Dear Neighbor:
No, not you pot smoking couple across the hall who fills the hallway day after day with a smell that would scare even a skunk away. You, who leaves your trash bag in the hallway until you feel like walking it down to the trash can. You, who parks so close to me that Josh can barely get into the passenger side door. You, whose dog barks at me every morning at 6 a.m. as I leave my apartment for work. You who continually locks yourself out of your apartment and then rings my doorbell so I can let you in.
And no, not you cute, young couple who lives right beside me who bangs their cupboard doors all day long. You, who bangs on something in your apartment for some ungodly reason. You, who showers at least three times a day, that I can hear. You, who I can hear going to the bathroom because your toilet sits directly behind my toilet. You, who can probably hear me shower and go to the bathroom because my toilet sits directly behind your toilet.
I'm talking to you, the older couple who has lived catty corner from me for over a year. You, whose grandchildren play in the hallway and yell and scream out there because there is no yard to play in (and I can hear them so clearly I have to turn my TV up). You, who leaves your trash in the hallway. You, who Josh always takes your trash to the bin when it's in the hallway because he likes to help the older people. You, who I have helped carry up your groceries a time or two because your hands were full. You, who I've held the door open for because your hands were full, or just because you were a few stairs behind me.
Yes, I've lived here for over three years now. No, I am not just moving in. Yes, we've chatted several times in the past year since you moved in. No, I have not changed my hair color. Yes, I have talked to your grandchildren and waved as they waved to me. No, there is no reason why you shouldn't know who I am.
I guess we haven't met. My name is Shiloh.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
The Truth
Truth time:
The six months prior to my 30th birthday, I lost 36 pounds. I officially hit my major goal the day before my big birthday dash, and I felt (and looked) amazing.
The six months prior to my 30th birthday, I lost 36 pounds. I officially hit my major goal the day before my big birthday dash, and I felt (and looked) amazing.
This is me at my 30th birthday party with my friend, Alicia, who attends Weight Watchers with me every Tuesday. She hit lifetime this past summer (lifetime means she hit her weight goal, and as long as she stays within two pounds of that mark, Weight Watchers is free for her for the rest of her life!). Congrats, Alicia. You look amazing.
Two months after my 30th birthday, I met Josh. And the weight started to come back on.
Now, I'm most certainly NOT blaming my weight gain on Josh, but I will admit that dating and dieting don't exactly go hand in hand. With dating comes eating out, baking treats, having a drink with dinner, cooking delicious meals, and so on and so forth.
Another "excuse" for my weight gain is my weird schedule. As a teacher, I get three months off during the summer. I get two weeks off for Christmas. I get a week off for Spring Break. With all that time off (I'm not complaining), comes a lack of a schedule, a lack of routine. I sit at home, and I eat, and I snack, and I think about food. I have come to realize that when I am working and on a normal schedule, I have no problems controlling what I eat, but when I am on break, I have no control. This makes the weekends especially hard, too.
I don't think I even need to mention that fact that I like food, too, so I love to eat and eat.
It has now been two and a half years since I turned 30, and those 36 pounds have come back (sadly). I'm not proud. In fact, I'm pissed at myself. However, if I lost the weight once, I know I can do it again.
In the past three weeks, I have lost 7 pounds. I am doing Weight Watchers again (which I LOVE and will gladly promote to anyone who cares to listen. If you're looking to lose weight, WW is the way to go!). I downgraded my WW account to online only, which means I can no longer attend the weekly meetings. As I mentioned above, Alicia and I used to go the meetings together, but since I am doing online, I text Alicia every week to let her know my progress. My friend from work, Liz, is also doing WW, so we count points together and keep each other accountable. I have countless other friends and family who are doing wonderfully on the program as well.
I WILL lose this weight again. Here are some of my goals:
Lose 8 pounds a month.
By the end of June (in time for the MS bike ride), I would like to be at least 30 pounds slimmer.
Work out at least twice a week (I HATE working out, so two times a week is a feat).
Train for a 5K (I am NOT a runner, so this one is especially hard for me to type).
Overall, I want to lose 68 pounds.
KEEP THE WEIGHT OFF so I never have to do it again!
