Friday Confessions 5.17.13

It's Friday - time to confess the week's indiscretions and come clean before the weekend....
Here goes:
I confess that I am looking forward to lunch today - this week has been National Nursing Home week, and we always conclude with a big catered BBQ - which is today! Yum! I will be stepping out on the Plan today, and enjoying every bite!
Speaking of the Plan, I confess that I'm still doing it and you can see my latest update here.
I confess that I am soooo frustrated with my foot. I did a tiny bit of running 2 days this week, and my foot was throbbing the next day. Does anyone know where I can get a new one?
I confess, once again, that I LOVE my residents. Take this true story from this week:
My sweet 97 year old lady gives me a hug today, grabbing one of my many love handles as she does.  She says: You are so sweet Caroline, and so pretty. And I guess you know, honey, you are sort of fat.  I say: Yes ma'am I know I am. 
She says: I thought you did, does your husband like it? 
Me: He doesn't mind it too much.
I confess that at one time, this would have bothered me a little bit, but I've learned that my old people just don't have their filters working anymore (if they ever did), and I enjoy their honest banter - most of the time anyway.

Lastly, I confess that I have discovered Feedly. Since Google Reader is going away in just a couple of months, I needed to find another reader to keep track of my favorite blogs. I tried Blog Lovin' but I just didn't like the layout so much. For now, I'll stick to Feedly - it has a nice, clean looking page that I can customize with different views and categories.
Well, I think that's it for me, what are YOU confessing this week? 
Head over to Aubrey @ High-Heeled Love to join the confessing! Pin It Now!

Friday Confessions 1.11.13

Well, first of all, I need to confess that it's been quite some time since I did this. I feel a bit rusty.
Here goes!
I confess that I am soooo glad December is over! That is my hardest month of the year. It is my busiest month at work, and add to that the personal stress of Christmas and all that holiday stuff, it just gets downright crazy.
I confess that my diet slid away for a couple of weeks, but I'm getting back into a nice groove and hope to stay there.
I confess that I was able to keep up with some exercise - at least once or twice a week at least, more sometimes. So that was an improvement, and a sign that I am actually making life changes.
I confess that I'm ready for a new year. A clean slate to fill up with new goals and achievements. I've set up some 2013 goals and I'm excited about what this year will bring. You can read about that here.
I confess that I haven't signed up for a 2013 race yet, and feel I need to in order to get serious about my running schedule. I have a couple of options, and just need to sign up. Two of my goals for the year are to PR (get a personal record) a 10K (6 miles) and to run my first Half Marathon  The 10k is in April and the Half will be in November.
Well, that's it for me this week. What are YOU confessing? Head over to High Heeled Love to join the confessions!
Pin It Now!

Friday Confessions 11.30.12

Time to confess....I've missed a few weeks. This is a crazy time of year where I work!!
I confess that all the Christmas decorations are up at work. It took 2 days and several volunteers, but everything is up and residents are happy. Now we can enjoy the month of December. I confess that I absolutely dread having to take it all down after New Years day.
I confess that the Holiday Hottie Challenge I am doing is helping me stay focused. I normally just let my diet and exercise go basically from Halloween to New Year's, but not this year. I've worked too hard to let some Christmas cookies and eggnog get the best of me. I also confess that I'm very proud of the push-up video in my Holiday Hottie Challenge post. Very, very proud.
I confess that in year's past I have spent days baking Christmas cookies to give away to friends, family & neighbors. This year I am scaling back and switching to quick breads. They are much less tempting for me. I will still bake some cookies, but not the several 100 dozen that I roll out.
I confess that a good friend and co-worker is at the hospital right now, as her 3 year old son is having major surgery. I have been praying for them and confess that I am anxious to hear that all is well with the little one. Not having children, I can only imagine how hard and emotional this would be.
If you want to go into your weekend pure and clean, consider heading over to see Aubrey at High Heeled Love to join the confessions. I promise you will feel better.
Pin It Now!

