National Parks Update!

Well, since you asked, I believe I have been to 11 of our national parks (with Doug, so I should say we. I did Everglades long ago before him so I am not counting that one).  The ones in Alaska are hard to get to (hydroplane only) and America Somoa is not so easy to get to, either.  But it is an interesting quest.

The PROBLEM is, you may know that there is a NP passport where you stamp each place you have been.  So of course this disturbs me b/c I feel like I have to go back to the ones I already have been to, to get my stamp!  Maybe I can mock one up (I would have the actual date on my pictures - maybe).  My OCD gets in the way sometimes, you know.

I may have mentioned that I earned a free NP pass for the year (for my volunteer hours) - but Doug was not impressed ("it's $20 for a week pass .. .. ).  Still there is something about earning a FREE thing that is rewarding and make you feel like you have to use it!

I have to finish my Ice Age Trail quest first . .. I know you want to know the status:  I am at 784 miles.  Got out twice last week (for my first 22 of the year!) and plan to go this weekend if it doesn't snow up north.  And honestly . . . I can only think of ONE time that we were out and had pizza!

A feel good story.....

D'Marcos Pizza

# 1  I have had several new ones since we have opened the studio -- but of course all before we started the challenge.  So this is my first official one.

I have met and had a long conversation with the owner.  He moved to Houston from Chicago.  Long story short he acquired the recipe from an elderly couple in his home town and brought the pizza recipe to a small pizzeria in Sugar Land.  It's Chicago-style pizza....this one is in deep dish of course.




How many National Parks have you been to?

The only thing I am busy counting is how many members the studio is up to!  We are currently at 158 and aiming for 225 by EOM June and 375 by end of year.  At least 1 a day!!!

Miss you J -- counting the days!

National Parks Pizza

Is anyone playing along with my year of new pizzas?!  I actually have a real one to post - which I will do at another time (Ihad a Chinese New Year Pizza).

SO you know my infatuation with the National Parks and I have this desire to now visit every one.  Just the parks (58) -not counting the 401 sites that are national waterways, etc.  I have a few knocked off already.  But my interest is peaked in the National Park trail run series and other activities.

ANYWAY, I stumbled upon this book which is humoring me:  "Dear Bob and Sue."  It is a couple who decides to also visit every national park, and the format is they are writing e-mails back to their friends (Bob and Sue).  Well, I have to tell you that these people eat pizza every day while staying in or near a national park.  It is so funny to me.  They are doing parts of the country at a time (so this is not every consecutive day) but doesn't there seem to be a correlation?!  I can do two things that I love at once - who knew?  And they drink a lot of beer.

It looks like this Coyote is enjoying some pizza, too.

I really have no idea what this is, but I thought it was funny.

For My Valentines

I am glad I passed on the Love to my Daughter, who made her sweetie a heart shaped pizza - but they almost ruined it!

Alas, I am not making much progress on the 2015 Pizza Project.  I did make a wheat crust from Trader Joe's which was good but not sure if that is inspiring enough.  There is a little story - MK had a "food for today" class and they had TJ pizza.  She specifically requested it (for Zach) and then Doug did not see it in the fridge so made from scratch.  Mind you, TJ is not close to us so it was a pretty "intentional" effort.  I took a pic just in the (unlikely) event that come Dec I do not have 15 new ones to count!

15 in 2015 -- I love it!

Hi all --

I love the Pizza challenge and I'm certain I can "git 'er done."  Good Lord -- I love this idea!  Now I'm thinking we should each come up with a 15 in 15 idea.  Of course I am racking my brain to come up with one to share.....and i want to make it fun, not like our normal stuff -- which is always hard.

I like the spirit of the Pizza idea -- let's focus on having fun and being happy instead of constantly challenging ourselves to do something that we feel that we should do instead of something we want to do!  I admit I spend the majority of my time and life thinking about what I should do -- should eat better, should drink less, should work out more, should start running again, etc, etc.

And J -- how can you not know what that picture is???  It's pizza in the shape of a French Bulldog!  Like my Darwin boy.

I admit I'm a little psyched about this! Now to determine my idea!

2015 CHALLENGE!

As with every New Year, I'm sure that health and wellness is top of mind.  But let's be realistic, too . . . WE LOVE PIZZA!

Not to be cavalier, but ya know, Life is short.  And we know that we're going to eat pizza (and what goes well with pizza?  Wine of course.  And beer . . . that's a whole other topic).  SO, my challenge, which I am sorry that Jan is half over, is for 20 - 15 to try FIFTEEN NEW PIZZAS!

