Taking It Off Together Tuesday #6

I am SO excited - we just got back from a camping trip (sorry for the late weigh-in, girls) and am happy to report:

0.5 lb loss

Whoohoo!! I still watched my portions, stayed light on the carbs, but had some snacks and definitely some chocolate (heaven!). Hubz even took us out for ice cream last night - can you say Jamocha Oreo???? Yum!!

After these last 2 weeks - I now know what works for me: Eating

As long as I have some thing to eat every couple of hours, my metabolism gets going. I have to have breakfast the minute I get up from bed, and since my body knows it's going to get some nutrition soon, it'll burn the fat instead of storing it.

So for me - it's healthy snacks, light meals - and a dinner with lots of protein and veggies. I once skipped the high protein dinner and had soup instead... - THAT was HELL. Not worth it.

Here are my numbers:

All Time High: 153.5
Last Week's Weigh-In: 149.5
This Week's Weigh-In: 149.0
Variance: 0.5 loss
Overall Loss: 4.5
Pounds to go: 24.0

Check out the rest of the gang!

Chris - 2.8 LOSS (-5.8 overall)
Tammy - 2 LOSS (-7 overall)
Life With Hashi-Thyroid Blog - 2 LOSS (-2 overall)
Grace - 1.6 LOSS (-51.6 overall)
Leigh - 4 LOSS (-31 overall)
Clara - 1 GAIN (-9.5 overall)
Dette - 0 (-4.5 overall)
Julie - 1 GAIN (-4.1 overall)
Cheryl - 2 GAIN (+2 overall)
Cyn Blue - no report
Audrey - 2.6 GAIN (-0.4 overall)
Christy - 0 (-11 overall)
Tina - 1 GAIN (0 overall)

Totals:
this week - 4.8 LOSS
over all - 124.4 LOSS

To My Bloggy Friends

One of my first ever bloggy friends is Vicy, who passed on this very purdy award to me! In turn, I'd like to share it will all of my bloggy friends on my roll:

Luv u guys!!

~Start Copy Here~

1. Copy from start to finish

2. This letter should be pass on to your closest friends online.

3. Add your name and URL blog HERE!!.

1. Wheng
2. Hazel

3. Janeth Vicy's Life Journey

4. Muthahood Crib
5. You're next!

*To ensure everyone receives equal link benefit, UPDATE your list regularly!

***

It's true I have never seen you
and we have never met,
Never shaken Hands or
even truly hugged and yet!
I know for sure you care for
me by the kindness that you give.
And our keyboards keep us
together doesn't matter where we live.
So I give you this gift to
put a smile on your face
and to let you know in my
heart you have a special place.

~End Copy Here~

Taking It Off Together Tuesday #5

Hmnnnn... slowly, but (hopefully) surely... here are my numbers:

All Time High: 153.5
Last Week's Weigh-In: 151.0
This Week's Weigh-In: 149.5
Variance: 1.5 loss
Overall Loss: 4.0
Pounds to go: 24.5

But check out the rest of the gang!!

Chris - 1 GAIN
Tammy - 1 LOSS
Life With Hashi-Thyroid Blog - 1 LOSS
Grace - 1.4 GAIN
Leigh - 0.5 GAIN
Clara - 0.5 LOSS
Dette - -1.5 LOSS
Julie - 2.2 LOSS
Cheryl - 1 GAIN
Cyn Blue - 0 CHANGE
Audrey - On VACATION
Christy - 8 LOSS!! You go girl!

Welcome new member Tina with a 1 pound loss!

Total : 11.3 LOSS WOOT!!

NOTE: Sorry girls, I found out that Mr Linky requires an upgrade to Silver Membership at $5/year to use "shared" linkies. But just in case you decide to donate the $5, I'll leave it as "shared" if you'd like to grab it some time.

All About Me... and You!

I really need to catch up - here are some long, overdue tags - feel free to grab one or all!


THE WORLD CLASS PROFESSIONS

From my girl, Jade

Blogger - Posh, Crissy, Jade
CPA - Dana (Entrepreneur), Jade
Home Manager - Jade
Hotel Industry - Dette
Mom - Belen, Jade (future)
Writer - Posh
Web Developer - Alex,
WAHM - Debbie, Mommy Allehs, Crissy, Dette

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Copy and paste everything to a new post
and add your name next to your profession (or profession-to-be for undergrads)
in the list. Make sure your name is linked to your blog/webbie.

