Kelly’s “Take Me Back To The Start� Challenge

[Hermione Gainser]

When I move out to wherever I move, I'm downgrading my job. Or upgrading, depending on how you look at it. Probably a total waste of college education, but I'm over the corporate world and want to get a less craptastic job. So I'd find something in town, where people don't treat me like crap, and I don't take the stress home at night. I might be romanticizing such things, but I hope they exist. I know they pay less, but I don't want to spend my life unhappy.

I officially started calling this place "the farm" and saying things like "into town" tonight. I think this is my destiny!

Anyone want to start a nerd commune in Kansas?!?

You basically summed up my thoughts here. I'm so sick of living in this city. I feel like (and boston folks, feel free to chime in) that people just didn't treat each other so poorly when I lived in Boston. Here, in general, I'm treated like meat or sh*t. The over all "feel" of the city is unpleasant. It's encouraging me to move. A lot. Seriously, maybe I'll just open a coffee shop in rural NC...

[PrincessHeather]

I would totally join your nerd commune Kelly... it would get me out of my own stressful job and out of South Dakota!

[Strawberry Squatcake]

I'm afraid I am not in Kansas. You have a great attitude going towards life. I hope you find the perfect downgrade job to upgrade your life!

Most people are thankful they aren't in Kansas. I feel like I know what I want, but I can't quite get there. I guess that's the essence of life - needing something to work toward? I definitely can't afford this right now, or if I downgrade my job pay. The goal is to work hard now, save up some money, and reap the rewards long-term. With nicer people

overall life happiness is very often a job benefit that's greatly overlooked.

I TOTALLY agree. After college and through most of my 20s, it was like I didn't mind being treated like crap because it was part of climbing the ladder. Then I got to the top, and hated it, and suddenly lost my motivation to keep up with the grind. And now I'm constantly saying, "What's the point?" Part of the point is to retire, but why shoudlnt' I enjoy life NOW? Working on the answer. Just don't know it all.... Yet.

i like the wall idea. i think LBEB wouldn't mind if you used one of their slogans. i mean, it's for personal use. in your HOUSE.

I think you're right. I'm starting with the squats one for now. Sometimes the LBEB people annoy me a little being so sarcastic. People like me are like, "Wait. Are you being for real or for sarcastic?" I know it's funny for them but it's a bit d-baggy for me. So on the days I am annoyed with them making fun of everyone around them, I'll be glad not to have their sayings plastered on my wall. And on the days I do like them (most days) I can wear their shirt!

My friends and I have a nerd commune (we're not able to be in the same place at the moment due to... complications) but once we have a place we can all live we're wanting to settle in a city because most of us hate to drive and want excellent public transportation or things we need to get to to be in walking distance.

What a great idea. Of course, there are very few of my friends I'd be able to share a home with. So a commune sounds good in theory, but I think my destiny is to be alone. I'm OK with that, it just takes a lot more money to get what I really want!

And I used to want to do the "within walking distance" thing. But I think now I'd rather have more space to myself. Who knows. Next year maybe I'll be back to wanting to be in the center of the action!

You basically summed up my thoughts here. I'm so sick of living in this city. I feel like (and boston folks, feel free to chime in) that people just didn't treat each other so poorly when I lived in Boston. Here, in general, I'm treated like meat or sh*t. The over all "feel" of the city is unpleasant. It's encouraging me to move. A lot. Seriously, maybe I'll just open a coffee shop in rural NC...

I loved Boston the one time I visited. I know there are distinct areas of the it, and am not sure what area I was in. But everyone walked, was very friendly, relaxed, etc. I loved the "feel." SO I think I know exactly what you're saying.

I want to open a bakery. I know flour is the root of all evil (for me - and my inability to say no). But what's better than fresh baked goods and the people who are on a carb-high from eating them? My other career of choice would be a small bookstore, but I'm not sure they exist anymore.

I would totally join your nerd commune Kelly... it would get me out of my own stressful job and out of South Dakota!

