I Promise

When I started this blog and joined Club WW in January, I knew that maintaining both activities through the Fall would be a challenge. I have a job that I love but it keeps me busy from Labor Day until the middle of November. And I mean crazy busy.

10-to-15-hours-a-day busy.

Say-good-bye-to-my-friends-and-family-for-three-months busy.

But I love my blog and I'm stoked about my weight loss success, so I'm making the following promises to myself:

Promise Number One
I will blog even if it's only on Weigh Days and weekends. And I will not bore you with the details of my hectic work life unless it's an amusing anecdote or Great Toilet Paper War update (which we're winning - the dispensers were moved again).

I may, however, bore you with short essays on what I'm eating or how I've re-organized my closet or The Professor's latest shenanigans.

The Professor just loves it when I blog about him.

Promise Number Two
I will continue attending Club WW meetings and maintain my new, healthy eating habits. That means I will not have pizza when it's delivered to the office or drive through Taco Bell on my way home after a late night at work. I will continue to stock my work pantry with quick, healthy snack and meal options.

Which reminds me, I need to buy some vegetables to take to work. Where's my grocery list?

Promise Number Three
I will haul my exhausted, sleep-deprived fanny out of bed at 6:00 at least three mornings a week to walk and jog on the treadmill. If I'm going to enter a marathon in the Spring, then I must continue my work-outs.

Besides, I really love walking in the park on weekends.

Promise Number Four
I will set and reach mini weight loss goals throughout the coming months. My next goal is to weigh 165 pounds by my birthday. That's seven pounds to lose in just under six weeks.

I think that's very doable.

Especially if don't break promises one, two and three.

The Secret to My Success

Dillypoo is celebrating a mini milestone today: The 30 Pounds by Labor Day Goal has been met two weeks early!

Today is Weigh Day and I lost 2.0 pounds this week for a grand total of 30.2. For the first time in more than five years, Dillypoo's weight is close to being under 170 pounds.

And I'm less than 25 pounds from reaching my goal weight, which I haven't seen since 2001.

Happy dance time!

One of my not-so-secret secrets for success is the mini food pantry I created under my desk at work. I'm like a giant squirrel. I've stored my nuts (so to speak) for emergencies:

I'm going to be working some very long hours between now and the beginning of November and it's important that I don't let work derail my journey. I have enough rations tucked away to keep me eating healthy for at least two weeks:

I have more food stashed in the employee fridge. I'd make a good survivalist (assuming survivalists eat copious amounts of canned tuna and WW snack bars).

I also carry these handy measuring spoons in my purse:

They're collapsible, stow away easily and they're a life saver when confronted with a salad bar or a tasty side of creamy restaurant sauce.

In fact, I love these spoons so much I think I'll celebrate my 30 pound milestone by giving a set away. If you'd like to win them, just post a comment and tell me one of your secrets to eating healthy and staying fit (you'll have to email me your address if you're the fabulously lucky winner). You have until midnight Friday night (Texas time).

Now I'm going to go celebrate by ironing a pair of size 12 pants to wear tomorrow. Yippee!

Denim Blues

It's Tax-Free Weekend here in Texas, an official state holiday when clothing and school supplies are sold without sales tax for three full days. The Professor waits all year for this weekend to replenish his uniform supply.

You've seen The Professor's uniform. It's this:

Levi's denim shorts and a white t-shirt. Sometimes he varies the ensemble by wearing a v-neck shirt. Sometimes he wears a hat:

He wore this uniform throughout our summer vacation:

Tax-Free Weekend is when The Professor ventures out of the Sears tool department and into the belly of the store where men's clothing is sold:

Today he looked at dress shirts in an effort to vary his wardrobe. I encouraged him to branch out and try some new styles. I even got him to walk through the mall and into Dillard's, where he stood stoically in the men's department declaring most of the stylish menswear as girlie, preppy or too expensive.

I threatened to disown him. He threatened to make me walk home.

