who have good taste that is.  (I’ve listened to the same radio station since high school, and the format (adult alternative) hasn’t changed in all these years).  Beyond that, I think the fact that I only have obligations to myself (not being married or having kids) affords me a level of freedom that I don’t normally associate with someone my age.  Then again, they say 40 is the new 30 (here’s hoping), so I know that I still have a lot of life ahead of me.

Which leads me to the changes that I foresee this summer.

Change my approach to weight loss. Ever since I got the news that I may have high blood pressure, I decided that I needed to change the way I have been trying to lose weight.  You guys know that I’m a perfectionist, and while that’s not going to change, I can take some of the perfection out of the equation by giving the scale the summer off.  I think I mentioned before that I’m not going to post weekly weigh-ins, but I’ve decided to take this a step further.  I’m not going to weigh myself at all this summer.  I’m going to let go of the stress I always feel when my weight fluctuates each week.  Right now it seems that weight loss is alluding me, and I want to focus on fitness instead of pounds.  I’ll be able to keep track of how I’m feeling by what I’m able to do in terms of activity.  I’ll also be able to see how I look based on the way my clothes fit.  And of course, every time I step on the Wii to do the Fit Plus, I’m going to get weighed, so I’ll have a bit of a check-in that way, but I’m not going to obsess about what it shows.

Change my hair! This may seem like a small change, but the way I look (and perceive myself) has everything to do with my level of confidence.  My hair is a bit past my shoulders now, but because I have thick, very curly hair, it seems to be as wide as it is long.  I’ve been noticing that I wear my hair up in a bun most days, just because it’s easier to deal with.  So I figured if I’m wearing it off my face anyway, why not go for a bit of a dramatic ‘do?  I’m going to get it cut into an A-lined stacked bob.  Which will be a big change.  It will be short in the back – very short – but the hair will gradually get longer and the front pieces will hang down past my chin.  I’ve found some pictures online, and while none of them are exactly the same cut I want (with my hair type), they’ll give you a pretty good idea.

I picture it being as full as Hale Berry’s looks, and about that length in the front. My hair is actually even curly than hers is in that picture, but it’s about that full.  The photo of the back of the neck isn’t exactly right, but I am planning to get the back very short like that.  Here’s to exposed necks!  The nice thing about hair (especially mine) is that it grows back quickly, so if I’m not loving the ‘do, I can grow it out.  I think this will be a fun change for summer.  I’ll feel like my hair has more style, and it should be really easy to keep up with.  It will look good curly (which is how I wear it almost every day) or straight.  The one hesitation I have is about putting it up.  There are times (when I’m working out, cleaning the house, etc.) when I have to have my hair up.  I guess I can put it into quirky pigtails or back with clips/headbands.  It’ll be fun figuring out new styles.

Change my household habits. With the addition of Lulu comes some significant changes in how I’ll live in my house.  I’m talking mostly about the fact that I usually eat in the living room, sitting on the floor, using the coffee table as my table.  Once she gets here, I know that’s not going to be an option, because it will be easy for her to beg, jump on me, etc.  So that means I’ll have to take my meals into the dining table I have in my breakfast nook.  Which also means I’ll be spending a lot less time in front of the t.v., which will be a good thing.  I think I’ll entertain myself by reading a book or magazine (I’ve got stacks to catch up on!) rather than mindlessly turning on the tube.  The other thing that Lulu’s arrival means for my house is that I have to be much more careful about what I leave lying around.  I have a habit of leaving my clean laundry in the basket until I get around to folding it and putting it away.  With a puppy who will no doubt love to get into everything, I can’t do that anymore.  Which will be a great thing.  It will mean I’ll have to be more organized and not leave things undone.  This also means that I have to be fastidious with the floors and carpets.  My least favorite household chore is mopping the floor, and I try to spot clean it instead.  But now that she’ll be around, I’ll have to make sure that the floors are spotless, because I don’t want her to eat or lick something that would make her sick.  (Wow, that makes it sound like my floors are gross – they’re not).  I’m actually looking forward to have this ultra-clean requirement, because it will force me to keep the house tidy all the time. I’m a super-clean person, and like things in order, but there are those days when I let it all go.  Now that I’ll have this little being around, I’ll have to make sure that those days are gone.

Biggest change of all – LULU!!! Of course, the most exciting change this summer is getting Lulu.  She arrives this Friday at 12:35.  I feel like a little kid waiting for Christmas to get here, that’s how excited I am to meet her.  I can’t wait for all the love and companionship that she’ll bring.  I know it’s going to be a lot of work (to put it mildly), but I also know the rewards that come with her are innumerable.  I’m looking forward to the walks, the activity, and the social aspect that I know she’ll provide.  I can’t wait to spoil her rotten!  Here’s a quick little video that the breeder sent me.  It’s only 5 seconds, and it doesn’t really show her face, but it does give an idea of how active and adorable she is.  (It also demonstrates that Miss Lulu is in desperate need of a trip to the groomers, which will be on her first week’s agenda).

What changes are you making?

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