It can be a new restaurant, a new recipe, new topping combo - it just has to qualify as new to you!  And you should report back on your new favorites.  We can expand our horizons on something we know and love.  

Are you in?!

Not sure what this is exactly, but I had to include it b/c I thought it was funny.

Happy New Year!

Well, some of us got closer to "OZ" and . . .

Others of us fell asleep in the poppies!

Or feel like we got hit by apples in the head along the way!

But I for one am happy that I have a brain

And have OZ to thank for it!

OK, not the first one but the second one is "my OZ"  (Dr. Osama Zaidat, who is referred to as Dr. Oz).  Surely, of all of the neurologists, that was not a coincidence?

Stay the course! Goals are good!   It's going to be a great year!!

Share a link on Twitter

Check out Santa Loves Soldiers! Available for the next 7 days via @Teespring: http://teespring.com/Santalovessoldiers
https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fteespring.com%2FSantalovessoldiers&text=Check%20out%20Santa%20Loves%20Soldiers!%20Available%20for%20the%20next%207%20days%20via%20%40Teespring%3A&tw_p=tweetbutton&url=http%3A%2F%2Fteespring.com%2FSantalovessoldiers

And the best picture goes to.......

Jessica eating ice cream.  OMG -- you have no idea how relieved I was when I saw that silly picture.  You were hyped up on morphine most likely won't recall it....but I will forever!  I must have looked at it 10 times -- studying your face to make sure you were ok!

I worried all day because there was little info flowing on your condition.  You know how it is....the less you know the more you imagine the worst.  I hope you have a better night tonight than last.

Sweet dreams my friend!

Ethel.......

Not sure where to begin or what to say.  A brain aneurism -- I just can't even wrap my head around it. I've cried, I've denied, I've grieved....for you, for your family and myself.  I've thought of the ironic....like what the hell.......this happened at the gym....really?!   I've thought of how glad I am that you were there and not on the IAT in some remote location, in a tent , sleeping alone.  Or on a plane 35000 ft up and far from the medical care you needed.  I keep thinking 48 yrs old.......  I know sometimes 49 seems old -- but then when it crosses your mind that it might be over for someone at 48 -- it seems crazy young!  I only know bits and pieces today...so maybe it's all under control, but I'm worrying about you.

You know I only have one best friend and you are it!  I've always been more about quality and less about quantity....so all the responsibility is on you!  This is one challenge you must win!

I sent you a text tonight....and I will likely send you more.  I wish you were better about answering them in a timely manner...but I'll give you a little leeway for now.

I don't know what you will think or say when you look back on these posts -- but know that I love and care about you!

Lucy

Well hello........

It's good to see some activity on here!  I admit it made me start thinking a little more about what I should be doing.  I am being relatively healthy -- as amazing as that seems to me.  I recently found a new app that I have a slight addiction to....which has been a new method to track my food/calorie/nutritional intake.  It's called My Fitness Pal or Buddy (something like that) -- its blue with a person jumping on it.....should you feel the need to check it out.

It'a hard to believe nearly a year ago we all sat down together and made this Wizard of Oz Challenge.  And here we are at the end of another year.  A new year ahead and new challenges!  It's a big year for Ethel and I.......50 is upon us!  I don't feel near 50 thats for sure!

Ahhhhh........so much to reflect on!

October Challenge

I don't know where we have all been, but hey - new month!  Still three months left in the year to recharge our priorities and make a difference!

SO, I challenge you to go to www.simplegreensmoothies.com and sign up for the free Oct challenge - one green smoothie a day for the month!  You know we all need more fruits and vegetables - let's do it together and we will all feel better by Nov 1st!

May Day! The holiday I mean!

Time to dance and celebrate the beginning of Spring!  Here in Houston we got a jump start.....and started our Spring a while back.   Also this is my Mom & Dad's anniversary....they were married back on May 1st of 1950.

So time to take stock of my progress.  First I have to say I'm in a bit of a routine rut.  All is good....but I feel like my energy level is very low.   Feel like I am going through the motions -- not propelling myself.  And while I'm whining -- I need to say I seriously think I'm hitting menopause.  I have been experiencing hot flashes daily.....many of which are happening at night.  I just started an over the counter remedy to see if I can counteract the symptoms.  I hate taking stuff like this -- I prefer to medicate through exercise....but that doesn't seem to be enough. Enough on that topic!

Back to us and our W.O.O. Challenge......and life in general!  I found this statement and it has been on my mind --

Every morning you have the same two choices:

1.  Continue to sleep with your dreams.

2.  Wake up and do something that brings them to reality.

I also want to report on my progress.

