Soy latte for Nora.

I kicked off my Friday with a 7:30 dentist appointment for crown preparation. Can you THINK of a better way?! Dr. Z (dentist) had already done Round One of the crown prep last August. After that temporary crown was on, I had a root canal (FUN!). After I got my root canal done, Dr C (endodontist) put the temporary crown back on. Are you sticking with me here? Then one Thursday night, I was eating a piece of licorice and the temporary crown popped off! First of all, CRAP! Second of all, I I had taken PTO for Friday to drive to Wisconsin for Bridesmaid duty! I could have left the crown off until my scheduled appointment...but it was Lisa's wedding weekend and I knew that a gazillion photos would be taken. Call me vain, but I didn't want to be THAT bridesmaid...you know, the toothless one?! So, I called the emergency dentist line and got an appointment for early Friday morning. I had big plans to make the most of my day off and run around the lake and grab a latte that morning before hitting the road to WI...out the window! I don't know what exactly she did to my mouth that morning but if felt like she was using sand paper on my gums -- with NO NUMBING! Placing the permanent crown should be quick and painless (I should know, I have about 17 crowns.) but this was NOT! I called my mom right away, in hysterical tears, calling Dr Z every bad name in the book and vowing to never see her again.
So, A few weeks ago I went in for my regular cleaning and saw a new dentist at the office, Dr L. She was great! She took x-rays and noticed that my NEW crown had been placed incorrectly. She said she would have Dr Z look at the x-ray and call me about scheduling a re-do. UMMmmm, WHAT!
So that brings me to today. Dr Z was very nice and apologetic. There was a shot of Novocaine and a lot of drilling, but I made it out alive. I'm always self-conscious after leaving the dentist while still being numb in the face. I try not to smile or talk too much because I know the chances of drool running down one side of my droopy face is favorable. But this morning wouldn't be so bad because I already had a root canal on that tooth, I wouldn't feel the drilling on the actual tooth. Dr Z just used one shot full of the good stuff to numb up my gums. I left the office exactly one hour after I arrived. I swung by Caribou before heading up to my office. I was feeling good, glad that my dreaded appointment with Dr Z was over and looking forward to enjoying my coffee...until the barista set my cup on the ledge and called out "Soy latte for Nora"

NORA! I better keep to myself for the next couple hours, let the drugs wear off.
Happy Friday, y'all!

xoxo,
l

February Oops, March Goals!

February goals...didn't go so well! Here is my recap:

• Workout five times per week.
  Between soccer, fitness classes at the gym and meeting up with my trainer, Rachel -- I have successfully reached this goal!
  
• Complete my Plank Challenge!
  I stuck with this for about 2 weeks and then I just forgot to do it, then I got lazy and decided that I was over it. I think I will try this again in March with a little less agressive plan of attack!
  
• No shopping.
  My rent was reduced this month, I got my state and federal tax refunds AND my (delayed) holiday bonus...I'm not NOT going to splurge a little bit! I did only buy things that I either NEEDED, have wanted for a long time, is something to keep me motivated to workout and be healthy...and maybe a sparkly dress for Vegas!
  
• Stick to the envelope system.
  I feel like I did a good job of spending and saving this month, but I did not use the good old envelope system.
  
• Cook a healthy dinner twice a week.
  I have been good about cooking dinner and even breakfast for myself! I make protein pancakes on Sunday and freeze them individually. They are so yummy and I really love a hot breakfast that keeps me satisified through lunch. I also have started making salmon for myself! I love Kowalskis (my local awesome grocery store) sells individual, fresh salmon filets!
  

So, here we are. In MARCH! Love that...Spring is close! I mean, it did snow 10 inches yesterday. It was piled so high that I couldn't get my car in the garage. So I left her running in the alley while I shoveled out a path for myself to gun it into the spot. I totally bit it once...but it was a great arm workout! I digress...goals for March:

• Workout five times per week.
  I have been successful about getting in five workouts per week and I know that this will be NBD!
  
• Plank for one minute, three times a week.
  That sounds totally wimpy, compared to my February goal. Gotta be realistic here, friends!
  
• Tuesday weigh-ins.
  This month, I am really focusing on weight loss. I have been food journaling and will kick start a more intense lifestyle change next week. I know that keeping track of my weight is the best way to keep me accountable, so I am weighing in Tuesdays...whether I like it or not!
  
• Properly manage my money, including my monthly savings contribution.
  I have my bank automatically transfer a certain amount into my savings account from every paycheck. I usually don't notice it...let's make sure I really don't notice it. AKA: no borrowing money from savings this month!
  
