Two-fer-Tuesday (pt 2) Chubby-butt Check-in 12/21/10

COOKIES? WHO HAS THE COOKIES?!? Oh....that's right. I have the cookies. Tons of Christmas cookies which have been baked to share with family and friends for the Christmas and New Year holidays. None of the cookie recipes I made were weight-watcher concious and low-fat. Did I care? Hells no, as it is the holidays and I was going to abstain from eatting said cookies.

And have I abstained from being the cookie monster? Hells noooooooooo!I have eatten tons of cookies, almost every day, several times a day. No lie! And each time I chowed down, in cookie bliss reprimanded myself and promised to not eat them the following day. And yet I did. Because my willpower is not the strongest, and lets face it....they're damned delicious!

So today I climbed on the scale and was ready to cry when the digital numbers would rapidly climb. ANd SHOCK OF ALL SHOCKS....it did not!!! IN FACT I LOST!! A POUND. Being on the 'cookie diet' I lost a pound!

Today's chubby-ass-check-in on December 21, 2011 I weighed 148 pounds.
How do I feel about it? Extremely happy as I have been chowing down on the cookies.
What will I do about it? Tryto cut down on the cookie intake, as I know damned well it will catch up on me.

Two-fer-Tuesday (pt. 1) I can't believe Christmas is almost here!!! Christmas Count-down fact(s) 15-21

Well here it is....the first day of winter and in Ronkonkoma, NY the temperature is pretty chilly. The weather man is predicting snow on Christmas day, going in to the next. And if we have a white Christmas, I will be mad happy. :oD

A lot has been going on in my neck of the woods, and although my gift-shopping list has really dwindled, the holiday hecticness is still getting to me. And it's clear that my days have been busy as I hadn't been blogging with the Christmas count-down facts, so now I am going to have to catch up (yet again.) Mom had her knee surgery last Friday and it appears to have been a success. However last weekend was hell, as she was not the picture-perfect patient (say that 3 times fast) and ran me ragged. I also had a big shock to my personal life, and I'll get to that in a minute. Let's get to those Christmas count-down facts!

Christmas Countdown Fact # 15: Tolling of bells had their origin in the pagan winter festivals and celebrations. It was believed that the noise would drive away the evil spirits. But using the bell just to ward off the evil was not enough, later the bells started being used for other >purposes as well.

Tolling of bells by and large signify any event, good or bad. Bells are rung to announce to the world the birth of the messiah Jesus Christ. Christmas bell history traces the origin of the Christmas bells.
Christmas Countdown Fact # 16: According to the records of Christmas History in Australia the Christmas tree is termed as Pohutukawa.The European immigrants became fascinated to their brilliant red colors and bright green foliage's. Other well-known Christmas plants that are used in the Christmas decorations include Christmas Bells, Christmas Bush and the Christmas Orchid.

Christmas history in Australia contains a traditional flavor. The birth of Christ is drawn from the Australian Christmas Bush. The films Bush Christmas (1947) and Miracle Down Under offer insight into the early Australian Christmas culture.
Christmas Countdown Fact # 17: The Puritans in America tried to make Thanksgiving Day the most important annual festival instead of Christmas.

Christmas Countdown Fact # 18: The first church the Dutch built in New York City was named in St Nicholas' honour -St Nicholas Church.

Christmas Countdown Fact # 19: If you're wondering why men may have not flocked to kiss you under the mistletoe, the answer may be that it was said that it will only work if the person you are kissing is a virgin. On the sixth day of the new moon, a Druid priest used to cut mistletoe from an oak tree with a sacred sickle. A passing virgin was called upon to catch the falling plant, which was not allowed to touch the ground.

Christmas Countdown Fact # 20: In 1937, the first postage stamp to commemorate Christmas was issued in Austria.

Christmas Countdown Fact # 21: The common abbreviation for Christmas to Xmas is derived from the Greek alphabet. X is letter Chi, which is the first letter of Christ's name in the Greek alphabet.

Now on to the mom update. Mom had her knee surgery last Friday, by the world's best orthopedic, Dr. Stuart Hershon. He also happens to be the head ortho for the New York Yankees....as well as my ortho. We go this Thursday to have her stitches removed. Then in 2 weeks she begins her physical therapy. What stinks is that she didn't get to do Christmas shopping....so all my gifts which she purchased for me, I know about as she ust gave me her credit card and had me pick them out and purchase them for her. The only thing that I *really want* is the talking Hallmark Christmas book, which she can record in her voice. Because I want something to remember her voice for always.

