Completely forgot to post yesterday. Truthfully, I was all headache-y & tired, so I didn't use the computer long. Anyway, January is ending. I didn't do too bad with sticking to good eating habits and exercise. I did fall - several times, in fact (didn't feel like exercising, savoring junk food here and there), but the important thing is I got back up. The result? I've lost a total of 3 pounds this month. Yay me! Starting next month, I'm following inches lost too. So, yeah...I'm doing my thang! Now, if I could just lower my BP even more, I'll be in heaven. It was still high last week when I went to the doctor. I have to go again next week so they can monitor it again. Hopefully, it'll be ok. It is decreasing though...slowly, but surely. Did I mention that patience isn't a strong suit of mine?
Fitness Friday
Random Thoughts Thursday
Jury Duty. Ugh. Had to do it yesterday. Spending hours in the jury assembly room, waiting to see if they'll call my number to go on the jury selection, only to find out that they (the court) won't be doing jury selection at all...not how I wanted to spend my day. And all this for a whopping $6. Yay me.
Child Abuse. I can't, for the life of me, understand how someone can physically harm a child. I'm not talking about spankings, which I do believe in. I'm talking about beatings, torture, sexual abuse. The "Baby Grace" case is so sad. Her mom beat her and dunked her head in a tub full of cold water while her stepdad flung her across the room several times, which eventually led to her death. They placed her body in a trunk and dumped it in Galveston Bay. I mean, really? The baby, a beautiful, sweet-faced girl named Riley, was only 2!
During the torture, she even reached out for her mother and said "I love you" in pleas to make it stop. My heart is breaking just thinking about the pain little Riley had to go through before she died. She didn't deserve it at all. I don't care how difficult she may have been. My nephews are a handful, but NEVER have I thought about flinging them across the room, dunking their head in a tub full of water, or anything even remotely close to that. They're my babies! I can't even fathom harming them in those ways, not even in their most challenging times.
During the torture, she even reached out for her mother and said "I love you" in pleas to make it stop. My heart is breaking just thinking about the pain little Riley had to go through before she died. She didn't deserve it at all. I don't care how difficult she may have been. My nephews are a handful, but NEVER have I thought about flinging them across the room, dunking their head in a tub full of water, or anything even remotely close to that. They're my babies! I can't even fathom harming them in those ways, not even in their most challenging times.And what about the Missouri father who not only allegedly sexually abused his teen daughter for years, but also fathered her 4 children. Three of the 4 children are deceased (the remains of 2 of them were found in coolers). The father said he knew for sure that 2 of his daughter's children were his, which means he did commit incest, there's no "allegedly" about it. The other sad thing about this, besides the abuse, is that the mother allegedly knew about the abuse and did nothing about it.
My heart literally hurts when I think about how horrible some parents/adults treat children. It takes some very sick people (and maybe even demented) to hurt kids like that. WHAT ARE WE DOING TO OUR CHILDREN, PEOPLE?
Let me move on before I cry. Now on to a lighter and happier topic...
Essence Superbowl Hotties. So, the Superbowl is this Sunday and I'm looking forward to it. Who will I go for? What team will I be cheering on this Sunday? Choices, choices! I like the Steelers, but I'm a sucker for underdog teams, so, this is hard for me. I think my heart belongs to the Steelers, though. I was with them when they won in 2006 and I'm with them now.
Anyway, in honor of the Superbowl, Essence Magazine showcased a few of the players (online) from both teams (http://photos.essence.com/galleries/nfl_hotties). You know I had to look - can't pass up ogling...I mean, admiring gorgeous men. My favorites? Larry Foote (first pic) and Troy Polamalu (with his GORGEOUS hair - 2nd pic)...both Steelers men.
I'm looking forward to the Superbowl commercials, too. GO STEELERS!!!!
Tickle-Me Tuesday
As someone who works with kids, I always enjoy hearing their "words of wisdom". My 4 year-old nephew, Sydney, is good for saying something cute and funny. Earlier this month, he was upset because he really wanted to come over, but couldn't get here. My mom asked, "Well, why didn't you call me? I would've came to get you." Sydney responded in a sassy, kind of "duh" tone, "I don't have your ishmail, GG." Apparently email and the phone are the same to him.
