Loni's Life

I swear I feel like I must have the cleanest teeth in the world with all this brushing, flossing, and rinsing with the Rx toothpaste and rinse. Almost done with week #1 and then I get to move to a different Rx rinse. The good news is that I don't see any bleeding at the gumline, so I think this hard work may pay off after all.

http://oneminutewriter.blogspot.com/2009/02/todays-writing-prompt-slogan.html "We're In This Together" is the slogan my BFF and I use for our cycling, dieting, and other work-out journeys. In fact, our HHH Family Team name is "Team WITT"

Here's the re-vamped schedule for my part-time job aka my spring cycling training schedule. This is to allow my cycling partner and I to get ready to tackle the Bike MS Dallas to Ft Worth and the Tour De Cure San Antonio to San Marcos 2 day events during the first and last weekends of May. We are working around her healing carpal tunnel issues; we will be indoors for March and then outdoors in April & May. Then we'll work on the summer training schedule to prepare for the 50-mile Hotter N Hell ride at the end of August and LiveStrong Challenge Austin in October. At this point, we have cut Tour De Pink Houston from the schedule since my cycling partner will be on a cruise which I also hope to be on. We will most likely also cut the October Tour De Cure from the schedule to baby my BFF's knee prior to LiveStrong. Then in the off season, our great orthopaedic surgeon will repair it to give it good rehab time before the 2010 cycling season begins. Week #1 Miles Dat...

Oh the Mental Battles we must fight with ourselves some days when facing the scale. Last week, I was totally prepared to gain big time after missing 4 weigh-ins and was pleasantly surprised with a nearly 4 pound loss. This week I had hoped to at least stay the same, but figured it would be a gain since it is that ever-so-special (not!) time of the month. I mean, I didn't overeat; but I didn't get enough exercise... so it shouldn't have been unexpected that the scale logged a gain.. but somehow, no matter how many times that happens, it is still just a mentally tough thing to get through. It's a new day with a new week ahead... and looking at re-vamping the training plan for Bike MS and Tour De Cure. We've been a bit off-kilter since the Kauai trip. Since my BFF and I were both out enjoying the Hawaiian Sun for 2 weeks, then she had to go to Calif for 2 weeks and I was pretty sick with a nasty cold or flu bugf or most of that time; then she had hand surg...

Ok , I enjoy a good Girl's Day Out of pampering and whatnot... but seriously, who in their right mind would pay $225 to $350 for a fancy schmancy purse/ gymbag ? Check out these bags by Physhion I found this link from Shape Magazine . Of course, these are the same folks that when you look up some of the clothing by their advertisers, you discover $500 sweaters and $400 blue jeans... again NOT for me! Seriously, i think if I were to spend $500 on a sweater, it would probably have meant that I a) won the lotto and b) bought some really super- spectactular yarn and c) knit it myself I mean, I know I'm just a gal that carries like a $12 fanny pack for my essentials... but really $350 to stuff your stinky gym clothes into? I know not me, that's for sure! A $10 duffle bag from Wal -Mart or Target works just fine. And here I was thinking that a Jordana Paige knitting bag was outrageously priced at $69 to $89. Still, I think my $4.99 clearance bag from JoAnn's works qui...

So now I'm in periodontal therapy every 3 weeks for the next 12 to 18 weeks. I get to have each quadrant of my mouth ultrasonically cleaned under the gumlines (oh joy)... and I get to brush with special toothpaste and rinse with special rinses at least twice a day for the duration of this periotherapy. My hygeniest specified that I needed to be ultra-diligent about the home care (flossing, brushing, rinsing morning and night; brushing and flossing after meals would be great as well). At this point, the periotherapy may actually be not only good for my gums, but for my weight-loss goals. Namely because I am cutting out the in between meals snacking 'cause it's a great big pain to have to go floss and brush after every little nibble.

