15 posts from January 2009

In addition to starting Suze Orman Step 3 tomorrow, I am also challenging myself to post every day in February. I'm following in the footsteps of The Happiness Project and Joy Unexpected. I'll probably not be as insightful as Gretchen or funny as Y, but I either need to commit to this blog or let it go.

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Earlier in the month, I mentioned watching Suze Orman on the "Live Your Best Life Now" week on Oprah. At the time, she issued a 3 Step Challenge:

• For just one day, do not spend any money on anything.
• For just one week, do not use a credit card.
• For just one month, do not eat out at a restaurant.

The first two are very easy for me. Something I do all the time. The third would be the real challenge. One I've decided to take on for the month of February. No eating out at a restaurant. I'm including Starbucks, trips to the "little store" (at work) or a convenience store. No buying or eating of any food item that did not come from a grocery store.

The only gimme I will allow is if someone wants to take me out for lunch/dinner/coffee.

This will be especially hard for mom and I on the weekends. We talked about it yesterday and figured we'd spent about $60 on meals Saturday and Sunday (eating together). And, we're both lazy cooks. This will definitely be a challenge!

I think about writing here most every day. I’ve had this title and topic ideas floating around in my head for days. It’s mostly written in my brain. It’s getting it here via the keyboard that’s the issue.

I like Facebook because you can be communicative without really communicating. Know what I mean?

Do you ever hesitate to talk about something for fear of jinxing yourself?

For instance, before Christmas I ran out of Melatonin, which I’ve used most every night for the past 13 years. It helps me sleep. At the time, I couldn’t make it to Whole Foods to get some more and I was going to be on vacation soon, so I let it go. And I slept. All night. After easily falling asleep. It was a miracle.

I was never super-consistent with the Altenolol because of a yucky side-effect. But after I was off the Melatonin a couple weeks, I noticed the PVCs had pretty much stopped.

But I didn’t tell anyone about that either cause I didn’t want to jinx myself.

Then there was the weight thing. The last two years, I’ve had numbers in my head that I’ve not told anyone. I’ve met each of those annual goals. The minute I wrote down this year’s here, I can’t stop snacking. Snacking, snacking, snacking.

Then someone asked about my heart. And I told the entire story. And guess what? I can’t fall asleep easily anymore or stay asleep. *sigh*

Why is that?? I finally broke down and bought some Melatonin this weekend. I took naps to makeup for the late-night fall asleeps and then continued with more late-night fall asleeps. I’m not going to take any tonight and see what happens.

And now, Africa. Friggin’ economy. Here’s how it falls. I have the money. I feel pretty secure in my job. But with things the way they are, should I really be spending that kind of money right now? Should I leave it in the savings, just in case. Thankfully my traveling partners are thinking the same thing. See, I let myself get excited at the possibility and jinxed it all. Yep, the downturn in the economy is totally all my fault. Sorry y’all.

I’ve been involved with the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure almost every year since its inception in San Antonio 12 years ago. I've participated as a volunteer helping with registration, as the volunteer coordinator for the Race, and as a walker.

This year Race has a whole new meaning for me. In 2008, my 84-year-old mom was diagnosed with breast cancer.

From the local Komen chapter, she received a lovely basket of items to help her through the process. She even received phone calls and a hospital visit from a San Antonio board member.

Mom had a mastectomy in October and she takes Femarin daily. Her prognosis is terrific.

Through Race, we can help Susan G. Komen continue their support of women with breast cancer and their funding of local nonprofits providing vital breast cancer screening, treatment and education programs in San Antonio.

I know everyone is tightening their financial belts these days, but that also means more women than ever will need the life-saving services provided with your support. Together, our gifts of $5, $10, $20 or more added together can really make a difference!

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s promise is to save lives and end breast cancer by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures.

For all the wives, mothers, daughters, sisters and friends, please consider making a gift today.

I thank you and my mom thanks you!

Susan

I don't get sick very often. I have my mother's constitution that way. I really had to think hard when the last time was. It was early 2000. I had bronchitis and strep throat about four or five week apart. That was a long Spring.

My allergies have been bothering me about a week now. All the classic symptoms. Sore throat first. Gunk out of the nose. Lost my voice. Gunk out of the nose. Cough. Gunk out of the nose.

I've been using my neti pot and it's been working well. But now, it's in my eye. Started yesterday and this morning it was sealed shut with gunk. I don't take eye stuff lightly. So I broke down and bought some Mucinex. I've used it once in the past and, well, yuck.

If it's not better by tomorrow, I will officially declare myself sick and go to the doctor. My mom has been on me since last Thursday. But, I don't have a fever, I'm not vomiting, so I'm not "sick." I just don't "feel well." There's a difference.

And no, I didn't plot this out so I could stay home and watch the Inauguration live. But, if it works out that way, well hey!

What's the best thing between two slices of bread?
Submitted by Eric.

Peanut butter and cherry jelly. Yum.

Everyone knows I'm a fan of Dave Ramsey, but I recorded the Oprah with Suze Orman this week. Did you know you can download her newest book for free? Go now!

She asked the audience to make one pledge:

• For just one day, do not spend any money on anything.
• For just one week, do not use a credit card.
• For just one month, do not eat out at a restaurant.

Wow. Can you imagine not eating in a restaurant for one month? Me neither!! That's why I think I ought to try!

I've been thinking that one of the things I need to give up this year is "junk tv." You know what I mean. Real Housewives of Orange County. Celebrity Rehab. Big Brother. The Hills. Snoop Dog's Fatherhood. (I swear I don't watch some of those, I was just trying to get the gist across.) I think it would be good to cut some of the crap out. Find more fulfilling things to do with my time. Like try to learn how to knit. Learn Spanish.

But then, I realized that would include True Beauty, a new show by Ashton Kutcher.

True Beauty will feature six women and four men living together in a Los Angeles mansion under the impression that they are competing in a beauty pageant-like reality competition series in which they will be judged solely on their physical beauty.

However, unbeknownst to them, the contestants will also be getting judged on their "inner beauty" and will be put through scenarios that will make them reveal different aspects of their inner character.

The contestant who shows that they are the most beautiful contestant -- on both the inside and out -- will be crowned the winner and receive an undisclosed cash prize as well as a spot in People magazine's 2009 "100 Most Beautiful People" issue.

Dammit. I have to choose NOW to be puritanical.