(A)Typical Thursday

Morning.

I'm working a half a day today. It's my mom's birthday so I'm heading out to LI for dinner tonight. We were supposed to go to a spa this afternoon but that's not in the cards anymore since we couldn't get an appointment.

It's been quite a difficult few months for us here. My grandmother - my dad's mom - who was almost 98 passed away this morning. She had a million grandchildren and great grandchildren and was sharp as a tack up until the last few weeks. She always talked about the fact that the first blanket she ever crocheted was for me when I was born. She used to rate restaurants with a thumbs up or down.

Red Lobster got a thumbs up.

She was my last living grandparent so it feels more than a little bit weird to me to not to have any at all anymore. :(

I guess the good thing is that she'll be back with my Grandpa now. She said when he passed that she wasn't going to follow right away because she thought he needed a bit of a break from her. I guess she figured he'd had enough time by now.

Anyway...that's the fun stuff going on here.

And I feel doubly terrible because today is the day that I might have some visitors from my chance to guest post at Allison's fantastic blog Green Dog Wine. Welcome!! So happy to have new visitors! I promise things aren't normally so depressing around here!

This is - however - a typical breakfast for me.



That's Simply Jif on a Trader Joe's Whole Wheat English Muffin. Exciting I know.

When I thought I was going to the spa today I was thinking of taking the day off from exercise but I think I'll go to the gym around lunchtime before I head to the train.

Hope you all have a happier day than me and that we can turn my mom's birthday around at dinner.

Do yourself a favor - tell someone you love them today.

Figs and Bacon - 8th St Wine Cellar

Remember my recent obsession with goat cheese?



This dish kicks any goat cheese dish's ass.

I don't know if I can recreate this but I definitely want to try. If not - I think I want to marry the chef at the 8th Street Wine Cellar.

I also enjoyed the Pigs in a Blanket and a half of a slider.



Of course there was wine. 3 of us shared a bottle of Vermentino.



My number for the Yankee Swap 7 out of 10. My chances looked good.





And were! I left with these lovely winestoppers.



Today threatened to be not too much fun. Despite my gain and some work annoyances I had a real easy 3 mile workout today (intervals of incline walking and running for 35 min total). There's a rumor I'm getting a massage tomorrow. I hope so. I need one desperately!!

Time for bed.

No where to go but down....

I'm up a pound - or make that a pound and a half since I gained a half a pound at my last weigh in. Which I know...in the grand scheme of things could be gone tomorrow but...SIGH.

It's really annoying.

I guess what I need to do is pretend like I'm just starting from this weight as opposed to being at the end. I think I'm exercising enough - but I need to focus more on salad, less on sandwiches and stop eating dessert.

That'll be a start at least. Truthfully though - if I can just get to January maintaining my current weight I'll be a happy camper.

I've lost just under 60 lbs since last year. That's certainly nothing to sneeze at.

Lunch today was some pita chips and hummus (unpictured), a half a baked chicken breast (unpictured) and dumplings and broccoli:



I'm going out tonight to see my friends at the 8th St Wine Bar (fun) and have our (unfortunately) annual Yankee Swap (not fun).

Dwight is right. It's like Machiavelli meets Christmas.

I'd protest louder but no one seems to listen. It's just the opposite of the spirit of the holiday in my opinion. If it goes the way I think it will I am absolutely not going to do this again next year. It puts me in a very bad mood instantly.

Well - maybe that's really the extra pound talking - but you know what I mean.

Still Busy

Now that it's December I want to enjoy the holiday season but I'm so incredibly busy I feel like I'm not getting a chance to even breathe.

Thanksgiving was restful but it's been non-stop since then.

Monday I was in the studio all day - starting at around 8 and working till 7 PM then heading to chorus rehearsal right after till 10.

Sigh.

Sandwich thin with PB was breakfast - and this was lunch:



Salad with baked breaded chicken, swiss and a lemon vinaigrette

Dinner was a half a breaded chicken breast with swiss and mustard on a sandwich thin. I had to eat it stealhily during practice so there's no picture. :(

Yesterday breakfast was the same. Lunch...was the same except this time with spinach and fresh mozzarella.



I rushed home to change into my oh so sexy choral outfit (NOT!) and ate a little something - extra sharp cheddar with hummus on an EM.



After the concert we (Mom, Dad and Jen) went out to dinner to L'Express. My goat cheese obsession continues.

Yummy roasted tomato soup...



and warm goat cheese salad. Not my favorite thing ever. Next time the dressing needs to be on the side and there were OLIVES again!!! I wound up spreading the cheese on a piece of bread at the end. And about a third of my mom's burger.



There were profiteroles (shared - obviously)



And the world's best hot chocolate - served in a bowl.



Today is weigh in. I'm not optimistic. I'm expecting either another .5 gain or no change at all. We shall see. A lot of meals out and no Zumba doesn't make me a happy girl. I'm not discouraged - just disappointed. I'm so ready to lose these last 9 lbs!!

Breakfast was Cheerios in skim milk this morning.



I'm going to go to the gym and see if I can repair some damage.

Wish me luck.

Bad blogger (again)

I'll be back in a bit with all sorts of exciting things (not really - unless salad excites you).

Things here are super busy but I'll be able to blog a little later.

Hope you're having a great Tuesday!