When Overpriced Cable Gives You a Gift

The cost of entertainment these days is ... well, simply put: ridiculous. Taking a family of four to the movie theaters costs almost as much as a date for two at a nice restaurant. The cost of cable ... well, with the exception of our gas bill in the winter, I think it may be the most expensive bill I pay each month. Yes, it's that ridiculous. Full disclosure, we have a "triple-play" package where it's our cable, phone and internet ... but it's still ridiculous. And it just went up this past month, which made me groan.

However, this weekend we have a free preview to Showtime. That means D and I get to catch up on the shows that we normally have to watch via Netflix discs. It's a yay for the snuggling weekend I wanted. So, thank you cable for giving me a little something extra this weekend for the very over-priced service you provide me during all my other days.

The only thing that would make the weekend perfect would be some chocolate and wine. But we've felt so great this week on the cleanse that I think we'll be making some other permanent food changes in the household. Tomorrow starts week 2 which means we add fish, beans, lentil and non-gmo tofu to our meal plan. (D is very excited for these additions ... I'm only moderately excited about the lentil soup I will need to make tomorrow.)

Now ... back to my free Showtime.

Ups and Downs

This has been one trying week.

Monday was a typical day, nothing too exciting. Cleanse was in full swing, and I was feeling good this go round. D even admitted he was feeling good. I had to attend a school district meeting for a committee I'm on and didn't prepare myself with snacks (they serve dinner) so I frantically hunted down a vending machine for a small bag of almonds to satiate my hunger until I returned home.

I knew Tuesday that I was going to be spending my whole day at work at a very intense and involved all-day meeting. On the way to the meeting, my team and I ran into one of our partners who was also supposed to attend the meeting with us. She was walking the wrong way. That's when the horror began. She informed us that a colleague had been found dead. A colleague I've known for almost ten years. A bright, shiny, happy, sparkly, smart and wonderful person. I was in shock. In fact, it rocked everyone's world. Throughout the day my mind would wonder. I had just seen this person the Friday before ... I couldn't believe it. That evening I had another meeting at school to learn about a coaching opportunity for an enrichment program for K. It was exciting and exhilarating, and I wanted to make sure I could help lead my son's team. But it would require some flexibility once a week from work.

Wednesday the gruesome details of my colleague's murder was released. And they were brutal. Sorrow, anger, frustration. So many questions. I couldn't believe the inherent evil of her husband. I wanted to understand why should would have married a man like him. I wept for the little boy who will never know his mommy and who has a monster for a father. I wanted answers that I'll never get and I reflected on how life is short, we don't have all the answers and we must make sure we appreciate the good things in our life.

Thursday I got the news that my flexible schedule was approved so that I could coach my son's team. I was elated (and now nervous because I need to prepare for the team's first meeting!) Food-wise, I was feeling good, D and I were eating lots of great vegetables, enjoying nuts and I was feeling revived and delightful. I love the cleanse - and it's probably why I incorporate many of the meals throughout the year.

Friday the emotional exhaustion of the week just hit me. I got through work, smiled appropriately, worked hard, but I couldn't stop watching the clock for it to be time to return home and snuggle with my guys. Now, we're snuggling watching Frankenweenie (because D really does have to buy every single children's movie that comes out, I swear.) And I'm so happy and content. The only thing that would make this better would be if I could enjoy a nice class of red wine ... but I'll have to wait to do that for another three weeks!

Cleaning it Out

Today embarks the first day of my 28 day cleanse. It's the same cleanse I did last year, where basically you focus on just eating whole foods. In fact the only strict rules are that you cannot eat the following: gluten, dairy, caffeine, alcohol, added sugar and processed foods. Pretty easy right?

Since I did this last January, I am familiar with the pain and pounding headache the first few days may bring on. However, this time I prepared and weaned myself off caffeine gradually. And I am planning on drinking lots of water and herbal tea. I'm hoping that at the end I'll feel light, healthy and refreshed. Especially since D and I are planning on running another 5K in five weeks.

D is joining me on the cleanse. He joined me last year ... and lasted about a week. I'm hoping he'll be able to sustain this time with me. True, we'll have a cheat day in a few weeks because we have a wine pairing dinner that we received as Christmas gift. When I reminded D of the cheat day ... his eyes lit up so big. So, yes, here's to cleansing the inside and the outside and starting 2013 off right (just maybe a little crabby :))

When A Gimmick is Okay

For Christmas, my boys decided to gift me with an item that promises me eternal comfort and warmth. The slanket:

While I am not one for gimmicks normally - this one speaks to me. You see, I struggle to get through January and February ... really struggle. The cold eats away at the very inner core of my soul and starts to turn me number and raw. It takes extra effort to function properly. My usual ability to wake up early and embrace the day are severely harbored. I don't think it's the SAD seasonal disorder because I think that centers around sunlight ... and my issue is purely about the cold. If it is sunny and I can bask in the warmth of the sun, I'm okay ... or if it's cloudy and warm, I'm good. but too cold and seriously I become the tin man who ran out of oil.

This Sunday will mark the beginning of my annual cleanse ... and while that helps a little bit with my great hurt of the season ... because it gives me something else to focus on ... and first week withdrawals give me a different pain to focus on ... and D and I have already picked our next 5K ... the next two months you're going to have to bear me with.

Starting the Year off with a Little Crazy

I always look at New Year's Day as being a tone-setter for the year. Spend it with a headache ... it might be a rough year. Spend it surrounded by loved ones ... you're going to have lots of love throughout the year. So, how did I decided to spend my first day of 2013?

With a little crazy. Yes, I convinced D that we should run the Life Time Commitment Day 5K. I run on a regular basis, with the ultimate goal of being able to run a 5K with great ease. (Unfortunately with the short days and winter ... my "regular" run means Saturdays only right now.) My sis also works at Life Time, and bless her, but she'd been on me to run this since I think October. I told D I was going to do it ... and he said he'd love to do it with me. I looked at him like he might already be crazy (while I run at least once a week ... he hasn't run since we've been together which is 12 years.)

Which brings me to this morning ... with sub-zero temps, lots of layers and thousands of other crazy people ... we started off together on a very brisk run. 

(P.S. note to self: go get your own puffer vest, D's does nothing for your shape!)

In full disclosure, I fully expected I'd have to walk some ... because currently in my training plan I am still doing intervals. I was proud of what I did though ... I think if there hadn't been the handful of inclines that kicked my arse, I may have been able to run the whole thing. (positive thinking, people, positive thinking) I also expected that D (his non-running-training-self) to totally beat me. He did run cross-country when he was younger, and frankly he doesn't have the extra layer of padding that my body seems to want to hold on to. He was only ten minutes ahead of me at the finish line, so that made me feel somewhat better. 

I'm glad I did it, and plan to have it lead to many more over the course of the year. It felt good to push myself. It felt great to do it with a wonderful partner. I loved that we set a good example for our boys. Now, I'm warming up by the fireplace, finishing up updating my goodreads list and then I plan to just sit and read and relax with my boys. 

I couldn't have asked to start out the year any better: pushing myself to prove I can do what I set out to do, surrounded by those I love, enjoying life. If 2013 can deliver that throughout the year ... than it's going to be a good year!