Charming

Today, I decided to change my profile picture (again)

And while doing so, I noticed something I've never noticed before,

Blogger compliments you every time you change your profile picture.

Have you noticed this?

He says:



Why thank you, Blogger.

It is quite "fetching" isn't it?

;)

Speaking of good lookin' photos, check out the CATS head shots at my photography blog


BTW, IT'S FRIDAY!HOLLA!x o x o

Photo by Jalene

CATS

Last night I took these lovely head shots for Viewmont High School's upcoming production of
CATSMarch 5 - March 13(Not Wednesday)

My alma mater sure produces some good lookin' kids :)

Go see Cats!

It's going to be sweet!

Right Now

I'm craving some serious

Chicken Tikka Masala & Naan.

Himalayan Kitchen anyone?

and

I'm pretty sure the clock has stopped working

aaaaand

What is up with all these random people glaring at me?

and

I'm learning myself how to use Adobe AfterEffects

(yes, I made that grammatical error on purpose)

a-and

WHOA!

That guy totally looked like Curtis Stone

(hmm, I wonder if he knows how to make Chicken Tikka Masala)

aaaaand

I kind of really wish I was enjoying a Pina Colada

On a beach in Hawaii right now

and

I'm planning on taking some awesome head shots

For the cast of Cats (the musical) tonight

and

Oh! That kid just smiled.

Thank you.

aaaaand

My foot just fell asleep

and

Speaking of "falling asleep,"

I'm pretty sure I'm the only one that doesn't

At my place of employment

and

Have you seen Percy Jackson yet?

I thought it was pretty good.

(haha, Uma Thurman)

AND

It's Thursday!

and

I think I'm going to make a concerted effort

To smile at people, even if I don't know them

and

Uh, yeah.

I think that's it for now

el fin.

Have a great day!

x o x o

P.S. The word "and" is looking weird to me now.

PPP Tips of the Week - Part III

Share The Health:

There were a few tips from our Pinky Promise Partners this week:

· Jessica Leigh says

o “Always have a water bottle with you! You'd be surprised how the "munchies" will disappear!"

o "Find a way to move that YOU enjoy -- you don't have to do what everyone else is doing. Unlike Linds, I am NOT a running fan and hate treadmills... but I could dance for hours on end, bike, use an elliptical and go swimming all day."

o "Make it a part of your schedule. As a teacher, I am VERY worn out by the end of the day. The first few months I always felt tired and didn't want to put forth the energy to go to the gym. I started to take my gym clothes to work, change there, and go on the way home -- then if I felt "too tired" I'd think "but I'm already in my gym clothes, so I might as well." I found that doing so was a great way for me to unwind at the end of the day and I actually had MORE energy. Now I have my evenings scheduled and I just plan on certain nights being my gym nights... it works wonderfully!"

Thanks, Jessica! Keep your helpful tips coming, everyone! We could all use a little nudge.

. . .

Pinky Promise Tips of the Day:

· Make Goals

o Weight Loss – Make a realistic and healthy goal to work toward

§ I used to take my measurements every time I would weigh-in (every other week). It’s rewarding to see not only the weight decrease, but the sizes as well.

§ Start by taking a picture of yourself, as you are now, and continue to take one on a regular basis. You’ll start to notice little changes that will keep you motivated to keep going.

o Diet-ish – Limit your intake of sugar and fat.

§ Note the use of the word “limit.” It is a personal preference, but in my opinion, it is unhealthy to fully remove any specific food group from your diet altogether.

· Try low-fat (or non-fat), low-sodium food items and avoid the regular consumption of “high fructose corn syrup” and “trans fats.”

· Read the “Nutrition Facts.”

o It’s good to actually know what you’re putting into your body and how much (serving sizes).

o You can even find most restaurants’ Nutrition Facts online.

· Give yourself one “high calorie” day per week.

o This doesn’t mean binge on fat and sugar for a day, but allow yourself to enjoy a treat here and there.

o Make the calories count. Why snack on a bag of chocolate chips when you can have a delectable cookie for the same amount of calories? See my point?

· Substitute

o Craving a peanut butter cookie?

§ Try peanut butter with apples or celery

o Craving ice cream?

§ Try low-fat (non-fat) frozen yogurt or a frozen banana

o The possibilities are endless. This is where your healthy recipe recommendations come in.

§ i.e. Banana Bread (using applesauce instead of oil)

· Watch “The Biggest Loser” on NBC

o I don’t mean this to be a commercial, but this show is truly motivating (when it’s not a melodrama) and there are great tips that can easily be applied to your own healthy lifestyle.

§ Note – Not airing during the Olympics (lame).

. . .

That is all for this week, friends. Keep sharing your wonderfully helpful tips, exercises, recipes, and inspiring stories! Keep motivating each other! You're doing awesome.

Good Luck.

Keep moving!

x o x o

Dad.

It wasn't a date.

I had thought it would be,

But there was another girl there.

"He" didn't know,

Just stuck in an awkward place.

"No worries," I told myself

"Just have fun."

The Sweetheart 5k,

My first official race.

After a little bit of awkwardness,

And reassuring kindness

We were ready to go,

All three of us,

Ready to run 3.2 miles.

I turned my iPod to Kelly

And we were off at a steady pace.

"I'm doing it," I thought

And I pushed on, determinedly.

Almost a mile

"He" and "She" passed,

Left me in the dust,

Leaving me to run the Sweetheart

By myself.

"I'll catch up," I told myself,

But my side ached and I got slower.

Off they ran together.

"You belong with me-ee-ee,"

Taylor Swift taunted from my iPod.

I changed the song,

Kept running.

Past mile 2,

I needed a break.

Physically and emotionally drained,

I walked.

Quickly. But pathetically.

The rain washed over my face

As if daring me to cry.

I almost did,

But someone honked,

Dad.

He beamed encouragingly

And gave me a thumbs up.

I ran again,

Filled with a renewed strength,

Love.

Almost done,

I could feel the end getting close,

But how close?

Again, my legs turned to jello

And my breathing got tighter in my chest.

I wanted to turn down the street and run home,

Kind of.

I looked up ahead and smiled

Dad.

Waiting for me,

I ran faster.

He high-fived me as I passed,

"You're doing great! Keep going!"

I smiled and breathed in real deep.

Turning my head as I ran, I called back,

"Thanks. I love you."

He jumped back in the truck

And rode beside me,

Keeping my pace.

As I rounded the corner

He rolled down the window,

"You're almost there.

The end is close,

...Sprint!"

And with childlike trust

I sprinted.

I pushed to the finish.

I was done!

Did it feel good?

Honestly? I wanted to throw up,

But I was proud of myself!

I found "He" and "She"

Eating oranges

Holding there numbers:

80-somethings.

I took an orange

And began to munch on it.

Someone came up behind me

Hugged me,

Twirled me,

Dad.

"You did it!" he exclaimed proudly.

I showed him my number disappointedly

151.

He laughed. And I laughed.

He knew I could do better,

But he didn't care.

He loved me no matter what.

I keep running.

I still get exhausted.

I want to give-up,

And then there's a voice,

Heavenly Father.

"You can do it!"

"Keep going!"

You're almost there!"

"I love you!"

My strength is renewed

And I run again.

He doesn't care what number I come in

Or that I slowed down a couple of times,

He loves me no matter what.

I'll keep running.

I'll make it to the end,

Because of Him.

For Him.

Dad.