Friday Confessions 11.9.12

It's that time again! 'Fess up before the weekend!
I confess that I've missed a few weeks of confessing. One Friday was a travel day. I was coming home from here:

Okaloosa Island, Ft. Walton Beach FL

It was a lovely, stress free week on white sand beaches. It was off season, so we pretty much had the beach to ourselves, as you can see. We stayed right on the beach and were treated to dolphin sitings in the ocean every day and gorgeous sunsets every night.
It was hard getting a good picture of the dolphins, but if you can see the black thing in the middle of this photo, that's a dolphin. We saw them playing and jumping, usually in groups of 15-20. Very, very cool!

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

We rented bikes the last 2 days, and next time we'll do that the very first day. It was so much fun! I confess it's been a long, long time since I've ridden a bike without any gears. But it's really, really flat down there, so no hills to worry about.

I confess that I can't wait to go back!!
Last week in our baking group, I had a request for coconut-something. So I found an easy recipe for Coconut Macaroons. Oh. My. Goodness. I confess I ate more of them than I should have. I found these at C'est Si Bon - they are easy and delicious!

I confess that I've only run twice this week. Six miles on Sunday and one on Monday. It was cold and rainy two days, and I just fell out of my groove. The Color Run is coming up on the 17th, so I need to get some more miles in this week!

What are YOU confessing this week?? Thanks to Aubrey at High-Heeled Love for hosting this month! Hit the button to join the party!
Pin It Now!

Friday Confessions 10.19.12

It's that time again! Time to 'fess up before the weekend!

I confess.....

that instead of baking this week, I had my residents make these adorable Halloween S'mores kits. If any of them had eaten a s'more before (nice rhyme, huh?) they didn't remember. So when we sampled them (one each) they were impressed. 

Everyone knows how messy these things are, and there was chocolate everywhere! I told them (all females) that there "is no lady-like way to eat these", and one of residents responded - "and where do you see a lady?"

I handed out damp paper towels to everyone to clean their fingers, and another lady said "Oh no, I don't want to wipe them off, I want to lick them off"...okay....that's just how good these were.

I found these on Pinterest from Mommy's Kitchen, to be exact.

I confess....
that I was pleasantly surprised to see a comment on my Rock My Run! post from Chief Rocker Adam (one of the founders). AND, then he hooked me up with a couple of free credits. How lovely was that? All the more reason for you to check them out. Great running music and they are really nice, too!
I confess.....
we will be having a Halloween Costume contest at work this year, so my department is trying to get it all together. Can't spill the beans here - but can say that I love the fact that the girls I work with love to dress up, not just for Halloween, but other theme days too. Great fun!
I confess....
this is one of my most favorite times of the year. I love the cooler weather and the leaves are starting to show color.

I actually took this a few years ago, but love this shot!

I confess....
that's it for this week! 

Mamarazzi is on a bloggy break, but Aubrey over at High-Heeled Love is hosting. 

What are YOU confessing this week? 

Get it off your chest, you'll feel much better!

Pin It Now!

Friday Confessions 10.12.12

It's that time again! Time to 'fess up before the weekend!

I confess....

I had one more race last Saturday. It was my third race in three weeks. I survived, but I didn't perform that well on this last one. It was Benson 5k near where I live, for Greer Community Ministries. They fed my mother-in-law daily for the last few years she was in her home (through Meals On Wheels). I was glad to give back a little bit for so much that they gave to her. This was the first race I have done where there was a prayer for the runners before the start. I confess that is was very, very nice.

It wasn't my greatest time (but not my worst either). As usual I went out too fast, then hit a wall. I'm getting to be a fairly decent runner, but not a great racer. I'm improving, but it's slow going.

I confess....

I discovered a new running music website - Rock My Run. I did a review on them here. I love their mixes. On tap is an 8 mile run for this Saturday - the most I have attempted to date. So I'm thinking I might need a new mix to help me get through it.

