Lucky Begonia

2010-01-17T12:13:00.002-08:00

Saturday, January 16, 2010
I just yummed up a WW smoothie (made with milk) frozen strawberries and peaches, fiber 1 peach yogurt, vanilla and splenda.... to be honest I ate past the point of being satisfied .... now I feel guilty.... I'm trying to figure why I don't just stop but the rest in the freezer for a little be later...... I think it all boils down to the fact that I don't trust myself to allow myself to eat later (I guess I will always be a recovering anorexic even though it is more than 30 years ago)! I have come to realize that I will always have food issues and that is why I'm not trying to get to the low end of my height/weight range.... I know I always risk going over board and I don't want to do that again. I can tell you that food is always on my mind.As far as my indulgence this weekend.... no it isn't food related .... over the Christmas holidays I took 2 weeks of vacation...... the first week was filled with rushing around, shopping, wrapping presents..and always the daily trip to the barn to do my horsey chores.... by the 2nd the week I just wanted to stay at home and not go anywhere, I even resented having to get out of the apt to go to the stables, grocery store and WW meeting.....now being back at work the stress has been very intense and I'm anxiety in bulk everyday.... I know that I need to just "Be" for awhile so I'm trying to not push myself to Have to do anything.......I will go to the barn and I will most likely make it to my WW mtg tomorrow..... I'm sleeping as late as my body and my doggies will let me......I need to get back to "moving more" but I am just not a point to put pressure on myself.....sounds crazy doesn't it. I feel like I want to hit the Pause button on my life! diane

2010-01-17T12:13:00.001-08:00

Thursday, January 14, 2010
Thank you llcomingore for the thoughful comment....i didn't know that dogs could get Alzethimers.either...the Vet said there is one drug used on humans that is also used on dogs....I will probably give that a go...with fingers crossed...Teddy (my Yorkie) has been with me through lifes ups and downs and my weight going up and down over the last 15.5 years.I waiting to find out the monthly cost of the meds and I'm sure the Vet doesn't have them on hand at his office......I don't know whether it is the stress of everything but my points just don't seem enough for me to be satisfied.... I know the solution is activity points..... I just have to force myself out of the dumps and get moving.... tonight is my Belly Dancing classes.... I am prepared with one combo so if I have to do a short free style.... I need to memorize more combo's to feel more prepared for whatever my teacher throws at us tonight.... Next week I'm going to start rehearsals for a performance at the Sweetheart Hafla held at the end of Feb. it is one of the many required performance to complete to move up to Advanced III.... it may be over a year before I'm even close.... I can't get the nerve up to perform a solo....when I do it will mostly likely be done a class graduation ceremony....I will have to select a very small class so it will be less frightening. Off to work.....bye diane

2010-01-17T12:12:00.002-08:00

Tuesday, January 12, 2010
It was a so so day...I did add more filling foods today so I will focus on the things I did well.... I've been on maintenance since the end of Sept. and I know that food will always be an issue for me.... I need to get myself motivate and Move more.....in my head I know I need to but I just can't get myself to do it... I've been knee deep in the "Blues" since a few days before Christmas.... I'm having a terrible time shaking it.... I have moments when I feel like my old self but then I sent back into the blues...... I know I'm the only one that can get myself out of this. I'm off to bed ... a good night sleep will help... I need to get the focus and energy to watch some of my Belly dancing DVD's and come up with some dance combinations.... we are doing free style dancing during classes this month..... it is my least favorite thing to do.... I Freeze.... I so need to do some prep! Night diane

2010-01-17T12:12:00.001-08:00

Sunday, January 10, 2010
Today's WW meeting was good.... perfect timing after being constantly hungry last week.... the meeting topic was Filling food.... I've been on WW since the end of April 2009 and I guess that I lost my focus on how to manage being hungry and I don't like eating small portions.....I feel like I'm missing out or my brain takes awhile for it to reach the satisfied threshold....that is also a good reason why I need to not eat so fast and focus on what I'm actually eating... I tend watch TV while I'm eating so it is easy not to pay attention and the next thing I know I have cleaned my plate : (Last night I tried one of the recipes out of a WW cookbook "Beer Can Chicken low points and very easy and tastie. I also made some low cal gravy from an envelope, Broccolli, green salad with cucumber, cherry tomatoes and Mushrooms on the chicken..... anyway lots of filling foods in that line up so I ate leftovers tonight.Diane

2010-01-17T12:11:00.002-08:00

Saturday, January 09, 2010

Last night I know I was worn out from my action packed work week......and lack of enough sleep (I also have a medical issue - I have too much iron in my blood ..... it has some of the same symptoms-Exhaustion as anemia but can actually kill you if it gets to the point that the iron deposits in your organs).... I used to love it when I could get by on 5 hours of sleep a day. Any way there was so much I wanted to do last night but just didn't have the energy.....So I went to bed and I actually slept for 12 hours straight..... I know that sounds like I'm being a slug but I really could not function today with out getting that rest .... I am so thankful that Teddy and Lucy Lu (my doggies) bought in to sleeping that long... they are the best....this is when I'm glad that I live alone and can make the choose what I do with my time.I have been thinking about things that I want to focus on and do differently in 2010.... I want to take time each week to try out new recipes..... I have several years of the Cooking Light magazine, I have bought about 6 WW cookbooks and 5 of the WW cookbooks/magazine format that I found at the grocery store... it appears that they publish it about 5-6 times a year....usually the title is Recipes in 15 mins Recipes in 20 mins .... they are about $12 and are great.... and then there are the recipes located on this WW website... I tend to eat the same things at each meals for days on end and I need to add variety to my meals... I would love to know what your favorite meals or recipes are.... Please share.diane aka Lucky Begonia

2010-01-17T12:11:00.001-08:00

Saturday, January 09, 2010
Wow.... I can't believe that I haven't posted since Wed....this week has been filled with getting back into the routine of going back to work (vacation for 2 weeks) I don't know whether it has been lack of adequate sleep of too much stress has resulted in me being hungry all day long..... I'm planning to sleep in tomorrow morning as long as my body wants to and as long as my 2 doggies will let me. I will have to let you know how my plan works out......Maybe my body is fighting to get back the 2.2 lbs that I lost unexpectantly.......?diane

2010-01-17T12:10:00.002-08:00

Wednesday, January 06, 2010
I can't remember a day when I have been so hungry the entire day... I don't know what is with me! I haven't been using any weekly flex points since I've been trying to maintain my weight.... Lately I've actually wanted to drop about 5 more lb's .....if I had flex points this is the day I needed them.... I didn't go over board but I just ate some 1/2 the fat Dreyers ice cream..... I hope tomorrow I'm not as hungry! diane

2010-01-17T12:10:00.001-08:00

Sunday, January 03, 2010

My 2nd weigh in for January (you can read my previous blog entry for details) well I was really upset that I had to go and weigh for the 2nd time but it my weight went down by 1.2 pounds..... I'm sure it is a fluke but it made me feel good about the choices I had made during the holidays ..... I intended to celebrate with eating real pizza tonight from Pizza Hut....I decided against it and decided to try Weight Watchers mini pizza at 5 pts a serving......they were great.... I did dress it up a bit with some spicy hamburger, fat free cheese and Classico's pasta sauce with Itailian Sausage...very low pts for 1/2 of a cup and so delicious (a great discovery!)... a green salad, with black eyed peas and with Italian Ranch dressing by Hidden Valley....I only used 1 tbls. I spoke to my leader and she is inspiring me to aim for earning the WW 25 lb. token.... I will have to think about it.... if I'm to lose anymore it is probably going to have to be by exercise.Back to work tomorrow after a 2 week vacation.... I hate to think of what faces me... oh the emails.... hopefully everyone else was on vacation also : )

2010-01-17T12:09:00.002-08:00

Sunday, January 03, 2010
Well my plan is action.... I'm about to go weigh in for my (official) and actullay my 2nd in January..... because I went to a WW meeting and did no weigh in to get into the meeting last Sunday I had to wait until today..... I did as I had planned and went to bed at 2:00 am and thankfully my dogs allowed me to sleep until 11:30....I don't eat or drink until after weigh in (2:30 in the afternoon is a long time for me to go without eating or drinking!) I did weigh in on my WW scale I have at home and it looks like todays weigh in may be better than yesterday's ... I will let you know!.... that would make this fiasco somewht worth it..... I can tell you now that I know it will never happen again! Oh I did check for an earlier meeting in the area that meets at 10:30 on Sundays but the directions were unclear and I wasn't sure if their scales may weigh a little differently..... so I opted to go this afternoon .diane

