Can I get a Whoop Whoop?

Well, I haven't been posting much on my weight loss journey more because it has resembed more of a weight loss roller coaster.  A week of down, followed by a week of big up, with a little down and so on.  Then there were in between weeks because of scheduling that I just didn't make it to a meeting. 

Two weeks ago was the last time that I managed to weigh in.  At that time, I knew that it was not good because the lady asked me if I wanted to take off any of my jewelry or my sweater.  Well, the sweater couldn't come off because it was attached to the shirt.  I knew it was not good and it didn't disappointing, 186.8, 0.8 lbs. higher than when I started Weight Watchers.

Well, all I can say is that being in a relationship must suit me okay.  I know that I don't eat as much these days because I am not hungry.  I also know that I don't eat out as much because usually either NoDIY or myself is cooking.  I also know I don't have mindless eating at night and on the weekends because I am not thinking about it and eat when I am hungry.  Genius concept, I know.

All of this has translated into success on the scale!  Now it is not the clearest picture but it still shows a weekly (well two week) weight loss of 6.4 lbs. and a net loss of 5.6 pounds!  Now this means that I should be receiving my 5 lb. star in the meeting but since traffic was terrible, there was only 10 minutes left of the meeting so I am waiting until next week to get it.

Now let's see if I can get that 5% goal, or 9 lbs. before I head back home for the holidays?!?  If you count my journey prior to Weight Watchers, so far I am at 10.6 lbs. lost!  Feel better and better every day!

A Season to be Thankful!

It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving has already come and gone this year.  Even more amazing is that working two jobs is over a month past.  I cannot imagine ever going back to working two jobs nor do I think I will ever take on that challenge!  I think I can find other things to occupy my time!

Life definitely has had some interesting and good changes on my end.  Part of me still has that apprehension that nags in the back of my mind but it is something that I am slowly working through.  I like to think of it as baby steps in having a healthy relationship for a change.  Yep, I said that word, relationship.

Now, I must put this disclaimer out there that we have not used the words boyfriend/girlfriend to describe our status.  However, it is probably pretty safe to say that it is more than just dating.  Since Halloween, NoDIY and I have been spending a lot of time together, or at least as much as works.  Right now he lives 30 miles south of me which means if there is ZERO traffic, it takes at least 30 minutes to get there.  But, since I have to pass through downtown, it is not very often that I have zero traffic opportunities.  So, that said, we don't really spend much time together during the work week and spend most of the time together on the weekends.

Okay, well maybe I should say that we spend the entire weekend together, or close to it.  It is either me going down to his place or him coming up to my house.  We actually were talking last night that about how easy it is to be around each other and not feel like we have to be someone else or if he is at my house, I don't have that feeling of hosting a guest there.  Of course the pups love him and I continue to joke with him that the dogs get more love than I do!

As for Thanksgiving in Austin, this year was different.  I have a test that I need to take for work that my annual bonus is tied to.  So, even though I LOVE my Houston family, I do like that money in the bank at year end and opted to stay in Austin so I could focus on studying.  I did spend the day at NoDIY's house after doing a few loads of laundry and getting a four mile run in.  We had a very non-traditional meal of steak, potatoes, chicken noodles and corn.  Don't get me wrong, I did miss the turkey and all the family traditions but sometimes change is good too!

So that is my goings on right now.  Life consists of work, studying, running, and a boy.  I don't think life is too bad!

Redneck VIP Dream

Yes, it was the VIP dream weekend.  I don't know if it was on my Bucket List originally but it is now and it is crossed off.  Last week one of my co-workers asked if I would go to Dallas with her this past weekend.  Pirate scored suite tickets to the Nationwide Series race on Saturday in Fort Worth through her Nationwide rep.  Unfortunate for Pirate's husband, he could not go and lucky me got to go instead!  Okay, well really I was the back up to the back up but who cares!

Pirate left work at noon that day so she could spend time with her family in Dallas.  I worked pretty close to a normal day, headed home to take care of the pups, finish packing and then met her at her cousins house.  It was a nice evening in which her aunts, uncles and cousins all got together for dinner and allowed me to join in.  We stayed up late, well 11, chatting with her cousins. 

As painful as it was, the alarm clock went off at 5 am Saturday.  We had to be out of the house so we could head towards Fort Worth from Waxachachie (I love names of towns in Texas), drop off my car at the hotel and get to the race track by 8 am.  We managed to make it happen!

Yes - we were royalty!  We had VIP Valet parking!  We had tickets to the Nationwide suite, provided with breakfast and a bunch of fun things, hats, blankets, etc from Nationwide.  After Breakfast, Kenny Wallace came to talk to our group.  We actually learned of the suspension of Kyle Busch right before it had been announced on ESPN.  After he was done, we took group pictures with him.  (I'm still waiting on those!).

