100 Day Challenge – Day 5

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While this entry isn’t specifically about my focus and the challenge itself, it is about what sort of things the Universe brings your way, and what lessons might be in it for you.

Friends have always been a very important part of my life. I like to think of friends as the family we choose to have in our lives. And while I’ve never had what some might consider a lot of friends, I’ve always been happy with the friendships that I have. I’m the type that would do anything for a friend.

Now the Lounge here isn’t my first and only blog. I also keep a pretty regular journal where I have developed some deep, online friendships. I don’t really mix the two and that’s mostly due to my job. As a website administrator in a women’s community, my life is a pretty open book and all of my journal friends, are part of that community (and therefore, my work environment). The Lounge, on the other hand is more for me and not so much about a community.

Well, as one would expect of a journal, I spend quite a bit of my time in there discussing the minutia of my day – work, errands, friends, family, vacations, what have you. And yesterday was no different. So there I was commenting on someone’s behavior (and more importantly, their reaction to a reprimand) on my site. I didn’t name names, nor did I get into specifics, which is how I typically do things. Yet somehow, what I said wound up being repeated in a friend’s journal (in a private – not for my eyes – post).

Interestingly, it was by the very same woman that took something I said once before and repeated it around my community trying to cause some drama. Thing is, when I seem to snark (as we tend to call it) about a situation or a member, it’s not something I haven’t already said to that very member through email or PMs. So basically, I own it. But somehow, I just felt so hurt.

To have this very same individual take something out of my safe zone and repeat it, and then lock me out of it, so basically, it’s all going on behind my back, left me a little shocked. Yet surprisingly, not really bothered. I mean, I had already forgiven this friend the first time around and let her continue to be a part of my journal and my life (never blocking her out to begin with, even after it all went down). This time, I was able to just send her an email to let her know that she hurt my feelings and move on.

This to me is pretty big. Normally I can perseverate on something like this for quite some time, ranting and raving about being violated and disappointed, playing the victim role perfectly. This time around, I just naturally and instinctively chose to handle it all from a higher place and move on. Heck, in my email with her I even wished her well in her future endeavors (she’s been looking for work).

So for me, this is just kind of proof that changing your focus and letting things go, is a much less stressful way of life. I really feel that this is all part of my plan, working in action. Did I not say just the other day that I am so happy and grateful now that I am a complete, confident and beautifully, fabulous woman.

I am grateful for this experience and acknowledgment today. I welcome this confidence with open arms. Thank you Spirit!!

100 Day Challenge – Day 4

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Today and everyday I am grateful for…

* my husband
* the unconditional love and warmth of my boys
* my home
* my friends
* my job (or my ability to call what it is that I do, my job)
* my yummy cheeseburger lunch – while not so WW-friendly, it sure was tasty!
* my car
* the weather – while most of the US has been having non-stop snow and freezing temps, here in SoCal it’s been downright beautiful!
* my new Bobbi Brown lipstick (hey, 5+ hours at the mall with a girlfriend and it’s ALL I bought – or even wanted to buy)
* my faith and my ability to see the positive and share that faith with my friends

Ten. Not such a bad number, if I do say so myself!

100 Day Challenge – Day 3

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Today the hubby and I continued to work on our house goal. While driving around today we discussed which homes was the *type* of house that we’d like and why, as well as which neighborhood we like.

Then once we got home we worked on cleaning out the garage. For us, the garage has always been our crap storage. We have boxes and boxes of papers and wires that are years and years old. We finally gave up and just threw stuff away. We actually crushed enough cardboard boxes that I could probably turn them in for some cash – probably enough for a cup of coffee!

But I’m really psyched to finally be able to get rid of some stuff and I really think things will open up for us. Good energy baby! The best part, the old loveseat will be going out and my new chair will be put in it’s place. That alone will make the living room look much better. Once we add curtains, the entire room will just feel so much better. And a happy, cozy home makes for a happy, cozy life!!

100 Day Challenge – Day 2

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Last night the hubby and I spent time deciding what we’re looking for in our new house. We’ve had this discussion before, mostly concerning what the boys would like in their new house. But as we were in bed thinking about the upcoming warm weather and what seems like our lack of central air.