2010-01-17T12:09:00.001-08:00

On Thursday I dropped by my WW location because I had a question..... I achieved lifetime back the end of Sept so the rules are still new to me.... I went to a WW meeting on Sunday and did a No Weigh in... (I don't weigh weekly offically at the meeting but do weigh weekly at home) but I like to have a record of the meetings I attend.... well that came back to haunt me today.... I went into do my official January weigh in and I couldn't because I had done a No Weigh in on Sunday.... so I can't weigh in until tomorrow.... doesn't really make sense to me as a Lifetime member that hasn't weighed in since 12/01/09.... I can understand why they don't want members to do more than one offical weigh in a week but in this instant it didn't make any sense.....I was upset because I had checked before going in this morning and was told that I would be able to do my offical weigh in today. Why I have an issue with this is the day prior to weigh in I eat less (mainly eat yogurt and a smoothie, eat nothing salty and I don't eat or drink until I weigh in at WW, the meeting tomorrow is at 2:30 that is a long time to go without eating or drinking..... I guess I will stay up really late tonight so I sleep until 12:00 and only have about 2 hours to wait to weigh in....The problem is that I go back to work on Monday and I'm sure I won't be able to go to bed when I need to if I sleep until noon.... so much for planning! The GOOD NeWs is that I actually lost a pound since my official Dec.weigh in..... lets hope that I can do it at tomorrows weigh in.... I hold water so that can really effect my weigh ins..... sorry I'm rambling but I'm upset! diane

2010-01-17T12:08:00.000-08:00

Friday, January 01, 2010
I went to Kohl's to spend my Kohl's $ that I earned with my Xmas spending..... I was about to leave when I saw a sterling silver key necklace (lifetime charm) and I know I had to have it especially since they had an special that hour... I think I got it for 75% off... great find.... I'm planning to start a special James Avery charm bracelet this year to represent my meeting goals....

2010-01-17T12:07:00.002-08:00

Friday, January 01, 2010
Well, I forced myself to go to my Bible studies group New Year's eve party.... reason # 1 I didn't want to go - most all of the people that I have gotten to know over the last 4 months since I began going to the group weren't going to be at the party.... # 2 The guy who had been calling wanting to get to know me better and abruptly stopped after his daughter came home from college (I met her at Christmas service ... she made absolutly no effort to talk to me....and after that that he stopped calling .. she is a Daddy's girl and I guess she didn't want anyone else in the picture) anyway he had RSVP'ed that he was attending.Well even though I didn't want to go I did force myself to go for at least a little while.I was so surprised that HE wasn't there..... I don't know why... of course my mind went to " is he sick.... did something happen to him?" His Best friend and didn't mention anything about why HE wasn't at the party.... my guess he was at home celebrating with his daughter. I probably won't ever know why he wasn't there but the important thing is that I went even though I knew I would be uncomfortable... I ended up staying the entire time and met some new friends..... The 2nd good thing is that I didn't eat a bite of food and came home and ate Taco Soup.... I did allow myself to eat a few bites of pecan pie so I wouldn't feel like I'm denying myself everything..... the only thing I want to eat that I haven't had in 8 months is a good piece of pizza... and not a low calorie piece.... after I weigh in for January I think I will allow myself to have a couple of pieces....I know that food is a good reward but heck it has been 8 months....

2010-01-17T12:07:00.001-08:00

Thursday, December 31, 2009
I ended my last blog post because I had to go have my 1st bone density scan and to my surprise my small part of my hipbones came back as a score of -1.7Between -1 and -2.5 indicates a sign of osteopenia, a condition in which bone density is below normal and may lead to osteoporosis!You could have knocked me over with a feather.... I just did the scan because my dr insisted and my insurance is changing (I will be paying a whole lot more out of pocket in 2010.... boy it came down to the wire the scan was done today December 31st).I came home and took a Calcuim with Vitimin D pill!

2010-01-17T12:06:00.000-08:00

Thursday, December 31, 2009
Slender75... I can't believe that you are also a belly dancer..... that is great! I too need to improve my belly rolls, flutters ect... for me I think it may take years to wake up the muscles that were unused for so long! When I was loading up my pictures on my WW page I ran across pictures from my Graduation (April "08) and I was horrified! With WW help I am less hesitant to show my stomache...although if you notice in the pictures I always have some kind of adornment that covers up my belly.... (the dreaded cellulite I acquired from fast weight gain due to taking medication) I am beginning to accept my body as it is and working to improve it. I turned 50 this year and it did a real head trip on me......I can't tell you how often the thought (I'm to old to do/ to try this) I'm trying to go back to the way I thought at 40- 45 and just do it.....Life is too short. Slender75 I would love to hear more about your BD classes... have you performed? Off to the Dr for my 1st bone scan... how I hate getting up early when it isn't a work day! I' still trying to decide whether I should go to my Bible Studies News Years eve party.... that guy who hasn't called in over a week is going to be there.....not sure I want to be in such a small space (I'm new to the group and don't know that many of the people).... I will let you know.....If I do go I want to look smashing! bye di

2010-01-17T12:05:00.002-08:00

Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Just a little background regarding how and why took up Belly Dancing.... well here goes*A little over 2 years ago I was doing yoga on a daily bases..... sometimes going to classes twice a day.... yes I always go full throttle into new activities*I joined a yoga studio where I could take unlimited classes.....and they offered Belly Dancing.... so I thought why not give it a try .... I had nothing to lose* I immediately feel in love with belly dancing but the teacher at the yoga studio wasn't very good with teaching beginners so I sought out a real Belly Dancing studio*Believe or not one of the largest Belly Dancing Studio is in Bedford Tx * The Studio has a well developed format for advancement (which involves performaning and testing out on choregraphies..... I'm currently taking classes (one and half hour class)3 days a week (makin up for lost time)*The studio is very empowering...... Women of all ages and sizes are embraced and welcomed*We are given opportunities through out the year to perform .... it is really fun deciding on your costume and for me that includes wigs since my hair is salt and pepper and cut in a funky style*I have made so many friends taking classes* It is great exercise and best of all it is so fun it doesn't feel like exercise

2010-01-17T12:05:00.001-08:00

Tuesday, December 29, 2009
It is amazing how with some time off (2 week vacation) how my natural body clock kicks in.... when it is given the option it will have me up until 1:00 - 3:00 in the Morning and to wake up around 10:30 - 12:30 in the morning.....now it is going to be a real challenge come Monday morning but for now I'm loving it : )Update on my lack of motivation...... a little spark kicked in around 12: 00 am and I began to some of my To Do's ...... I have to focus on the fact that I'm making a little progress as small as it may be and I will be satisfied with that and hope that my wanting to get some exercise in on a daily basis is close behind. I attended my weekly WW meeting and it was stressed how we need to eat a varied menu.... I'm terrible about eating the sometime for days and sometimes weeks ..... it seems to work for me.... (I was kind of like that prior to WW). I would love to hear what you look forward to eating each day? I'm into WW strawberry Smoothies with granola ( I get in all my milk and Fruit/Veg for the day), Fiber One Yogurt.with a little granola... love them.... and WW Taco Soup.It's supposed to snow today.... I checked outside and no sign of it yet..... I think I will head to the stables early today to do Gracie's (my horse) daily chores and get back home..... I live in Texas and you don't want to be on the roads when Snow or Ice hit.... it is a wreck waiting to happen! We actually had snow on Christmas eve (a lot of it) and I wasn't able to get to the Family dinner.... I had gotten ready (dressed, made homemade Mac and Cheese, and made about 5 trips to the car to get all the presents in) Well after de-icing my car I headed out scared to death! I got about a mile from my home and began to hydroplane.......I was 5:00 and already dark..... I made the decision to turn around and head home.... and live another day.... I was so upset ... I was the only one who didn't make it.... but I was the only person who didn't have a man to drive them there and I was all alone..... I really wish I was in a relationship! diane aka Lucky Begonia

2010-01-17T12:04:00.000-08:00

Monday, December 28, 2009
Actually I can't remember what the previous blog post was titled : )Come to think about it if I was actually doing some digging I would at least be earning some Activity Points.....I guess I did some actually digging ..... I just got back from the stables ... doing my daily horsey chores which includes mucking her stall. Due to tummy issues Gracie can only eat hay... and lots of it....so there is always plenty to muck. I did get a call from one of my bellydancing friends and just talking to her lifted my spirits some....Progress. All in all I haven't eating my way out of the blues.... just not doing much of anything productive... ie. straightening up my apt. which really needs it and excercising!