YAY! Although, rural Kansas probably isn't much better than SD! But, maybe if we're together, it won't be so awful?

Update: WORK SUCKS today. We did an update last night, and employees are super-shitty about it. I want to tell them if they don't like these kinds of things, go work for a company that never updates anything, has crappy old computers, and uses dial-up Internet. Sigh. They want all of the new crap, but they don't want to work through the changes to get there. Or, more accurately, they complain about the stuff that hasn't been updated, then complain while it gets updated. It's a lose-lose. I can't remember the last time anyone said anything nice to me (at work - in my personal life my friend told me my ass looked great, so that was nice - I said, "Yeah, dat's mah squat booty!").

I am hopefully working out after work but before my dinner plans. If I get out of here when I'm supposed to, I'll have time. I'm making the risky choice of working out in our work workout room, though. So sometimes the negativity follows me and then I run away and go somewhere like Starbucks. But I'm working with dumbbells, so I think I'll do lunges. Maybe some front squats. And I considered trying either pistol squats or OH squats. Will OH squats be harder with dumbbells? I'm trying to work out the stablizing ability of a barbell. And then some running on the dreaded treadmill. Viva la zombie run!

[Blueberries]

When I move out to wherever I move, I'm downgrading my job. Or upgrading, depending on how you look at it. Probably a total waste of college education, but I'm over the corporate world and want to get a less craptastic job. So I'd find something in town, where people don't treat me like crap, and I don't take the stress home at night. I might be romanticizing such things, but I hope they exist. I know they pay less, but I don't want to spend my life unhappy.

I officially started calling this place "the farm" and saying things like "into town" tonight. I think this is my destiny!

Anyone want to start a nerd commune in Kansas?!?

OMG yes!!

You basically summed up my thoughts here. I'm so sick of living in this city. I feel like (and boston folks, feel free to chime in) that people just didn't treat each other so poorly when I lived in Boston. Here, in general, I'm treated like meat or sh*t. The over all "feel" of the city is unpleasant. It's encouraging me to move. A lot. Seriously, maybe I'll just open a coffee shop in rural NC...

Or we could do this instead. I love both places, so I'm down either way.

Update: WORK SUCKS today. We did an update last night, and employees are super-shitty about it. I want to tell them if they don't like these kinds of things, go work for a company that never updates anything, has crappy old computers, and uses dial-up Internet. Sigh. They want all of the new crap, but they don't want to work through the changes to get there. Or, more accurately, they complain about the stuff that hasn't been updated, then complain while it gets updated. It's a lose-lose. I can't remember the last time anyone said anything nice to me (at work - in my personal life my friend told me my ass looked great, so that was nice - I said, "Yeah, dat's mah squat booty!").

I am hopefully working out after work but before my dinner plans. If I get out of here when I'm supposed to, I'll have time. I'm making the risky choice of working out in our work workout room, though. So sometimes the negativity follows me and then I run away and go somewhere like Starbucks. But I'm working with dumbbells, so I think I'll do lunges. Maybe some front squats. And I considered trying either pistol squats or OH squats. Will OH squats be harder with dumbbells? I'm trying to work out the stablizing ability of a barbell. And then some running on the dreaded treadmill. Viva la zombie run!

Ugh... sorry you're having a rough day. I think IT is highly under-appreciated. I might be slightly biased since once upon a time I had an IT background, but seriously, people (general people) don't appreciate the power of their IT department to make their lives either harder or easier. Be nice, and they'll go out of their way to make sure you're taken care of. Why is that so hard, even without the incentive?

[Strawberry Squatcake]

I agree. I always threaten to take people's Internet access away.

Also... Doctor just called. After all that drama getting my screening setup. They didn't have enough blood to do a cholesterol check. This means 1. I'd ahve to go back to that unorganized place (not happening) 2. I don't know my results (annoying) 3. I can't get my work's wellness incentives. BLAH!! But at this point, I don't know if it's worth the money.