So here’s what we came up with…3-4 bedrooms; an office space and an entertainment/music room (can be considered part of the bedrooms); walk in closet space; not too wood or hard surfaces so sound won’t bounce around too much (the hubby’s a guitarist); a large master suite; a large master bath with a jacuzzi tub; 1 or 2 extra bathrooms; living room; dining room; plenty of storage; back deck; large kitchen with new appliances and plenty of counter and cabinet space; large fenced in yard that would be safe enough for both the dog and the cat to visit on their own; room in the yard for a garden; laundry room; 2+ car garage; room to entertain; central heating and air; nice neighborhood; this side of the Hollywood Hills with a decent commute for the hubby.

It sounds pretty specific I know, but I feel that the more specific you can be, the better chance you’ll attract what you’re looking for. And of course, let’s remember this is for the good of all involved đŸ˜‰

100 Day Challenge – Day 1

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So according to the principles of both the Laws of Attraction and the Secret, whatever is going on in my life now, be it something that I want/desire, or something that I’d rather wasn’t present, is only the “current reality. So if I change the thinking, I can change the reality. I can change the now. So here we go, some basic, early stages, affirmations…

* I am so happy and grateful now that we are living in our perfectly suited home (for the good of all involved).

* I am so happy and grateful now that I am in a loving, caring, affectionate, sex-filled relationship.

* I am so happy and grateful now that I am a complete, confident and beautifully, fabulous woman.

* I am so happy and grateful now that I am at my most healthy, fit and perfect weight and size.

* I am so happy and grateful now that our business is doing so well and earning $3000+ a month through multiple sources of revenue.

* I am so happy and grateful now that money comes to me in increasing quantities through multiple sources on a continuous basis, for the good of all involved.

This is a good start. I’ll work out some specific details, as I believe in getting as specific as possible. It’s worked before, and it will work again.

Cheapskate or Demonstration of Love?

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As a childless-by-choice couple, we indulge our fur-babies quite a bit. We spoil them with special toys, special food and snacks, special furniture, you name it. I don’t regret it one bit. I love our boys and wouldn’t trade them for anything (though I’d love for a little girl so I’m not so alone in this testosterone-driven house).

Having just spent the past thirty or so minutes hand sewing my little guy’s favorite toys back together (while he intently watches every in and out of the needle from beside me) I just can’t help but wonder…am I just a cheapskate that wants to get my money’s worth out of his plush toys? Or am just so in love with little guy and the joy gets from playing with his favorite plush toys that I’ll do anything for him to be happy?

So I ask…cheapskate or demonstration of love? But really, could you say no to this face?
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The Secret and My 100 Day Challenge

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After having heard so much about it the past year or so, I finally sat down to watch my copy of The Secret. Interestingly enough, I’ve followed the principles of Positive Thought and the Laws of Affirmation for nearly 20 years now (I got started as a youngish adult). Heck, I’ve even been sitting on the DVD for over a month now. It’s nice to see Larry King and Oprah embrace it!

For the past couple of days, I’ve had strangers start talking to me about the movie completely unprompted (this isn’t as abnormal for me as you might think). Not one to ignore the message, I finally watched it twice last night – once to hear it, and once to take notes. Today, I handed it off to a friend and jumpstarted a conversation about it on my website. Just doing my part to spread the word.

While catching up on some TS clips on YouTube, I also stumbled upon the 100 Day Challenge. So knowing that it’s time to kick things up a notch or two, I thought I’d embrace this very challenge. So over the next 100 days, expect to read a lot about my life and all that I’m creating. I’m sure I’ll also throw in some background info about myself considering this belief structure plays a huge part on who I am and how I came to be. So coming up you’ll find some affirmations, much gratitude, some manifestation and a whole lot of love.

Everything happens for a reason and there’s no time like the present! Anyone care to join me?

I can’t figure out how to post a YouTube video here, so here’s a Secret summary link instead.

Modern Medicine Rocks!

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My fantabulous doctor just called me. After my not-so-graceful fall last week I headed out to the doctor for a quickie check up. While there I thought I’d have her check both my thyroid levels (since I’m feeling a bit symptomatic again) and my testosterone levels (since my dermo seems to think I might have PCOS because I’m over 35 and still getting cystic acne – as if being overweight isn’t enough).

Well, turns out I don’t in fact have PCOS and my testosterone (or whatever) levels are just fine. To be honest, both my doc and I thought the dermo was a bit of a whack job for going there. My acne is all but PMS-time, gone. So that’s good to know.

