My Afflation

I think I will be taking a break from Mamavation for this month. I was happy to step on the scale this morning and see that I had maintained for the week despite a heavy dinner on "Date night" at Claim Jumper (leftovers!) on Saturday night. It must have been balanced by all the packing I did during the day . I'm just super stressed and frustrated, I see women dropping pounds like hot potatoes and I can't seem to lose more than five. There is a lot going on in my life that is probably deterring my weight loss, so I'm going to work on those issues over the next month. I'll still be watching my calorie intake , The Hunk has taken over my breakfast, lunch and dinner choices for the month. Which is fine because he's eating the same things I am. I can't wait to have more time to cook again!

I keep winning things that are good for me.   It started with the Borders Android app (ok, not a win, but the free books were available only for a short time). One of the free books was Jillian Michael's Master Your Metabolism . That got me to buy the related cookbook and also Eat to Live . Both of which I am still working through.   Then I entered a Klout Perk and received a Southland jacket - perfect for walking/running in. In the last month I have won a bag of Coach's Oats, just by entering a contest on Facebook and a Tribal Dance DVD from Mamavation from the blogging carnival (can't wait until I can actually participate in Mamavation TV) and another sample of Coach's Oats. I think the universe wants me to eat more oatmeal too....     Related articles Don't Irk The Influencers: The Power of Klout (compete.com) Oatmeal Month Roundup ( www.coachsoatsblog.com/ Mamavation Monday: Maintaining and Wellness (annetteholland.com)  

Red Beans and Rice I love foods with Cajun spices even though I was raised in CA and not introduced to them until college. I haven't made Red Beans and Rice in a long while (the proper way takes quite some time), but I got this made in less than an hour. When you have all the ingredients on hand I think this falls into one of those 30-minute-or less recipes. 

193.4 Wedgies are great motivation . Especially when you get them on a daily basis. No, I am not re-living junior high. My underwear is giving me wedgies and I think my weight is redistributing itself. Honestly, I am so tired broke after buying new work clothes that fit that don't make me look like a stuffed sausage, and now this. But going commando in a skirt and heels is out of the question.

Image via Wikipedia I have a goal!!!! Events - Antelope Valley Family YMCA - YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles : "Friendship 5K! Saturday February 12, 8 am Celebrate friendship, health and fitness in this fun 5K race! Call us 661-723-9622 (YMCA) and sign up over the phone OR come into our Y. Race packets can be picked up at our expo on Friday the 11th or at 7 am on race day. $20 per person OR $30 for two friends together. Just $10 for high school or Jr. high students, and Fit 4 the Future Kids under 11 are FREE!"

I am sooooo glad to be moving back to LA! However, it won't be in time for this month's DineLA. But, if I can't help myself, there are some hotel packages good for a romantic getaway or just someplace really nice to sleep off the amazing meal. Deal: DineLA Hotel Packages For this season's Restaurant Week(s), DineLA's brought in a slew of local hotels, all of which are offering sick deals that include schmancy dinners, like a $50 food credit at the Standard, a room w/ dinner for two at the Ritz at the Marina, and an under-$200 breakfast/dinner/room package at Hollywood Heights -- so, apparently, someone did end up talking to an angel, and said angel had a really reasonable deal. (via Thrillist LA ) The full list's at DiscoverLosAngeles.com If I didn't have to worry about packing, I would definitely pack myself and The Hunk off to the Portofino in Redondo Beach or The Ritz-Carleton, Marina del Rey -- love those ocean views... Tweet Related articles Dine

192.8 I'm a little (ok a LOT) stoked this morning! I haven't been tracking my inches, but my clothes can't lie. A blouse for work that usually fits tight (like I need help getting my arms out of the sleeves at night) fits LOOSE this morning! I can actually slip a couple of fingers under there! The surprise comes because I've been wanting to work on my #mamaguns, but haven't yet. I've been focused on getting to the gym on a consistent basis. For the amount of money we are shelling out, I better!

11/365 Another gorgeous sunrise Originally uploaded by Nannerlady I get to see the prettiest colors on the way to work. This is about the only thing I'll miss about the A.V.

10/365 #GadgetKiller Originally uploaded by Nannerlady It resuscitated itself so I didn't have to call HP and tell them that I had no idea how I managed to break it.

  9/365 Fat Craving Originally uploaded by Nannerlady I'm craving onion rings. Which means fat. And grease. So I'm having healthy fat. Damn diet. Good thing I love me some avocados.

7/365 Hydration is key Originally uploaded by Nannerlady I'm hoping to work my way up to five (5) of these a day. That will be about 100 oz.