http://oneminutewriter.blogspot.com/2009/02/todays-writing-prompt-close-call.html Hmm ... one close call was when I placed 5 th when I interviewed for one of 4 positions to a promotion as a team lead in a call center environment . I mean I just KNEW I was qualified for this job as did my whole current team... so it was absolute shock and devastation when I learned I had not not been selected. Three months later, they had additional openings and since I had placed so highly in the first rounds, I was given a fast forward into the final round of interviews... and that time, I knew my heart wasn't in it, because I shed not one tear over it. As Lady Luck would have it, a new and different direction would await me in the realm of software development starting as a quality assurance analyst (tester), becoming a part-time programmer, evolving into a Systems Engineer, and even returning to college to finish up my undergrad degree in Business with an emphasis in Information Systems ...

http://oneminutewriter.blogspot.com/2009/02/todays-writing-prompt-award.html Wow.. it's mine, it's mine.. it's all mine.... ok, so they say it's an honor just being nominated.. but oh wow, it's mine. Truly, I am deeply honored to have been included in such an esteemed group of fellow nominees.. yada yada yada.. thank all the cast and crew, directors, producers, yada yada yada... my friends, family, yada yada yada. Thank you, goodnight.

Mocha is such a naughty, naughty brat... today she's been pushing and pulling stuff off of shelves.. but even though she's a naughty brat, I love having her. My home just isn't complete without a kitty in residence.

Project Update... I's sweater was finished in Kauai; but now I need to weave in the loose tails and sew on the buttons. Z's Gumdrop sweater and cap have been finished, but need the rest of the doo-dads and buttons sewn on. I've got a blue 8-hour baby blanket started; but it is now on hold while I work on a pink/yellow 8-hour blanket for R's baby due later this summer. I've got a white/baby sprinkles blankie done for a gift for one of M's friends. My baby alpaca scarf is still on needles nearly 2/3 done. K's sundress is on needles and only 12 rows or so away from working the yoke area. Ha's navy scarf has been finished for weeks now; just needs to take a spin in the wash and dry and delivered to Mamma C... ok, so at this rate he'll have to wear it next winter season. Ira's lap blanket made from Berroco Plush Colors (no pink).. will pick back up on this at the long cycling hours in the gym. One other baby blanket from a Knitting with Debbie Macombe...

Went to the dentist yesterday for an early recall appointment with the hygienist . Aww fooey ... too many bloody spots along the gumline , so now I am back into periotherapy treatments for the next 9 to 18 weeks starting Monday. The good news was that most of the pockets were measuring 2 or 3mm with only a few 4's in the back and no 5's... so that's good. Off to go floss and brush again. I sure hope whatever perio-rinse they put me on this time doesn't turn my tongue blue like a Chow-Chow again; that was no fun. Still... the brushing, flossing, and rinsing is better than having to go thru that awful scaling and root planing.

http://oneminutewriter.blogspot.com/2009/02/todays-writing-prompt-reading.html I remember being in kindergarten and reading the I See Sam readers; we would get Lucky Charms or Cheerios or something like that for reading our pages in our little reading groups. In early elementary school, I can then remember Carolyn Haywood's B is for Betsy and the Betsy-series of books and then Beverly Cleary's Henry Huggins and Ramona the Pest series. later on, it would be the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. By the early teen years, I devoured the Trixie Belden mysteries by Julie Campbell and Kathryn Kenny. Since my late teens, I've been into Romance novels - Kathleen Woodiwiss, Debbie Macobmer, Joan Johnston, Danielle Steele, etc.

Ok, I'm doing a Happy Dance... my last weigh-in at TOPS was BEFORE we left for Kauai, so I've missed 4 weigh-ins... plus it is about time any day now for my special, monthly, hormonal bloat to arrive... so I was fully feeling like I'd be lucky if the scale showed anythng but a 5 pound (or more) gain. So I was pleasantly surprised by a 3.6 pound LOSS. Yippee!! I gotta hand that to the diet of Subway sandwiches whilst enjoying the sun and sand in Kauai; plus probably being sick for the 2 weeks since returning has contributed. Nevertheless, I am relieved that the scale was headed downward.. now just to keep up the trend. I expect to return to my indoor cycling with my partner (not this weekend, but next weekend) in preparation for the DFW MS150 and the San Antonio to Austin 2-day Tour de Cure in May. We've only got about 6 more weeks in the gym and then we'll be outdoors all of April in preparation for our 2 May events.