She did tell me though to double up on my thyroid meds. This is good news to me. It means I’ll be sleeping better, the stupid lump in my throat will go away, the occasional, light-headed, dizzy spells will go away, and no more arm tinglies when I’m reading in bed. And to think, these symptoms are nothing compared to what I was dealing with before the meds! And won’t the hubby be happy when the snoring stops (he actually woke me up when I first started my meds – and they worked – to tell me that I wasn’t snoring — goofball!)

So yeah, modern medicine rocks!!

Hopped Up on Diet Coke

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I ran some errands earlier today to pick up the missing dinner ingredients (goat cheese, sugar snap peas and chocolate covered strawberries – yum!) and in true Valentine’s Day style, I decided to treat myself to a scone and a movie. Both, were quite yummy.

Let me start by extolling the virtues of Portos. A year or so they opened up a second location in Burbank and boy-o has that made things easier. This is my go to bakery – when I want a fine dessert for a special occasion, Portos it is; when I want the world’s most perfect scone, Portos is my place; when I need treats for a bridal or baby shower, you better believe I’ll be getting my treats from Portos. And on those rare occasions when this gal is craving a potato ball (a potato-y ball of heaven is a more accurate description), Portos is where I head. Come to think of it, does anyone else even make that potato-y ball of heaven? Kind of makes you wonder why Jennifer Lopez had such a difficult time finding “piping hot cuban bread” in the greater LA area (side note: next time she should consider using a recording studio in Burbank or Glendale – both cities have a Portos!!)

From there I came home to drop off my chocolate-covered strawberries extraordinary and remembered that Music & Lyrics starts today. As a bit of a Hugh Grant fan, I also happen to be love both, the chickflick and chicklit genres. My hubby, not so much. So I figured what better than to head out to the matinĂ©e showing. Thanks to those extra long previews and pre-movie commercials I made it just in time. Unrelated to the topic of hand of course, but I can’t help but wonder, if anywhere else in the country actually get real commercials as part of the pre-movie experience?

Moving on…I think the movie was quite good. Yes, it had is predictable moments – but what chickflick doesn’t? I think the casting was perfect, and both Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant played their roles just as you’d have expected. There was just enough humor that you’d bust into the occasional giggle or chuckle. I was actually quite surprised that Hugh and Drew sang their own songs. I can’t imagine that either of them will have a career in the music business, but it was good enough to actually enjoy (there are song samples on the movie’s website.)

And of course, what late-30’s gal (aw hell, did I just admit that?!) can’t relate to Kristen Johnston’s 80’s fanatic character? I know I’ll be going crazy and singing right along when George Michael comes to town. There’s just something about the memories and music from the 80’s *sigh* my hubby just doesn’t get it. And ladies, I know for a fact that the George Michael tour schedule is in the works!!

But really, I’d recommend the movie. It’s definitely a well spent two hours. I can’t imagine that the guys would enjoy it nearly as much (a bit too much butt-wagging), but I’m sure they’d appreciate Haley Bennett and her Shakira-esque dance moves. (Note to Self: remember to purchase Hips Don’t Lie for the workout mix).

Now that I’m coming off my caffeine high, I think it’s time to get started on that Valentine’s dinner – pomegranate pork loin – yum! And let’s not forget the champagne. I guess tonight is yet another non-WW day. Aw hell, I just need to write this week off and start over again – not like we’ve never done that sort of thing before, right?

A Day in the Life of a WWer

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Well, today is by no means a typical day for someone on Weight Watchers. No, it’s more like a typical day for someone that has fallen off the Weight Watchers wagon *sigh*

I’ve noticed since starting back up on a low-dose birth control that mid-cycle I seem to get crazy hungry. I mean the crazy sort of hungry where you just eat everything in sight. Or in my case, you go grocery shopping and eat everything you impulsively purchased after first chowing down on some Wendy’s (at least it was the lower point, smaller sized stuff).

But you know, just because you pig out on diet food (and a little Ben & Jerry’s – hey, a pint is little!) doesn’t mean that it was any less of a pig out. Mind you, I’m making salad for dinner, but again, I’ve already exceeded what would surely be considered at least 2 days worth of points. So it’s not like that salad is saving me too much.

I’ve got to get back on track. I know I can do it. I can definitely exercise again (my leg is healing great!). I just seem to be lacking the motivation and focus. Dammit, I’ve got SXSW in a few weeks and I was truly hoping to be in a smaller size by then. I really have no excuse. And the constant need to compare myself to others that seem so much more motivated and on track – yeah, that needs to stop too.

I will get my focus and my drive back. I will! And I will stop comparing myself to others. I will!

Focus. Focus. FOCUS!