1.  Did Burpees for my 30 day challenge -- thank god it's over.....I'm really sick of burpees.  I had to add up all the days just for fun to see hom many I racked up over the month.  And the answer is...1215!  

2.  I did finally finish another book....."My Husband's Secrets".  

3.  I journaled everyday as promised......keeping myself at goal weight as planned.

4.  I've slacked off on my crocheting...not sure why.


So all in all a successful month.....just no big ah ha moments.

More to come -- but this is a good start!

Love......Lucy

12 Weeks

12 weeks in to the year already . .. it is hard to believe.  It is also hard to believe that I have religiously worked out, kept track of my food, etc and have a whopping 2.8 lbs off to show for it.  Needless to say that has put me in a little bit of a funk - add to that our continued below-freezing temps, a head cold, and it is all a little depressing.

So I am trying to regroup!  I am still working on more fiber (no result last week but I'll keep trying) and I have been out to hike some of my Ice Age Trail miles three times in the last 10 days and that has felt great (27 miles - not counting the 6 that I spent being lost off-trail!).  I signed up for a seminar next week about "the hormone diet" b/c there is clearly something "off" in my body and maybe that will help me to figure it out.  Lastly, I set a new silly goal.  I just feel like I do better when I have something "ahead" of me to think about as I am working hard.

That is KoKo Crater, on Oahu.  As you know, we are headed to Hawaii in June which is about 12 weeks off.  And I am going to climb this crater!  And still be able to walk later in the day. It is only a mile and a half, but as you can see, it ascends 1200 ft pretty rapidly. The views are supposed to be amazing - you can see 3 of the islands from the summit.

And then I am going to send you THIS picture, with MY feet in it!

I am actually a little more worried about descending without wiping out, but I'll worry about that then.

Ahhhh .. . .

First of all, your crochet piece is amazing.  I am in total awe that you have completed that in such a short amount of time.

My March however has not started out so strongly.  I try to keep a positive face, but the fact is that I am discouraged, depressed, pissed off . . . you name it!  To have lost 4 lbs in 9 weeks just seems like a waste of time.  I feel like I work at it so hard and there is no result.  No "A" for effort in this game.  So I cracked over the weekend.  I did not journal ($3 in the pot).  I did not work out.  For the first time, I did not finish the menu plan this week and I had to get take-out for the kids for dinner (my nite to cook).  I am so sick of it being below zero temps.  And I was just ironing a new silk tank top from Ann Taylor and I totally burned a hole through it.

I am off to NY for the day tomorrow, so I hope that change of scenery/routine gets me re-motivated.  Even if I don't have "anything" to wear now!

…..Is there anybody out there?

Greetings to all --

Can you believe it is March 3rd already?  As of March 6th -- I will have been unemployed for 6 months.  I can't quite believe it.

To catch everyone up -- we are still waiting on the lease negotiations for our Sugar Land location.  We are 3 weeks into the negotiation.  Just sent an email today to nudge a bit.  Surely this week we will get some kind of an answer.  I feel like I am holding my breath!


Let me report in on my W.O.O. progress.

Perhaps my proudest moment is this……

I completed my mini-afghan.  Frankly it's not so mini….but that's another story.  Its far from perfect -- but I am proud that I set the goal and accomplished it.  And guess what I really enjoyed it.  I do truly need a craft outlet in my life.  I love scrapbooking….but the space it takes is a bit prohibitive.  And another learning is I most love it when I am with others.  Haven't been able to get Tim into it, so its a bit lonely.  Crochet on the other hand can be done nearly anywhere.  I will say its a misunderstood craft.  While crochet seems to be socially acceptable for the young in Europe -- it is not so popular here.    Of course I am getting a head start on my retirement activity -- so i'll be ready when the time comes.  I thought it was going to be golf….but no -- its crochet!

Next my "30 Day Series" fitness activities.  January was push-ups…..I completed the daily requirements equalling 747 total push-ups.  In February it was daily triceps-dips….I have just finished that with 1300 dips.  Now I am kicking off March with planking.  I committed to doing 8 months of this over the course of the year -- so trying to get it done before the Elements Studio work kicks off.

61 days and counting of food journaling.  And yes -- it is working.  I know this will keep me at goal weight!

Interestingly the hardest goal for me is the reading.  I know Ethel's mouth just dropped open!  I just don't know why.  I do enjoy it -- but it's just the last thing I think of doing  And the crochet isn't helping!  I still will accomplish this goal….but did not think this one would be the hardest.  I am on my 3rd book of 6…..called The Husband's Secret.  I swear its a good book -- in case either of you are looking for a good book.