I confess.....

that instead of dreading the long run on Saturday I am really looking forward to it, and to running with my friends. I've missed the last couple of runs, so I'm eager to get back with them.

I confess....

that I would LOVE to win the giveaway SUAR is doing this weekend for a set of Yurbuds Sport Earbuds. The ones she's giving away are made specifically for women. 

One of the ways to enter is to blog about this giveaway....so....done! Check out her page for all the details, and to enter yourself!!

I confess....

that we made these delectable Triple Layer Brownies during my baking group this week. They were so good. The residents had lots of steps to get through. Put the cookie dough in the pan, unwrap all the Reese cups, place them on the dough....watch me do the brownie mix. And they ooohed and aaaahed when they came out of the oven....

I confess....

that I briefly thought about how to hide some to take home and stash in my freezer. My sister talked me out of it. And good thing, 'cause they never would have made it to my freezer!! 

So, we gave them ALL away.

Mamarazzi is on a bloggy break, but Aubry over at High-Heeled Love is hosting. 

What are YOU confessing this week? Spill the beans, you'll feel much better!

Pin It Now!

Friday Confessions 9.7.12 & 9.14.12

It's that time again! Fess up!

I confess that most of this is from last Friday's confessions! This week has been crazy. 

My biggest new confession is that I was hoping to make it to age 45 before needing glasses (reading), but didn't quite make it.

Do I look smarter??

For my baking group at work yesterday we made S'mores Stuff Brownies. I got the recipe from Picky Palate. They were delicious!! Her pictures are beautiful, but you can see ours too:

Well, I confess that I have been mesmerized by my new washer & drier that my sweetie bought me last weekend.

It did not start out all that great. We got the beauties home, in the house (thanks to my wonderful neighbors) and hooked up. It was late on Sunday, so I waited until Monday to start my first load - washing my king size comforter in the depths of that huge washer cavity. Well, I watched the water go in, watched the drum spin round and round, and didn't see any water filling the drum. I could hear it splashing, then I could see it - all over my laundry room floor. All. Over. And I have a large laundry room. Oh No!!

So my sweetie (and my neighbors) got the washer out - turns out it was completely busted underneath. We think it must have been dropped before we purchased it. Of course the store we bought it from didn't have another, long story short, he returned the damaged and came home with new #2. We got it in, hooked up, and I held my breath. But, no worries, it was all good. I still check on it while it's running though, just in case. But I do love them! They are Whirlpool Cabrios. And my laundry room, especially my floor is really, really clean Here they are, all cozied up:

They have a huge capacity, with no agitator in the washer. It actually uses less water than my old washer. Love them, and love the color!

I confess that I love, love my dog, Rusty - he is the cutest thing EVER! He just showed up one day, about 9 years ago. We three- Rusty, hubby and me, decided we were right for each other and became a family. Rusty is about 11 years old now - can't imagine life without him.

I confess that I've finished week 2 and 3of my 90 day challenge - no blog post on that yet, maybe for the end of the first 30 days. All is going well. I do find myself getting really hungry some afternoons. My coach suggested another light snack, if I feel I need it. I upped my activity level with lots of running, and lifting heavier weights so maybe my metabolism is kicking in. I have lost a 1/2 inch off my hips, and that is a nice place to lose too, as I am quite hippy. And someone at work asked me how much weight I had lost - not really that much so far, but the clothes are fitting better. Since I'm measuring, I know that I'm losing inches. I'm pleased with my progress to date.

I confess that I believe dreams can speak to us. Sometimes our dreams are messages, emotionally or spiritually. Or sometimes they are just crazy. And once in awhile they are crazy and still speak to us. I had such a dream this week.

I was going to do my 5 mile run last Monday, since it was a holiday and I would have extra time. With the washer fiasco, that didn't happen. So plan B was Tuesday. Well I woke up at 3am and it was raining, pouring. Went back to sleep. Dreamed that I was to meet a running club friend, M, at 6am to run 5 miles around the lake. Well, it was raining at 6am, so I didn't go. When I woke again (still in my dream), M was just finishing and I felt bad that I didn't go with her.