Let's have a lot LESS this....
And a lot MORE this!
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Injury
Mrs. Hazelnut is injured. We think she has a broken leg, so we have placed her in Intensive Care.
No, we didn't take her to the hospital, but we have placed her in a special tank where she is being monitored very closely (by us). She can't swim, which means she can't come up for air once she's in the water. We originally had her in a small bowl with only an inch of water. She was able to lift her head and get air when needed, but it did not allow her to swim.
This morning, we placed her in a larger tank but with only four inches of water. We just watched her come up for air, so we know she can breathe, but she's still struggling to swim and get around.
According to the internet, Africa Dwarf frogs are highly resilient animals and will heal on their own, with enough time. It said that if a frog breaks his/her leg, there's nothing you can do. It said it will heal with time. We're hoping this is true and that she'll be back to her fun, happy self in no time.
For now, we have our eye on her to make sure she's breathing.
It's so sad to see her hang her back leg and try to get around without that extra flipper.
Mrs. Hazelnut is the larger of the two frogs, and she's also our favorite. She has a lot of personality, and we're hoping she doesn't die!
No, we didn't take her to the hospital, but we have placed her in a special tank where she is being monitored very closely (by us). She can't swim, which means she can't come up for air once she's in the water. We originally had her in a small bowl with only an inch of water. She was able to lift her head and get air when needed, but it did not allow her to swim.
This morning, we placed her in a larger tank but with only four inches of water. We just watched her come up for air, so we know she can breathe, but she's still struggling to swim and get around.
According to the internet, Africa Dwarf frogs are highly resilient animals and will heal on their own, with enough time. It said that if a frog breaks his/her leg, there's nothing you can do. It said it will heal with time. We're hoping this is true and that she'll be back to her fun, happy self in no time.
For now, we have our eye on her to make sure she's breathing.
Mrs. Hazelnut is the larger of the two frogs, and she's also our favorite. She has a lot of personality, and we're hoping she doesn't die!
Friday, January 25, 2013
Red Robin, Yummmm!
Josh loves Red Robin. He could eat a hamburger every day, and he especially loves the Royal Red Robin burger, which has an egg on top.
And unlimited fries. All you can eat. Keep them coming. More. More. Yes, more.
A giant burger with an egg on top. Unlimited fries. Delicious ranch. Every 10th burger is free. All for $10.
Sold.
To make it even better, his parents got him some Gift Cards to Red Robin, so Josh and I went the other day.
As always, I ordered. Josh ordered. Then Josh asked for a basket of fries before our meal so we could snack while we waited.
Our server said, "Oh, I'm so sorry, but we've changed our rules. You can no longer get a basket before your meal unless you pay for it. It's now an appetizer, and it's $1.99. But if you wait until your burger comes, then you can get unlimited fries for free."
We weren't going to pay extra for a basket of fries that is unlimited in 10 minutes or less, so we passed. Our server walked away, and Josh said, "I'll show them. I'm going to order more fries than my body can handle. And I'm going to eat them all. I'm going to keep ordering, and keep ordering. I might even take some home. I'm going to eat so many fries that it would have been cheaper for them if they had given me my first basket for free."
Our burgers came, and before Josh had even taken a bite, and before our server could walk away, Josh ordered a refill on his fries. We both ate our burgers. We both ate our fries. We snacked on the extra basket of fries.
And then Josh ordered another basket.
And then he ordered another basket.
And he ate them all.
Our server asked if we wanted another, but at this point, Josh was about to explode.
As we left, Josh felt like puking. He rubbed his belling and said, "Oh man, I should not have eaten all those fries. I feel like crap. But I showed them!"
I was laughing so hard. He most certainly did show them!
And unlimited fries. All you can eat. Keep them coming. More. More. Yes, more.
A giant burger with an egg on top. Unlimited fries. Delicious ranch. Every 10th burger is free. All for $10.
Sold.
To make it even better, his parents got him some Gift Cards to Red Robin, so Josh and I went the other day.
As always, I ordered. Josh ordered. Then Josh asked for a basket of fries before our meal so we could snack while we waited.
