Friday, March 30, 2012

Poem for Today: Daffodils

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
and twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretched in never-ending line
along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
in such a jocund company:
I gazed - and gazed - but little thought
what wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.


 
~William Wordsworth

31 Day Challenge: Day Twelve



Weight loss total:  12 pounds

Today I (being a number geek) wanted to play with a few numbers. Numbers are fun. How come I hated math, and yet love spreadsheets?

Here are a couple of numbers that are fun and encouraging:
  • Percentage of total body weight lost so far 4.58%
  • BMI points dropped 1.2
I hope we have another awesome weather weekend so I can spend some time outside! I don't dare look at the forecast...it might be depressing.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

31 Day Challenge: Day Ten

Total Weight Loss: 10.5 pounds

Oh. My. Goodness!

I am over the moon!

Monday, March 26, 2012

31 Day Challenge: Day Eight

Total weight loss: 8 pounds, baby!

I must say that I really needed that big jolt of encouragement this morning on the scale. We had a marvelous and healthy weekend that included great food and nice walks. Thank you, Lord, for a bit of good weather to kick this in gear!

Last night, I made salmon from our stash that we caught in the fall. Let me say that the vaccuum sealer was a great investment. Add a little broccoli and dinner was amazing. Mmmm.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

31 Day Challenge: Day Seven

Total weight loss: well...its the weekend and I don't have my work scale...but lat I checked... 5 pounds

Feeling super good on the pure protien. Added in some veggies yesterday, but I think for the next two weeks I will alternate two days of protien with one day of protien/veg. We will see how that works.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

31 Day Challenge: Day Three

Total Weight Loss: 3.5 pounds

I'm hungry. Ok, that's a lie.

Oh how I hate these first few days when I seem to be constantly thinking about my next meal. And how good it will taste. And what I can eat after that. Etcetera.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

31 Day Challenge: Day Two

Weight loss: 3 pounds

Today I shall employ a bit of fuzzy logic. Everyone "knows" that your first few pounds of weight loss is "water weight".

Okay...lets look at it this way.

1 pint of water=1.04375 lbs
Therefore, my 3 pounds of water weight is the equivalent of 5.7485 cups of water.

My mind works in mysterious (or just plain weird) ways.

Monday, March 19, 2012

31 Day Challenge: Day One

Total weight loss: 0 pounds (well, duh)

I have exactly one month before we head out to our vacation in Arizona. This is NOT why I am setting some personal goals for myself. But the timing is good, so I will take advantage of it.

I will be down at least 20 pounds (and at least one size) by then. Yes, I know that the initial weight loss is mostly "water weight". Whatever. That's my winter weight, and what makes me "puffy". And I am quite annoyed with myself.

This week is pure protien for 7 days. Lean meats, non-fat dairy, etc. And LOTS of water. I'll keep you posted.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

A Fitting Project


I have mentioned before how artistic my mom and her siblings are. She made these little clay hearts years ago, and we pulled them out earlier this week as part of a test to see how her focus and creativity had come back. This was not our intended project, but I ended up putting these necklaces together. It seems like a fitting tribute to her recovery.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Movie Review: The King's Speech

I think it is no secret that, in my opinion, any movie where I can gaze upon Colin Firth starring Colin Firth is probably worth watching. The Kingi's Speech exceeded expectation.

Firth won the Oscar for Best Actor, and the movie won for Best Film, and for once, I agree with the Acadamy's decisions.


The story is set in pre-WWII England, and is based upon King George VI's struggle with a stutter. After his older brother abdicates the throne to marry a divorced commoner (and an American, no less), the new King must make a very public, nationally broadcast show of strength as the country heads into war. I thought it interesting that while he fully understands that his position is as a figurehead, and that he has no real power, he takes his responsibility seriously that he "speak(s) for the people". He knows that if he is unable to communicate strength and national pride it will be detrimental for the country.

A beautiful friendship develops between the King and his speech therapist. Even though the therapist refuses to bow, and calls him "Bertie", he does so not from a lack of respect, but rather the opposite. He respects the King as a man, and wants to aid him in success.

I definitely recommend this movie. Mom does as well.