I've found my new favorite author! She has quite a number of books out, and now there is even a prime time show based on two of her characters. The author is Tess Gerritsen, and she is the author of the Rizzoli and Isles books. If you like suspense, mystery, cop shows...then these books are for you. Real page turners which have two strong female characters and it is simply fascinating. Check her out at http://www.tessgerritsen.com/  If you enjoy NCIS...then I can guarantee you'll enjoy this series both in book and tv form.

I *hate*....I repeat *HATE* the Wilton Cookie Master Plus Cookie Press. I have always wondered about the people who used cookie presses to create their holiday cookies. And yet everyone who owns one of these modern marvels, swears by them. So this December, after finding a slew of cookie recipes which called for the damned device, I purchased the Wilton Cookie Master Plus Cookie Press which is battery operated and supposed to be even *better* than the original. Yeah. Right. In whose dreams? The damned thing did not make the shaped cookies the disc thingy was supposed to make them shoot out like. In fact when attempting a batch of apple butter cookies, it went so awry, that I dubbed the shapes 'reigndeer turds'. After making yet another batch of cookies, which were delicious vanilla-sugar cookies, the damned dough chamber would not unscrew from the motor chamber. Returning to Michael's I explained the situation, and they got it unscrewed, claiming that sugar got into the threads of the wonderful cookie gun. Today I attempted to make Christmas tree peanut butter cookies. Not only did the frigging thing not want to dispense the dough....but the tree shapes, then the ribbon shapes, would not cooperate. This frustration caused me to open the damned thing, and ust use the dough, making thumbprint cookies. Tonight I returned the damned WCMPCP to Michael's, where they asked why I wanted my money back. UH....HEL-LO? Do you need me to beat you over the head with this blasted device creaed by Satan? Whomever invented this device....I wish you nothing but rotten, burnt cookies!

Traitors/Turncoats/Troublemakers. All three of these types, and then some infiltrated the paranormal investigative group which I had founded with my (sic) BFF.....who BTW is no longer my BFF. I was accused of hiding my agenda, stealing from the group and a ton of other preposterous allegations, as well as my mother who was part of the group. Meanwhile there were secret meetings taking place behind my back, major cases of he said/she said and tons of gossiping, lieing, and betraying. In the end what I had helped create from nothing became toxic and painful. People whom I trusted and thought to be closer than friends turned out ot be nothing but hateful troublemakers and fair-weathered 'friends'. The most shocking was how my 'friend' whom I had formed this group with totally turned against me....not listening to a word I said, and believing the worst in me. But now that I am free of them and out of the viper nest and away from cancerous relationships....I feel free, and am happy and can now move on to bigger and better.

Two-fer-Tuesday {pt 1} 12/7/10

     Here we are....the beginning of the holiday season, with parties galore and loads of temptations. Between baking for the holidays and several party opportunities I am worried about tacking on the weight I have been shedding the past few weeks. If I can ring in the New Year at 146 (which is where I happened to have been platowed at before the weight increase) I will be happy, and that more or less is my goal. Then I can make that weight my base line weight to start losing from beginning 2011.
     It appears that whatever is going on with my tummy, has been helping me lose weight (as my appetite is not what it had been) and I am losing weight at a healthy clip...roughly a half-pound per week. Mom thinks my tummy issues are due to the stress I've been under. I don't know, maybe yes and maybe no. I still think it is my gall bladder. Also I have to go see my gastroentonologist for a check-up....and he'll be able to make heads or tails of this.

Anyway, my chubby-ass check in for the week of 12/7/10 is:
Weight- 149 pounds
How do I feel about this: I will gladly accept losing a half-pound per week.
What will I do to continue this: Whatever the hell I am doing to lose the weight which I am.

Two-fer-Tuesday {pt. 2} Chubby-butt-check-in 11/30/10



     It's that time again. Time for chubby-butt-check-in. Oh boy.......I am so excited. *NOT* We just goth through Thanksgiving, where I feasted on tons of veggies. But I've also feasted on tons of delicous stuffing too. And let me tell you, nothing about the holiday cooking is low-fat or health concious. I bathed my turkey in a basting of white wine and sherry. Sauteed the mushrooms in butter and used pork saussage. 