Here are more kids sayings from KIDS .
Little Tony was 9 years old and was staying with his grandmother for a few days.
He'd been playing outside with the other kids for a while when he came into the house and asked her, 'Grandma, what's that called when two people sleep in the same room and one is on top of the other?' She was a little taken aback, but she decided to tell him the truth. 'It's called sexual intercourse, darling.' Little Tony said, 'Oh, OK,' and went back outside to play with the other kids. A few minutes later he came back in and said angrily, 'Grandma, it isn't called sexual intercourse. It's called Bunk Beds. And Jimmy's mum wants to talk to you.'
He'd been playing outside with the other kids for a while when he came into the house and asked her, 'Grandma, what's that called when two people sleep in the same room and one is on top of the other?' She was a little taken aback, but she decided to tell him the truth. 'It's called sexual intercourse, darling.' Little Tony said, 'Oh, OK,' and went back outside to play with the other kids. A few minutes later he came back in and said angrily, 'Grandma, it isn't called sexual intercourse. It's called Bunk Beds. And Jimmy's mum wants to talk to you.'
* * * * *
A little boy was waiting for his mother to come out of the grocery store. As he waited, he was approached by a man who asked, "Son, can you tell me where the post office is?" The little boy replied, "Sure, just go straight down the street a couple of blocks and turn to your right." The man thanked the boy kindly and said, "I'm the new pastor in town, and I'd like for you to come to church on Sunday. I'll show you how to get to Heaven." The little boy replied with a chuckle, "Awww, come on; you don't even know the way to the post office!"
* * * * *
"Dear Lord," the preacher began with arms extended and a rapturous look on his upturned face, "without you we are but dust..." He would have continued, but at that moment one very obedient little girl (who was listening carefully) leaned over to her mother and asked quite audibly in her shrill little girl voice, "Mommy, WHAT is butt dust?"Church was pretty much over at that point...
* * * * *
Inspirational Sunday
What are you teaching our children?
A Life In Your Hands - Dorothy Law Holte
If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn;
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight;
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy;
If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty;
If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient;
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence;
If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate;
If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice;
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith;
If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself;
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world.
Mindless Chatter
So, I've gone through another change...nothing important. I am now a red-head. Well, it's actually a copperish red, but red nonetheless. Those who know me also know that I get bored very easily with my hair. The change before this one was a haircut, where I went from hair past my shoulders to a cute little bob.
The time before that, I'd had cornrows...and the time before that I'd died my hair honey blonde - which made my hair, skin, and eyes kind of the same color...sounds weird, but oddly enough, it was cute.
Last weekend, I was at the store (to buy a spiral and pen, mind you) and my legs led me to the hair aisle. I'd text my sis so she could be the voice of reason (she's normally the one that stops me), but she didn't answer back. Clearly, my becoming a red head is her fault...she wasn't there when I needed her. So, anyway, I picked up the honey blonde color, figuring, why mess with a good thing? But I saw 'Vivacious Red' and knew I had to have it.
I've always wanted to try red, and my sister wasn't there to be my voice, so, I got it. Really, I picked it up, put it back, went to get my spiral notebook & pen, headed back towards the hair products, changed my mind and went to get a Pepsi, then walked back to get my box...you know, to give my sister time to text me back. She failed to answer the sister/best friend in crisis call. So, what could I do? Ignore the urge to try something different? I think not!
I was a little nervous - okay, I was very nervous. What if it didn't turn out right? But last Sunday, I went through with it and I love it. I'd have to go to my beautician to get my hair the exact red on the box, which is actually a thought. Here's a pic of my new hair color. 
Now, in the picture, you can see the color more on my ends, but you'd see it better in person, especially in the sun. Hmm...I wonder what my next hair change is going to be? Braids? Cornrows? I'm actually really feeling that red on the box, so, I'm thinking, trip to the beautician...or another try at home. I know, I know. I'm crazy!
Now, in the picture, you can see the color more on my ends, but you'd see it better in person, especially in the sun. Hmm...I wonder what my next hair change is going to be? Braids? Cornrows? I'm actually really feeling that red on the box, so, I'm thinking, trip to the beautician...or another try at home. I know, I know. I'm crazy!Fitness Friday
Still hanging in there. We didn't get a chance to do the Knockout workout, but we did do DDR...my legs are still feeling that workout.