[Hermione Gainser]

Not OR, AND! Small bookstore with a coffeeshop/bakery attached? Call that my heaven!

Whoas. doctor office BS!

[PrincessHeather]

Laura and Kelly, I would certainly frequent your bakery/bookstore!

BS on that doctor... how did they not get enough blood? That's just stupid. And so frustrating. That sucks.

[Chanda]

Most people are thankful they aren't in Kansas. I feel like I know what I want, but I can't quite get there. I guess that's the essence of life - needing something to work toward? I definitely can't afford this right now, or if I downgrade my job pay. The goal is to work hard now, save up some money, and reap the rewards long-term. With nicer people

That is pretty much our plan too... working hard now and sometime in the hopefully not too distant future we downgrade work and upgrade life. Despite that, we try very hard to still enjoy life now despite the work thing getting in the way. Gotta make the most out of every second... ok, maybe not every second but the most out of every day.

[Max Power]

A lot of things have happened since I was here last. Communes, bakeries, and coffee shops have all opened. Your coworkers suck at life. You're doing lunges with dumbbells! And your doctor didn't take enogh blood!! (He might be a vampire, just saying) The whole world has gone mad!!!

I don't want to live on a commune, but I'll be happy to stop by and take care of any blacksmithing needs you have. Cause that would be my dream job. That being said, I also want to open up a BBQ joint, except I know absolutely nothing about running a restaurant, so that one's probably not going to happen. And another part of me wants to go back to working in the oil field and go overseas to make boat loads of money, then come back in 10 years and retire. What I'm getting at is, basically, I don't want to be stuck in an 8-5 job like I am now, it seems like a death sentence to me. How can I live an interesting life on two days off every week and one week of vacation a year? Anywho, there's my little rant.

[Strawberry Squatcake]

Not OR, AND! Small bookstore with a coffeeshop/bakery attached? Call that my heaven!

Whoas. doctor office BS!

Oh! That sounds like a lot of stuff we'd have to do. So we could rotate jobs on the reg. This works VERY WELL for me constantly wanting to learn/conquer something new! I'm in!

Laura and Kelly, I would certainly frequent your bakery/bookstore!

BS on that doctor... how did they not get enough blood? That's just stupid. And so frustrating. That sucks.

So, after the nurse called and acted all flippant like it was no big deal, just come back and have us draw more blood. I was like, "Eh. I really don't care that much. Just forget about doign the cholesterol test." I really only needed the test for my wellness incentive (mind you, if I do the whole year's stuff, which is unlikely, it's time-consuming) I'm giving up $600. It's more likely I'm giving up around $200. Anyway, I don't care enough to set another appointment that's midday (for me) and then sit in the waiting room for a half hour. My time's worth more than that. Plus, drawing blood is always traumatic. Nurses don't understand that when I say, "DON"T DIG FOR A VEIN" that I mean it. My mom says, "As often as nurses draw blood during school, it's kind of a rip when you get one who still can't do it." Haha. My mom says stuff is a "rip" all the time. I think that means a ripoff? Like you're getting ripped off by the universe? WHo knows.

Anyway, I was short 1. because work sucks and that was already making me grouchy then I was already annoyed only for them a week later to be like, "Oh bee-tee-dubs, kelly-kins, come back for moar blood! k? byeeeee!" like it wasn't an inconvenience at all and 2. I was actually anticipating getting the results in the next few days. Had this happeend that same day (they SHOULD be sending the bloodwork immediately), I might have been less annoyed.

So then the doctor calls and leaves kind of a rude message saying, "You need to call me back so I can discuss how bloodwork works, and why you need to come in so we can draw more blood." No, I already understand. Either your nurse didnt' draw enough. Or the lab screwed up. That doesn't save me the extra hour of driving and half hour in the waiting room. And ten minutes while they act like I'm the first blood they've ever drawn.

No thanks, homies! I'm out. Deuces!

