Changes need to be made...

So folks, in August I am turning the big 2-5. No biggie, I know. But I am starting to notice that my body isn't reacting to things like it used to. Like how I have gained 5 pounds in the past 2 months from not watching what I eat. Like how tight my muscles are after not stretching for...*insert very long time frame here*.

See, when I was a teenager, from 14-22, I was a dancer at a local studio. It was pretty much my life for years and years. We were a competing school, so every fall we worked on choreography and every spring we went to competitions before our big recital. Photo evidence:

Me during my solo, I think I was 20 or 21 here.

I'm the tallest one with the longest leg highest in the air haha

While I know that I will probably never be able to return to this flexibility, I would like to return to that weight and that activity level. I was dancing 5 days a week, now I go to work and come home to sit on my butt. This has to stop.

An online friend is starting a 30 day challenge June 1 and I think I will be joining her. The start date is perfect, we are taking our anniversary trip right before that so while I will try to watch what I eat and such, I won't have to be crazy or too guilty if I indulge a little bit.

For the 30 day challenge, I would like to lose 5 pounds and start working out at least 2-3 times a week. My long term goals include losing 20-25 pounds, getting toned (aka beach body for our Caribbean vacation next year), and working out 5-6 times a week. I also want to finally join the gym. Maybe if I am paying for it, it will motivate me to actually go.

What are your health/fitness goals? Would anyone like to join me on a 30 day fitness challenge?

Welcome to our home, please ring the bell.

So there are things about this house that I don't like. That seem cheap. That I would totally change if I could. Two examples: our doorbell and the front door deadbolt/handle.

Our doorbell disintegrated. It was one that lit up, and is in direct sunlight pretty much all day. So it disintegrated, as in you had nothing to push when you came to my front door. You had to maneuver and push on the thin side that was still kinda sorta there.

Exhibit A. Can we say "Ick"? So Mr D and I went to Home Depot and we picked a new one. One that is halo lit, meaning the actual button doesn't light up but thin area around the button does. And here we are, our pretty new doorbell:

Moving onto the door handle, it was even uglier than the doorbell. The finish peeled off. It started off as "gold". Yes, gold in quotes. Cuz it was cheap. And it too gets direct sun. And all the finish decided it was going to peel off. This is the first thing people see as they enter our home and it was an eye sore. Exhibit B: Door handle:

Ew. So while we were at Home Depot, we wandered down the door handle aisle and I chose a new handle to match our new doorbell. I actually helped to install this, which completely made me want to do all the home improvement projects we have on our list (It doesn't take much for me to make a grandiose plan). After all was said and done, we had a pretty new handle. See?

Unwinding before bed w/ GTKY!

GTKY Sunday over at MannLand5!!!

1. do you weigh yourself? I try not to because it just makes me sad

2. what's the nastiest thing you've ever eaten? Um I will have to go with an oyster. I tend not to eat something if I don't know what it is or how it tastes.

3. snail mail or email? I love love love getting snail mail...but it's mostly email. And I don't get either very often :(

4. do you have any irrational fears...what are they? That what I think or say now can jinx me for future endeavors

5. do you play an instrument? I played clarinet for 7 years...that was 7 years ago, though, as well. So I guess you can say I used to. I don't think I would be able to if I tried now.

6. would you rather be bitten by a snake or attacked by a bear? Bear because I hate snakes!!!!

7. do you ever go braless in public? Nope, never.

8. today i am thankful for........................? My hubby and the fact that we were able to enjoy a MLB game together

GTKY Sunday is back!!!

 Yay it's back!! (Ok so it's been back since last week but I wasn't really paying attention.  It's easy. Copy the questions, answer them in your blog, and head over to mannland5 to link up!!

1. what inspires you? My huband, the future, new books, fresh air...

2. what was the last thing you bought yourself? 7 new books at Borders (Book post to come!)

3. would you rather watch a movie in a theater or from the comfort of your own home? Comfort of my own home. Definitely. Snuggled on the couch with Mr. D, a blanket, and some popcorn.

4. household chore you don't mind doing? laundry (and by laundry I mean putting it in the machine, moving it to the dryer. I am NOT including folding.) I don't mind vacuuming either.

5. coffee or tea? Depends...I usually make a cup of coffee and bring it into work with me, but sometimes I make tea.

6. what could you eat every day and not get sick of?? Mozzarella/cheddar cheese, Panera Bread haha

7. what's the last book you read? *See previous post* I am almost done with Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs (the series that the show Bones is loosely based on)

8. do you think you look you "look" your age? Everyone tells me I look between 2-4 years younger than I actually am. I've had patients get appalled when they find out I'm married because they think I'm 20. There have been a few people that have thought I'm older than I am, too.