2. If your profession is not in the list then simply add it to the correct
alphabetical place. For example, if you want to add PLUMBER then it should be
placed in between ONCOLOGIST and QUEEN

3. Tag as many people as you can and witness how your Technorati will
explode!

4. Don’t forget to link back. In your case, link back to Posh Post
Reviews.

***

IT'S ALL ABOUT ME

The one and only Mummy Diaries tagged me with this one:

I am: sleepy
I think: everything happens for a reason
I know: how to be diplomatic
I have: a wonderful family
I wish: I had more hours in the day
I hate: bugs
I miss: San Diego
I fear: not being around for my kids
I hear: hubby talking sMAcK
I smell: a fresh, clean house!
I crave: blue crab
I search: for messages from Him
I wonder: if my brother thinks of us
I regret: almost nothing. almost. because of what I think (above)
I love: giggling with my boys
I ache: when they're hurt or sick and I can't make them feel better
I am not: a pushover
I believe: that everyone deserves a second chance
I dance: the same way I did when I was in high school - old school style
I sing: all the time - and especially when we bust out the karaoke!
I cry: when no one is around
I fight: for what I believe in, carefully choosing my battles
I win: at the work/life balance by being a WAHM
I lose: a pound a week - I hope!
I never: say anything that I don't mean
I always: mean what I say
I confuse: my hubby
I listen: to peoples problems
I can usually be found: at home
I am scared: of watching horror movies. just can't do it anymore!
I need: to stay focused on my weight -loss plan
I am happy about: counting all my blessings
I imagine: what life will be like in retirement

Now I'd like to learn more about YOU - feel free to comment with yours below or post at your blog and let us know. It's your turn!

***

SEVEN FACTS

Faeryrowan tagged me with this one - here's an encore of the one I posted at the Dance:

1. When I attend a conference and finally meet someone in person (who only knows me by my name in email), they think they're gonna meet an 80-year old lady with her hair in a bun and glasses on the tip of her nose. Then - in walks me.
   
   
2. I exemplify: "It's the quiet ones you have to watch out for."
   
   
3. I'm an organizational fREak. I love to get things organized but can't put my friggin' laundry away by the end of the week.
   
   
4. I'm addicted to movies. Screw TV (and those damn commercials) - I can only watch it if I TiVo it. I've got 500+ DVD's stashed and waiting to get systemized (lol) into my new discsox's.
   
   
5. I like to get stupid with the kids. Put my ass on roller blades for a race around the block, trying to teach myself to swim laps during their swimming lessons or get loud at the - well - anywhere. They should be embarassed.
   
   
6. I am a romantic FOOL. I used to dream of quiet evenings after family dinner, weekly dates with the hubz, or maybe even a surprise on my birthday. Then I woke the eff up.


7. But then again, we get our snookie on, like, 3-4 times a WEEK. It doesn't matter if it's already midnight. Someone please tell this mutha to stop complaining already?!

Thanks for your patience all - mwah!

Unspectacular Quirks

Can you relate to any of these??

1. Organizational skills are one of my biggest strengths with work, but at home I have the mail and the bills and my laptop and my phone and a bunch of other crap cluttering my kitchen counter.
   
   
2. I don't clean the bathrooms anymore since Hubby kept talking smack. I told him if he didn't shut up, and if he didn't like the way I cleaned them, I wouldn't clean them anymore. Ten years later, I haven't scrubbed a toilet in eight.
   
   
3. Every night before I go to bed, I make the rounds. I check each and every door, check on the kids and turn the alarm on. Then I cuss out Hubby coz I wish he would check the doors instead.
   
   
4. I love having plants in the house. But I only have a couple, mostly because I can raise them from the dead.
   
   
5. I can lounge in my pajamas alllllll day sometimes. No need to get dressed for work!
   
   
6. I cuss. A lot. In our house, it's almost a term of endearment sometimes.
   

Carole tagged me with this (like, a month ago!) - here are the rules:

1. link the person(s) who tagged you
2. Mention the rules on your blog
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged.

And now I'm tagging: Cathy, Vhiel, Jessica, Sarah, Vashonnte and Vicy

Note: I am trying, trying, trying to get caught up on my tags. I am almost there - thanx for your patience, guys!!

Taking It Off Together Tuesday #4

You know what's been really cool about joining this meme?

I've been trying different things each week, testing out what works for my body type, what doesn't... And finally enlightening myself about the number of calories of fat grams in a friggin' brownie!

Some of you already know I'm a chocoholic - but ever since I calculated that each brownie/ice cream scoop/milkshake would cost me an extra workout (or two!) - I've steered away.

So now that I've cut out the empty calories (except for 2 handfuls of popcorn on movie night!) - I made a wee bit of progress this week.

I lost the one pound that I had gained last week - lol.

