What I DIDN'T eat!

I decided that with heathy's 10 day health punch, I'd keep a list of all the things that I thought about eating, but didn't. I thought it might make me happy to look back after ten days and see all the things that have kept my love handles from getting too lovable.

MONDAY:

--I didn't take the big cookies offered at lunch, even though they were mini-dark chocolate chip and super soft...

--I didn't eat the donut looming in front of my face at 1:30, even though it was offered to me.

--I didn't drink the soda at 3:00 during my typical "oh i really need a soda" break. Instead, I had some V8.

--I didn't eat oreos with dinner even though I REALLY wanted them

--I didn't buy Ice Cream at the store, and then I didn't eat it before I went to bed!

TUESDAY:

--I didn't get a peppermint soy hot cocoa this morning even though I REALLY wanted it a LOT.

--I didn't eat the day-old donuts that were leftover from yesterday when I didn't eat it yesterday.

--I didn't get a cookie at the little shop across the street when I was really craving one.

--No soda again today! Vitamin Water instead!!!!

--I only took a spoonful of ice cream at home instead of a bowl or scoop

--AND I didn't eat oreos with the ice cream

--AND I went running with Seth. AND I ran an extra lap to make up for the spoonful of ice cream

WEDNESDAY:

--I didn't get cookies for breakfast at the hot chocolate store, even when they offered me some when I decided it was worth it to get a peppermint soy hot cocoa (it's soy so it's less fat, right?)

--I didn't eat Donuts, staring me in the face. 8 times. Didn't eat even one piece.

--My boss has a candy jar in her office. For THREE DAYS I didn't take one piece. And they're the Treasures. And they are DARK CHOCOLATE. Do you know how much patience and restraint this takes me???? I'm tell you people, this is rough.
--I didn't drink Soda today! And only 1 vitamin water and 4 bottles of water.
--I didn't get frozen yogurt at lunch--instead I got a 6" veggie delight with fat free dressing, and apple slices.

--My drive home consisted of the following:
--Ooooooo Jack in the box milkshake!!! No!
--Oooooooo Jamba Juice!!! No!
--Oooo Carls Jr. Shake! No no!
--Another Jack in the box shake?? No, stop!!!
Sooooo, Seth and I went for a run and then ate pasta. I'm now plotting how big of a spoonful of icecream I can get and still report it on my blog as "not too much..." :(

I'll let you know how it goes!!

Ooooo Seth just said we could go get Pinkberry--laters!

Ashley's First Birthday CELEBRATION!

One of the biggest motivating factors for Seth and I to move to Los Angeles (and let's face it, the only thing that's keeping us here!) was being closer to family! I was SOOOOO excited when I heard that Jen was planning a birthday party for Ashley--and that WE were CLOSE ENOUGH to go!!!

This was the first time I have had the chance to meet Ashley, and only the Second time I've got to meet Samuel. They're ADORABLE. Samuel is SOOOO smart, and totally funny, and Ashley is seriously just darling and SOOO lovable. She totally looks like my Mom when Mom was little!

Here's our first meeting:


And with Uncle Seth:


And Here comes Samuel to Join the party!!!



The Party was amazing. Jen seriously is a professional party planner, complete with a custom birthday banner, a full out bbq, japanese lanterns, pinwheels for the kids, and THIS AMAZING CAKE!


Jen made this cake with a butterfly shaped pan and then they put the frosting on with a tip. Isn't that so cute?

Jen's friend took some pictures of the cake eating, which was SO cute. Ashley started with a few licks of frosting off her pointer finger, then slowly moved to picking at the cake, and then she discovered she could pick her nose with frosting still on it, and went to town!

I'm so glad that we got to go join the party. Hopefully we'll have the chance more and more to get to be a part of family celebrations!!

Kindness Spam

I love Heather and her blog "tags". When she asked me what she could call it that wasn't a "tag" I told her to call it SPAM. I thought it was so funny (even though it's not really...) but I also was really excited to do this SPAM!