Then I woke up for real at 5:50am, and it was raining. What to do??!! I got up and ran 5 miles in light rain. If I hadn't had that crazy, real dream, I don't know if I'd have run at all.

I confess that I'm still following my training plan for the upcoming Ache Around the Lake 8K, Sept. 22. And I'm loving it! Last Saturday was 5 miles, Tuesday was 5 miles, Thursday was 4 miles. And tomorrow, Saturday, will be 6 miles. Woo Hoo! Then the mileage drops a bit the week before and week of the race. Here's a nice view from last Saturday morning at the lake. Beautiful!

Beautiful Lake Lanier, SC

What about you - have you ever had a crazy message dream?

What are YOU confessing this week? Hit the button to join the party!

Pin It Now!

Friday Confessions 8.24.12

I confess that ONE of my guilty pleasures is going to the tanning bed, occasionally. Be quiet haters, judges, whatever - I really enjoy going to the tanning bed. First I like a glow on my very white skin, and second, most important, its one of the few places I can be completely alone for 20 minutes. Well, I went this past week, after not going for some time (I'm not a regular). So she told me to do half & half. Legs first, rest after. So I situated my legs up under the bulbs, set my timer and enjoyed. Then when it came time to do the upper half things got a bit tricky. I ended up with my legs sticking out one of the ends of the bed, trying to rest on the chair. My feet fell asleep so I was trying to move about to get a little more comfortable (like being in a body-sized microwave is comfy) and my back stuck to the bed. You know what that means - huge fart-like sound coming from getting my sweaty back unstuck. Humongous,  - and good grief, it was just my back. I was the only one in the boutique, and even with my fan on full speed I know, I just KNOW that the owner heard it. Ugh!! She probably knew it was a full body fart, but still, just a bit awkward, ya know?

I confess that something happened this week that confirmed my status as a runner. I can't post the details, but trust me, if I didn't know before, I now know that I AM A RUNNER. It was one of those things that will never be forgotten, has probably happened to many people. But one day it may come in  conversation, and I will be able to say "Oh yea, that happened to me once, that's when I knew I was a runner."

I'm ordering this necklace too.

I confess that this past Wednesday, I started my 90 Day Health Challenge with my sister Mary- who is also blogging here. Ninety days of tracking my food, working out 5-6 times weekly, daily check-ins on a private facebook page. I had to take my before photos, I've since taken to calling them my porn pics. They were just awful. A very good motivator to keep me on the straight and narrow! I will do them again, along with measurements on day 30, 60 and 90. The plan is that by day 90 I will be unrecognizable. Well, probably not that drastic, but you get the idea.

I'm doing the Chalean Extreme 90 Fitness program. I've only done 2 of the workouts so far, but so far so good. I can see already that I'm going to need heavier weights. This program focuses on heavier weights with very, very slow reps. I need something heavy enough to fail at 10-12 reps. Fail is a good thing with this program. 

I confess that I would love to have these:

These are made by Bowflex, and unfortunately a bit out of my price range. I don't want to have to sell a kidney to get them. There are some others out there that are more affordable, so we'll see. Maybe I can find a great sale.

We have a birthday coming up at work next week, one of my co-workers. I volunteered to bake the cake. She likes Red Velvet and German Chocolate for sure. I've made a lovely Red Velvet - check it out here. I personally don't really like German Chocolate - so given my health challenge, that would be the best choice. B U T, my friend loves anything chocolate, and Reese cups.....and there is this cake that I have been wanting to try for years....

So, I might surprise her with this...I'll keep you posted.

What are you confessing this week?

What are YOUR guilty pleasures?

Hit the link to join the 'fess up.

Pin It Now!

Friday Confessions 8.17.12

Confessions, confessions!!