So, I started using Alli this week. I've heard both good (weight loss) and bad things (side effects & no weight loss) about it and was curious to see what it was about. The main thing I've heard is about the gross side effects (gas w/oily spotting, loose stools, more frequent stools that may be hard to control...um, ew), which I haven't experienced, thank God. You usually experience these side effects if you eat fatty foods while taking Alli. Basically, eat right and you'll have little or no side effects; don't eat right and, well, things could get a little messy for you. Yuck! I don't want the side effects, so that's motivation enough for me to eat healthier.
The deal is, Alli is supposed to help you lose up to 50% more weight than dieting alone. It's not a rapid weight loss pill, so you won't be losing 10 pounds in one week. You'll lose the weight over time, like you're supposed to (10 pounds on a week = so not healthy). The good thing for me is, I've been eating breakfast faithfully, which is normally difficult for me. For the most part, I've been eating 3 meals/day when, usually, I only eat once/day. So, my eating habits are changing. Also, I haven't been snacking as much. Because I only ate once a day, I'd snack on chips or something. My snacks have basically been fruit cups, yogurt, or grapes. If I do get chips, I'd get like the baked chips or something less fattening than regular chips. So, I'm getting there. Is Alli worth the money? Only time will tell for me. If not, I'll just put the experience in my "Lessons Learned" pile and go on with life. Anyone experienced Alli? Did it work for you?
Goal: Lose 65 pounds; 2.4 down; 62.6 to go
So, I started using Alli this week. I've heard both good (weight loss) and bad things (side effects & no weight loss) about it and was curious to see what it was about. The main thing I've heard is about the gross side effects (gas w/oily spotting, loose stools, more frequent stools that may be hard to control...um, ew), which I haven't experienced, thank God. You usually experience these side effects if you eat fatty foods while taking Alli. Basically, eat right and you'll have little or no side effects; don't eat right and, well, things could get a little messy for you. Yuck! I don't want the side effects, so that's motivation enough for me to eat healthier.
The deal is, Alli is supposed to help you lose up to 50% more weight than dieting alone. It's not a rapid weight loss pill, so you won't be losing 10 pounds in one week. You'll lose the weight over time, like you're supposed to (10 pounds on a week = so not healthy). The good thing for me is, I've been eating breakfast faithfully, which is normally difficult for me. For the most part, I've been eating 3 meals/day when, usually, I only eat once/day. So, my eating habits are changing. Also, I haven't been snacking as much. Because I only ate once a day, I'd snack on chips or something. My snacks have basically been fruit cups, yogurt, or grapes. If I do get chips, I'd get like the baked chips or something less fattening than regular chips. So, I'm getting there. Is Alli worth the money? Only time will tell for me. If not, I'll just put the experience in my "Lessons Learned" pile and go on with life. Anyone experienced Alli? Did it work for you?
Goal: Lose 65 pounds; 2.4 down; 62.6 to go
Random Thoughts Thursday
President Obama's Inauguration. Words that describe Tuesday: awesome, cool, inspiring...the list goes on. It was a historical moment and I'm glad I'm alive to witness it. Did I think America would really elect it's first African American president in my lifetime? Well, I'd hoped and prayed, but always had doubt.
That this country, with its history of racism/sexism towards minority groups, can look past a person's color and elect him as president...awesome. Looking at the sea of people who were blessed enough to be in D.C. in person and seeing the different races/colors together cheering, crying, and hugging each other...very tear-worthy. It's like I wanted to say, "Your work wasn't in vain," to all the countless people - whatever the race - who were instrumental in the civil rights movement...to everyone, living or deceased, who fought for equal rights for everyone. America still has issues - and what country doesn't - but I'm proud of how far we've come. I can only pray that the younger generations truly see and understand how significant Tuesday was. There's a cool video on the 44 presidents at: http://flixxy.com/presidents-morphing.htm.
Did you see how they looked at each other during their first dance as pres/first lady? I love Etta James' song, 'At Last', so much, that I'd decided (last year) that it would be the song my hubby and I would dance to - when the time comes for me to get married. Great minds think alike, huh?
