Beach 2011

It occurs to me how very late these posts are.  But, I would really like to share some of the better shots with my internets. :0) These are for your viewing pleasure. 

 

*Please be courteous and let me know before you borrow my images.*

Madge on Life

Do you remember this add?  Isn't it awful? I just sit here thinking how as a small child I sat and watched this add (on TV) tell me that not only should I be the one washing the dishes but, that I had better not look jacked up when i am done.  My hands better not look like an ape's after doing all of the dishes and I had better work on my hair and appearance.

This particular add must have shaped my world view a lot because I remember distinctly telling my mother that when I grew up I was gonna have a dishwasher so that I would never wash dishes.  (I didn't cook, clean or wash dishes very well at all.)  And anyone can tell you that I did NOT primp back in the day. And ask anyone who knows the young me, I was dead set against the domestic side of life :oD 

This was more my type of add:

 

You know the type that says--Anything you can do, I can do better.  And I am fine without you.  If you mess with me, I will bust you in the jaw!  Hahahaha! But it is so true! (I might cry afterwards, but hey I am still a woman.)

I guess Madge new better than I did.  Because here I am washing the dishes (I have a dishwasher too), primping my hair and trying not to look jacked up all of the time.  After all this time, and after everything that I know, and after all the schooling and education--I am still just an ape washing dishes.

What I like About...

Anthropologie.

I can't say I LOVE Anthropologie because well, I don't like all that much.  But, they seem to have the dresses thing down. I don't care for most of their blouses. This is because most of them are shapeless and flowy.  This goes completely against my shapely figure and therefore, I can not wear them with confidence. Then of course, have some flattering fitted designs that have these awkward ties at the neck-which don't work so they're out too. I like a few of the skirts only because I have THIGHS. So too full on the skirt = too big on the bottom and my hourglass morphs into a pear. And I work waaaay too hard to keep the hourglass--so not gonna sport something that works against it.

Here are some of the good things:

Guess who would look SLAMMIN' in these frocks. ME! That is who!

 Look how pretty this camisole is. The lace, the romantic color, the simple fabric--all work for me. I love this.

 

Here are a few tops that work for me. Of course, they are fairly basic in shape, and not very unique. Except for maybe the first one.

 

 This is as close to a poncho that I can afford to wear on my figure. Even this is risky because the collar requires a longer neck. But you can easily see how the long and wide loose shape of this sweater is likely to add bulk. I still like it though

.

 Oh....the shoes. I LOVE these shoes. (swoon) They scream my name.

Okay so next time I will talk Ann Taylor with you. Have a good day.  And you can visit Anthropologie and look around if you want. Hope you find something you love.

From my photo journal

From my journal-This is what it looks like to see someone heal another.  I love this series because you can see pensiveness, turn to joy, and then finally to peace. I have seen her do it many times before but, I have never had the chance to share it with anyone.

 

The healer is my mother, she has this affect on people.

Wash My Mouth out with Soap

When was the last time you got soap in your mouth? Mine was just this morning.  I mean, I haven't tasted soap in my mouth in probably 25yrs!

Which brings me back to my point.  I got shampoo in my mouth today. Shampoo in my mouth bites! Sorry for my sensitive readers.  It does. It is gross and it almost irritates me that I happened to get it in my mouth. So, next time, I will remember to keep my mouth shut as I rinse my hair in the shower (and not to put so much in my hair).


And I guess, there are times that maybe my mouth does need an old school mouth-washing with soap too! But, I don't see myself doing it willingly.

I hate writing poetry...

But I love reading it.

To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee,
One clover, and a bee,
And revery.
The revery alone will do
If bees are few.
 

-Can you name the author without looking it up on the web?

Utterly Ridiculous

Let me start off by saying.  I am a very open person that is willing to entertain the idea that there is a possibility that unicorns exist. And until the very recent path I was even willing to admit the slightest sliver of chance that Bigfoot exists.

But, thanks to the truly ridiculous group of Bigfoot "trackers" on the Finding Bigfoot show, I have been cured of the nonsense that something that fantastic could ever exist. I mean I have never seen more poorly recorded animal tracking in my life.  We don't live in the early 1900s and the camera and search technology is highly evolved these days.  But, for some odd reason, the people of long ago were better able to surpass the quality of collected evidence of Bigfoot. In the name of all that is hairy! Even if they were faking it, they were way better at it when only black and white photos were available. Are you kidding me?!

Someone please explain to me how this show got off the ground. Please.

I believe the witnesses more than I could ever believe the "leader guy".  I mean the guy is cocky, ignorant, and jumps to broad conclusions. (i.e. if doesn't have a tail it is not a monkey, it is an ape; therefore everything except monkeys is an ape). His "interviews" are lame--he leads the people to answer the way he wants; there is terrible dead air,  and doesn't provide ample evidence or complete viewing of the "video" for the audience.

Okay, so why do I even care? My kids are totally into this mess.  They love the idea of it. They have active and strong imaginations. They believe adults will be truthful at all times and don't expect to be taken advantage of.  That is why I scrapes my nerves so.  So, do I remove it from their viewing? Do I poke holes in the line of thinking? No. But, I do laugh at the absurdity that the group presents. And when they ask, I answer honestly "No. I do not believe what the people on the show say."

So, that one man (the "leader"), has successfully, removed all belief from my willing imagination. Thanks a lot buster!