I hope everyone is doing good -- hitting your goals and most importantly being happy and appreciating every day….even though the weather has not been our friend!  I sending good thoughts and support to both of you!!!!!

love……..Lucy

Progress Report

Granny Square (my first!)

My HOME challenge!

A picture is worth a 1000 words…right?  Here is one of my first crochet projects.  I have completed 3 classes at the Leisure Learning Center.  I can't say I have this mastered by any means -- but I do have some basic knowledge.  I have also been watching some you tube videos. This crochet thing isn't hard -- but certainly not simple either.  

I found this super cool little store called Knit in the Loop near my house.  It is an old home turned into a knitting store and place to hangout and knit/crochet with others.  Its very cozy and lots of elderly ladies (my favorite) to hang with. I signed up for a beginner class there which takes place tomorrow.

I have my pattern now for my actual puppy blanket and have ordered the yarn to do it.  So hopefully once I have mastered a few more skills I can start working on it.  Given my current speed -- it map take me all year to complete it.

Courage & Heart & Brain Challenges

All coming along nicely at this point.  

Brain:  I have finished one partially read book (And the Mountains Echoed) completed another new one (Dr Sleep) and started a 3rd (The Husband's Secret).

Heart:  January was Push Up month -- completed that and have taken on Tri-cep Dips for February.

Courage:  This challenge was to maintain daily food journaling to insure staying at my weight goal.  And I have stuck with that as well.

Elements Progress

I also want to catch you guys up on my latest news.  We officially have a location -- we are now in the process of negotiating and signing a lease.  Not sure how long that will take -- probably a few weeks at least.  Our location is in Sugar Land -- about 25 miles from our house.  It is a bit smaller than we expected -- but should work out fine.  It is in a new center -- so we will be the 1st tenants in the location.  There are a lot of variables but our projected opening date should fall into the July/August time frame.  It is truly hard to believe -- exciting and frightening all at the same time.

Ethel -- can you post the name of your protein bars?  The picture is a bit blurry and I can't read the package.

Be well everyone!!!!

Lucy

Courage!

This wasn't my "committed" activity, but I did sign up for something out of my comfort zone today!

I signed up for "WOMEN ON TARGET" which is a women's only shooting event!  While I know Lil Ricky has a gun, I am not comfortable with them and do not even get the whole obsession.  I don't even like firecrackers or any of that potentially dangerous stuff, especially around the hands for some reason.  Maybe that's why I can't cook.    It's a whole day of training, then rifles, pistols, shotguns and archery (LY my friend told me she shot an AK-47!).  It's not until Sept but it sells out in March! Lots of crazies out there.

Pretty sure this will make it in to the "New to Me" book!

Protein Bar

I have one other thing that I neglected to share!  I have found a wonderful protein bar that is so tasty!  It is like a rice krispie treat.  An instructor at the Y handed them out after class one day as a treat for working out because they are the perfect blend of protein and carbs for after a workout (the little square ones).

They are Elisabeth Hasselbeck's (I know - funny) NO GII (no gluten if you care) high protein bars, peanut butter and chocolate.  The post workout little ones (shown above) are 3 points M, and a full size one is 6 pts.  Not as low as the full Quest bar, but I do enjoy them more!
I think they are at some Walgreen's, but of course I ordered mine on Amazon.  I even get the kids to eat them so it's a win!

One Down, 11 To Go!

How did the month go, peeps?! I am reporting in that I had a pretty good month.  Of course I always want to see more progress, but I am focusing on the positive!  So, I tracked my food every day (I owe $1 . . . there was a day that I wrote it in, but not until the next morning so I am being honest!), made some kind of meal each week and making progress with the meal planning, totally kept up my working out, and signed up for my swim class!

The efforts show in other ways, right?  So I will share an uplifting story that I must remember.  Miranda and I were at a spin class the other night, and I am pretty friendly with the instructor (Jamie, in fact she is the one I did the silly Burrito Biathalon with) and she was giving MK a hard time b/c she had no idea who Barry Manilow was.  So after class she asks me "who is this?  Your niece?"  And I replied, why no, it is my daughter.  And she could not believe that I was old enough to have a 14 yr old daughter (she was being serious - not just polite - I know her enough to know if she was faking it).  So I told her "I have a 17 yr old!"  She inquires (see, we 're friendly enough to ask) "how old are you?" and I stated "Jamie, I am 48!" and she literally almost fell off of her bike.  At this age, when you get an honest reaction from someone like that who sees you working out every week for a long time (i.e, no make up or hair help), it is uplifting!

It must be all of that amazing moisturizer that I have been religiously using!

Follow the Yellow Brick Road to success!
E