That is pretty much our plan too... working hard now and sometime in the hopefully not too distant future we downgrade work and upgrade life. Despite that, we try very hard to still enjoy life now despite the work thing getting in the way. Gotta make the most out of every second... ok, maybe not every second but the most out of every day.

Yup, you're right! I do try to enjoy what I can. Work makes it pretty hard sometimes. But I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY hope the universe leads me in another direction soon. I've been job hunting,and really trying to figure out what I want. So I'm hoping soon something will come up that's better than this. Despite the craptastic work, life really is pretty good. So I should be happy about that.

A lot of things have happened since I was here last. Communes, bakeries, and coffee shops have all opened. Your coworkers suck at life. You're doing lunges with dumbbells! And your doctor didn't take enogh blood!! (He might be a vampire, just saying) The whole world has gone mad!!!

I don't want to live on a commune, but I'll be happy to stop by and take care of any blacksmithing needs you have. Cause that would be my dream job. That being said, I also want to open up a BBQ joint, except I know absolutely nothing about running a restaurant, so that one's probably not going to happen. And another part of me wants to go back to working in the oil field and go overseas to make boat loads of money, then come back in 10 years and retire. What I'm getting at is, basically, I don't want to be stuck in an 8-5 job like I am now, it seems like a death sentence to me. How can I live an interesting life on two days off every week and one week of vacation a year? Anywho, there's my little rant.

VAMPIRE!! I bet you're right! And they would try to manipulate me. Jerkfaces!

And, yes, I'll need blacksmithing for my horses, right? What else will I need it for? Plus, you're already there. So we can sit on the deck and drink a beer. And I can take down quotes to put on my workout wall. Come any time!

And also, a 8-5 job is my definition of prison. It's so thankless. Not healthy to sit on your ass all day. And so stressful. It's like it's killing me from inactivity and stress. Not a good combo. And for what? To die sooner so I don't even get to retire and enjoy what I've worked for? NO thanks. I wanna live now!

Like the guy said on Dazed and Confused, "I just wanna dance!"

[Blueberries]

Not OR, AND! Small bookstore with a coffeeshop/bakery attached? Call that my heaven!

Whoas. doctor office BS!

I'm just saying that I'm in if it's in Kansas OR North Carolina. Definitely we can do ALL the shops.

So, after the nurse called and acted all flippant like it was no big deal, just come back and have us draw more blood. I was like, "Eh. I really don't care that much. Just forget about doign the cholesterol test." I really only needed the test for my wellness incentive (mind you, if I do the whole year's stuff, which is unlikely, it's time-consuming) I'm giving up $600. It's more likely I'm giving up around $200. Anyway, I don't care enough to set another appointment that's midday (for me) and then sit in the waiting room for a half hour. My time's worth more than that. Plus, drawing blood is always traumatic. Nurses don't understand that when I say, "DON"T DIG FOR A VEIN" that I mean it. My mom says, "As often as nurses draw blood during school, it's kind of a rip when you get one who still can't do it." Haha. My mom says stuff is a "rip" all the time. I think that means a ripoff? Like you're getting ripped off by the universe? WHo knows.

Anyway, I was short 1. because work sucks and that was already making me grouchy then I was already annoyed only for them a week later to be like, "Oh bee-tee-dubs, kelly-kins, come back for moar blood! k? byeeeee!" like it wasn't an inconvenience at all and 2. I was actually anticipating getting the results in the next few days. Had this happeend that same day (they SHOULD be sending the bloodwork immediately), I might have been less annoyed.

So then the doctor calls and leaves kind of a rude message saying, "You need to call me back so I can discuss how bloodwork works, and why you need to come in so we can draw more blood." No, I already understand. Either your nurse didnt' draw enough. Or the lab screwed up. That doesn't save me the extra hour of driving and half hour in the waiting room. And ten minutes while they act like I'm the first blood they've ever drawn.

No thanks, homies! I'm out. Deuces!

Lame. How did they not call you within a day or two at most?

Like the guy said on Dazed and Confused, "I just wanna dance!"