After a full day of shopping, two malls (meaning two Sears men's departments), two discount stores and one sports emporium, we went home with three pairs of jeans and nine shirts, three of them combo deals sold with a matching t-shirt.

Unfortunately, everyone was sold out of Levi's denim shorts.

Head Trip

My head looks like a mushroom. A walking mushroom. He he he he!

Balancing Act

I spent two hours on Sunday trying to balance my checkbook. I hate balancing my checkbook. Kind of like I hate spiders and ugly bugs.

That could be an exaggeration.

Maybe.

I can never get my checkbook to balance. Usually it's because I've forgotten to record an ATM transaction or PayPal purchase. My faulty memory in this area is why I don't have a check card. I figure I'd deplete my checking account faster than you can say "overdraft."

In May I was $201.89 out of whack in the bank's favor. I searched my checkbook for the error and checked my math but couldn't find it. I finally resigned myself to the mistake and deducted the amount in my checkbook.

Ouch.

This weekend I was out of whack again, but it was $244.01 in my favor this time.

For two hours I tried to figure this out. Again, I searched my checkbook for the error and checked my math. Where did it come from? How could I forget to record a deposit? WHY CAN'T I KEEP A BALANCED CHECKBOOK?

I couldn't figure it out. With much hesitation I decided to add the amount to my register.

I'm gonna be really ticked off if my statement doesn't balance again next month.

Of Love and Life

A friend recently commented that The Professor and I are wonderful life partners for each other. I thought that was really sweet, not only because I agree with the statement, but because the remark was so random and unexpected.

The Professor and I have been together almost 18 years. I was recently divorced when we met and he'd been living the starving artist life for a few years. Our connection was immediate and we've been together ever since.

That's not to say the trip has been uneventful or easy. If there's one thing I learned from my failed first marriage is that relationships are hard work.

Very hard work.

My friend's lovely observation was timely. I've been thinking about relationships lately and what makes them successful.

There are two recent brides and a new groom in my office, and they all seem to glow with the joy of their new partners. It's delightful to watch them and listen to their stories as they explore married life.

Some of the bloggers I like to visit are also exploring their relationships online. One is newly engaged while another revels in the wonder of her first baby. One is as in love with her husband today as she was the day she married him a dozen years or so ago. Another is separated from her spouse and yet another is fighting with hers.

What is the secret to staying together? How do you keep the love glowing?

By working at it.

By learning the art of compromise.

By listening and doing.

The Professor and I can both be challenging to live with. He's a worrier and I tend to take things less seriously than I probably should. His glass is usually half empty and mine is usually half full. He is methodical in his decision making and I'm more spontaneous. He's a saver and I'm a spender.

Opposites attract? In our case, a resounding YES.

But opposites also repel, so we work at keeping the attraction strong. We take turns nurturing the other and tending to us.

Like taking a week to wander aimlessly through Kentucky, eating cherries and looking for interesting detours. Or making the bed in the morning.

I've seen both joy and sadness near me lately, which has made me a bit thoughtful and grateful for the love and friendship I share with The Professor.

It's been very rewarding hard work.

Weigh Day Update: I lost .2 pounds for a total of 28.2. I don't think I balanced my diet well last week. I need to make sure I get enough lean protein and more vegetables, especially as I intensify my work outs. But I'm still on track to see 30 pounds lost by Labor Day!

My How Time Flies

How is it that my last post was four days ago? Bad Dillypoo! Guess my week was a bit busier than I thought.

Today I'm helping The Professor get ready for school. He's tenure track at one of the local universities and he has a tremendous amount of paperwork to prepare before classes get underway. It's my job to proofread and help file Very Important Things.

It's also my job to keep The Professor's blood pressure from reaching the boiling point. He hates paperwork.

Since I'm short on blogging time, I thought I'd share a snapshot from this summer's road trip through Kentucky:

Isn't he handsome? We first spotted him on our drive into Mammoth Cave National Park, but I didn't have my camera out. Our paths crossed again the next night during a bike ride that was The Professor's idea of fun. He thought it would be hilarious to take Dillypoo, who hasn't been on a bike in 30 years, out on a rented tandem bicycle on gravel paths through the woods. I survived, but only just.