• Cook a healthy dinner twice a week.
  Let's just keep this one on the list...I have even saved a few recipes that will make a yummy dinner and delicious leftovers!
  
• Visit at least one open house.
  I would like to buy a house in 2013. I want to be as preapared as possible come Fall, when I really start looking. Checking out open houses will help learn what I want in a house and will help me get motivated to save my money!
  
• Be good at the beach!
  I'm going to the beach with my parents at the end of the month. It's always so easy to break the healthy habits on vacation. I know that this is the time to "splurge"...but let's set some rules.
  
  1. Get in some sort of workout everyday. Walking on the beach counts, so does swimming laps in the pool!
  2. Start each day off right with a healthy, low carb breakfast. Bring protein pancake mix and enjoy the Florida oranges!
  3. Try and plan out how you will be eating each day, so that you can adjust accordingly. Eat a lighter lunch before hitting up The Whale's Rib :)

PHEW! That was a long list. Hopefully come April, we will see lots of GREEN!

xoxo,
l

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Today is Fat Tuesday. There was a time in my life when I had spent the past weekend on Bourbon Street, collecting beads and chugging hurricanes with the Phi Delts (Ah! Who am I now??). I did get to live vicariously through some friends via Facebook who have been partying in NOLA for the past few days. I wouldn't be opposed to making that happen again sometime...probably should be sooner rather than later. I'm not getting any younger! Anywhoooo...it's that time when people give something up for Lent. I'm not a Catholic, so I remember growing up this being kind of optional for us Lutherans but I do think about it every year. I did a little Googling to find out with the hip kids are giving up this year. Here are some of the top things that Twitter users are giving up for 40 days (and my consideration for LR's Lent - 2103):

1. Facebook: I mean, I COULD do it...but I would rather not. I hardly ever post anything, but that is my main news source. (Using "news" loosely...baby, engagement, break-up, vacation, etc.)
2. Chocolate: I like chocolate, for sure...but this is something I could proabaly handle giving up.
3. Alcohol: Ha! Not likely, sorry Jesus.
4. Pop: I'm not a big pop drinker, so this would be easy but easy would also defeat the purpose.
5. Coffee: For the safety of others, I'm going to say NO WAY!
   
6. Meat: I could give up red meat, but not my chicken.
   
7. Swearing: I should clean up my mouth a bit...I will put this one on the short list.
   
8. Sweets: I LOVE CANDY.
   
9. Fried Food: I could do this and I should do this. I don't eat much fried food, but I really should NEVER eat it!
   
10. Work: Wait. Is this fer real? Giving up work, must be nice for ya!
    
11. Smoking: I don't smoke...so I can't give it up! OR I could give it up and it would be an easy one. Is that cheating?
    
12. TV: I don't watch much TV, but the season finale of Downton is next Sunday. Will not miss.
    
13. Shopping: Ok, I know that No Shopping was one of my goals for Feb and I have failed. Not to an extreme, but I have shopped. Also, I'm taking a trip to the Lululemon Outlet next weekend, before it closes in March. Can't pass up a good Lulu sale!
    
14. Sex: If I was getting any, I wouldn't be giving it up...but I'm not. Still not giving it up, though...and keeping my fingers crossed.
    
15. Pancakes: I could DEFINITELY give up pancakes.
    

To sum it all up, I will be giving up chocolate (to my best ability), red meat, fried food (exeception: Fish Fry during Birkie weekend) and pancakes.

xoxo,
l

TGIF -- Thank Goodness It's FEBRUARY!

First of all, let me just say that I am so glad January is over. PEACE OUT, J-DAWG! I think it's the hardest month to "get through". The holidays are over, it's dark when I leave the office, it's often gloomy and bitterly cold and Spring isn't quite within reach. February has some fun things coming up...but most importantly, my beach trip is closer, Spring is closer, my Nashville trip is closer and Summer is closer!
I have decided to document some monthly goals...attainable in a realistic timeline. It's my attempt to set myself up to succeed -- GOOO ME! Also, I cannot lie, I LOVE a good list.

• Workout five times per week.
  I have been good about this so far this year, but I want to make sure I stick to it! I'm heading to the beach at the end of March and I want to feel good!
  
• Complete my Plank Challenge!
  I suck at planking. Hopefully this awesome calendar (that I made up, on a whim) will help me strengthen my core...that bikini is calling...aw, crap.
  
• No shopping.
  One exception -- a new winter coat. They are all on sale now and I have been sporting the same one for three years. I have been looking for a while and I think I will make my purchase this weekend. Other than that, no buying random crap for myself, ALL MONTH LONG!
  