YES! It is ridiculous how many lines from that movie I used to quote.

[Hermione Gainser]

I'm just saying that I'm in if it's in Kansas OR North Carolina. Definitely we can do ALL the shops.

Score! And your ridiculously cute wee ones can attract customers/be our mascots!

[weirdquark]

What a great idea. Of course, there are very few of my friends I'd be able to share a home with. So a commune sounds good in theory, but I think my destiny is to be alone. I'm OK with that, it just takes a lot more money to get what I really want!

And I used to want to do the "within walking distance" thing. But I think now I'd rather have more space to myself. Who knows. Next year maybe I'll be back to wanting to be in the center of the action!

I am hopefully working out after work but before my dinner plans. If I get out of here when I'm supposed to, I'll have time. I'm making the risky choice of working out in our work workout room, though. So sometimes the negativity follows me and then I run away and go somewhere like Starbucks. But I'm working with dumbbells, so I think I'll do lunges. Maybe some front squats. And I considered trying either pistol squats or OH squats. Will OH squats be harder with dumbbells? I'm trying to work out the stablizing ability of a barbell. And then some running on the dreaded treadmill. Viva la zombie run!

I've lived with my current roommate for about twelve years now if you don't count the additional time when we had adjoining singles in college or the time apart while she was doing research in Italy. So I think we're pretty compatible.

New Rules of Lifting for Women has an exercise in one of the stages called a Single Arm DB Overhead Squat -- you take two dumbbells of different sizes and hold the smaller one over your head and the other at your side. They suggest that the smaller one be half the weight of the larger. You do a set and then switch which arm is up and do another set. (They also do offloaded DB front squats where you take two dumbbells of different sizes where one is about ten pounds heavier than the other, get them both up to your shoulders and squat that way, also with switching sides between sets.

[Max Power]

And, yes, I'll need blacksmithing for my horses, right? What else will I need it for? Plus, you're already there. So we can sit on the deck and drink a beer. And I can take down quotes to put on my workout wall. Come any time!

Eh, I don't do horses, too much kicking and biting, and whatever the horses do. I've made a lot of knives and tools before though. And beer on a deck, I'm in!

Woohoo!!! Dance party!!!

[Blueberries]

Woohoo!!! Dance party!!!

Don't mind me... I'm just here for the dance party.

[Strawberry Squatcake]

Alright, here's my battle cry (besides "When in doubt, squat it out," which I know I earlier declared my battle cry - but I'm a woman so I can have many battle cries, right?)... SUNDAY! I'm going to do no salt/no wheat. One week (until my birthday!!). Well, and the week before the Zombie Run. I tried to run last night and my whole body ached. I felt bloated and tired. Part of that is work stress. I was exhausted when I went out. Didn't even make it half a suburb block (which is very, very short) and I couldn't do it. I walked for a bit. Then turned around. Defeated. I know diet is also a big thing. I've been eating a lot of candy this week. And I had pizza for dinner last night. I think if I could get off the sugar/wheat, I'd feel a lot better in my joints. And it might let me run a little easier. I do not want to give up on the Zombie Run. It's a little bumming because everyone I'm going to the race with is running WITH someone. But I'm much slower than everyone so I have to run alone. I think I'm letting this get to me because it's the day before my birthday and THIS was what I said I wanted to do for my birthday. So I guess I'm getting emotional to be doing it alone, like everything else. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't mind doing stuff alone. But on your birthday, it's a little "woe is me." I know it's dumb. Just expressing how I feel, I guess, so I'll snap out of it.

Anyway, starting Sunday. Cutting out the extra sugar in crap I've been eating (almost primarily at work). And cutting out wheat/flour. Mostly because I'm eating way too much, feel like crap, and need to get back on the wagon before I gain another 15 pounds. Plus when I'm all tired, I don't want to lift, either. Because I can tell I'm weak. So that's no fun. How am I supposed to brag about squatting if I don't squat?

