Well, some sad news - Halfway through the UT Biggest Loser competition, I suffered an injury. I strained the muscles in my lower back last week. After spending last weekend and most of this week hunched into a ball while laying on a heating pad... I have started to walk upright like a human again! I went to the Dr. yesterday to find out if I had really hurt myself. For those of you who know me personally - last November, I had 2 bulging discs in my lower back (L4 & L5 for those who know spines!) and was off my feet for almost 2 months. From that, I am now extremely hyper-aware (redundant??) of my back.
I was SO nervous I had done it again. BUT - Doc told me that I had strained it and will be good as new with 2 - 3 weeks of light activity, no heavy lifting and plenty of heat, ice and advil.
Due to this, I have had to withdraw from the program. I will get to keep my leftover training sessions with my personal trainer for when I am healthy. I will keep up with my eating like a champ.
I just won't get awesome undisclosed prizes... but I can deal with that. :)
I have a new goal... I will be spending a glorious 9 days in Wisconsin in July/August and since that in the of their heat wave, I *will* be dressed comfortably in sundresses and the fun corduroy skirts that I have not fit into since 2004.
Bring it on, size 10.
Bring.
It.
On.
(Now I want to watch Bring It On... oh Eliza... you complete me.)
Friday, February 25, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
The Perfect Cheer... er... Song
Today is Valentine's Day. A corporate sponsored hallmark holiday complete with overpriced candy, meal specials and adorable little valentine cards that take me back to my childhood.
As a kid, you had a whole afternoon devoted to running around the classroom shoving your cards into decorated shoeboxes taped to the back of your seat. Eating pink and red cupcakes and OD'ing on sugar candy hearts. I remember how embarrassed I would get because my mom made me make a valentine for each member of my class - INCLUDING the boys. Eeeewwwwww, yuck!
As an adult, it has become a holiday signified by how much you feel your relationship is worth. Candy and flowers? A nice romantic meal? Jewelry?
This has become a holiday geared towards couples when it should be focused on love. Any type of love.
This year, I have sent cute cards out to my parents and my closest friends - just to let them know that I was thinking about them. Love is a 24/7/365 kinda thing. Don't wait until ONE day a year to tell the people who are important to you, that you love them. Don't make it all about that one day.
Anywho - as I am single on V-day for the first time in almost a decade - I have decided to make this a day of excitement for the love that I have and the love that will come my way.
Michael Buble has expressed my sentiments exactly in this song. So, it is on repeat. :)
Enjoy.
And tell someone how much they mean to you.
As a kid, you had a whole afternoon devoted to running around the classroom shoving your cards into decorated shoeboxes taped to the back of your seat. Eating pink and red cupcakes and OD'ing on sugar candy hearts. I remember how embarrassed I would get because my mom made me make a valentine for each member of my class - INCLUDING the boys. Eeeewwwwww, yuck!
As an adult, it has become a holiday signified by how much you feel your relationship is worth. Candy and flowers? A nice romantic meal? Jewelry?
This has become a holiday geared towards couples when it should be focused on love. Any type of love.
This year, I have sent cute cards out to my parents and my closest friends - just to let them know that I was thinking about them. Love is a 24/7/365 kinda thing. Don't wait until ONE day a year to tell the people who are important to you, that you love them. Don't make it all about that one day.
Anywho - as I am single on V-day for the first time in almost a decade - I have decided to make this a day of excitement for the love that I have and the love that will come my way.
Michael Buble has expressed my sentiments exactly in this song. So, it is on repeat. :)
Enjoy.
And tell someone how much they mean to you.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Ouch.
I. Am. Sore.
that's all you get for now... more later! About to go into a scholarship meeting and deal with lots of money... yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!
that's all you get for now... more later! About to go into a scholarship meeting and deal with lots of money... yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Exciting news!
Well, an update on what's been going on with me.
1. As I say everytime, I plan on posting more. I need some serious blog-fiber to get things moving. Maybe this exciting new thing will be just the ticket.
2. The Biggest Loser.
As you know, I work at the University of Tennessee. I am at a desk job for the first time in my life. It has it's Pros.... nights and weekends, whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?! and it's Cons... sitting at a desk for 9 hours a day - no movement at all!