     Have I exercised and used Wii fitness like I had avowed to for the past two weeks? Of course not. Because I have legitmatly felt like poop. The doctors have ruled out my gall bladder and appendix, and told me to see my primary if anything. So off ot the primary again I went, who feels that it is my IBS w/ Constipation which is causing my sickness. How IBS could have me yammying like no tomorrow is beyond me. PLUS I got the flu shot and now my arm hurts like a mother.

     But like a good girl, I pulled out that acursed scale a nd hoped on. And I was taken by surprise. Because I LOST WEIGHT!

Today's chubby-ass-check-in on November 30th, 2011 I weighed 149.5 pounds.
How do I feel about it? I am SURPRISED.
What will I do about it? Try and stay true to my word by Wii fitnessing and of course keeping tabs of my W.W. points and logging down.

Two-fer-Tuesday {pt.1} The Great Sugar Cookie Debacle

     Tis the season to get your baking joy on. For those of us who enjoy making delicious treats for noshing on as well as sharing. I love to cook and bake. LOVE IT. Especially if the recipe is damn worth repeating. And one of my favorite Christmas cookies to bake are every child's favorite; sugar cookies. Biting in to a thin, crisp sweet cookie which can be just about any shape: star, ornament, tree, snowflake dusted with powder sugar or sugar sand or crystals. The possibilities are endless.
     A dear friend of mine has decided to throw a Gold Party (you know...where they buy your unwanted cash.) And at said party will be a psychic as well as a cookie swap. So I decided to get a jump on the baking, and make a batch of freezer-friendly cookies...so when it comes closer to the date, I just decorate and go. Makes sense right? Well being that at the holidays I'll be stepping out bunches, I decided to double the recipe. Again....no big deal. I've made this recipe in the past and knew it was (a) a good one, and (b) worth doubling. So the other day I made the dough, and put it in the fridge to chill, as per the directions. The directions stated that the dough could stay in fridge overnight.
     So this afternoon, with laundry in the machines I decide to have some special Aunt Ida time. (That's having Ida do something with me, that makes her feel helpful.) So I figured we'd cut the cookies and bake them. I could roll the dough, and she could stamp out the shapes. Easy-peasy. Well, that's what I *thought*.
The dough felt nice and solid and cool as I removed it from the fridge and placed it on the floured table. It rolled BEAUTIFULLY, and I was stoked. Let the cookie baking commence! I decided to do a trial run, and stamp the first few and then place on the sheets. Cookies cut, and I went to lift them from the floured table and.....................................................................nothing. Wait. What? They should be lifting up with ease. I try again, and the dough actually doesn't budge, doesn't roll as I try to reform it on to the dough ball. IN FACT, it actually SMUDGES! So I had to postpone cookie making, as I get the bright idea to put all the dough in the freezer, and make it get almost solid to roll out and then stamp the dang cookies out.
     Off to work I head, and my thoughts drift to cutting out these cookies, so I can have that jump on baking that I craved, and do other things which I want/need to do. I get home, eat dinner and go in to my 'cookie-making' mode. Remove the dough from the fridge, it feels good to me. (Does it feel any different from earlier.........not too sure.) Flour my table which brings back the thoughts of how long it took for me to scrape off the ookie dough earlier and clean up. Plunk the dough on the flour and roll out. Stamp out a ton of cookies and if you must know the shape....they were Christmas trees. I go to lift the first cookie up..........and.....................................................NOTHING. NOTHING!!! Practically glued to the table and laughing at me. Again, I try to roll the dough, to put more flour...and it just mushes in to my table top as if it is mocking me. Knowing how I am going to have to work at getting this dough crap off the kitchen table. And it was as easy as that. I took *all* the sugar cookie dough and tossed it in to the trash can. I scrubbed and scrubbed until all traces of cookie crap was cleared. I tore up the sugar cookie recipe and chucked it out. I have no idea what went wrong and why. I had measured everything out perfectly. I want to cry and scream and am almost tempted to go to the grocery store and buy that pre-made crap which is manufactured by 'the dough boy'.
     But I know me. I am going to Google sugar cookie recipes until my eyes cross. I'll consult Foodtv.com and all the bakers I know for a failproof recipe. And I'll go through all the motions again to craft my sugar cookies. If anyone knows of a good cookie recipe.........................I'm listening.