[PrincessHeather]

Sounds like a plan Miss Kelly! I know for me, even though I can't fully control all the stressors in my life, I do legitimately feel better when I am eating well and taking care of business on that end. Hopefully, getting rid of extra sodium and wheat will cut down on a bit of inflamation, if that is what's bothering your joints. If you really stick to it, a week should show at least a little improvement in time for you to race.

And you're not alone, you have an entire community right here who is excited for your Zombie Run and rooting for you!

PS It is a woman's perogative to have as many battle cries as she damn well pleases

[Hermione Gainser]

Sounds like a plan Miss Kelly! I know for me, even though I can't fully control all the stressors in my life, I do legitimately feel better when I am eating well and taking care of business on that end. Hopefully, getting rid of extra sodium and wheat will cut down on a bit of inflamation, if that is what's bothering your joints. If you really stick to it, a week should show at least a little improvement in time for you to race.

And you're not alone, you have an entire community right here who is excited for your Zombie Run and rooting for you!

PS It is a woman's perogative to have as many battle cries as she damn well pleases

^this. 100% Go, Kelly, GO!!!

[goodwince]

Keep in mind it's just for fun. Look at it and see that you need to make progress in the future, but don't bum yourself out too much! It's really about the experience of getting chased by zombies!!! Embrace the suck and move on. :]

You should try cutting things out. I did it paleo 30 for my tough mudder. Before my tough mudder I couldn't even run because of shin splints. I took it easy.. had lots of fun on the tough mudder and ended up hurting more from cramps than anything else.

[weirdquark]

Having different battle cries is good; you can customize them to the kind of battle you're fighting.

And cutting out wheat and salt sounds like a reasonable thing to try-- hope it goes well!

[Strawberry Squatcake]

Ooops! I mean wheat and SUGAR, not salt. Salt is one of the few things I add to food. I rarely add it at the table. Who knows, though, I probably need to cut that, too! Anyway, goal this week is no wheat. No sugar aside from fruit. I say this because it's Halloween. And candy is EVERYWHERE! Eeek!

Sounds like a plan Miss Kelly! I know for me, even though I can't fully control all the stressors in my life, I do legitimately feel better when I am eating well and taking care of business on that end. Hopefully, getting rid of extra sodium and wheat will cut down on a bit of inflamation, if that is what's bothering your joints. If you really stick to it, a week should show at least a little improvement in time for you to race.

And you're not alone, you have an entire community right here who is excited for your Zombie Run and rooting for you!

PS It is a woman's perogative to have as many battle cries as she damn well pleases

Yay! I'll make a list of battle cries!! I know I feel so much better when I'm eating better. I wish my stress response weren't to eat. But, I've put in to take Wed-Fri off, so hopefully between that, eating right, and getting in a few runs this week, I'll be well-rested for the race and off to a good start for being healthier this coming year (year meaning, starting on my birthday).

^this. 100% Go, Kelly, GO!!!

You girls are the best! <3

Keep in mind it's just for fun. Look at it and see that you need to make progress in the future, but don't bum yourself out too much! It's really about the experience of getting chased by zombies!!! Embrace the suck and move on. :]

You should try cutting things out. I did it paleo 30 for my tough mudder. Before my tough mudder I couldn't even run because of shin splints. I took it easy.. had lots of fun on the tough mudder and ended up hurting more from cramps than anything else.

You're right. It is for fun. I've heard some parts of the race are strategic, so that woudl have been fun to do with a friend. But maybe I can make friends at each obstacle. My friend and I made friends with a group keeping our pace during the Warrior Dash. See, this will challenge my introversion, too!

I'm hoping wheat and sugar will be enough to make me feel less BLAH. Plus, a few days off of work will really help. As work seems to be the cycle that's bringing me down.

Having different battle cries is good; you can customize them to the kind of battle you're fighting.

And cutting out wheat and salt sounds like a reasonable thing to try-- hope it goes well!