Q: Can you find what my BFF took a picture of in Kauai? Not too bad considering how far away she was and how quick the thing moved! Hint: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=8947 Answer: See Comments for this post.

Here's a smattering of photos from Kauai taken by my BFF.... the ones with pre-printed dates are from her Kodak digital camera (before it lost all power due to her DH sending her to Kauai with only the USB cable used to transfer pics from the camera to a computer and NOT including the DC charger). The others are from one-time use disposable cameras with actual FILM.

Ok, sometimes you get to spend the day with your significant other, husband, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, whatever.... Other times, you get to spend the day with your BFF. This year, both my hubby and my BFF's hubby had to work, so we opted to go out for a "Girl's Day Out"... we had massages, then we made a trip to the Cheesecake Factory. We had a scrumptious lunch and dessert (of course!) and we even picked up a 6-inch plain cheesecake to take to our adopted little brother's house to celebrate his early acceptance into the school he wants to attend for the next two years. After we saw Mamma C and both of our adopted brothers, we headed to the mall to get pedicures and for my BFF to also get a manicure. There was a wait, so we went around the corner to the bookstore and I loaded up on some calendars for ONLY $1!!! After our nails, we were going to go see a chick-flick ~ either He's Just Not That Into You or Confessions of a Shopaholic ... but the nail place ...

http://www.cbs.com/primetime/survivor/ Woohoo , a new season of Survivor has started. If the twist from the first show is any indication of how this season will go, it ought to be quite interesting. It was about first impressions... the one team, Jalapao in Red, immediately voted out their eldest member; the other team, Timbira in Black, voted out what they thought was their weakest link. Turns out, it was just a vote out of the 4 hour hiking trek to their camp. The two outcasts took a helicopter ride to their new Survivor Camp where they each received Clue #1 to a hidden immunity idol or a recommendation to start working on setting up Camp to curry favor with the teammates that had just outcast them. The elder woman, Sandy, from Jalapao decided to be selfish and go looking for the idol.. she's found Clue #2 but is clueless as to what a "pace" is and appparently what a "lone palm tree" is as well. Since Clue #2 says to continue 10 paces towards the...

Sometimes it takes a village to raise a Dog. So Auntie Loni had to take Sammy to the vet this morning since his Daddy had to work doubles today and his Mama is in California for business. He must have been asleep when I arrived at his house because he was not at the door to greet me. Once he awakened though, he was quite the talkative pup. I know this is because his Mama hasn't been there for nearly a month (except for a couple days between returning from Kauai and leaving for California). So he was chatting up a storm and ready to go for a car ride. Here he is in the car ready to go.. other than the passenger seat, this is his favorite view.. yes, as you can see, it's on the lap of the driver~ he's not content to be a backseat driver, he wants to be right where the action is. At the vet's office he walked around like he owns the place, then got pounced on by their big orange kitty. Normal heart rate, normal temperature, and labs indicate just a simple UTI . So he's...

http://oneminutewriter.blogspot.com/2009/02/todays-writing-prompt-economy.html Buy more yarn... cause it would keep my local yarn store open... then my local yarn store could keep its shelves full... which would keep all those sheep farmers busy raising sheep. Ok, that's the best I can do in a minute.

Please go post a comment... tell Beth that I sent ya...

http://oneminutewriter.blogspot.com/2009/02/todays-writing-prompt-wonder.html Sunrises, sunsets, babies~human or animal.

http://oneminutewriter.blogspot.com/2009/02/todays-writing-prompt-one-hour.html Hmm.. one secret hour where no one else could encroach upon my time with requests and demands.. but just one hour where I could do anything... I think that would probably be easy for me.. knit, stamp some cards, or tie some blankies for Project Linus.