Two-fer-Tuesday {pt. 2} Chubby-butt-check-in 11/23/10

     I do *not* feel sparkley. No, not at all. But I am a girl who likes glitter, so I am sticking with the Two-fer-Tuesday sparkle font right now. This way it make each Two-fer-Tuesday post special and stand out. Oh the joy of that.
     So right now I am being Princess Pissy Pants because I weighed in on W.W. this morning, as per the weekly routine. Being that I have been feeling like crap, have survived since Friday night on salltines, soup, and tea. I figured I'd have lost a nice aount of weight to have made my suffering worth it. But nooooooooooooooooo. When I weighed myself this morning I was ready to fling the scale out the window.

Today's chubby-ass-check-in on November 23rd, 2011 I weighed 151 pounds.
How do I feel about it? I am NOT happy.
What will I do about it? I will start logging getting more exercise, as long as my health is up to it. As I swore last week, to do the Wii fit, but had no batteries. I have gone out and bought batteries, so now I am able to keep my word.

Two-fer-Tuesday {pt.1} I hate being sick

     See that? Like a good little blogger girl, I am sticking to my word, and will post to the world TWO posts on Tuesdays, keeping it Two-fer-Tuesday. Next thing you know...I'll decide only to eat foods which start with the letter "T" on Tuesdays, too....to keep in theme with the Tuesday blog. Then again...most likely not.

     I have been sick. I hate being sick. I really don't know anyone who enjoys actually being sick. But I'm sure there are those out there in the world who do. Because you know, then it makes them feel like they have the right to act like assholes. Anyway I am sick, and I am not happy. I'm really not happy about being sick because (a) I feel like crap, and hate feeling like crap and (b) I am afraid this is going to mess with my enjoyment of Thanksgiving Day. I am a HUGE fan of Thanksgiving Day....from watching the parade, to eating all the yummy food stuffs, to taking a nice big nap and then chowing down again that night. I love the cooking, and all the smells which waft through my kitchen on Thanksgiving Day. But I digress.

     I am sick. I got sick on Friday afternoon, when I was out with friends. What should have been a super fun day turned in to having me stick my head in a bag and barf my brains out while I had one friend begging me not to puke next to her (because then she'd puke), and yet another friend behind me asking if he should document my puking, and sending me text's about not puking. Yep...I have some amazing people in my life who keep things interesting. There were no other symptoms...no sore throat or headache or anything other than the horrid puking.

     Saturday, I still felt crappy, and couldn't hold anything down, so mom forced me to go to the doctor. Still, other than the nausea I had no other ailments. The doctor is someone new, as I just got a new health insurance and he did not exactly appreciate my sense of humor, nor my love of Grey's Anatomy. He did inform me, upon examining me that my ears, nose and throat were all clear. When he depressed on my tummy though, I commented on pains.
     So then as we were wrapping up the exam, he said to me 'Ok, this is what your course of action is. Stop watching those medical shows, and take yourself to the hospital.' Mom and I look at one another, and start laughing (because what kind of instructions are those?) Mom says to him, as we realize he's looking at us like we're insane, 'Are you serious? You want her to go to the hospital?' And he says 'Yes, I do. She may be having gall bladder issues or possibly an appendicitis and I can not test her here as we do not have the equipment.' Now mind you, we were supposed to do our Thanksgiving shopping....so this definitely threw a wrench in our plans. Mom then asks 'Does she have to go to the hospital right now?' And once again, the doctor gives her this incredulous look and says 'YES! If she is having appendicitis you do not want to risk it getting worse.'
     We go to pick up Ida her lunch/dinner as we figure we'd be in the hospital for a while...and off we go to Stony Brook University hospital which gave me the most amazing treatment, and fast-tracked me as well. I had my own privet room in the E.R. with teevee, and as we waited to get me fixed up, got to watch POTC III. The nurses and doctors were  very attentive, and gentle and wanted to get to the bottom of my ailment, as when they pressed my belly the pains were acting up. A sonogram of the gall bladder found that to be ok, however they located a cyst on my ovary. Then I had to drink this goopey stuff which is contrast for the cat scan of my appendix. They made it taste as pleasant as possible, mixing it with Crystal Lite and walking me through every step of what I would feel and how the test would work. The cat scan can back normal, and needless to say my appendix is fine so they discharged me as they could not diagnose the problem.
     I still have the nausea and headache, and today is Tuesday but it is waining. I really think it may just be sinus pressure and back drip although the stupid medical doctor said sinus's were OK. What worries me are the pains in my tummy, but they aren't consistant nor always in the same place. So I will just have to monitor them. Like I said in the beginning of this entry......I *hate* being sick!