Here's to this week. Yesterday was first day no wheat. I also tried to do no sugar, but had one slip up. (Halloween candy! Don't worry, not at MY house. But it wasn't too bad.) I was all achey (my joints and head) and tired yesterday night. I think it was because it was hot yesterday so my house was really hot. I should have caved and turned on the air. I felt like crap when I went to bed, but feel fine today.

Made enough food for lunches today and tomorrow. And also have a few options for dinner. And being home the rest of the week will make eating well really easy. So here's to that!

Thanks everyone for being so supportive. Mostly I'm OK with being alone, but sometimes I have my moments!

[Strawberry Squatcake]

Week 4 progress

Diet and Fitness Goals:

1. Lift two times per week (squat/bench/DL/bent rows one day, squat/OHP/DL/inverted rows the 2nd), cardio (of whatever variety I choose, just get moving to improve endurance) three times per week. 30 points possible, up to 5 per week. (2 STR, 2 STA)

Yeah, one session of cardio. No lifting. This week will be better! 14/35 so far.

2. Plan and prep meals – Plan the following week’s meals and grocery list by Thursday of the current week. Grocery shop over the weekend. And make the bulk of the week’s food on Sundays. (12 possible points. One for planning by Thursday. One for prepping by Sunday night.) (2 WIS, 2 CHA, 1 CON)

2/2 last week. 7/12 total.

3. Zombie Run – Complete in less than 1 hour. I did the Warrior Dash in 1 hour 8 minutes (no judging). The course isn’t exactly the same, but from what I’ve heard aside from the zombies, it’s very similar. 5K through a field with obstacles (and zombies). Training for this will partially be the cardio in #1, but hopefully a goal finish time will ensure I run more. All or nothing. Sub 1 hour gets points. (Side note, if I ran a 5K on a flat, paved surface, I think I’d finish in about 40 minutes. And this will be a hilly course that’s not paved, with likely lines at obstacles.) (2 DEX, 2 STA)

Didn't do anything with this last week. This week I want to do some very light running. And I'm going to focus mostly on diet for energy.

Life Goal:

Yard – I have two landscaping areas in my backyard I need to take care of before winter. I also want to fertilize my yard two more times before it freezes. The fertilizing is easy as long as I do it. Cleaning up the landscaping area is the time-consuming/grueling work. I know – I did the front yard this weekend. So 25% for fertilizing, and 75% for the landscaping. (2 CHA)

I actually worked on this a little last week. All I have left to do is lay the landscaping fabric and spread the mulch. And since both are already at my house, I should finish it up this week. Especially if I take a few days off of work!

I need to mow one last time before fertilizing. But I'll also knock that out this week when it cools off.

[Max Power]

Here's to this week. Yesterday was first day no wheat. I also tried to do no sugar, but had one slip up. (Halloween candy! Don't worry, not at MY house. But it wasn't too bad.) I was all achey (my joints and head) and tired yesterday night. I think it was because it was hot yesterday so my house was really hot. I should have caved and turned on the air. I felt like crap when I went to bed, but feel fine today.

Made enough food for lunches today and tomorrow. And also have a few options for dinner. And being home the rest of the week will make eating well really easy. So here's to that!

Thanks everyone for being so supportive. Mostly I'm OK with being alone, but sometimes I have my moments!

The acheyness will pass soon enough, just a little detoxing before you come around. Nice job on getting those lunches pulled together. I spent yesterday with the gf watching movies, and we had candy and popcorn. In fact I didn't really eat one thing healthy yesterday, I didn't go overboard, just nothing good. But this morning I got up and my ankles, wrists and various other joints were hurting, it's got to be from all that sugar. So I'm fasting this moring to help clear my system out (plus I wasn't hungry post workout, which never happens.)

[weirdquark]

Ha, I always eat worse (well, more) when I'm home - if I'm at work I'm stuck with whatever I brought with me because I can manage to be stubborn enough to not buy more food but can't always be stubborn enough to avoid snacking on whatever I have lying around.

Sounds like you've got a good plan for the next week or so!

[nightlight]

just stopping by to send you some <3