Our server said, "Oh, I'm so sorry, but we've changed our rules. You can no longer get a basket before your meal unless you pay for it. It's now an appetizer, and it's $1.99. But if you wait until your burger comes, then you can get unlimited fries for free."
We weren't going to pay extra for a basket of fries that is unlimited in 10 minutes or less, so we passed. Our server walked away, and Josh said, "I'll show them. I'm going to order more fries than my body can handle. And I'm going to eat them all. I'm going to keep ordering, and keep ordering. I might even take some home. I'm going to eat so many fries that it would have been cheaper for them if they had given me my first basket for free."
Our burgers came, and before Josh had even taken a bite, and before our server could walk away, Josh ordered a refill on his fries. We both ate our burgers. We both ate our fries. We snacked on the extra basket of fries.
And then Josh ordered another basket.
And then he ordered another basket.
And he ate them all.
Our server asked if we wanted another, but at this point, Josh was about to explode.
As we left, Josh felt like puking. He rubbed his belling and said, "Oh man, I should not have eaten all those fries. I feel like crap. But I showed them!"
I was laughing so hard. He most certainly did show them!
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Homemade (possibly, kinda, sort of) Sushi
I LOVE sushi.
Like, I could eat it every day type of love.
If you're a sushi lover, then you know that it can be kind of expensive. In order to cut some of the cost, I sometimes buy the sushi from Target.
Don't judge.
It's actually quite tasty and fresh (it's made in-house daily), and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
And boy do I love soy sauce. If it wasn't so taboo, I would drink it from the saucer after I was done with my rolls. Instead, so I'm not rude, I stick my fingers in the bowl and lick my fingers.
Don't judge.
Today, after the dentist made me bleed, throb, hurt, and cry, I decided it was a sushi kind of night. I deserve it after seeing the dentist six times in the past four months. And having all those fingers in my mouth!
However, I'm also on a money saving, cut back on everything kind of budget. Especially on groceries. I am one, single lady (with an every other weekend boyfriend), so how in the world can I possibly spend so much money on groceries?
Well, I know the answer. I like to cook. I like to bake. I like meat. I like to eat. My boyfriend also likes all of the above. Enough said.
Anyway, being the good girl I am, I decided I didn't need to buy sushi when I could (possibly, kinda, sort of) make it on my own.
All it is is: salmon. rice. cucumber. soy sauce.
Yes, yes, I know it has more than that (such as seaweed, avocado, etc, etc), but I didn't want to go to the store. I wanted to use what I had on hand.
I cooked up my salmon (I decided not to go with raw salmon). I cooked up my rice. I cut up my cucumber into toothpicks. I put it all a bowl (I mean, come on, I am not patient enough to make the actual rolls. I was starving, and wanted my food NOW). I added some dried cranberries for some extra flavor, I added soy sauce, and wha lah! I have (possibly, kinda, sort of) a sushi bowl.
Not too shabby for a girl on a budget. And it didn't taste too bad, either!
Like, I could eat it every day type of love.
If you're a sushi lover, then you know that it can be kind of expensive. In order to cut some of the cost, I sometimes buy the sushi from Target.
Don't judge.
It's actually quite tasty and fresh (it's made in-house daily), and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
And boy do I love soy sauce. If it wasn't so taboo, I would drink it from the saucer after I was done with my rolls. Instead, so I'm not rude, I stick my fingers in the bowl and lick my fingers.
Don't judge.
Today, after the dentist made me bleed, throb, hurt, and cry, I decided it was a sushi kind of night. I deserve it after seeing the dentist six times in the past four months. And having all those fingers in my mouth!
However, I'm also on a money saving, cut back on everything kind of budget. Especially on groceries. I am one, single lady (with an every other weekend boyfriend), so how in the world can I possibly spend so much money on groceries?
Well, I know the answer. I like to cook. I like to bake. I like meat. I like to eat. My boyfriend also likes all of the above. Enough said.
Anyway, being the good girl I am, I decided I didn't need to buy sushi when I could (possibly, kinda, sort of) make it on my own.
All it is is: salmon. rice. cucumber. soy sauce.
Yes, yes, I know it has more than that (such as seaweed, avocado, etc, etc), but I didn't want to go to the store. I wanted to use what I had on hand.