We then went in groups down to the track.  We received behind the scenes tours of the Garages, Pit Row, Winners Circle and the Start/Finish Line.  I posted a bunch of pictures on Facebook and need to go back and explain what they all are.  I never realized that all racers have two cars brought to the track just in case something happens with their main car during qualifying.  When we were down on the Start/Finish line, it was right before the Nationwide race was going to start and they were introducing all of the drivers for that day before they took them on a lap around the track.  We were up close and personal with the drivers!  I was so close, as you can see in this picture,  that I even managed to give Danica Patrick a high five as she walked by!

After the introductions, we were escorted back up to the suite where we were provided lunch and was able to watch the race.  Let's just say that a Nascar race in person is just about as exciting as it is on TV.  Although, the Texas Motor Speedway is known to be a boring track because it is so big, the cars are spread out and there are not a lot of wrecks.  I will say that I did realize that the cars go a LOT faster than they appear on TV.  We were able to watch the Sprint Cup Drivers do their practice runs in the morning and it was crazy.  But, they were gone from the garages by the time I got to tour.  :(  And, these drivers are so short that I never realized how short they were.  Heck, with heels, I was taller than some of them and we know that is saying a lot.

If you ever get a chance to go, I suggest renting a pair of these sexy headphones.  Just it tunes out some of the noise but it also allows you to listen to the radio.  Basically you pick your car number and you can hear the radio conversations between the driver, the spotters and the pits.  Pretty awesome!  I'd say I rocked Redneck Sexy! 

Kinda Goolish

You know, I think that I could get use to this not working two jobs.  :) 

Really, it didn't hit me until yesterday that I don't have Lowe's to go to anymore.  The weekend felt just like, a weekend off from Lowe's.  Friday night, my roommate, RN, and I went costume shopping.  Well, apparently either the costumes got smaller when they shipped or they are still using the sizing from 20 years ago because a 10-14 which should fit me, well was way crazy tight.  So, I became the plus-size girl costume.  :)  The Risky Ref.

Now Saturday, it is crazy amazing the things one can do without working at Lowe's and then just being tired from working all the time!  My Lowe's Saturday usually consisted of me working 7 - 2 and then going home and taking a nap for an hour or two, then trying to cram everything else into the night.

Well, not this week.  I managed to sleep in.  Got up, took the Grey Speed Racer in to get the oil changed and washed.  Of course, they also pointed out that I should have my brake fluid replaced since I had never had it done and it has 60,000 miles.  So, I put up the dough for that.  After that, I ran a few errands and then went and exchanged RN's shoes and found some shoes for me for the party.  Was a little late getting home so utilized the DVR to catch up on my Husker game.  They were awesome!  After that, it was time to get down to some cleaning, complete with a hands & knees scrub the floor kind of cleaning.  After that, I took the dogs for a run, then hit the gas station & liquor store and it was finally time to get ready for the party.  (Anyone else tired - cause I should of been!)

NoDIY and I have been texted back and forth a lot lately.  No idea what prompted it, but it has been happening.  Anyway, he was having a Halloween Party and invited me to go. RN decided she would go to and so, after she got off work, we headed south.  I think probably my most awkward moment of the night was when we got there and were told everyone was outside.  Of course, we walk out the door to realize there were two girls there and then us two and of course, the deck was covered with all guys.  It was just weird to walk out and have everyone staring and not really seeing faces to know where NoDIY was in the crowd. 

But, in the end, it was a really fun night.  Julie left early because she had a 12 hour shift the next day.  I, on the other hand, did not make it out until noon the next day.  Heehee.  I think it was midnight when we all opted to go to the bar and then went back to NoDIY's house and had more drinks and of course, he had out of control friend drama break out.  Some of which was the first I had ever seen and hope I don't witness that again.  Then, since he is at least 40 minutes south of my house, I did the responsable thing and didn't drive home.

RN is on the far left, NoDIY in the middle and myself on the far right

Of course, every fun time should end with the flu.  After spending half the day thinking it was a hangover, I realized by 6 pm it was the stomach flu.  When you can't even keep toast or liquids down, it is more than a hangover!  Yesterday I managed to keep food down but my stomach still hated me.  Never mind the dehydration headache I still had going and the fact I am still battling the allergies and trying to avoid getting a sinus infection.  Can you say Train Wreck?  Oh, and I should mention that one of the dogs has this flu stuff too, so even when I think I am getting better, I have come home to a lovely mess that makes me sick all over again.