The TMI Post

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I'm typing this under a medicated Nyquil-haze, which probably explains my willingness to out myself on what may be a semi-icky post, but here goes nothing. 

I was talking to BFF Trisha on Thursday, as I drove toward Cincinnati. We were talking about packing and I mentioned that it's always a relief to visit her because even if I forget something, she'll have it. We're the same shoe size, we use the same hair products, exchange clothes and jewelry, etc. We hung up and I continued driving and about an hour later--for no reason I can discern--a lightbulb went off in my head. I called her back. 

"For the love of God," I said. "I forgot to pack the only two items on the planet I can't borrow from you."

"And that would be....?" she asked. 

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The No-Sick Streak Ends

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That's what bragging will get you. I was saying to someone just last week that it had been over four years since I'd had so much as a cold. Maybe the occassional twinge of "Uh-oh, I hope I'm not getting a sore throat," but nothing that lasted over an hour or two. 

This weekend I'm in Ohio visiting my best friend. We drove to Columbus on Saturday to see my cousin and her husband and their new (ADORABLE) baby. On the way back to Cincinnati, I sneezed. That did it. Within an hour I was hacking, sneezing, coughing, and alternating chills and sweating. 

Fortunately, my best friend is the person you want to be around when you're sick. She fluffs your pillow, makes you hot tea and--in my case--fed me Grater's ice-cream. We LOVE her. 

I was not a happy camper on the 7-hour car ride home today, but I made it. I walked in the door, said hello to Blair and the cats and went straight to bed. Sleep heals me, so I plan on spending most of the next 18 hours in bed.

Blair just asked how I was feeling. 

"Like ass," I said. 

"That's my princess," he said. "Always the lady." 

It's good to be home. 

What's the Plan, Stan?

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I'm working on becoming less of a planner. And by "working on" I mean "taking no action other than hoping things turn out the way I want them to." Still, it's a start. 

I live by a plan. I really don't understand how people get by in life without them. It's not that I write down every moment of my day (well, not always), but I typically either review my calendar at night or first thing in the morning and at least make a mental note of what my day looks like. The problem is that if something new pops up--even something fun--I'm often reluctant to let go of the mental plan I had for the day and adjust to make room for the new thing.

Here's an example. Yesterday was beautiful and a friend texted me early to see if I wanted to get in a quick easy run that afternoon. Just to be out and enjoy the weather and each other's company. 

Sounds fun, but wait. Running was not in the plan. I'd already biked that morning. My legs had their workout. So no, no running. Can't do it. It's not in the plan. 

An hour later, I'm staring out at the sunshine thinking how nice it would be to be out there running in it and it occurs to me how stupid I am. This isn't about "exercise." This is about enjoying life and what it offers in the moment. It's sunny. It's pretty out. I have a great friend I get to spend time with. I get to enjoy being healthy and appreciate the fact that my life is set up so I can take off and enjoy an afternoon run. Throw the play book out the window and just go.

So I did.

I need to do that more often. I'm easily freaked out by things as simple as I planned to start my morning writing time at 7 am but now it's 8:30 and oh my God, the day is ruined. Calm. Step back. Readjust. Pull up your big girl panties and just deal with it. 

Can you see the free spirit in me taking over already? Almost there....

Cheers,

Dena

Cheater Cheater, Sugar Eater

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Today's post is a public shaming. I figure if I'm going to brag about the good times, I should be honest about the bad. 

Earlier this week I crowed celebrated blogged about how cutting out sugar had led to some weight loss. Shortly thereafter, I fell off the no-sugar bandwagon. Bumpity-bump-bump. Yesterday at Starbucks I gave in to cravings and enjoyed a dark-chocolate graham square--at 22 grams of sugar! I've also had some bananas and today I ate kale sauteed in orange juice and sprinkled with raisins. I also had some french bread and wine with dinner. How about some sugar with that sugar, sug-ah?  

I FEEL TERRIBLE. As in, physically ill. My stomach is queasy and I've had a small headache that started about two hours after I ate the chocolate graham square and that hasn't gone away since. 

Is it the sugar making me feel bad? I don't know, but it seems a reasonable guess. That's the only thing I've changed in my diet/routine. And after eating each of the sugary items, I felt fine for about 30 minutes and then I just felt... yech. 

This is good. It reinforces the message that I'm better off without the sugar. The kale and occasional banana, fine. But the bread and chocolate need to go bye-bye. (The wine is not going anywhere. Don't even think it.) 

So back to it. No refined sugar. Go team no-sugar!

Just someone, please... keep me away from Starbucks.