2010-01-17T12:03:00.000-08:00

Monday, December 28, 2009
Wow...... I've been in the dumps for the last week.....why do I let a guy get me off track.... I was excited that a guy from my Singles Bible study at church was calling/emailing (the 2 weeks leading up to the week of christmas) and had told me that he was interested in getting to know me. He invited me to join him and his daughter who had come home from college (he had share that she was very much a daddy's girl) to a christmas service ...... I was really excited ...well to net it out I haven't gotten an email or call since that evening.... I keep racking my brain and all I can come up with is that his daughter isn't OK with another gal in his life.....I hate to tell you what a disappointment it was to me.... I'm sure it's not just this recent happening but all the disappoinments that I've had to muddle through over the last 4 years.....Why have I let it get me off track and lower my self worth..... I have been a slug the last week...... basically I have only done the must do's.... family get togethers... I did get myself to my WW meeting yesterday..... I know I need to be pulling out my exercise dvd's (Leslie Sasone or one off my many bellydancing dvd's)..... my belly dancing studio is closed down the last 2 weeks of December so I'm not getting that exercise and not being around my friends there...... all I want to do is sleep..... I know I need to pull myself out of this low and not let another person throw me off my path....I can mentally grasp what I need to do but I just haven't gotten to the point where I can put it into action. Hopefully my next posting will be more upbeat!

Why is my body revolting?

2009-08-16T12:15:00.000-07:00

I've been on Weight Watchers for 4 months... and I swear for the last month my body has been revolting against all my efforts....I have stuck to the plan the only thing that has changed is that I don't wait to exercise everyday or walk on the treadmill for 2 1/2 hours on Saturdays and Sundays...... I have run out of steam! The most I lost is 20.4 lbs, currently at 19 lbs lost..... I really dread weigh ins...... I did talk to the leader and she suggested that I use 1/2 of my exercise points that maybe my body is going in to starvation mode.... I don't know about that but I have eaten a couple of my exercise points. I selected my goal weight..... the max for my height.....I didn't realize that once you achieve Lifetime membership that you can go under your goal weight just not 2 lbs over it. So I'm about 2 lb's away from goal.... that is what I need to focus on! I am loving ATS belly dancing (American Tribal Style) an Instructor must have been trained/certified by Fat Chance Belly Dance ( Carolina N. the creator of ATS) to call yourself an ATS instructor. The ATS classes are taught at a Rec Center and there is currently 3 weeks in between sessions, my goal is to advance to the next level of class by November..... so I'm going to pay for private lessons..... I need the help... I'm nervous about the one on one factor....all eyes on me and what I'm doing in correctly...... I just have to keep my eyes on the goal.... I went to support Tribal Evolution my instructors troupe at Yaa Halla Y'all......it was exciting to see them perform......last year at YAY was the first time and the fire was starting in me! d

Just Now

2009-07-18T20:42:00.000-07:00

Just now getting my exercise in for the day.....I slept until 11:00 not as bad as it sounds I wasn't in bed until 2:00. I was exhausted so I intended to sleep as long as my body needed.... I probably could have slept longer but my poor pug Miss Lucy Lu is crated at night....so I got up for her sake.... she is so undemanding! Anyway I did not want to exercise today .... in fact this feeling of dread began last weekend.I'm trying to work myself through it and just do it but I have to be able to give myself a day off with out quilt!
About 5 years ago a acquired a wonderful LuLu Parr wall hanging and a Lady of Guadalupe alter created by the wonderful artist KC Willis .... in the past at least once a year I would splurge a buy some type of creation by an artist.....for the last 4 years since my break up with Brett I haven't purchased anything....through Blogspot, twitter or facebook I ran across KC Willis again .... lo and behold she had a birthday (she turned 53) about a week ago and she sold her creations at 53% off the normal sale price..... I went crazy and bought 3 pieces and one is really large called Fallen Angels and 2 Annie Oakley pieces....I also bought her workshop on DVD so I too could attempt to create some terrific wall hanging.... of course I had to buy a ink jet printer for the photo transfers... a sewing machine with decorative stitches (I actually have bought 2 sewing machines is the last week.... one may go back...I haven't made my mind up ....I'm waiting for the 2nd one to arrive) This is my flaw....I go way over board when it comes to my passions, Art, Belly Dancing...Books....I do try to keep it in check but sometimes I just go haywire!
Well I have to go back and get another 30 minutes in (Leslie Sasone DVD) Ciao.... di

2009-07-01T23:01:00.000-07:00

Besides re-emerging myself back into Belly Dancing, 10 weeks of working on losing weight and exercising everyday and now I'm feeling the need to express myself creatively.....not sure what form it will take but in the last 2 days I have made 2 trips to Fed Ex (making tons of copies for potentioal art projects) 2 trips to Michael's and a trip to Jo Ann's today....I'm also going to have to go through my boxes where I'm storing my art supplies.... I know I'm buying things that I already have....My inspiration is coming from artist KC Willis, Claudine Hellmuth, Sandra Evertson and Susan Shie...plus Somerset Magazines....they are fabulous!

Oh by the way this afternoon I was watching Mystery Diagnosis on TLC .......they were giving teasers about the story in the 2nd half of the program ...... I knew exactly what was wrong with him.... I had lived it myself less then 2 years ago... a living Hell.....it was Hemochromatosis.....too much Iron in your blood.... if it isn't found out in time you can actually die as the iron is deposited in your organs .....I feel exhaused much of the time....it is hard to continue with life as you knew it... Oh well ....at least when they put a name to what you have you can feel relieved that you are going crazy. Di

Guess what?

2009-07-01T22:56:00.000-07:00

I actually have a 1st date Friday night..... that is the up side, the down side is sticking to my diet....he has asked to take me to dinner....plus there will be wine....Oh well I haven't allowed myself to pursue dating for the last 6 months... mainly due to my need to focus on work but I think I need to take the plunge...scared or not.
Diane

Not so Bad

2009-06-30T09:49:00.000-07:00

Not so bad
I thought this weigh in would be hopeless..... but I just got back and I loss almost 1 lb.... not my best week but heck I didn't gain. Last week I screwed up taking my birth control on time so that may have thrown my body into havoc.....I will just party on and take each day as it comes, I have the tendency to be pretty crazy about dieting ..... as with my new approach to belly dancing I need to just be proud of myself for all I have accomplished and not get so upset when things don't happen on my time frame. I do want to challenge myself to continue to do more than just walking on the treadmill....Over the last 2 weeks I've gone to Latin Rhythm dance class, Aqua Aerobics, Belly Dancing, Lesile Sasone Walking Aerobics w/ weighted balls and Weight Watchers Aerobic DVD. I need to break out one of my 50 Belly Dancing DVD's and give myself a crash course on the basic moves of Belly dancing....it is amazing how much your brain can dump when you are not using the skill.....hopefully it is like other muscle a little fine tune up and it will bounce back into my brain (Massive Stress doesn't help with memory either)!I recently ordered 2 bathing suits from Lands End (for Aqua Aerobics class) the first one arrived and there was virtually no bar in it.....no way was I going to go to LA fitness in a light tangerine colored suit with no bra..... the cool thing was that you can return the items at Sears, no need to ship it back to Lands End..... so when they offer free shipping it off sets the Taxes and if it doesn't work out just head for the nearest Sears.....so Cool... now that is being customer friendly! Di

2009-06-30T07:04:00.001-07:00

Wow..... I just wrote a long hard felt blog entry and poof it was gone......I'm not Happy. Up early trying to decide if I will get up early on a vacation day for my weekly weigh in at Weight watchers ...yesterday I weighed here at home and it wasn't good....up 3 lbs....how is that possible when I've been within my daily points and exercised everyday...granted not my banner week in the exercise dept. but really. I just weighed and I'm about what I was last weigh in may be with the help of some bodily functions between now and 9:30 maybe I will lose at least 1/2 lb. I just don't want there to be a weight gain.... I would be so disappointed. One area where I pushed myself last week was going back to Belly Dancing class at my old studio, I hadn't been in over 8 months ( I had kind of a MeLt DoWn......I was going overboard...pushing myself way too hard.....8 hours or more of classes a week, all the classes learning different dances....plus I had tested out within record time to another level and dealing with some really competitive dancers.....I began to lose confidence in my dancing abilities and it wasn't fun any more and then the Biggie was a huge lay off scare at work.....took every ounce of energy I had ...... trying to make sure I didn't have a huge screw up at work when they were in there decision making of the lucky few who would remain. Just too much Stress) I had recently also gotten rid of all the thousands of dollars worth of costumes, zills, shimmie scarfs, DVD's, Wigs and music but 2 friends asked me if I was still dancing (one blogger friend) and a friend from the studio asked me to come back.... I don't know something just clicked and the desire to dance began to work it way back into my heart (plus I missed the personal identification of being a dancer...silly I know but it was like the creative side of me was wasting away). Well, I took the plunge and called the owner of the studio to ask her #1 would she allow me to return #2 could I come back into the upper level class that I had tested out to be in...... to my surprise she said a big Yes and told me that she had missed me terribly.... Well, I went last Thursday night with the intention of doing it for the love of the dance and when to of the ladies in the class were making fun of others that weren't catching on as fast as they were..... I just thought how silly they were acting..... I may perform at the Huge event in mid August.... if I don't that is OK too. Diane