• Stick to the envelope system.
  I could not, for the life of me, use this strict budget over the holidays! And now I'm broke ;) No, this has really worked for me in the past and it's time to start really buckling down and saving some CA$H MONEY!
  
• Cook a healthy dinner twice a week.
  This is another thing that I have been doing more of lately and I want to stick with it. Since I am only cooking for one (womp wooomp), my leftovers last a little longer so cooking twice a week really means at least 4 meals.
  

I will post again at the end of the month, telling you about how I ROCKED all of my goals. You know, lost 15 lbs and became a millionaire. I'm sure I will be back before then, with a recipe or something awesome like that. Until then...

xoxo,
l

2013 Intentions.

I'm back! Here to share "intentions" for myself in this new year. There are a lot of them. Most of them are vain and some of them are lofty, but I'm sick of the same same. 2013 brings a milestone birthday for me and I would like to end this year better than any year yet. It's my only option.

• Life.
  be better at my job
  be a better blogger
  sew more
  take more photos
  start dinner club
  visit Nashville
  
• Bank.
  more saving
  less shopping
  envelope system
  take the bus
  do not touch the savings account
  do not use the cc, ever
  
• Body.
  more veggies
  less dairy
  eat breakfast -- carb free
  cook dinner
  pack lunch
  no food after 7pm. 8pm at the very latest.
  exercise -- 4 times a week
  hit the gym at least 12 times per month
  get into Yoga
  limit booze -- max of 2 nights per week
  

"If you do what you always did, you will get what you always got." - Mark Twain

I said it last year and I will say it again, because it has to be true -- the best is yet to come for me, no doubt.

xoxo,
l

Holiday Follow Up

Well, I survived yet another awesomely busy holiday season. Although it IS my favorite time of year and I adore the jam-packed calendar, I'm ready to have more time to relax -- hit the gym, cook fresh and healthy meals, plan a vacation or two and take care of ME!

Here are a few highlights from December 2012...

FAMILY BAKING DAY!

Me, Christine and Hannah making Lefse!


The ladies and some of our tasty treats!

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OUR CHRISTMAS COSTUME PARTY!

A few costumes from the evening...Delicious Dish, "Sisters" from White Christmas"

Aunt Bethanny, Clark Griswald, Grinch characters, Ole the fence builder (??) and SANTA!


The dessert table. YUM!


My lefse bar! (It's a little dark, but you get the idea :)

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LIMO LIGHTS TOUR!

All the ladies with Santa and his elves...I wish I would have gotten a picture of us in front of our white stretch Escalade!

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XXX-MAS DINNER AT WA FROST

Clockwise! Me, Lisa, Lily, Greta, Catherine and Cailin -- after an awesome dinner. Love these ladies like whoa!

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No resolutions for me again this year. I'm sticking with the "New Year's Intentions", just like last year. I have written a few things down that I would like to focus on...maybe I will post about them, maybe not. We'll see. BUT -- I have a good feeling about 2013. Mostly because I have to, because that's who I am.

Peace out 2012, CHEERS! to 2013!

xo,
L

Weekend Recap!

Welcome to Monday!

This past weekend was a great mix of fun and relaxation. It was my last low key weekend before all the holiday celebrations begin, so I tried to be as productive as possible!

On Friday night, I went out for HH and dinner with two of my favorite co-workers (and friends). We had a drink at Crave, then went to Seven for a yummy sushi dinner. After dinner, we headed to Kierans for a Crispin before calling it a night. I was home, all tucked in by 10:30pm. In my opinion, that is a great Friday night! (Old lady alert, old lady alert!)

Saturday morning I got up, packed up my "getting ready" stuff and headed to the gym for Zumba class. Zumba is one of my favorite workouts, so what better way to start a Saturday?! Then I grabbed a coffee and headed over to Grand Avenue for Grand Meander. I met up with my mom and some of her friends for Bloody Mary's, shopping, soup tasting, more shopping, then lunch at The Lex. My grandfather did all the interior woodwork in the bar and restaurant, so we love going there whenever we have the chance! On Saturday evening, Greta came over and we worked on our costumes for the Christmas party...did I mention it's a costume party?! Oh. Well, it is!

Sunday I did laundry, watched football, went to the gym and made a Target run. I also made shortbread cookies for the first step of these bad boys: Salted Caramel Shortbread Cookies. Don't they look delicious?! I knew it wasn't something I could tackle all in one work night. So, I baked the cookies on Sunday and put them in the freezer. Sometime this week, I will do the caramel and chocolate drizzle. Yum...love Christmas!!!

Gearing up for another busy week of work, gym time, baking and other general holiday fun!

xo,
L