Communal Living

This has got to stop! I have moved every year for the past 5 years and I'm tired of sharing walls, hallways, yards, etc. When we moved into these condos, we had a new outlook on life. A 2nd bathroom, colored walls, heaven. The sparkle soon faded and now, I've realized, we're still renters. Last week (or the week before), Downstairs Neighbors -- I don't know their name -- stopped John in the hall to complain about our exercising, well, MY exercising. They "claim" the ceiling was shaking. Thanks for calling me a heifer, DN's. Anyway, supposedly, they were nice about it and non-confrontational and supposedly, the female DN is pregnant, I don't know why that matters but I wanted you to have all the facts. Anyway, I know the Jillian Michaels' Boost Metabolism has a whole lot more jumping than the No More Trouble zones but sometimes, I don't want to just work on my trouble zones. I need to bust out the fat too. So, I suppose I'm stuck with the strength only at home and will get my cardio in outside, at the rec, and at zumba. In my defense, I honestly did not think they were home at the time I was boosting my metabolism. What is it with everyone harshing my cardio?

In other news, I think it will be warm enough this weekend to go to the zoo. WHEEE!

Such a Pretty Fat

This week I started and finished (it was a fast read), Such a Pretty Fat by Jen Lancaster. This is Lancaster's third memoir the other two being Bitter is the New Black (which my library refuses to give me) and Bright Lights, Big Ass (which I read a few years ago). Such a Pretty Fat is the tale of Lancaster's attempts at weight loss. Since weight is always something I have struggled with, and having really enjoyed Bright Lights, I had high hopes for this one. I have to say, I really enjoyed Pretty Fat a lot. I always like when I laugh out loud during a book and this one let me do that a number of times. Lancaster's writing style is very conversational but sometimes I find that a bit more approachable, especially when you're trying to relate to an author of a memoir. Her documentation of the trials and tribulations of realizing how much weight she had gained and then trying to lose most of it in order to be able to write said proposed book was very relatable and just reiterated for me that everyone has trouble losing weight, some more than others. It's definitely worth reading if you're looking for a laugh, or even if you're just looking for a little motivation. Check out her other stuff too! V. funny.

Advantage: Ashley

I braved a Thursday zumba class a couple days ago for the first time in weeks! Of course, my nemesis was there but she was sans posse. I took my position and had really psyched myself up for the class all day. "You're better than her. Don't let her get to you." This was my affirmation. Evil Nemesis was in the back of the class talking to some other students (new posse?) right up until the instructor said, "OK, let's zumba!" She works her way right up next to me, sort of. She was in the row behind me but she might as well have been next to me. So I told myself, just don't look at her. Don't watch her in the mirror. Watch yourself, the instructor and the other half of the class. And I did, and it worked! I just didn't worry about what she was doing. I think I figured it out. She doesn't want to stand in the front row, she just doesn't want to have anyone stand in front of her. Well, tough! You can't stand in the 2nd row and expect there to be no one in the front row. It's a sizeable class and there's not that much room. So, I think I'm winning. We'll see what happens next time her normal posse is there but for now, at least we can co-zumba civilly.

In other news, my birthday came and went without much fanfare. I got some lovely gifts and I want you to meet, Ingrid. She has joined my purse family and while the others are a little jealous of the new kid on the block, I think they'll warm up to her in time. Ingrid is a decent-sized bag which is a big change from what I was recently carrying. I don't really have enough to fill her up, which is fine because she'll be lighter that way, but she's much more business-y and that is what I'm looking for. A bag for when I'm giving people the business. Anyway, here she is! (Picture is from Ebay so not the best quality)

Note to Self

Stop watching the HGTV Sunday Open House which provides hours worth of programming regarding first time buyers, renovations and the like. I am consistently depressed each week by the time I go running and want to cry.

Doggy Tip of the Day

If your dog has hiccups, it is possible for you to help out! Just now (hence the double post), Sadie nestled in next to me after some jackassery this morning involving a CD (which she broke in half). After a couple seconds I realized she had the hiccups. Can dogs get rid of hiccups on their own? I don't know because I always get rid of them for her. Just when she's not suspecting it I yell, "SADIE!" It startles her and her hiccups leave. Now, I know scaring humans is supposed to cure their hiccups as well but that never works for me. I'm glad that this old wives' tale holds true for the canine persuasion. Also, have you ever seen it spelled "hiccoughs"? I think that is just madness.

Toodles!

Change of Heart

I finished Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult a few days ago after not having read anything by her for a number of months. I can read about 3 Picoult books and then I have to switch authors for awhile. Her writing style is very definitive and it sometimes makes all the books seem the same and run together. Moving on, Change of Heart is the story of Shay Bourne, an inmate on death row for the murder of a little girl and her father. He is nearing is execution date and wants to donate his heart to the sister of said murdered girl. Events occur in the prison that lead many to believe he's the second coming of Jesus. Throw in a spiritual adviser who was on the jury that found him guilty and an ACLU lawyer trying to get him hung so that he can donate the heart, instead of lethal injection, and you've got yourself a typical Picoult web of characters. This wasn't my favorite by her. If you've never read Picoult, don't start with this one. I enjoyed her twist, which somehow I never see coming, so that was a plus. The characters, for the most part, were likable enough. So, maybe it was just the story itself I wasn't crazy about. Anyway, it was just okay.

...............in other news.......................

Today is Ashley's Birthday Observed, because my bday falls on a Tuesday. We're going to the Melting Pot. Mmmmm, cheese. Sends well wishes please!

Three Cups of Tea

I definitely finished 3 Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen and some other guy I can't remember 2 weeks ago. Bad blogger. This is a nonfiction work about mountain climber Greg's efforts to build schools among the mountains of Pakistan. It is an incredible story of overcoming every possible obstacle from bad weather to kidnappings and lack of funds. I read it because it's a best seller and I was not disappointed. I was glad to mix in some non fiction and while this review is super short, it's worth the read. Although, I did skim some of it. Oops! Anyway, pick it up.

Good non-book news! After further research, those packages of fatty chicken were indeed mismarked. We have not been unknowingly ingesting mass amounts of fat. Rest assured.