I confess that I have really enjoyed "pet" sitting for my best bud while she relaxes on Tybee Island this week. It's not your normal dog & cat setup. Well, she does have a cat and 4 dogs and I am feeding them. But there are also 3 horses, 3 hens, 1 rooster and a donkey named Reggie. Here are a few snapshots....

The donkey

The cat - was about to jump on me....

The chickens....

Fresh eggs...have gotten 10 in three days.

Stalker horse

Precious

It's been a nice change of pace for me, and my friend would do anything for me - the best kind to have.

I confess that I finished my Ten Days to a Better Me challenge this week. You can read my results about that adventure here. It was a great experience and I'm looking forward to the next step - a 90 Day Challenge! Whew!

I confess that yesterday was a celebration day at work - we survived a bad summer, so there was pizza, ice cream, cake...and I confess that I splurged. I was really glad that this was planned for the day AFTER my 10-day challenge ended.  I don't feel guilty. I have my written plan, and a splurge was factored in, so back to the healthy carbs and good stuff today. Five mile run/walk this morning too - my second 5 mile this week!

When I headed home from feeding all the animals last night there was a lovely sun setting. My friend lives on a lake, and I stopped in someone's yard to catch a snapshot. While I was standing there, iphone in hand, in someone's driveway - this woman hollers something at me...I couldn't make it out. "Sorry, I didn't catch that," says I. "Would you like to come out behind the house to get your picture?" says the woman. How sweet. They had lakefront property and she was offering me a better shot. I politely declined, saying thanks very much. It shouldn't be such a surprise that are still so many kind and decent people around, but when they are kind to me, I confess, I am always a little startled and sometimes unprepared. It warmed my heart. Here's the picture:

What are you confessing this week? Head over to Dandelion Wishes to join the confessing!

Pin It Now!

Friday Confessions 6.15.20.12

It was fun last Friday, so here goes again, and if you want to play along, visit the link below found at High-Heeled Love - she's hosting the confession party this week.




I confess that I have wanted to be somewhere else all week. And while I have no plans to go to the beach anytime soon,  it is one of my happy places.

It has been a long, stressful week. I confess that I have eaten more than I planned to - more sweets, especially. And after Monday I did not track any WW points. But starting today, I am trying to get back on the wagon.


I confess that at times this week, due to work stress, I wanted to hurt people. Not in a serious, physical way (well maybe a little), I just wanted to shake them really, really hard.


I confess that in spite of my week, I did get in two evening runs. And it made me feel so much better than the junk I had been eating. I also registered for the Coon Dog Day 5k for July 7. Should be a fun day.


Lastly, I confess that I begged my sisters to follow my blog, as I am so new I had no followers at all. And, because they are both so awesome, they did.

What are you confessing this week?









Pin It Now!

Friday Confessions 6.8.12

So, to get in the habit of blogging, I'm trying this thing called a linky party. I can't really explain it all that well. I write out my post, then link to the host blog.


The deal for this "linky" is that I confess every Friday.....so here goes.




I confess.....that I did not run this week. At all. Not since the mud run on Sunday.


I confess.....that I do want to do another mud run.


Not only did I not run, I confess that I did not do any exercise this week, except for Rusty's nightly walk. And I confess that I need to sign up for another 5k, soon!


I confess.....that I slept late every morning, and was thereby late to work every morning this week.


I confess......that one day this week I ate the last 2 bites of chocolate pie for breakfast.


I confess......that I went to a Weight Watchers meeting for the first time since April. (And I lost 1.6 pounds). But still have many more to go.


I confess.......that I am tracking all my food/exercise again, as of today.


And, even though I am officially watching what I eat, I confess that I am excited to bake a Red Velvet Cake for a friend's birthday next week.


Last, but not least, I confess.....that I LOVE my new iphone and my hubby is the greatest!


I confess that this is my first Friday Confessions, and I hope I get it linked up right!


So what are your confessions this week? 

Pin It Now!