Book Catch Up Post

I've read 4 books since I've last updated my 50 books in 2011 goal. Brief review and rating of each book:

Book #3: Shiver- Maggie Steifvater

Young adult novel. The font is blue to match the cover. I gave this book a 4 star rating. Sam is a wolf, Grace is a high schooler who was attacked by wolves as a child and saved by Sam. They fall in love (obvious, right?) This was a good, quick read with a decent plot.

Book #4: Linger- Maggie Steifvater

Sequel to Shiver. The font is green to match the cover, which I found unique. I gave this book 4 stars as well. It was a continuation of Sam and Grace's triumphs and difficulties as a couple. A new character/wolf, Cole, complicates things a bit, almost destroying the pack. Grace and Sam struggle a lot more in this novel than the first making for a more interesting plot. There were times I just wanted to yell at the book! The 3rd book in the series (Forever) will be out in July.

Book #5: My Stroke of Insight- Jill Bolte Taylor

2.5 stars. I picked up this book thinking it was going to be great. The author is a neuroanatomist who suffers a stroke. This book is an account of her lift before, during, and after her stroke. As a physical therapist that sees stroke patients on a regular basis, this was very intriguing to me. However, only a small portion of the book was dedicated to her account. The rest of the book was dry and seemed more like the author was trying to make us all believe what she believes. The brain is a mysterious and powerful part of the body that is capable of amazing things. This book just took a long time for me to get through and wasn't presented in the manner I thought it would.

Book #6: Hex Hall- Rachel Hawkins

5 stars. Sophie is a teenage witch that uses her power in front of too man humans and is sent to Hecate Hall, a school for paranormal teenagers. She doesn't exactly fit in with everyone and makes some enemies along the way. She also finds out more about herself and her family than she ever knew before. This book had a good plot, it sucked me in and I finished it in one day. The sequel, Demonglass, came out earlier this year and I am looking forward to reading it!

I am currently less than 75 pages away from finishing book #7, look for my review!

Source for all photos

In a rut.

This week was a complete bust. I was off on Monday because I worked Sunday, so I took full advantage by relaxing and reading 1 whole book in 1 day.  I took a vacation day Friday and I am so thankful I did. I was feeling so run down and exhausted. Even though I had a doctor's appointment, I took full advantage of my day off. AND it was the warmest day of the year so far (70 degrees!!!) so I got to spend some time outside (without a coat!)

My reading total for the year so far is 6 books, working on 7 and 8 now. I've lost interest in one I started reading. I swear, I've started this book probably 6 or 7 times since I bought it (probably about 12 years ago...no lie.) and I get bored with it every time. Maybe it's just not meant to be.

In other news, I have realized that this is me and Mr D:

We come home from work and sit. He takes the love seat and I take the couch. He has his computer and I have mine. Dinner is something pre made or a couple of pre made items put together. I cooked from scratch on Thursday for the first time in weeks. Then again on Friday: St. Patrick's dinner (1 day late, I know). Came out pretty good if I do say so myself:

We don't talk or cuddle or go out or anything. We are such an old married couple. We discussed it today so hopefully it will be getting better.

So to sum it up, I am in a rut. Any suggestions for me, readers?

Survey

Picked this up from Neely at A Complete Waste of Makeup!

The ABCs of Me!


{a} age; 24


{b} bed size; Queen...big enough for me and Mr D :)


{c} chore you hate; Dishes and putting away laundry
{d} dogs; no dogs, but our cat plays fetch and growls like a dog. That should count a little bit.


{e} essential start to your day: The same dog-cat purring in my face and tickling me with her whiskers.


{f} favorite color; blue


{g} gold or silver; White gold


{h} height; 5'8.5"


{i} instruments you play; I played clarinet for 7 years but I wouldn't know what to do with it now, unfortunately


{j} job title; physical therapist, wife
{k} kids; none at the moment, looking forward to it though!!


{l} live; New England


{m} mom's name; Debbie


{n} nicknames; Mel, Melis, Meyissa


{o} overnight hospital stays; none thus far


{p} pet peeve; people that don't want to do their jobs, people who can't drive or follow the rules of driving, people that walk too slow in the middle of the hall so you can't pass them
{q} quote from a movie; I'm drawing a blank right now...
{r} right- or left-handed; Right!


{s} siblings; none, but I do have a sister in law


{t} time you wake up; 5:45. Sleeping in on the weekends now means 7:30 or 8...getting old sucks


{u} underwear; I have a whole drawer full


{v} vegetables you dislike; bets


{w} what makes you run late; sleeping too late, or not wanting to be early so leaving at the last possible moment


{x} x-rays you've had; teeth, foot


{y} yummy food you make; I make a lot of yummy food!

{z} zoo - favorite animal; elephant, zebra or giraffe