Well, I coerced a co-worker to go to the UT's VOLfit challenge kickoff. UT, Knoxville is competing again all of the other UT campuses to see who can become the healthiest campus in Tennessee. We weighed in and sat through some fun talks. While I was at the event, I picked up a random flier announcing the "UT Biggest Loser" competition. There were 10 slots that you had to "audition" for. It is a 6 week challenge. You meet with your trainer 2x/week and there is a big final weigh in. The winner is based upon most body fat % lost. As the winner, you will receive 6 free personal training sessions and other prizes to be announced later.
Well, I auditioned and GOT IN! Wahoo!
I had my assessment and the gist of it is that I am overweight and out of shape. Believe me. This was as much of a shock to me as it is to you. :0)
The poopy part of this equation is that the competition began on January 31. It is now February 09 and I am TEN DAYS BEHIND!! Yipes!
I made the mistake of being honest on my questionnaire that I had a serious back injury last year. I have gone back and forth with my old Dr.sand my trainer here and FINALLY they have agreed to let me train. Yaaaaaay! So, today at 1:00pm is my first session. I am a little nervous that he is going to kick my ass.
I am also VERY excited! I know that I am 10 days behind everyone else, but I also know that I haev been eating well, I take 2 dance classes a week and walk Sophie 3-4x/day. I am just going to kick it up a notch!
Everyone at work, including my boss, is very supportive! They've got my back.
Please send me some good workout music! I have a feeling I will be spending a lot of time in the gym in the coming months.
Well... considering I *am* at work and will be leaving in the middle of the day to train... I should get back to it.
:)
1. As I say everytime, I plan on posting more. I need some serious blog-fiber to get things moving. Maybe this exciting new thing will be just the ticket.
2. The Biggest Loser.
As you know, I work at the University of Tennessee. I am at a desk job for the first time in my life. It has it's Pros.... nights and weekends, whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?! and it's Cons... sitting at a desk for 9 hours a day - no movement at all!
Well, I coerced a co-worker to go to the UT's VOLfit challenge kickoff. UT, Knoxville is competing again all of the other UT campuses to see who can become the healthiest campus in Tennessee. We weighed in and sat through some fun talks. While I was at the event, I picked up a random flier announcing the "UT Biggest Loser" competition. There were 10 slots that you had to "audition" for. It is a 6 week challenge. You meet with your trainer 2x/week and there is a big final weigh in. The winner is based upon most body fat % lost. As the winner, you will receive 6 free personal training sessions and other prizes to be announced later.
Well, I auditioned and GOT IN! Wahoo!
I had my assessment and the gist of it is that I am overweight and out of shape. Believe me. This was as much of a shock to me as it is to you. :0)
The poopy part of this equation is that the competition began on January 31. It is now February 09 and I am TEN DAYS BEHIND!! Yipes!
I made the mistake of being honest on my questionnaire that I had a serious back injury last year. I have gone back and forth with my old Dr.sand my trainer here and FINALLY they have agreed to let me train. Yaaaaaay! So, today at 1:00pm is my first session. I am a little nervous that he is going to kick my ass.
I am also VERY excited! I know that I am 10 days behind everyone else, but I also know that I haev been eating well, I take 2 dance classes a week and walk Sophie 3-4x/day. I am just going to kick it up a notch!
Everyone at work, including my boss, is very supportive! They've got my back.
Please send me some good workout music! I have a feeling I will be spending a lot of time in the gym in the coming months.
Well... considering I *am* at work and will be leaving in the middle of the day to train... I should get back to it.
:)
Friday, October 22, 2010
Baaaaaaaaaaaaack. For reals this time!
An update of my life – I am still working at the College of Business at the University of Tennessee. I love my job – even though I am just an assistant, I feel as though I am connected to so many of the students.
I am still wanting to go back to school. I am aiming for my masters in Library Sciences – I would love to get involved with promoting literacy in children. That is my main goal. Though, my first step – I would love to focus in records and archiving. Then – get a job with a large theatre (Hellooooooo Met!) and work in their archival department. I could totally see myself wading through ancient photographs and creating digital libraries!
Other than that – not much is going on. Adjusting to single life again, finding myself and realizing what an awesome person I am. ;) There is definitely something to be said for being on one’s own after a long relationship. You don’t realize what you sacrifice of yourself when you are in the moment. Though, totally worth it. ☺ Just because a relationship doesn’t work out in the end, there are 6 whole years of good memories that I will never discard.