Anyway, I went looking for a picture for my blog on google and came across a site I thought was funny.  But, the guy is UBER serious about finding bigfoot.  Tread lightly he is not really funny.
http://bigfootbooksblog.blogspot.com/

Ahhh...I fell better now. :oD

Gym Clothes

Let's talk about gym clothes today.  I have always been of the mindset that I will not wear skimpy clothes to the gym...because I go to the gym to work out and sweat! I don't go to the gym to look pretty or to attract people. I spent the greater part of my adult life judging people, mostly skinny women, for wearing padded push-up sports bras and flaunting their flawless muscular bodies.

But, since I have been working out and have invested in some of my own actual work out clothes and gear;  my mindset has changed.  IT IS important to look good at the gym!  Not for anyone other than yourself.  Do not get the wrong idea. I do NOT show off my skin or cleavage at the gym. I dress modestly but, wear the right (smaller) sized clothing now.

Here is why:
If you are busting your tail day after day after day--hiding under that XL men's t-shirt is not going to motivate you to keep going. It is going to tell you that you are still 40lbs overweight, you look like a shapeless sweaty shirt and low and behold--you don't look pretty even though you have been exercising; so go home and eat something because your struggle is useless. (Okay maybe your t-shirts don't talk to you, but mine do. And they are ugly, mean, and suffocating too.)

Pros:
-Form fitting cuts show off your figure and your progress and gives your brain subliminal messages that your work is paying off--keep it up.*
-Fabric technology that is lighter and keeps you cooler while you sweat away all the butter you have eaten in your lifetime.
-It is VERY comfortable forgiving (stretchy) clothing.
-Lasts a LONG LONG time before it wears out or fades or loses shape.
-Says to you and everyone else, "I take myself seriously."
-Easy to care for (you don't necessarily have to wash in Woolite, iron it, or send it to the cleaners).

Cons:
-It can be addictive to buy workout clothes
-It can be so comfortable that you want to wear it all the time (DO NOT DO THIS!)
-It can be really pricey depending on where you buy your work out clothes.
-It could create that horrible "what to wear today" syndrome that women get for virtually every type of clothing.
-When you get slimmer, no one wants you hand downs :O)LOL!!!

Check out the athletic sportswear section, you may find one pair of lycra infused pants that are a treat to wear and motivate you to keep up your good hard work. You could also go on line and buy yourself a pretty support garment or something as a treat for all the hard work you have already put in.

Just go for the gym stuff you will love the feel of the fabric on your next work out.

*WARNING!:  Do not confuse "form fitting cuts" with tight. They are not one in the same.  A tight garment is ill-fitted and ALWAYS looks bad.

Wordless Wednesday

Our Daily Bread

Well, not actually. Our daily bread comes wrapped #4 LDPE from the grocery store. It is usually a shade of brown. Most of it gets thrown out because the kids don't like their sandwiches to have crusts. I know, I can't believe it either.  I don't know where I went wrong; they are sandwich snobs. They will learn to appreciate a good crust.

Regardless, here is my yeast bread.  This one is a new recipe for me because I tend to make soda breads. Soda breads are way faster in the prep time and I love easy and fast.

It is too dense but, that just means I need to knead it less and let it rise more. Right?  The flavor was good and the crust was awesome. Just wanted it higher (taller). Next time it will be better. Besides, my kids don't really like white bread, so I need to focus on whole wheat breads. (Sorry about the photo quality-I am kinda distracted by kids today)

Big Daddy offered a bread machine.  But, I think I would prefer an all purpose stand mixer with a dough hook better. (Super Big Fluttery eyes Blink-wink wink)

Note: Do you see my cute vintage toaster in the background? I LOVE LOVE my old toaster!

Cars 2 Movie Review

I don't normally go through the trouble of reviewing movies because everyone else does it for me. But, since I am in the mood for opinions I will post mine.

Was this even screen tested? This movie is not made for children.  Or maybe it was written by those without children-I don't know. It is violent and preachy.  In addition to this, there is very little comedy or even comic relief throughout the movie. I think the kids only laughed twice and my 3yr old spent the entire time in my lap or right beside me. My 10yr old asked if she had to watch anymore because there was too much shooting. The 7 year old sat by Big Daddy so I don't really know what his reactions were. He might actually have liked it.:o)

Don't expect to see much of McQueen, Sally, or any of the small town gang. This movie is really more about new characters (don't remember the names) and Mater. They even tried to introduce a new nemesis but, he lacked the punch of the original Chick Hicks.

I didn't leave the theater with a "happy family" feeling.  The kids didn't really have much to say about it. In fact, I think Big Daddy and I have talked more about the movie than the kids.

Overall, the graphics were OUTSTANDING! The creativity was there too.  But, I think the story line was too violent and forced.  I was disappointed. I really wanted more fun in the film.

Makes me sorry that I didn't go see RIO which was supposed to be really hilarious and fun.
:o(

Hello It's Been a while...

Hello internets!   It has been a long while since I blogged on here.  Well most of you who are close to me know that I have been working out in the mornings (religiously--I never miss a workout if I can help it-you can ask Big Daddy).

Anyhow, I haven't lost much weight but today I measured.  I lost 2.5 inches off my waistline, 3 inches of my upper arms, 4.5 inches off my hips, 2 inches off each thigh, and 4 inches off my bustline :0/  WOW!

My scale says I am down from 39.6% body fat to 37.1% body fat.  So, although the scale still shows a healthy weight (hehehe) I am much tighter all around.  I am loving buying clothes to wrap around this body.  I like not having over hangs and bulges (although one thigh is still chunkier than the other).

There is NO MAGIC!  I bust my tail every morning at 5am and I say no to food when I want it more than my next breath.  It is hard and takes real self control.  Now if I could just control my bad spending habits so that I don't go bankrupt.

:o)