Guess I am still recovering from this bug as I spent most of the day asleep... but the sniffles have improved and the cough isn't triggering the asthmatic wheeze thing... so in accordance with advice from Mamma C, my Dad, my BFF, and my DH, I'm taking it easy, taking meds and vitamin C, drinking plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. I'm a bit behind on DFW MS150 training, but I'm sure I'll be able to make up ground relatively quickly once I can get over this bug.

http://oneminutewriter.blogspot.com/2009/02/friday-fiction-encounter.html Scene: Kindergarten; Actors: Boy, Girl; Scene 1: Boy pulls girl's hair; Girl scream at him and runs away. Plot: Boy meets Girl in Kindergarten. Boy and Girl become best friends; but never romantic friends until..... to be continued (or not).... LOL

Well, I'm on the mend from this goofy head cold. Worked from the office today because 3 hours worth of conference calls makes you yearn for your headset. Plus, I was working on this hot, hot, hot project request and was able to churn out the first draft of some paperwork today. I'm glad it's Friday and that I've got the weekend to relax and recuperate some more.

About once a year around this time, I get nailed with a nasty cold/flu bug.. this year is no exception. I've been down with this bug since Monday night. Stayed at home on Tues and Wed, but at least felt well enough to work remotely from home today. I'm hoping to be back in the office to work on all the HOT HOT HOT projects that I've been slammed with in just the past 48 hours. Today, the sniffles were a bit better; but the cough has been a big pain... coughed so much in the past 3 days that my abs and ribs hurt as if I had been doing lots of crunches.

http://oneminutewriter.blogspot.com/2009/02/todays-writing-prompt-pride.html A job well done, whether by self or others.

"You gots a foo" is what my hubby said to me... big fooey... I hope it is just a cold and not the flu... I'm just congested and coughing; but miserable enough to stay home from the office. I am sure my cubemates appreciate my efforts to keep my germs to myself. My kitty is enjoying me being home.

http://oneminutewriter.blogspot.com/2009/02/todays-writing-prompt-next.html Hmm, what I usually hope for after the next bend in the road is a really great rest-stop. Ok, so maybe that's the biking events talking to me here.

On the Kauai trip this year, I was able to fulfill one more of my initial set of Twenty Wishes... 1. Take a cake decorating class 2. Knit an afghan for someone I love ~ Completed Christmas 2008 for Mamma C 3. Take a ballroom dance class 4. Learn how to line dance 5. Learn to play piano 6. Go skydiving 7. Go to Australia and climb the Sydney Harbor bridge 8. Take an Alaskan Cruise 9. Take an ice skating class 10. Complete the DFW MS150 2-day event 11. Knit an adult-sized sweater ~ My next big knitting project 12. Go on a $1000 clothes shopping spree 13. Swim or dive with dolphins 14. Volunteer to a service for children ~ Completed Jan 2009, am the new lead Stampin' Up! Demo for RMHC Dallas house 15. Complete a triathlon 16. Shark dive in the Bahamas with Stuart Cove's 17. Take karate or tae kwon do class 18. Go zip-lining or rock climbing ~ Completed Jan 2009 with Kauai Outfitters and my BFF 19. Visit all of the Hawaiian Islands (have been to Oahu, Kauai, and Maui) ~ Not there ...

http://oneminutewriter.blogspot.com/2009/02/todays-writing-prompt-stuff.html Oh, pretty baby yarn, I will make a blanket out of you someday. Oh pretty eyelash yarn, I'll make a scarf out of you someday. Oh pretty Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Baby, I'll make a sweater out of you someday. So many yarn projects, so little time. I love my stash!

http://oneminutewriter.blogspot.com/2009/02/todays-writing-prompt-motivation.html Hmm.. I like to eat; I like to pay my mortgage; and I like to pay my bills. Elsewise, I am motivated to do the best that I can because that is just part of the work ethic that has been ingrained in me since childhood.

Oh my, this one was a pretty exciting one. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals. I thought for sure that Pittsburgh would just blow the Cardinals totally out of the water. For a bit there, it was looking like the Cards were going to upset the Steelers. In the end, however, Pittsburgh prevailed to become the first franchise to have 6 Vince Lombardi trophies with a score of 27 to 23.