2009-06-19T07:52:00.000-07:00

I found this fun activity on Senorita's fabulous blog (I took some ?'s out so the #'s are wrong)

1.What Time is it now? 9:52 am
2.What is your full name? Diane Marie
3.Single or taken? Single
4.What does your name mean? Must mean Love
5.Who picked out your name? parents I get to pick my nickname
6.What's your nickname? Di or Birdie
8.What colour are your eyes? Hazel change from green to brown and in between
9.Do you have an innie or an outie? Innie
10.What size are your shoes? use to be a 7 until I had 2 daugthers now 8 - 8 1/2
How tall (or short) are you? 5 ft 3.5 inches
.Honestly what do you like about yourself? My eyes and eyelashes
14.What do you always get complimented on? My hair
15.What is your worst quality? I get overwhelmed lately and need a lot of down time to myself/selfish with my time
16.Do you think you're cute? my personality is cute
18.Hair colour? Salt and Pepper
19.Do you wear contacts? No
20.Living Arrangements? Owned by a Pug and a Yorkie
FAVOURITES*~
21.Favourite Drink? Diet Coke or Iced Tea with a ton of lemons and splenda
22.Favourite month? December Ho Ho Ho
24.Favourite Food? Pizza, Ice Cream Cake, Pie Hamburgers and Chicken fried steak and mashed Potatoes .... no wonder I'm on Weight Watchers
25.Favourite Board Game? prefer card games
26.Favourite Web Site?
27.Favourite Clothing Brand?
28.Favourite day of the Year? Christmas
29.Favourite colour? Have a few Red/Pink/Fushia/Orange
30.Favourite Animal? Pugs
FAMILY AND FRIENDS*
~31.Do you have more girl or boy friends? Girls
33.Are your parents together? Not for a long time
34.How often do you get together with the family? Montly lunchs with my Mom and Aunt & Holidays
35.Do you tell your parents or your friends more? I can tell my Mom anything
36.Anything special about your parents? Mom is a terrific cook and my Dad is always knee deep in an interest....I get those attributes from them : )
40.You Mean? No
42.You can keep secrets? Yes
43.You dance in front of the mirror? Totally, at Belly dancing class
!44.Sing in the shower? no but I do in the car
46.You like Britney Spears? NO
47.You've liked a cousin? yup
48.You've been in the opposite sexes bathroom? by accident
49.You've seriously hurt someone? yes break ups are hard
50.You've been hurt seriously? a lot
53.r u willing to try new things? yes
57.What are you wearing? Pajamas
58.What are you listening to? My dog Lucy Lu chewing on a rawhide.
60.How are you feeling? I just woke up but I'm tired....not getting quality sleep I guess
61 .How's the weather? Hot as Hades
65.What's on your mouse pad? 2 cute Yorkies
66.What books are you reading? Harry Potter series
GIRLS ONLY*~ - down 2 da knitty gritty hey?
67.How many lip glosses do you have? none, I like lipstick glosses feel horrible
68.What perfume do you use? Aromatics
69.What's in your purse? too much to mention
70.Thong or regular panties? Panties
71.Tall or short men? prefer taller
72.Blonde or brown haired guys? Brown
75.Long hair or short hair on men? Normally short
76.What do you find annoying in a guy? always looking for your replacement
77.What's the first thing you notice about guys? smile
OTHER QUESTIONS*~
.What did you have for dinner? Lean Cuisene Parmsean crusted fish broccolli and steamed Mushrooms WW key Lime yogurt and Fat Free Cool Whip.
What are you hoping for? A great relationship, someone to share the ups and downs with
92.What movie do you really want to see? Broken up
95.Where is your favourite place to travel? Want to go to Canada
96.What did you last dream about? Men I've dated
.Last thing you ate? diet bread
98.If you were a crayon what colour what would you be? A swirl of barbie pink, red purple and orange
99.Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? My Daughter Robin and my DaddyO
102.Ever had a crush on a teacher? yes
103.Are you too shy to ask someone out? yes
104.Scary movies or happy ending? Must end happy or I won't watch it
105. Summer or winter? Spring
106. One night stands or relationships? relationships
107.Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate
108.Do you want your friends to write back?it would be fun
111.What did you do last night? Worked late, barn chores Walmart Home dinner and TV
112. What time is it now? 10:21 am

2009-06-12T18:39:00.001-07:00

Wow.....I've been gone for a long time...sorry for that! My focus over the past 7 weeks has been Work of course and Weight Watchers & lots of walking.......I'm seeing a some progress.....15 lbs down since I joined 7 weeks ago. I'm not even sure what my weight loss goal is....my thought is I will know it when I see. The critical mass is gone......it's amazing how you can gain some additional weight and it is like a tipping point....you look huge....I could tell a big difference after I lost the 1st eight.......My first offical goal is 16 lbs and hopefully I should hit that at Tuesdays weigh in..... I want to be a MiNi me of myself.... diane

A Brand New Me

2009-04-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

Well, I made the big step into my 50's, (Scary!). At the beginning of the week (Tuesday) I made the decision to join Weight Watchers.....I figure if I'm going to be 50 I might as well aim for being Fabulous! I have gotten rid of my bad choice foods and restock my pantry and refrigerator (about $350.00)...the good news although I haven't gone to my 2nd meeting I think I've already lost over 3 lbs. Committing to WW I have begun to work out again which is huge.....I haven't worked out since the beginning of December (when they announced the major lay offs at work and I freaked out) It feels better having a plan to take of the lbs. WW has great on line tools to support your weight loss and there is currently no sign up fee which was a plus! Also I have tried Healthy Choice Steamers for dinner and they are great!

Diane

2009-03-26T05:36:00.000-07:00

2009-03-26T05:31:00.000-07:00

Did I do something wrong?

2009-03-02T16:30:00.000-08:00

Does anyone else out there in the land of blogging get excited when you log in and you have and new follower? How cool that someone would be interested in coming back to hear what I had to say......

Does anyone else out there in the land of blogging get sad when you log in and you have lost a follower? What goes through your mind.... boy I must be boring....I know I haven't been faithful in writing new entries....or did I offend them....I guess it is just one of those things that I will never know why!

Hootie hoo my daughter Robin ran her 1st half marathon at the Cowtown Marathon...it was crazy....there were over 17,000 runners.....I felt like a slacker stand on the side lines as a spectator and not participating......it gave me the same feeling as riding in bicycle rallies especially the Hotter than Hell with over 10,000 cyclist....what a rush!

Diane

I'm still here

2009-02-22T10:43:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

It has been forever since I have had the umph to actually write a journal entry....sometimes just making it through what you are going through is difficult enough and to recount in writing is just too much to face.

About 2 weeks ago today I received a frantic phone from the emergency room, my Dad had had a heart attack and the Dr. didn't think he would make through the operation....(he was still recovering from an operation a week and half earlier) ..... come to find out my Dad had actually died in the emergency room but because it happened there they were about to bring him back to life....(Angels were differently looking after him that day!). Anyway the Dr was able to deal with one of the blocked arteries and will operate on the other blockage once he has fully recovered....(there is one blockage that they aren't even able to do anything with it).

Dad come home after nearly a week in the hospital......On Valentines Day Dad was sweet enough to invite me over to have a lovely meal with him and my Step Mother...it was wonderful since I haven't had a sweetie to celebrate Valentine's day with in years.