My next bike ride will be on a bicycle built for one on paved paths here in town.

Working It Out

I've been doing it wrong.

My search for a manual to use the Dual Motion Nordic Rider by Nordic Track has been unsuccessful. I've tried using it a few times, but it was awkward.

So I stopped. I didn't want to hurt myself.

But the little beast kept taunting me. It wanted to be ridden and I wanted to ride it. So last weekend, The Professor and I studied it more closely and determined that the handle bars needed to be moved:

Luckily, The Professor is pretty handy with a wrench. He moved the handle bars for me:

What a difference! I think it's like bench pressing, except I'm pushing against the weight of my own body. It's a great work out for my legs and arms.

I already feel stronger!

I used to daydream about being athletic when I was a kid. I still do, actually. In my mind I can run marathons, hit balls and climb mountains. But I've never been able to do those things.

Because I never tried.

But that's changing now. I've surprised myself at how much I enjoy the exercise routine I've carved out for myself. I actually look forward to getting up an hour early to walk and jog on a treadmill. In a room without air conditioning.

In August.

I love walking in the local park on weekends. I want to walk a marathon in the spring, maybe sooner.

And I'm thinking about taking a Pilates class later this fall after things slow down at work.

This new, active Dillypoo feels good. I no longer get winded going up stairs or break into a sweat walking across parking lots. And I carry myself differently.

I feel it in my posture, tummy and back.

It's a good feeling.

Weigh Day Update: After last week's surprising weight loss I gained one pound. I'm not upset about it like I was the last time the scale showed a gain. I guess my adjusted attitude rolls with these weigh-ins better! I know I'm on track to see 30 pounds gone by Labor Day.

Toilet Paper War Update: The building manager moved the locking dispenser in the first stall. It's still in the way, but at least you can sit on the commode now. No sight of security cameras, though.

The Great Toilet Paper War

Have you heard? There's a toilet paper thief loose in Arlington.

Or so says the management of the building where I work. They started rationing toilet paper earlier this summer in an effort to thwart the thief from running off with the spare rolls kept in nifty little baskets under the sink.

I don't think it occurred to the building management that the toilet paper was actually being used by the building occupants.

Over the weekend they installed new locking toilet paper holders, which threw my entire office into an uproar today and drove me to write the following email:

Dear Building Manager:

I congratulate you on your latest battle maneuver in the Toilet Paper War. I noticed this morning that you have installed locking toilet paper dispensers in the women's restroom. We women on the second floor will most surely cease using your precious paper now. For one, we can't comfortably sit on the commode in the first stall because the dispenser is in the way. Second, the dispenser dispenses the paper in small bits and pieces because the paper rolls neither fit nor roll.

Alas, I fear your latest attempt to curtail our bathroom usage will also fail. Our numbers have not decreased and our hours spent in the building are about to increase (as they always do this time of year). I wonder if your next move will be the installation of hidden cameras to catch the toilet paper thief in action?

Or, could it possibly be that WE USE A LOT OF TOILET PAPER?

Happily, the paper towel dispensers seem to work just fine. While a bit rougher than toilet paper, it is better than nothing.

Insincerely yours,

Dillypoo

Unfortunately, my boss wouldn't let me send it when I made the offer. He seemed to think it had a bit too much "attitude." A more gentle request to move the stupid dispensers was sent instead.

The battle ain't over yet, folks...

Saturday Road Trip

Dillypoo: "What do you want to do today?"

The Professor: "I don't know."

Dillypoo: "Let's go for a drive."

And that's how we ended up hunting dinosaur tracks yesterday.