I cooked up my salmon (I decided not to go with raw salmon). I cooked up my rice. I cut up my cucumber into toothpicks. I put it all a bowl (I mean, come on, I am not patient enough to make the actual rolls. I was starving, and wanted my food NOW). I added some dried cranberries for some extra flavor, I added soy sauce, and wha lah! I have (possibly, kinda, sort of) a sushi bowl.
Not too shabby for a girl on a budget. And it didn't taste too bad, either!
Monday, January 21, 2013
Calleteral
After the theft of my bike, Josh wisely decided not to ride it to school anymore.
He didn't want to play that game. It was stolen from him. He found it. He rides it to school again. The guy who stole it from Josh finds the bike and steals it again.....Nuh, uh. Not gonna happen.
It's really a nasty cycle, so Josh has been walking to school for the past month. This weekend, he decided to go bike shopping for a "crappy" bike. That way, if it's ever stolen again, he won't feel the wrath of Shiloh, nor will he feel as bad as he did the first time around.
So off we went.
Craigslist.com, oh how Josh loves you. (Me, it freaks me out).
Josh did the background homework, as he is so good at doing (I make him call Comcast for me, under the name of Shiloh, because he's oh so good at cutting deals, saying no, and getting the best price. I, on the other hand, will agree to pretty much anything. Go ahead and try to sell me a $1,000 blender. I'll probably buy it).
Anywho, Josh set up an appointment. We went. He rode. I got left behind to make small talk with the guy while Josh circled the lot.
Now, I'm pretty good at small talk, but sometimes I just want to say nothing. That's rude, though, and not my style, so I put on my pretty smile and admired this guy's five other bikes as he told me every intimate detail of every scratch, every dent, every mile ridden. I nodded where appropriate, smiled when necessary, gave my opinion when needed. In the back of my mind, I begged Josh to return quickly.
The first bike was crap, but WAIT, there's another! Off Josh went again, and there I stood making small talk again.
The second bike was crap, too. We said our thank-yous and goodbyes. This man shook Josh hand, and then went in for a hug (not even kidding). And then he reached for my hand. Of course, I didn't want to be rude, but I also didn't want a hug. Luckily, I got a shake and a pat on the shoulder.
This man then proceeded to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Ten minutes later, Josh and I were finally able to get a word in that we were also believers and agreed with what he was saying. The man invited us to church, and Josh and I went on our merry way. (He was a super nice guy, and I love that he's so willing and open to share his faith).
Still with no bike, Josh and I headed to the pawn shop. Again, totally not my forte, but Josh knows the game. He asked if he could ride a bike around the block.
"Uh, okay, but I need some collateral." She glanced around, looked Josh up and down, realized he really didn't have anything of value on him, and looked straight at me.
"She'll do. I'll keep the girl until you return."
I'm happy to know I'm worth at least as much as the crappy bike Josh rode around the block.
He didn't want to play that game. It was stolen from him. He found it. He rides it to school again. The guy who stole it from Josh finds the bike and steals it again.....Nuh, uh. Not gonna happen.
It's really a nasty cycle, so Josh has been walking to school for the past month. This weekend, he decided to go bike shopping for a "crappy" bike. That way, if it's ever stolen again, he won't feel the wrath of Shiloh, nor will he feel as bad as he did the first time around.
So off we went.
Craigslist.com, oh how Josh loves you. (Me, it freaks me out).
Josh did the background homework, as he is so good at doing (I make him call Comcast for me, under the name of Shiloh, because he's oh so good at cutting deals, saying no, and getting the best price. I, on the other hand, will agree to pretty much anything. Go ahead and try to sell me a $1,000 blender. I'll probably buy it).
Anywho, Josh set up an appointment. We went. He rode. I got left behind to make small talk with the guy while Josh circled the lot.
Now, I'm pretty good at small talk, but sometimes I just want to say nothing. That's rude, though, and not my style, so I put on my pretty smile and admired this guy's five other bikes as he told me every intimate detail of every scratch, every dent, every mile ridden. I nodded where appropriate, smiled when necessary, gave my opinion when needed. In the back of my mind, I begged Josh to return quickly.