Here are my numbers:

All Time High: 153.5
Last Week's Weigh-In: 152.0
This Week's Weigh-In: 151.0
Variance: 1.0 loss
Overall Loss: 2.5
Pounds to go: 26.0

And here are the numbers for the group:

Chris - 2 LOSS
Tammy - 2 GAIN
Life With Hashi-Thyroid Blog - 2
GAIN
Grace - 4.6 LOSS
Leigh - 1 GAIN
Clara - 2 LOSS
Dette - 1 LOSS
Julie - 0.8 LOSS
Cheryl - 1 LOSS
Cyn Blue - no report?
Audrey - 3 LOSS

Everone help us welcome our 12th member Christy with a 3 LOSS!!

Total : 11.68 LOSS

Vote for Best National Costume

Neiyomee and I would like to call for your help:

The 2008 Miss Universe comes to Vietnam for a night of stars and glamour in search of the most beautiful woman in the world! The winner for Best National Costume will be decided by online votes. So now, the main objective of this tag is to increase awareness for all Filipinos regarding the online voting. Let's VOTE for our very unique Philippine National Costume worn by our representative, Jennifer Barrientos.

General Instructions:

1. Go to THIS LINK!
2. In the Menu Bar just above the thumbnail pictures of the delegates, click ASIA/AUSTRALIA.
3. Look for the Philippines' Costume (like the picture above & it's actually in the page 2).
4. Click its thumbnail.
5. After clicking, a preview will then appear on the right side of the page. Click "SELECT THIS DELEGATE" located just below that preview.
6. The bad things is, we are to choose 3 delegates! So be sure NOT to vote for those countries that will surely be a strong competitor for the AWARD! :)
7. After choosing the Philippines and the "other" two countries, click on "SUBMIT VOTE" located just below the thumbnail pictures.
8. Follow the SIMPLE instructions after that!
9. You're done! Go Philippines!

Add your blog link below as a proof that you are one of the TEAM PHILIPPINES!

----------------------------------------------------

The Team Philippines
Miss Universe 2008
-----------------------------------------------------

1.) Marky - Tiklaton
2.) Naomi - Irresistible Fascinations
3.) The Treasure Chest
4.) Dance of Motherhood
5.) Muthahood Crib
6.) You're next!
.
.
-----------------------------------------------------------

Taggin' all of the Filipinos on my blogroll...!

Gone Baby Gone

Man, this one sure got me and the hubby talkin'.

If you're a fan of Mystic River, then you won't be disappointed in Gone Baby Gone. The twists and turns most certainly do not disappoint, and I can promise you, that by the end of the movie, you'll be as torn and confused as the characters on screen, asking yourself the same question: "What would you do?"

Was this movie worth my 2 hours? Fo' sho.

MY RATING: 4.0 stars (out of 5)

Have you seen it? What did you like/hate about it the most?

The Plot from Movies.About.com
When 4-year-old Amanda McCreary goes missing her aunt and uncle turn to the private detective team of Patrick (Casey Affleck) and Angie (Michelle Monaghan) to help bring her home. The child's mother, Helene (Oscar nominee Amy Ryan), is an addict who seems more worried about her next score than she does getting her child back. Once Patrick and Angie take on the case, they quickly find out why Helene's acting so strangely. Helene's got quite a story to tell and the private investigators soon find themselves immersed in a deadly game of cat and mouse as they try and figure out where the truth lies and exactly what happened to young Amanda.

Note: While I love reading quick reviews to help me decide yay or nay, I can't STAND to have the plot given away - unless I'm specifically looking for it. No spoilers here.

Technorati Tags: Technorati Tags: gone_baby_gone, movie, review

The Time Traveler's Wife

I am sitting at the kitchen table trying desperately to finish "The Time Traveler's Wife" before book club tonight. Work is on hold after a couple of hours, and the Wii is babysitting my monsters for the moment.

Dry, shaken sobs start to rack through me as I near the end of the book. I know what's going to happen. It even tells you it's going to happen. But as the words in front of me take shape in my mind, in my heart...

I can't help but feel like I KNOW these people. They're not characters in a book anymore, they're people you've gotten to know in the last 500 pages. I've been talking to them silently in my head as I've been catching up with them, laughing out loud, causing hubby to take a curious peek at me.

Silly, silly girl. It's just a book. What are you crying for? I laugh at myself, at the sight of me. At the idea of it. I need to break up these emotions, take the edge off... and stuff my face with fries to keep my tears at bay.

Now I really AM a sight to see.

I imagine one of my sons hopping in to the kitchen, ready for lunch... stopping in his tracks and apprehensively coming to my side to ask, "Why are you crying, Mom?"

Because of a book?

"Because your Mom is a dork. That's all."

(sigh) But I ain't ashamed. ;)

Any other book lovers out there?

Encore!

lol - actually, if you read about me moving, then you probably figured out that I'll be moving some posts here, from the Dance of Motherhood.

Many thanks for your patience, I hope!