--The people at Trader Joes are SOOO KIND! We were buying some artichokes for an artichoke dip (that was really yummy and I'm posting the recipe on the recipe blog) and they couldn't find the price, so they gave them to us for .99! And then when we were walking out i told the managers that they had the best customer service, and they all started cheering. The first time i ever went to Trader Joes in DC, the Manager came out and welcomed me to the store and told me she was thrilled that I came. TJ's has some nice people, people.

--The guy who fixed my car window on Tuesday was REALLY KIND. I was worried he was going to steal my car just a little bit because i had to pull it outside the secured parking lot, and then I had to give him my key. He kept assuring me "Do not be worried, I will take care of you and your car, i won't steal it or hurt it, i'm here to fix it!" And that he did. I felt bad that I was distrusting of him, I was just a little jumpy, but he was SOOOO nice in return and kept telling me that everything would be okay (even though i wasn't acting outwardly crazy or anything... :) ).

--Annie cut and colored my hair, and it looks fantastic! I know that Annie has busy days and has a baby to take care of, and that probably the last thing she wants to do is stand for three hours running her fingers through my hair. But she did anyway, because she's KIND. Twice! I love Annie, thanks!!!

--I'm so grateful for all the KIND comments on my blog. I am the worst at leaving comments because I just want to read read read, but it reminds me that little notes and comments mean the world to the blog writer. I mean, it's like validation of one's blogging skills, right? I'm glad for family & friends who provide that validation and support and KINDNESS, it really means a lot to me, thank you!!!!

--Along the same lines, I love the kindness of my friends and family who listen to me ramble in emails, text messages, phone calls, and in-person conversations. I know sometimes I'm a talker and say too much and babble about silliness, but i REALLY think it's a KIND thing when my Framily (that's friends and family) are there to listen and care

--Jamie Benefield, Move in Coordinator. She is really KIND to us. She's done everything she can to help us out in our new place, including a $50 gift card to apologize for all the inconveniences we've faced, and a $50 credit to our parking since we had to double pay this month. She has bent over backwards for us, and I think she's been really KIND.

I'm sure there are a million others, and I might just start making a list and post it later. I love remembering and thinking about all the KINDNESS in the world!!!

The one where they smashed our car window, or, Welcome to California

This morning, 7:09 AM (one minute before my alarm goes off...)

Repeated ringings of our doorbell. Sounds of security walkie-talkies.

Seth went and got the door, and all i heard was "car broken into"

Ironically, I wasn't mad, or panicked, or sad, or upset (i actually think i'm more upset about the fact that i lost and/or threw away our IKEA reciept, and we need to exchange something we got the wrong size of...boo!). I found a sweatshirt and shorts and red shoes and started to walk downstairs (notice: our bedroom is just that disorganized that it took me 14 minutes to find these mismatched items) right as seth was walking back in the door. Mr. Security Guard was right. Someone indeed smashed out our passenger window, stole my iPod and our radio iPod converter (do they call those iCars?) and shuffled through everything else. We don't think we left anything else in the car...so hopefully that's all mr/ms. ipod stealer took. I guess they broke into another car right in front of our house, so it wasn't just us. Ironically, they left the beemer next to us perfectly in tact...I guess they recognize unsecured cars. :(

It's kind of funny to me how ever since we left Virginia (literally) so many things have not gone our way. I guess I thought if anything like this kept on happening that somehow I'd be upset or down about it, but I'm in a better mood than i've been in a long time! Hey, new iPod, right? That's something to look forward to! Also, i got an iPod iCar thing from mom and dad last year for christmas, and have been saving it for a rainy day, and that day has come!!! Also, since we live in a gated community, the management may pay for some of the things we lost, you know, since they aparently weren't patrolling in our corner very well last night. So all in all, not bad!!

I should also mention that last night when we got home, we had a gift card from our apartment management to the grove, with an apology note for so many things being wrong with our apartment. I thought it was so nice of them. One of the girls, Jamie, has especially been helpful and we're really grateful for her. Sometimes there are just little angels among us who really take care of us and make us feel better. :)

Sooooo, all day i've been trying to imagine some kind of california thug, driving around in his car listening to my choice of music: The Sound of Music, Brigadoon, Harry Potter book on iPod, or HSM I & II. Which do you think he'll choose?