Up date on my knitting escapades.... when I begin a new hobby I go whole hog and want to have all the bell and whistles...knitting needles of all shapes and sizes, wonderful magically expensive yarns, and books ect. well it floors me in these bad economic times that those that work at small home owned shops would appreciate those people who are choosing to let go of some of their hard earned dollars. The Knitting shop that I have taken my class as is where I have purchase a great deal of items....well I have made a 40 mile trek twice a week to go there.....over the past 5 weeks I have observed that those that should be there to help you seemed to view customers as a burden/interruption in their day.....it really has made me have a bad taste in my mouth, as a newbie to knitting I probably have more questions than an experienced knitter..... I decided not to go yesterday because I didn't want to deal with attitude....I have been dealing with attitude at work by some of the coworkers that have been notified that they are being laid off but are still at work.....they are nice to some of the others that have been chosen to remain but they are icing me.....so I can only deduct that they don't feel that I deserve to remain.....the person who is icing me the most was a friend...so it really has made me feel horrible...
Well enough of my gripping....as of last night I have completed 2 scarfs.....my daughters have each put in request for a scarf.....it is a good thing they want a scarf because that is all I feel like I can do right I have attempted to make a shawl and a shrug and they flopped and I had to pull it out and put it away for a while.......
Anyone out there watching the Bachelor, American Idol, Top Chef, The Amazing Race or the Jockies? If you want to share your thoughts on the show or make prediction on the outcomes please share....I guess that I like a lot of reality shows.....

Diane

The results are in .....at least partially

2009-02-06T09:53:00.000-08:00

Well I have been trying to buck up and sit down and write about last week....last week (Wednesday)it was D day.....thank goodness I wasn't there because my Dad had surgery and I was at the hospital with him. My cell was ringing off the wall with the causalities and all I can say is that it was massive. About 60% of my dept. were laid off...all my friends are impacted.....2 coworkers worked one additional day and the others are working for about 3 weeks to transition, only 2 of those impacted are even interacting with me.....I'm sure they are thinking that it should be them and not me that gets to remain. I'm happy that I'm still there but I also now know that the longer term plans are to move everything up to NY and moving me don't seen to be part of the plan (I will know for certain once the new manager is in place....there may be a slight chance that I could work virtually) so right now I have just been given a longer notice period....maybe up around 2 years...(I'm hoping for at least 2 years and 3 months so I can bridge to retirement and not lose it.....anyway I'm still depress with so many uncertainties. Oh by the way I know why I probably have a short shelf life....the people that have been moved into my friends jobs are at a higher grade level so I'm probably OK enough to help them get up and running but I probably don't cut the mustard long term.....it is so frightening.....it really shakes your confidence up .....I wasn't focused this week at work and felt like I was getting sick (run down and chills yesterday) so I decided to take a vacation day and sleep in....nip it in the bud so to speak.....needless to say I haven't been dieting or exercising at all and I'm afraid to step on the scales until I've returned to exercising....I'm trying not to beat myself up ..... I can only take just so much stress and disappointment. The one good thing is that I have been knitting ..... pulling out a lot of stitches but I'm sticking with it....I have one more class in the beginners series...I will probably wait to move on the the next level ....I need to concentrate on burning what I've been taught into my brain. I have come in contact with a local group a Knitting group (Stitch and Bitch group) I didn't go last night but I will go to the next get together. I would like to have some knitting friends....I've all but decided to bellydance anymore......I've reading a book about people who like to learn many new things and move on and I think I'm like that...we are called "Scanners" people who go full force into something.....learn it...and then move onto the next adventure......the one thing in my life that I have always kept as an interest is quilting......well enough for one entry....I hope all is well in your life : ) diane

Knit One.... Purl Two

2009-01-21T20:21:00.000-08:00

Howdy y'all...as everyone knows I've been experiencing a Major case of the Blues due to the uncertainty at work....(they will probably be informing us who will be laid off and who get the honor of remaining) it is so real now.....I think the day will be next Tuesday or Wednesday.....after the notification occurs everything will change instantly ..... some of my coworkers I will probably never see again. I've been getting every one's personal emails, cell # and address......the day it hits it will be too late. I've taken some of my things home just in case..... I feel like I may putting Bad Mojo out in the universe....but I'm sure the decisions have already been made and gone through Legal review. I would appreciate any and all Prayers.... the anxiety is really getting too me, two years ago I was involved in major Policy Violation Investigation as an investigator....it really had an impact on me ..... so many peoples jobs on the line and all it went on for over 3 months.....after a month my heart was pounding so hard I could count the beats without touching my body......I could sleep ....I just couldn't shut it down....that is when all my other strange symptoms emerged.....about 5 specialists and no real answers other than having too much Iron in my blood and thank God it was caught before it destroyed my organs..... I'm being monitored on an ongoing basis.... Anyway almost 2 months into this Layoff situation my heart is pounding again and I can't sleep.....i do have med's for my stress/pounding heart but it puts on weight and I've had issues with Vertigo.....so I'm really not relying on it to solve my problem.....So recently I read a book about a gal who was going through a shocking divorce and the only thing that got her out of her major case of the Blues was learning how to Knit........she called it the New Yoga.....an activity that is creative and you can just get lost in it. So guess what I did tonight....I went to my 1st Knitting class.....so much fun....I need to be practicing right now ....next week we can elect to do a project, a shawl or a cool scarf.....I want to do the scarf.... any way I bit the bullet and spent the $ not knowing if I would have a job or not but I think it is just what I need with my Stress level being so High. I hope I haven't bored you....oh by the way I also did reactivate my LA Fitness membership....very little $ and it will help me shape up after I have been sitting around for almost 2 months.

Great recipe - Taco Soup

2009-01-10T17:23:00.000-08:00

I found this recipe on someone wonderful on line journal but it has been about a week and I can't remember whose I got it from....so if it is yours please claim in a comment. I just made it and it is really yummy!

Taco Soup
1/2 pound ground beef (Lean beef)
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
one 8 ounce can tomato sauce
1-1/2 cup water
one 16 ounce can stewed tomatoes (I used a can of Del Monte Stewed Tomatoes -Mexican style
one 16 ounce can kidney beans ( I used a can of Ranch Style - Pinto beans with Jalapenos)
1/2 envelope taco seasoning
Corn chips
Grated cheese
Sour cream
aAvacado

Brown ground beef & onion and drain fat when finished. Add water, green pepper, tomatoes, undrained beans, tomato sauce & taco seasoning mix Simmer all ingredients for about 1 hour. Serve soup in bowls topped with grated cheese & crumbled corn chips. An additional topping that's good is a dollop of Sour cream and Avacado. Enjoy!

The Green Mile

2009-01-07T20:37:00.001-08:00

I'm back at work with the rest of the walking dead.......news on the street is that the people being impacted by the layoff will be informed on January 28th....the stress is getting to everyone.....tonight I got home around 7:30 and I was so tired I dropped the groceries on the counter, put a few things in the fridge and I couldn't get to the bed fast enough......Boy I had a flash back to 2 years ago when exhaustion would hit out of no where and I would almost have to lay down where every I was...I'm sure this extreme stress is bringing it back on plus the fact that I took myself off Mirapex without talking to the Dr. (I have a Dr appt in about 2 weeks....maybe their is something that will help without all the horrible side effects...weight gain etc.)
Guy update (the guy from the great News Years Eve date) in his last email he asked me a question so I answered his question on what I did on Sat night and absolutely no response back....I can see that he is on the dating web site many times a day without sending me even an email ..... he obviously is pursuing his next catch..... online dating never ceases to amaze me......it is hard to compete with the ever non ending line of women standing in line for the same men... oh well I keep reminding myself that it just takes "1" .
night di

Happy New Year

2009-01-05T03:59:00.000-08:00

Hi All,

Well back to the real world.....after 16 days off from work I'm heading back today...wouldn't you know that my sweet dog Teddy....(14 yrs old) has thrown up this morning and has the runs.....I can tell you I will make several trips home during the day to check on her!

As for my News Eve date it was FABULOUS......we supposed to meet at 7:00 but I had to change to 8:00 due to the apartment maintenance guys showing up to install a new dishwasher (I have been hand washing dishes for 21 days I wasn't about to turn them away....anyway I was an hour and a half behind schedule and hadn't even been to the stables to do my daily horsey chores....I called my date and it wasn't a problem at all ..... (good test to see how flexible he is and if he is a control freak so far so good.....
Well we meet in the parking lot around the downtown Main street area where there are a lot of restaurants and he was waiting in his truck.....when I first saw him I was thrilled that he was cuter in person Thank you Thank you Thank you!.....and I couldn't believe it but he brought me a bouquet of flowers (he had them in his truck and went back to get them....I'm sure he wanted to see me before he gave them to me, just in case I was uglier than my picture : )....that about knock me over! Our date was supposed to be a drink and dash date but we ended up having dinner and dancing the night away...we held hand and a smooch at midnight....we stayed until they closed the place down. He knew about every person in the place, I felt a little awkward but settled myself down and just went with the flow. He was so much fun and wanted to go to breakfast but I called it a night....I felt like I should end it on a good note and hopefully we would have a 2nd date. Well I got a terrific knock you off your feet kiss goodbye.....he asked me to call him to let him know I made it home ok... which I did. Over the weekend he went to his deer lease......I received 2 emails from him yesterday but no phone call.....I will have to wait and see if there will be a follow up date....I would be shocked if there wasn't...but I've been surprised in the past......he may just be playing the field...he is new to online dating and sometimes guys get the big head with how many woman are out their and ready to go out on a date.....(he dated someone over the summer and they broke it off with him and ended up dating a friend of his). Keep your fingers crossed that he actually calls me this week....if he doesn't I will have my answer!