The first bike was crap, but WAIT, there's another! Off Josh went again, and there I stood making small talk again.
The second bike was crap, too. We said our thank-yous and goodbyes. This man shook Josh hand, and then went in for a hug (not even kidding). And then he reached for my hand. Of course, I didn't want to be rude, but I also didn't want a hug. Luckily, I got a shake and a pat on the shoulder.
This man then proceeded to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Ten minutes later, Josh and I were finally able to get a word in that we were also believers and agreed with what he was saying. The man invited us to church, and Josh and I went on our merry way. (He was a super nice guy, and I love that he's so willing and open to share his faith).
Still with no bike, Josh and I headed to the pawn shop. Again, totally not my forte, but Josh knows the game. He asked if he could ride a bike around the block.
"Uh, okay, but I need some collateral." She glanced around, looked Josh up and down, realized he really didn't have anything of value on him, and looked straight at me.
"She'll do. I'll keep the girl until you return."
I'm happy to know I'm worth at least as much as the crappy bike Josh rode around the block.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Love Emails
Growing up, my grandma had a bookshelf in her bathroom that was full of Reader's Digests. This was in their cabin at Johnson's Lake, and I remember as a kid only reading the jokes when I went to the bathroom. I also remember thinking that everything else in the Digests was for "old" people. I was too young to read anything other than the humor section!
Several years ago, however, my mom bought me a year's subscription to Reader's Digest, and I have been hooked ever since. Come to find out, there's so much more in that magazine than good jokes (although I must admit that the jokes are still my favorite). As an "old" adult, I read my RD cover to cover. I carry it my purse for times when I have a spare moment to read.
I even shared a magazine with my friend Liz, and she is now hooked and got a subscription from her mom for her birthday!
Anyway, I was lying in bed the other night (before bed) reading my RD when I came across a section full of love letters. The letters were all from famous people to their famous lover. There was a letter from Marilyn Monroe to her boyfriend. A letter from Richard Nixon to his wife. Along with a few others I can't remember.
The letters were sweet, romantic, lovable.
And I got a little bitter at our technology age. No one writes letters anymore (my grandma writes me one to two times a month, and I write her back just as often). My mother instilled in me to write thank-you notes, so I still send those. My friend Marcy sends me a letter once in a while, and I like to surprise my friends with a letter every now and then. I guess I can't say the art is completely lost, but still, you know what I mean. I've never received a love letter.
Now, in this technology world, we text. We email. We Facebook. We tweet. But we certainly don't take the time to write.
So I emailed Josh and said, "Will you please send me a love email?"
His reply was short but sweet.
"I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH."
The VERY MUCH part was new, therefore making it a valid love email. :)
I guess I'll wait to see what Valentines Day brings.
Several years ago, however, my mom bought me a year's subscription to Reader's Digest, and I have been hooked ever since. Come to find out, there's so much more in that magazine than good jokes (although I must admit that the jokes are still my favorite). As an "old" adult, I read my RD cover to cover. I carry it my purse for times when I have a spare moment to read.
I even shared a magazine with my friend Liz, and she is now hooked and got a subscription from her mom for her birthday!
Anyway, I was lying in bed the other night (before bed) reading my RD when I came across a section full of love letters. The letters were all from famous people to their famous lover. There was a letter from Marilyn Monroe to her boyfriend. A letter from Richard Nixon to his wife. Along with a few others I can't remember.
The letters were sweet, romantic, lovable.
And I got a little bitter at our technology age. No one writes letters anymore (my grandma writes me one to two times a month, and I write her back just as often). My mother instilled in me to write thank-you notes, so I still send those. My friend Marcy sends me a letter once in a while, and I like to surprise my friends with a letter every now and then. I guess I can't say the art is completely lost, but still, you know what I mean. I've never received a love letter.
Now, in this technology world, we text. We email. We Facebook. We tweet. But we certainly don't take the time to write.
So I emailed Josh and said, "Will you please send me a love email?"
His reply was short but sweet.
"I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH."
The VERY MUCH part was new, therefore making it a valid love email. :)
I guess I'll wait to see what Valentines Day brings.
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