Dinosaur Valley State Park is about a hour and a half drive away. Of course, we didn't drive directly there. Instead, we meandered through small towns checking out antique stores, drinking iced tea and diet Dr. Pepper, and enjoying a sunny drive through the countryside (looking for bathrooms - I drank a lot of iced tea and diet Dr. Pepper). Before we ever spotted fossils, we saw herds of bison, emus, cows and goats, and drove past a field of sunflowers.

I know, I know! Where was my camera?

We eventually came to a crossroads in Meridian. Which way to go? Waco or Glen Rose? That was an easy one to answer.

Dillypoo: "Let's go see the dinosaur tracks in Glen Rose!"

The Professor: "How far?"

Dillypoo: "About 30 minutes. We can look for a diner to eat dinner along the way."

We're all about small town diners.

The ranger station had a stone dinosaur on the facade. Who says government agencies don't have a sense of humor? They also have two giant dino sculptures originally built for the 1964 New York World's Fair. The T-rex is particularly menacing (even if he's an old-school lizard who walks like a homosapien):

The last time The Professor and I visited the park was more then 10 years ago. The water in the Paluxy River was running pretty high then and the tracks weren't visible. We had to see the casts on display in the ranger center instead.

This time, though, the lack of significant rain in the area meant the river water was low and the tracks very much on view!

This is the scene of a millions-year-old life and death struggle. A plant eating dino was chased by a meat eating dino and their race was forever captured in soft soil that turned to rock:

By this time, the long drive, short hike and dramatic story was making me hungry. A few more snapshots of the beautiful park, and we continued our journey:

I wanted meat. Barbecued meat. Luckily, Glen Rose is home to some of the best barbecue in Texas: Hammond's B-B-Q:

Why is it the best food is always a journey? This dinner was divine. Pure heaven. WORTH THE DRIVE GOOD:

And they topped it off with the best cherry cobbler on the planet. I tried to get a snapshot of it's gooey goodness but The Professor and I ate it too fast.

We made it home just before sunset. I love days like yesterday, spending the day exploring with my best bud, my one true love:

Life is good!

Attack of the Ugly Bug

I'm an arachnophobic. I've been terrified of spiders my entire life. This irrational fear extends to ugly bugs, too. This evening as I pondered something to blog, I was attacked by something that looked like a bug dinosaur: huge, spiny and leggy with unnaturally long antenae.

Eeeeeeeeek!

I had to wake up The Professor to kill it. He was not thrilled about being my savior.

Dillypoo: "Sweetie? Are you awake?"

The Professor: zzzzz

Dillypoo: "Honey? There's a big bug on the keyboard."

The Professor: zzzzz

Dillypoo: "I need you to kill it. Are you pretending to be asleep?"

The Professor: zzzzz

I went back to my desk. Tyrannosaurus bug was still there. I returned to the bedroom and peered more closely at The Professor. I must've blocked the light from the tee vee because he woke with a start to find me staring at him from about two feet away.

Dillypoo: "Um, there's a bug on the keyboard. An ugly bug."

The Professor: (silent, blank stare)

Dillypoo: "Please? Will you kill it for me?"

Although the room was dark, I'm pretty sure my knight in white briefs rolled his eyes. But he loves me and he came to my rescue. Or maybe it was his own rescue. He knew I'd keep us both up all night until it was gone.

Ugly bug was a tough foe. It took five whacks from a rolled up newsletter to smash it. But all is well now. The Professor is curled up in bed with the tee vee again.

And I have something to blog about.

29 and Counting

I spotted a gigantic toadstool in the front yard this morning. I was so intrigued by it that I stopped my car, backed up and parked haphazardly in front of the house to snap this photo. The cap was at least six or seven inches across.

Cool.

But I'm not blogging tonight about mushrooms. Nope. It's Weigh Day and Dillypoo is pleased as punch to announce that she lost 3.6 pounds this week for a grand total of 29 since January!

Nobody was more stunned than I. After all, I ate at Babe's on Sunday!

I am still constantly amazed at what a difference exercise makes. I managed to fit in my treadmill or a walk in the park five days out the past seven. And I cleaned house with a vengeance on Sunday, which I guess counts for some kind of physical exertion.