Diane

Accidental New Years date

2008-12-30T23:29:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to everyone....I'm sitting here trying to think of some outstanding accomplishments for 2008 and what I can boils down to is I spent the year pushing my comfort zones ........Belly Dance performances and I pushed myself to go on more dates...I must say non of the dates moved past the 1st date.....in most cases my decision not to pursue it due to lack of chemistry......(although I had a date about 2 weeks ago with a man that I would consider going on another date with). Now onto my accidental New Years date..........I recently began to chat with a guy (online dating site) through emails and it quickly ended up in a phone call last night (I had to call quickly before I chicken out) anyway when we were hanging up he asked if I would be interested in getting together for a drink.....and asked if I was free on Wed. (he thought Thursday was New Years Eve) when I told him that it was NYE he asked if I wanted to go with him to his friends home who is throwing a party.....I declined.....I've never met him and it may turn out to be One drink and got to Run date. After so many disappointing 1st dates I think the best 1st date would be to pass each other on a street corner and if you like what you see you could plan a real date. I guess I'm tainted from too many disappointing dates. I will have to let you know how it goes tomorrow night....wish me luck.
Diane

8 more vacation days

2008-12-28T21:39:00.000-08:00

I can't believe how much TV I can watch in one day....I still haven't had much motivation (too much emotion spent worrying about possible lay offs at work). I have been watching marathons of NCIS, Big Break X Michigan and today I watched Highway 18 (who would have guessed I would enjoy watching Golf reality competitions shows when I never played a round of golf). Every day I have gotten some things accomplished around my apartment hopefully over the next 8 days I will get myself out of the Blues that I'm been experiencing and get motivated to do more!
I have spent a great deal of time finding new blogs to read.....there are so many interesting journals it is endless.....a few of the weight loss journals had reviews of Marylou Retton's scale designed to help you lose weight in 10 lb increments.....well I bought one for a chrismas present to myself.......well I wish I hadn't.....with my new approach to dieting based on 2 books"Intuitive Eating" "The Rules of Normal Eating". Basically it boils down to getting back in touch with your body and waiting to eat until you are trully hunger and Stopping when you begin to fill full.....no foods are off limits (with time this helps rid your self of binges that occur when you deny yourselves from "forbidden foods". What is surprising is just how fast you really get full ...... and it takes a lot of self control to stop eating at the point of being ful when the food you are eating tastes so good. Anyway getting back to my not liking the Marylou Retton scale is that Intutive Eating is more effective if you don't weigh yourself...you know how water weight and other bodily funtions effect your weight and if the scale says the wrong number it ruins your day and your efforts to be a normal eater.....having formally been an anorexic it would be nice to be a normal eater (not dieting all the time or constantly feeling bad about food) and just get to my natural body weight. Sorry not a very upbeat entry.

Well that is all for now....Diane

I love this Cathy Cartoon.=!

2008-12-26T16:45:00.000-08:00

Call me a slug

2008-12-20T14:56:00.000-08:00

I can't get going today......I had to go to the barn this am because 2 guys there had offered to help me move my months worth of hay that was delivered yesterday and the guys that delivered it stacked the 20 bales so high about 2 times my height, it looked like Mount Everest...it was so ridiculous! Thankfully they felt sorry for me ..... the thing was I needed to be there 1st thing in the morning....well I only got about 2-3 hours of sleep.....moving and rearranging my portion of the feed room required about 2 hours....I can feel it in my lower back. a 2 hour nap hasn't helped much ....hopefully I will get a second wind later this evening....I'm a night owl. I still haven't decided if I'm going to put up my small christmas tree....whew time is running out. Diane

Is it Friday?

2008-12-18T05:11:00.000-08:00

Well the count down is on......I get off at noon tomorrow and I will be on vacation for over 2 weeks...(this year this is really important.....less time to screw up at work while they are making make or break decision on who gets to remain....please oh please pick me : )

I thinking about actually putting up my Christmas tree ( I love and collect ornaments and love the little white lights all lite up with all the lights in the house turned off)...I will keep you informed.

Off to work...Diane

I Made it through another week

2008-12-13T13:07:00.000-08:00

Well,

Another week down.....2 weeks since the news of 40% lay off of my dept.
UPDATE
*Depression has hit
*I haven't gone to a single belly dancing class or Nia class in 2 weeks
*On the weekends sleeping about 12 hours (surprised my dog Teddy is agreeable to that much sleep)
*Going to bed early during the week
*I guess I'm getting down to the basics so My focus is on doing the best job I can ...... I certainly don't want a major screw up at work .....when they are deciding who gets to remain
*Ordered books on choosing the right career (just in case)
*Holding off on writing a resume and ordering how to write a good resume and how to interview (don't want to put bad mojo out in the universe)
*Don't think I'm putting up a Christmas tree up this year (I love christmas trees and collect ornaments)
*A guy from Match that we had been exchanging emails and a few calls.....was suppose to call and let me know when a good time to meet over coffee has disappeared.....the old something better came along on Match.....no response is a response.
*There is a little bit of hope another man on Match is emailing....he is a little older than I would normally go for but he seems like a grounded person and didn't run when I let him know about the possible lay offs....I think his company is going through the same thing
*Visit to the Oncologist yesterday let me know that my Iron level in my blood is remains high but not at the point that we would need to take action...go back in a year....if I have medical insurance
*Love watching sappy Christmas movies ..... must have a happy ending
*If I'm blessed with keeping my job I have gotten a wake up call...I will be spending less and saving more and down sizing my belongings in case I have to move

update

2008-12-07T13:43:00.000-08:00

Well, I haven't felt much like journaling, Monday an announcement was made at work that my 40% of the dept.I work for was going to 40% of the work force laid off (I don't know how they are going to restructure...... our entire group could be hit or a move to another state could be required, I won't know who is impacted until mid January....at the end of the teleconference that last thing said was "Have a Merry Christmas, go shopping"... I couldn't believe how insensitive that statement was......it would have been more appropriate to say Christmas is cancelled! So I have been very depressed, scared to say the least.....fears of being homeless are all I can think about....it's not like job opportunities are bountiful! Prayers are appreciated!

Diane

My vacation is over : (

2008-11-30T17:46:00.000-08:00

Well just a few more hours till I hit the bed and my vacation is over...I didn't accomplish all that I wanted to but I did more than I thought I would....main thing my apartment is beginning to shape up.....I see the light at the end of the tunnel....I have way too many clothes and books....maybe over Christmas vacation I can focus on those 2 areas....I have to be happy with microsteps and not get overwhelmed and do nothing! Eventually if I ever get married I will need an organizer and a maid to come in periodically......I'm just no good at either organizing or cleaning. I need to spend more time at home.......18 months of going to classes almost on a daily basis really took my apt to hell in a handbag!
I uploaded a picture to Match.com) that my Step Mother took on Thanksgiving..... I hoping that it may help and peak someone interest......One man did respond to my wink and we have exchanged several emails....he was at the airport about to depart and said he will write more when he reaches the UK ....keep your fingers crossed....it would be so nice to be dating someone during the holiday trifecta (<- I know I didn't spell it right) Christmas, New Years and Valentines Day.....Last year the Man I was dating broke up with me on Christmas.....he and his Ex wife decided things weren't over with them... I was just collaratel damage!