Mom's First Manicure!

When we were in Arizona for the reception, Mom and I went to get manicures! Seth took this picture on his phone, and just sent it to me. I love it!!! Wanted to share....

Theraflu

Seth and I have been sick for a whole week!!! Seth started getting sick before the Buddy Walk on Saturday, and it got worse and worse until Wednesday we called Nurse Amy & Dr. Wade, and then went straight to Urgent Care. At Urgent Care I started feeling worse and worse (I was on the edge as it was) and Thursday I was sick sick sick. Work doesn't give sick days for the first 90 days of working, so I toughed it out, even though my bosses were willing to let me go if I needed to. I was sick as could be on thursday night, but work up friday well enough to go to work. I made it through friday, and then yesterday lost it again (literally...haha). Seth is better now, (YAY!) and I think if i lay low the rest of today I'll be on the mend, too.

Soooo, in honor of being sick, I thought I'd dedicate a post to my favorite and preferred medicine. I didn't take any theraflu until this morning, but boy am I sure glad I did!! Something about warm lemony goodness makes my heart happy, and the medicine just hits the spot. Thanks, Theraflu!



It seems like tis' the season for sickness--no fun! Stock up on Theraflu, friends. You won't be disappointed!

Hollywood

When we first moved here, seth and I hiked up to the hollywood sign. We hiked up the wrong mountain, so this is as close as we got!!!


Seth laughs at me whenever I have this "smile". I don't know where it comes from, really. I kind of am starting to like it simply because its so ridiculous.

Buddy Walk!

This last weekend Seth and I drove to Arizona for the Buddy Walk!! For those of you that don't know, Seth's mom Gina runs a non profit for families who have children with Down Syndrome (Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona). Every year they host the Buddy Walk, which is their primary fundraiser and CELEBRATION for families and friends.

The day started out early--we showed up at about 7:30 AM to a park that was already full of volunteers, tents, workers, and families preparing for the 1/2 mile walk and festival! DJ Ron helped everyone get their groove on with some line dances before the walk, and then we lined up, got our pictures with the Phoenix Suns Gorilla, and went on our way!

It is so fun to see all the families who made tshirts for everyone honoring their child(ren). And of course, it's fun to see Gina running around greeting all of her friends. She really has made such a difference in the lives of so many people! CJ was the volunteer coordinator extraordinaire and did so much to make the volunteer campaign run smoothly! I love watching the Johnsons all work together to make things happen :)

After the walk, we got to explore the rest of the Buddy Walk. Annie's sister Katie was helping with the face painting, and drew some beautiful ladybugs all up Emmy's arm. She offered to draw a cockroach on me, but somehow we ran out of time! There were booths for everything! They had free cotton candy, snow cones, ice cream, jamba juice, hamburgers and hotdogs from Charlestons, face painting, coloring, bean bag tosses, cake walks....and even the big blow up trampoline things!! It was pretty much a huge carnival and big day of family fun!!!

David, Seth's brother, is pretty much hilarious. He had a little "camp" set up by the stage with his guitar, about five changes of clothes, food, snacks, and a blanket. He changed his shirt for the different activities (i.e. he put on his boy scout shirt during the pledge of allegiance). His latest nickname for me is "Aye-aye, Skipper" (as he salutes me).

Every year Sharing celebrates an outstanding citizen. This year Sandra won the award! Sandra is an amazing 53 year old woman. A few years ago she was on vacation with her parents in Oklahoma, and a robber held them up at gunpoint. Later that night, he robbed and murdered two other people. When the police were working on the report, they connected these two incidents, and discovered that Sandra would be able to identify the robber, since she got a good look at him and they were able to leave unharmed from the robbery. The police flew her back to Oklahoma to testify, and because of her accurate identification, the man recieved his proper sentence. Sandra was so cute and happy! Her mom was also one of the ladies who lobbied for the first act that has led to people with disabilities full inclusion in schools, so she was honored, too.

I'm so glad we got to go and see what the Buddy Walk is all about--it was a fantastic day!!!