One of the things I cleaned out on Sunday was my closet. I have officially removed every piece of clothing that was too big for me. I sent four bags of clothing to Goodwill:

Which left my closet pretty bare:

The world is on official notice: Dillypoo will be wearing a lot of jeans and t-shirts for the next few months. Putting together a transition wardrobe while on a weight loss journey can get expensive.

Thank goodness for Super Target!

I Love It, I Love It Not...

I've been thinking about the new Harry Potter movie since seeing it twice on opening day. I had to see it twice in rapid succession in order to fully enjoy the experience.

Because I knew I'd hate it the first time.

It took a second look for me to appreciate it as a good addition to the film series, and as such, I enjoyed it immensely. The films do a marvelous job of pulling me out of my muggle existence and into a world where magic and make-believe are real.

But as a true adaptation of the book, the movie was a disappointment.

I've listened to the interviews with the director and writer, and I grasp and appreciate their love of the series and their quest to bring Harry's world to life. But I still don't like their interpretation. I miss the things they cut and I'm perplexed by some of the things they added.

In the book, Harry takes the final steps away from childhood and begins looking towards the future. Finding love and learning to apparate (the wizard equivalent of learning to drive) are just two rites of passage brilliantly explored in JK Rowling's pages. In the movie, this growth is reduced to ridiculous flirtations and bouts of magically induced insobriety. Movie Harry is a smart aleck preoccupied with girls. Book Harry is a determined young man focused on learning all he can about his enemies while exploring his feelings for the girl who is his soulmate.

The movie simply does not feel like the book.

As harsh as that criticism sounds, I didn't really hate the film. As the sixth installment of the movie franchise, it works. The magical world is as enticing as ever, if just a bit more menacing. The characters are real and it really is a treat to see the young actors skillfully tackle more complex themes and emotion.

And they do manage to include a lot of the details that make the books so easy to visualize. The clutter in Mr. Weasley's garage (did anyone else spot the old motorcycle?), the piles of junk in the room of requirement, the decrepitness of Diagon Alley and the noise of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. Once I got over what was different from the book, I was able to fully enjoy the movie itself.

And that means I'll see it again - just as soon as I can.

Insomniac

The Professor can't sleep. He is the consummate worry wart, which keeps him awake at night. Unfortunately for him, Dillypoo can usually sleep just fine so long as the bedroom is frigid, the ceiling fan is on high and the room is pitch black (and I passed on caffeinated beverages after 3:00 the previous day).

The Professor prefers the television on all night, the ceiling fan off and the air conditioner set on low.

After all these years, we've come to a truce. It was called the last time The Professor turned the ceiling fan off after I'd fallen asleep. I awoke in the middle of the night drowning in a pool of sweat, glanced up at the stationary fan and over at his sleeping hulk, sat up, gave him a whack and screeched something about justifiable homicide while my head spun around and my eyes glowed ominously.

We compromised on the air and fan after that (I win). He gets to lie in bed watching informercials while I snooze with a mask to keep out the flickering light.

We've had to make amendments to this truce over the years. If I fall asleep before he goes to bed, no tee vee (unless he wants a return of the screeching, head spinning, eye glowing beast).

If he falls asleep before I go to bed, the tee vee gets switched off when I crawl under the covers.

If I fall asleep while he's watching tee vee and I wake up at 3:00 a.m. and he's still awake, then I give him an eye glowing death stare and he moves to another room.

This arrangement has brought peace and harmony to our home and relationship.

Last night I waved my hand in front of his eyes at 1:00 and got no response, so I switched off Turner & Hooch. This morning I woke up alone. At some point in the wee hours of the morning, The Professor's worries (or maybe the dog) woke him and he moved to the other room. Which is where I found him, curled up on the couch in front of the television:

Actually, this was the shot taken after my flash woke him up. Posting the first photo on the interwebs could disrupt the peace and harmony in our home and relationship.

Poor thing puts up with a lot living with Dillypoo.