And I WILL get those tags up!! I save each and every one, and even if it takes me a little longer than I'd like to post it, I will get there.

Luv y'all!

Taking It Off Together Tuesday #3

Okay - you know what? I think I've been experimenting these last few weeks:

• Exercising, or not
• Snacking, or not
• Eating until I'm stuffed, or just full/satisfied

And I'm seeing now that I'm gonna have to figure out some other changes.

(sigh)

I did really good last week about NOT gorging, and even exercising 3X a week. Did I drink my daily 2 liters of water?

Nope.

Did I have snacks?

Oh yeah. But snacking isn't the problem for me. It's friggin' snacking late at night.

After dinner.

With a late night cocktail, to boot. Dammit. I need to quit on those Goose & Seven's and Margarita's. I only had 3 all week, but the calories sure like to hang around.

What's my weight change this week?

1 lb. gain (ugh!)

Here are my numbers:

• All Time High: 153.5
  
• Last Week's Weigh-In: 151.0
  
• This Week's Weigh-In: 152.0
  
• Variance: 1.0 gain
  
• Overall Loss: 1.5
  
• Pounds to go: 27.0

Has anyone tried the Cinnamon & Honey Tea or cinnamon capsules???

Here are the reports for this week:

Chris - 2 LOSS
Tammy - 0 change
Life With Hashi-Thyroid Blog - Out Of Town
Grace - 2.4 Gained
Leigh - 3 LOSS
Clara - 2 Gained
Dette - 1 Gained
Julie - 2 LOSS
Cheryl - 0 change

Please help me welcome Cyn Blue who is reporting a 1 pound gain.

And everyone welcome my aunt Audery to the group who is reporting a 3 pound loss!

Total : 3.6 LOSS! YAY!

FEBRUARYawry

It wasn't until I got this tag from Neiyomee did I realize how lucky I am to not want for much... it took me a while to think of something (material) to wish for - but I got it.

Not that Hubz will read this anyway - I'll just put it on my own shopping list. ;)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Determine your birthday month and get a word that rhymes with it of you can affix to it. Caps lock your birth month (ex: MAYday! JUNE dune, APRILicious, JULYvely, AUGUST pocus, parched MARCH..). Be unique.

2. Your birth month plus the word affixed or rhymed shall become the tag's title in your case.

3. Get your birthday and add the digits involved. Example, if your birthday falls on the 25th of July, add 2 and 5 you get 7.

4. Whatever is the sum, write a list of the MATERIAL gifts you wish to receive, the number of which shall correspond to the sum of your birthday. For example, applying the case above (in rule number 3), you will write seven (7) things you wish to receive.

5. After your wish list, put your name and birthday in the Blogger Birthday Directory, with a link to your blog/s. Note: when you add your birthday, please place it in a way that the dates appear chronologically (January, February...1, 2, 3)

6. Pass this tag meme by tagging as many as you want.

***

My birthday falls on the 11th, so here are my 2 wishlist items:

1. Neatreceipts
2. A case for my BB Pearl
   

Blogger's Birthday Directory:

January 15 - Bonefina | Jan 28 - Winklekat | February 11 - Dette | February 18 - Nancy| February 20 - Caryl| February 23 - Jammy | March 7 - Mari | March 28 - Jaja | April 13 - Tere | May 3 - Vannie | May 8 - Joanjoyce | May 27 - Zang Caesar | August 27 - Francine , La Place de Cherie, Cherie | September 1 - Lynn | October 2 - Hailey | September 2 - Chikai | September 30 - Mckhoii | October 12- Naomi | December 18 - Joshuaongys | December 19 - Alpha |

Now I'm passing this tag to Faery Dancing, Nothing but PURPLE, 52 Faces, Hip Mama Blog and BaReFooTeD Me =)

Taking It Off Together Tuesday #2

Ooh - if I hadn't committed to it in public format, I would've only worked out twice last week, instead of 3.

I knew this group would be good for me. I lost 2.5 pounds in the last week. =)

And instead of hiding behind weekly variances, I think I need to step up with the real deal.

Ahem - uh, here are my numbers:

• All Time High: 153.5
  
• Last Week's Weigh-In: 153.5
  
• This Week's Weigh-In: 151.0
  
• Variance: 2.5 loss
  
• Overall Loss: 2.5
  
• Pounds to go: 26.0
  

The rest of the gang is doing great - no gains!

Chris - 0 change
Tammy - 1 LOSS!
Life With Hashi-Thyroid Blog - 0 change
Grace - 0.8 LOSS!
Leigh - 7 LOSS!
Clara - 0.5 LOSS!
Dette - 2.5 LOSS!
Julie - 1 LOSS!

and every one be sure to welcome Cheryl with her first weigh in at 0!

Total 12.8 LOSS! Congratulations!!