192.4 Slow and steady, right? I haven't exercised much in the last two weeks, due to illness , but I am back in the saddle -- mentally at least. My problem is follow-through. I brought my work out bag to work, and barring any more issues with the CMS I should be able to get in a workout this afternoon. I've been eating a LOT of soup lately, which keeps my calories down and my fluids up. Taking a time out to have some California rolls today though. I have no idea how some people can stick to a soup diet . I'm only doing it because I have such a hard time keeping hydrated. I've been tracking my calories and I am way down, so trying to balance keeping hydrated with NOT going into starvation mode (something that happens often since I tend to hyperfocus and then forget to eat. I can go months with eating just once a day ... and then wonder why I am so tired all the time!). And that explains my slight weight gain. I realize it could be worse. I really need to up my activ

6/365 Lunch Companion Originally uploaded by Nannerlady

5/365 Bad Hair Day Originally uploaded by Nannerlady My son had a bad hair day on Saturday. I bought him his own trimmer a few years ago in a cost cutting measure. I can't cut hair to save my life, but he's pretty good at it. Except for when the guard falls off.... I suggested he get Airbender tattoos until his hair grows back.

4/365 Jack's Back Originally uploaded by Nannerlady Sometimes you need to pay attention to your inner child.

Photo courtesy of turbomagazine.com I’m not ready. But, I don’t have much choice. He’s ready. Engine revving. Foot practically to the metal. So few things excite him. Driving definitely does. My son goes to take his permit test today. I've called the insurance company and warned them added him to my policy. Got a quote for when he does have his license. He has 6 months to find a job. Otherwise ... he's going to have his permit for a very long time (insert evil laugh). Soon he'll have his own car (a gift from Bio Dad) and I won't have to play taxi anymore. I have mixed feelings about that. Soon he can pick up his sister from school without complaining about the 1mile walk ("but Mom, it's 2  miles for me!"). Soon I can send him to the store. But will I? He's so excited to drive ...

Image by Nannerlady via Flickr Tweet I think my son hates moving. The upheaval of it all. He's been counting. I don't count as it stresses me out and starts a whole lot of negative thinking, which spirals into either an anxiety attack or mild depression. Neither of which I have time to deal with right now. In 53 days (yup, already started counting down) we are moving from the boondocks of Lancaster, back into the L.A. Metro area (HELLO! 30 minute commute instead 2 hours!) I'm already stressing thinking about it. The move that is, not my shorter commute. That excites me! FlyLady.net: Moving Tips : "With our SHE mentality, when we look at the whole picture, we become overwhelmed and paralyzed. This is just how we are made, but I can give you some simple rules to follow. As SHEs, we usually wait till the very last minute to start doing anything. I can hear you now. 'I work better under pressure!' NO YOU DON'T! IT MAKES YOU SICK AND THAT IS THE LAST TH

I got a little behind, but that's ok. I'm learning to forgive myself for being human. In the meantime, I only got about 5 hours of sleep and I'm feeling it. I thought I was going to have to hit Starbucks or Mcdonald's, but bless someone's heart, they reordered the Keurig pods and Kona too! I may be able to function today after all. Off to guzzle my coffee now.

I grew up in LA, right off of Crenshaw and Adams – West L.A. but after the Rodney King riots it got "reclassified" as South Central. I went away to college in San Diego, then moved to Oregon, vowing that I would never live in L.A. again. Klout and TNT offered me a sneak preview of the full episode of the season premiere. Southland shows me how things have changed over the years since I was a child. Some things have changed, some have not. Uncaring employers (ok, maybe that hasn't changed that much). Culture clash between Blacks and Latinos in L.A. Latino gang wars (instead of Crips vs. Bloods) Cop with a pain medication habit and a bad back (boy can I relate) From Emmy Award winners John Wells, Ann Biderman and Chris Chulack comes a raw and authentic look at a police unit in Los Angeles. From the beaches of Malibu to the streets of East Los Angeles, "Southland" is a fast-moving drama that will take viewers inside the lives of cops, criminals, vic

2/365 Winter Magic Originally uploaded by Nannerlady There is something magical about snow. Especially snow in the desert. In California. Both of my kids LOVE snow. This is perfect snowball making snow. There will be no snowball fights at my house though. It will probably be gone by the time they get home tomorrow from their respective vacations with family members. As fickle as California weather is, it will probably be gone by the time I get home from work today. But it was nice to watch the world get blanketed in white yesterday and wake up having it look just as peaceful and magical.

Well, my body got tired of waiting around for me to go to the doctor and took things into its own hands. Last Tuesday I started feeling ill. First I was just tired after lunch, then I thought it was boredom as I was getting that malaise feeling I get when bored-out-of-my-ever-loving-mind . By the time quitting time ran around I had lost my appetite and just wanted to go home and sleep. I’ve had exhaustion before and figured I was about to have another bout of it.

1/365 Snow Flurries Originally uploaded by Nannerlady I'm going to try Project 365 again. Today it was a little on the cold side since snow was predicted (and delivered!). If you look really closely at my collar you can see a few flakes.