Diane

2008-11-28T10:06:00.000-08:00

Hi all and a belated Happy Thanksgiving....this chickaroo did not wake up at dawn and hit the stores....I was all snuggled up in bed.....I actually slept over 11 hours......over the last week that I have been on vacation that is the way it has been ....I stay up until about 1:30 am and then sleep to about 12:00ish....I'm just going with it, evidently my body needs it (or I'm more depressed than I realized)...soon enough it will be back to getting an average of 6 hours of sleep so I'm going to enjoy it while I can. My Thanksgiving was enjoyable...I made homemade yummy Mac and cheese, corn casserole, buttermilk pie and iced brownies. My Mom's side of the family gathered at my sisters home....I stuck to my Intuitive diet concept and ate what I wanted and stopped when I felt full ....I can't believe how quickly I really start to feel full and in the past when the food was yummy I would just keep eating....I'm retraining myself to listen to my body and assure myself that I can eat later when I feel hungry again....(the one element that I haven't done very well at is getting more exercise for the pleasure of it ......I've been in the dumps lately and I'm doing good to go to the 3 days of belly dancing a week....I guess I need to kick myself in the rear and just do it. I ended the evening by dropping by my Dad's house, to see him and my step Mom (she had recent back surgery) we took them both big plates of food for them to enjoy. I think they were happy that my sister, my oldest daughter and I came by...I normally don't see them on Thanksgiving so it was nice to do a drive by for a quick group hug.
I do think I will venture out to JoAnn's there was a quilting book that I fell in love with on Tuesday and I have a 40% off coupon that I can use starting today...I will save 8 dollars... I'm getting the quilting bug again....it has been years since I was passionate about it......I do know that I need to add something creative back into my life as an outlet....I think I will be a happier person.....over the last 14 months my focus has really only been on work and belly dancing ...I have decided I need more balance in my life....adding quilting back into my life and joining the local Quilt guild would be a start....I also need to push myself to get back to an Illustrated Discovery Journal..... you wouldn't believe the stack of magazines that I have that I could put to good use.... more later.. diane

Things I've done

2008-11-24T10:32:00.000-08:00

I snagged this little meme from Life as a Navy Wife's journal. Join in... Super simple... You just highlight the things you've done in your life. Mine are in Red.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (from the beach)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch (Quilting)
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not illl (a wellness day)
24. Built a snow fort (a snowman)
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon (No but completed the Hotter than Hell bike race)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies (Camp Fire Girls Candy back when it was Camp Fire Girls)
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter (Flown in a Blimp)
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy (searched for my Favorite doll Kitten by Madame Alexander on eBay and finally found her Hooty Hoo)
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper (Drill Team officer in High School and when I was an Apache Belle in College)
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House (just out front)
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous (John Denver when I performed at the Super Bowl as an Apache Belle)
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

My weekend

2008-11-23T16:26:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm on vacation but it doesn't seem like a vacation yet.....hopefully it will set it and I will relax. I went to a C &W dancing establishment two nights in a row hoping to run back into a guy that I met last weekend... and I kind of blew him off because he was coming on a little too much...kind of desperate...after thinking about it I decided that I didn't give him a fair chance and thought that I might run into him again....NOT....I guess it wasn't meant to be... On Friday night a guy walk right up to me and said my name, I had no clue who he was....turns out he was a guy I went out once in Feb. (eHarmony date) it didn't take me very long to remember .....when he repeatedly stuck out his tongue and it was Pointed ...yuck a pointed tongue....keep it in your mouth please....for everyones sake!
My Mom had a birthday (she is 76 ...very hard to believe) on Thursday so it was time to have a birthday lunch to celebrate.....great Mexican food and good company (My Mom and Aunt Pat).
I've taken myself off Mirapex and feeling the effects daily. All the horrible symptoms I had 2 years ago..... horrible feelings in my arms and legs ....right now I can barely type because my arms feel like there are tight bands around them.... I may have to try a different med but so afraid of the weight gain.....
Next performance is scheduled for December 6th Holiday at the Hall celebration....dancing on the main stage ..... hopefully I will get the choreography down and can dance a 2nd dance.
Happy Holidays....I need to journal all the things that I have to be very Thankful for....it is so easy to take things in your life for granted. diane

Crown Violet Performance

2008-11-15T09:52:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

I'm about to get ready for a Crown Violet performance at Barnes and Noble, I don't really know what to expect...I do know the floor space is going to be a challenge....what will the customers think.....it should be interesting....I will let you know! I'm planning to wear the same outfit that is included in the previous entry but I'm going to wear a different wig.....at least I think I am...I better get to it so I can figure it out....pictures to follow #: ) diane

Crown Violet......it's me..Bella in a one of my 30 wigs

2008-11-09T09:17:00.000-08:00

Crown Violet...I'm standing back row far left

2008-11-09T08:10:00.000-08:00

Wow 6 followers ...Exiting

2008-11-08T19:38:00.002-08:00

I'm thrilled that anyone is interested in following the daily going ons of my life.....I will try to be more faithful in my journal entries. Crown Violet had it performance this afternoon. I changed up my tribal custom hoping not to look as big as a house......I think I looked a little better today than last week but it will just come down to losing weight....I did some research on Mirapex which I have been taking for about a year and a half...unknown to me it can cause large weight gain (I have been hungry non stop ....who would have thought it was Mirapex....and one of the other side effects is compulsive buying on ebay etc. .... that explains the urge to buy nearly 30 wigs and about 12 silk veils...... I'm glad I found out about it before I spent more $ and gained more weight......I've been off it for 2 days and my arms and legs are feeling odd again......a heaviness......I'm so vein that I would rather look good than feel good....I don't think it matters how old you get a gal wants to be desirable....especially when you are hoping to find a great guy to date at least more than one date....I'm rambling so I will end my whining. diane

So exciting 6 followers!

2008-11-08T19:38:00.001-08:00

TGIF

2008-11-07T07:58:00.000-08:00

Hi All....I'm so happy to have 4 followers....so cool! I have taken today as a vacation day, Crown Violet Belly dancing troupe has a performance tomorrow and there are some things that I didn't want to worry about having time to do so thus the day off.....i was very tired last night and welcomed the sleep in this am. I'm about to head off to Nia dance class and then my errands begin. Oh by the way "Ice Pony" I love your journaling about horseback riding....I must admit I haven't been focused on riding my Gracie over the last year but reading your blog the riding bug may hit me!

More later .....Diane

Sorry it's been so long

2008-10-26T21:26:00.000-07:00

Hi to my 2 followers from my aol journal .....I'm so happy to see you followed me over here. I sure would like to follow your journals because I'm sure you have moved them since the end of Oct is looming. This past month has been full of change and my head is still twirling a bit and my mood and body don't do well with a lot of change at one time. One good thing that has happen in the last few weeks is that I have reconnected with my friends at Blue Anjou and I'm taking 3 -5 classes a week....it sure seems longer than 6 months since I've been there but everyone are just the same loving community they were months ago, they have welcomed me with open arms....I'm so blessed! I have also started a Hula class, I wasn't sure I wanted to make the 40 mile round trip for the class but I really like the dance and it used different muscle and I'm sure it will help my hand movements in belly dancing. Nothing happening on the dating scene this month....I had a date a few weeks ago that looked nothing like his photo on match.....the pictures must have been 10 years old.....I didn't recognize him when he spoke to me....no love connection there. I was talking to the wonderful owner of Blue Anjou and I was telling her how I felt that maybe I had used up all my love cards for this lifetime, she told me to rethink it and tell myself that I have saved the best Love Card for now! I like that and I'm trying to convince my mind of it!

Silence

2008-10-11T00:41:00.000-07:00

It's amazing just how quite it is......I usually have the TV as company or Teddy is barking trying to get my attention.....right now silence expect for the sound of my keyboard typing..... *: ) d

Can't sleep & : (

2008-10-11T00:29:00.000-07:00

Well, I can't sleep and thought what better time than to play around with the gadget on this new blog service....really fun features. Come check it out! Long day today at the dance studio, approximately 7 hours worth....too much for a Saturday! d

New Journal Lucky Begonia's Dashboard Confessional

2008-10-05T08:58:00.000-07:00

Hi all, I've started another blog a few months ago because I liked the name Lucky begonias dashboard confessional....anyway it is coming in handy since this journal will disapper in less than 26 days. Please come visit, I don't have many readers on this blog but the ones I have I would like to keep in touch with! Diane

http://luckybegoniasdashboardconfessional.blogspot.com/

So sad that AOL journals are going cease to exist....all those years of entries will disappear unless I can figure how to transfer them to another on-line journal...hey all you aol journal writers what do you plan to do? Well it has been forever since my last posting. I survived Yaa Halla Ya'll, my 2 performance their, the photo shoot, I tested out and was able to move up a level of belly dance (boy what a difference a level makes......I'm still in shock "Were not in Kansas anymore...Toto"

I've recently joined facebook, I'm still trying to figure out the in's and the out's of it.

I need a map or a secretary!