Two-fer-Tuesday {pt. 2} Chubby-butt-check-in 11/16/10

So I am chubby....always have been, and probably always will be. I'm Italian. I grew up in a family that when you visited a relatives house they fed you. And you DIDN'T say 'no'. I wouldn't say that I'm a sweets lover...never have been since I was a litte kid. Don't get me wrong....I do enjoy a nice dessert every now and then, but I'm not a big fan of candy, and even the desserts...if it's not there, I'm not looking for it. I like food. GOOD food. And yes, I am a foodie, meaning I enjoy shopping at Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and trying the exotic things which aren't always diet friendly. Let alone watching Food Network.

I follow....(followed?) Weight Watchers, and it is truly a great program. I had a goal weight which I set for myself which was to be 134 pounds for my 34th birthday. Which was in June. Well the birthday came a nd went, and although I was close to the goal weight...didn't reach it. Yeah, I guess that kinda bummed me out. And as usual life happened, and I slowly but surely fell off the Weight Watchers wagon.

So now, here it is November 16th 2010...a week after mom's birthday (no more delish b-day cake) and yet a week before Thanksgiving. I weighed myself like I do every Tuesday morning, and did not like the number on the scale. In fact, I think I stuck my tongue out in response at that damned scale. And at that moment, decided it was time for me to take back control over what I put in my tummy...and get BACK on the Weight Watchers wagon. So this I vow...each Tuesday I will post to you what my weigh-in weight is and how I feel about it. If I made something delicious during the week, will post the recipe too. This weekly chubby-ass-check-in is to help keep me motivated and also to maybe have recipes swapped as well as to offer support and motivation. Because I know a lot of us have diet drama.

Today's chubby-ass-check-in on November 16th, 2011 I weighed 151.5 pounds.
How do I feel about it? I am NOT happy.
What will I do about it? I will start logging my foods down daily and drink more water. Also will get back to Wii Fit since I am not dancing anymore.

BODIES (Musical Fun-a-palooza) {Two-fer-Tuesday pt.1}

Okay....so I was all set to blog this morning, and share some scary stuff about myself...in order to get my chubby-ass back on track with the diet. Then, when I was perusing the blogs which I follow, came across one from my girl Michelle...which made me stop and run upstairs to get my I-pod. You'll see what project she had me work on in just a second. But this also made me decide that on Tuesdays I will post TWO entries, making it Two-fer-Tuesday. Oh aren't y'all so lucky? LoL. So post back my friends...but be forewarned, that my answers with this musical questionaire even scared myself.

Put your music library on shuffle.

For each question, press the next button to get your answer.

You must write that song title as the answer to the question, no matter how silly it sounds! Most of the time they seem to work though, strangely enough.

Ok, go!

1. If someone says, “love,” you say? Honey, Honey- Mamma Mia Soundtrack

2. How would you describe yourself? Killer- Queen

3. What do you like in a guy/girl? Next Go Round- Nickleback

4. How do you feel today? Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me - George Michael & Elton John

5. What is your life’s purpose? Boom Boom Pow- Black Eye Peas

6. What's your motto? Never Gonna Be Alone - Nickleback

7. What do your friends think of you? Release - Timbaland & Justin Timberlake

8. What do you think of your parents? Bella's Lullaby - Twilight Soundtrack

9. What do you think about very often? Summer In The City- Lovin' Spoonful

10. What is 2 + 2? Youu Can Leave Your Hat On- Joe Cocker

11. What do you think of your best friend? California Dreamin'- The Mamma's & The Pappas

12. What do you think of the person you like? Tango Till They're Sore- Tom Waits

13. What is your life story? Gett Off- Prince

14. What do you want to be when you grow up? Flawless- George Michael

15. What do you think of when you see the person you like? Creep- RadioHead

16. What will you dance to at your wedding? Thriller - Michael Jackson
17. What will they play at your funeral? What It Takes- Aerosmith

18. What is your biggest fear? Paper Thin Hymn- Anberlin

19. What is your biggest secret? Fire- Ohio Players

20. What will you post this as? Bodies- Drowning Pool