Knoxville has been interesting these last few months. I live in an adorable apartment. I just need to finish unpacking it. (yes, I have lived here since June – what’s it to you?!) I have a new comforter, new curtains, new desk (actually… my grandfathers from the 50s, new to me!) and new friends!
I have become really active in my church (http://knoxvilleascension.org) and met a lot of really great people. I am involved in the LAMBS ministry which is all about pets. For St. Frances day, we had a blessing of the animals. It was great! I love being active in a community like this! Church life was something I never expected for my life – I was originally just becoming a member so that my fiancée and I could get married in the church - but it was a pleasant surprise when it turned into more. I still hold on to my previous beliefs, but there is nothing wrong about adding on. I would consider myself Episcopagan. ☺ As a man once said… “can’t we all just get along?!”
I will sign off for now – but let me post some blog ideas here. I will create them AND post them! Now that I am posting them here… it is a promise that they will come up. If they do not come up in the next month, I give you full permission to come to TN and force me to type. ☺
(in no particular order)
1. Introduction of my furry family.
2. My new apartment.
3. Race for the cure.
4. Knoxville.
5. Funny memories from my childhood (WITH pictures)
6. High School memories (with pictures… sorry guys!)
7. College – GC&SU – the early years!
8. College – NCSA
9. Sewing and Cake Decorating Classes
10. Books I am currently infatuated with.
That’s 10 in 30 days… I think it is totally doable. Look… giving myself goals. So grown up. ☺
A picture to tide you over.... Maggie being helpful. (Please excuse the mess... it was a rough time. :) )
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Back from the dead!
My apologies to all of you who read this blog (if anyone...!) for not having posted in such a long time! I have been going through a lot of personal things and have not wanted to bog down the blog with it. :)
BUT - I am back! Summer is blazing on here in Knoxville! I have been filling my evenings with everything under the sun to keep me out of the house and the heat! I am going to the gym, watching my way through LOST with Valerie, taking sewing and cake decorating classes and whatever else I can think of! :) The fruits of my sewing labor will be posted soon. I am very proud of it! My current class is all about pattern reading. I am still confused by it, but I am sure that it will begin to get easier! I can't wait until I can make my own sundresses!
Anywho, technically I *am* at work.... so, I should get back to it! These scholarships can't process themselves!
BUT - I am back! Summer is blazing on here in Knoxville! I have been filling my evenings with everything under the sun to keep me out of the house and the heat! I am going to the gym, watching my way through LOST with Valerie, taking sewing and cake decorating classes and whatever else I can think of! :) The fruits of my sewing labor will be posted soon. I am very proud of it! My current class is all about pattern reading. I am still confused by it, but I am sure that it will begin to get easier! I can't wait until I can make my own sundresses!
Anywho, technically I *am* at work.... so, I should get back to it! These scholarships can't process themselves!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
2 Cupcake Recipes
Ummmm... I have to make these. I am having a housewarming party for my new abode sometime in June - these WILL be making an appearance... omg....
Via: Food in My Beard Blog
We had a family gathering at my parents house this past weekend, and my mom was making 2 different cupcake recipes for dessert. I was glad to help out and get a free post out of the deal. One of these recipes is a mini peanut butter cupcake from food network magazine, and the other is an oreo cheesecake cupcake from Martha Stewart. Both the recipes were huge hits at the party. They were fairly easy and soo good! Unrelated reminder: Battle Peas and Ginger is up on Foodie Fights!
The cheesecake recipe was super simple.
Adding oreo crumbs to the mix.
The cake recipe for the peanut butter cups was also simple, just everything in one bowl and mix it up.
The peanut butter topping was PB chips melted in cream. After this chills, it is whipped.
Piping peanut butter onto the cupcakes.
This is the chocolate that you dip the cupcakes in.
These need to freeze about 15 minutes before dipping so the peanut butter doesn't melt.
The cupcakes went well together.
And the whole family loved them.
I liked to serve the oreo ones upside down.
Yum. I normally go toward chocolaty/peanut butter type desserts, but surprisingly I liked the cheesecakes better!
The peanut butter cupcake recipe is here, but we used this for the actual cake part cause some of the reviews said the cake was bland.
The Martha Stewart Oreo Cheesecake recipe was nowhere to be found on her site! So here is is on 52 Cupcakes.
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