2008-08-04T21:50:00.000-07:00

I think I need a map or a secretary to clue me in on which way I'm going...I don't think I have been this busy in ages! To top it off I think the heat is bring back some of my awful symptoms for a year ago....scary! I have Bellydancing practices every night/day except Sunday's to preparing for my 2 performances in less than 2 weeks....I'm running in and running right out...my apartment looks like a tornado hit it!
Panda Cam update...no cub yet and from the looks of it, it is probably a false pregnancy...how disappointing ...all that pain and suffering and no beautiful baby at the end of it!

p.s. yesterday...lunch and a movie with my Mom, Aunt Pat, Sister Mindy and my Nephew Spencer...everyone then went to the movies to see Moma Mia (everyone by Spence....you know no guy wants to see a Chick flick with a bunch of old hens....LOL!
Tags: Belly Dancing, Pandas

Isn't she Beautiful

2008-07-26T04:25:00.000-07:00

My daughter Jennifer in all her glory at her Belly Dancing Graduation....I was sure a proud Mom!

Tags: Belly Dancing

My Daughter Jennifers belly dancing Graduation pictures

2008-07-26T04:20:00.000-07:00

Tags: belly dancing

Jennifer's Belly Dancing Graduation

2008-07-26T04:15:00.000-07:00

Tags: belly dancing

You asked for Pictures ....well you got them

2008-07-25T21:13:00.000-07:00

Pictures....you wanted belly dancing pictures so I uploade my Daughter Jennifer at her Belly Dancing graduation.....isn't she beautiful.....she there was a reason I bought all that belly dancing stuff over the last year...yeah validation! Diane
Tags: Belly Dancing

nap time

2008-07-23T21:19:00.000-07:00

Do you ever get hope from work and just want to go to sleep....that is the beauty of living alone your time is your time.....I haven't been sleeping well the last 3 nights...my Yorkie Teddy (she has early stages of Kidney disease) keeps waking me up through out the night, sometimes she is hungry sometimes she needs to go outside....anyway the result is not much uninterrupted sleep......tonight I worked late so I missed my turbo bellydancing class (I wasn't going to spend 4 dollars of gas to workout for less than half an hour) so I opted to take a 2 1/2 hour nap, when I laid down I really didn't think I would fall asleep....can you say dead to the world! So all I can tell you is that I'm losing ground this week on shaping up before Yaa Halla Ya'll! One dress rehearsal and class photo down 2 to go....tomorrow I have a private lesson for 2 of the dances that I have to test out on to go qualify to move up to the next level...directly after the private lesson it will be time for the 2nd dress rehearsal and class photo...I'm wearing a different costume and wig in each photo....why look the same in 3 photos in the same year book...keep um guessing or thinking your Crazy! night Diane

Tags: Belly Dancing

More changes to the outfit, will the maddness ever stop!

2008-07-20T11:05:00.000-07:00

Happy Sunday to all....Wow what 11 hours of sleep will do for you! I love to sleep in when I have no pressing to do's or to be's. It seems Sundays are the only day that is possible. Belly Dancing is pretty much that main componet of my life this days of course minus work which pays for the pleasure. I really enjoy every aspect of it, the challenge in moving up to the next level, the friends I have met, performing and of course all the great, beautiful, feminine, noisy pieces to a Belly Dancing costume. I'm still losing weight so I'm not really ready to alter the expensive beaded bra and belt set that I bought early in the year.....but it is so fun pulling together the perfect costume, my 2 for August continue to evolve...the skirt I'm wearing is a black chiffon that flows really well, I currently have a pair of harem pants that are black cotton....I bought some black eyelet fabric to make harem pants but I'm considering to buy some black chiffon ....even though they are shear I will have a shawl wrapped around my skirt plus a shimmy belt so my essential have no chance of being seen....plus I will have of course have "unders" on......I think the Chiffon harem pants will be the perfect choice, I wonder chiffon is hard to sew....anyone Know? Saturday I bought a black shawl with gold pastelletes hanging all over it.....the shimmy belt will go on top of it......I think the shawls will add a nice layered effect! I don't know if you remember that I bought a portable DVD player....I'm finally using it .....currently I'm watching the 1st season of the Gilmore Girls....I love the little "Dialogue Zingers" that all through out show. bye for now Diane

Tags: Belly Dancing

Presto Chango

2008-07-18T05:03:00.000-07:00

Everyday it seems I'm making changes to the 2 belly dancing costumes for the big performance in August, I was at the Belly Dancing studio late last night...classes are lasting longer in preparation and then I shopped for about 45 minutes trying everything on...so far within the last 7 days I have bought 2 shimmy belts, a longer accent scarf with fringe and a veil. On Saturday I want to get another accent scarf for the 2nd outfit.

I'm getting excited.....Rachel Brice, Zoe Jakes, Aziza, Artimis, Fathem ......etc.will be here and I will be taking their workshops and seeing them perform live....way cool!

Bye for now.....Diane

Tags: Belly Dancing

Belly Dancing show update

2008-07-15T21:25:00.000-07:00

Well time is moving fast the Big show is less than 5 weeks away, in my Monday class we are already having a dress rehersal on the 21st ......I will have to spend some time finishing of the bra portion of the outfit, I'm doing 2 dances and I think I will change out the bra, arm sleeves, shimmy belt and jewelry (one outfit will black-pink accents, silver jewely and the 2nd one black/gold accents and gold jewelry. It's going to be Exciting....I don't know exactly what I'm going to wear for the photo session probably the black and gold and the fuscia silk veil.....

Tags: Belly Dancing

No Way

2008-07-15T21:12:00.000-07:00

Guess, the guy I had a date with on the 4th of July....at the end of the date I had the feeling that there wasn't going to be a next date......day in day out no contact, no emails.....then on the 9th day a surprise email from him....he had a great time and wants to plan a 2nd date....if it really occurrs.it will probably be in a few weeks because he has his 2 daughters for 2 weeks beginning tomorrow....it was just nice to know that maybe I'm not such a loser as I was beginning to believe.

Tags: dating

National Baby Watch ....Baby Panda that is!

2008-07-15T21:05:00.000-07:00

Did you know that the National Zoo in Washington DC have 2 cams where you can watch the daily lifes for the Panda at the zoo. The Momma Panda maybe about to have a baby.......they aren't exactly sure if she really is with baby....Pandas can have pseudo pregnacies......so it is just wait and see.....check it out.....wouldn't be cool to witness the first days of a baby pandas life especially since they are endangered. Got to love something so Big, Roundy and Cuddly.

Tags: Panda's

Friday....Happy Friday

2008-07-11T05:46:00.000-07:00

It's Friday .....happy days are here again...for a short work week it sure has seemed long.....after being off for 6 days the reentry can be hard. Well tomorrow I have 2 bellydancing classes and in the turbo bellydancing it is weigh in day ....yuck....I think I'm going to have to start focusing on just adding more exercise to my week and less focus on the food aspect...the minute I'm on a diet I'm hunger all day long....

Well our big Belly Dancing performance is about 5 weeks away....I can dance 3 different dance because I go to 3 different advanced one classes.....the Thursday night class' dance is hard....it is a choreography that I know but it has zills added to it.....you ask me dance and play zills...my brain hasn't caught on yet....there is also a Wed mid day class....I love the dance they are doing.....I'm thinking about taking some vacation time and attending maybe their class the last 3 weeks if I can perform their dance....I needed to talk to Isis and get her blessing.....the class members may not like it but hey they will get over it! Besides one of the requirements is that I have to perform it to move up to the next level.....hopefully I will be prepared to test out of 3 of the required 4 dance test outs after Yaa Halla Ya'll in Sept....that is my goal.....I need to get off my kester and practice at home.....the problem is I live in a small apt with a very, tiny living area....it is the only area that I can dance in....oh well I just need to do it ...later Diane

Tags: belly dancing, dieting

May have to count sheep

2008-07-09T05:02:00.000-07:00

Couldn't sleep Monday night....maybe 2 1/2 hours and last night maybe 4 1/2 hours...it is no wonder that on the weekends when I'm sleeping good I can sleep up to 13 hours...they say you can't make up sleep but i don't agree! Tonight is Turbo Belly Dancing....on Saturday's weigh in I had lost about 6 lbs in 4 weeks....I've lost ground over the last few days....depressing getting on the scales when it is going in the wrong direction....I'm trying not to get bummed....hopefully it is water weight!

Tags: belly dancing, dieting

Another one bites the dust

2008-07-08T19:19:00.000-07:00

Well I did end up having a date on July 4th, this time I really enjoyed myself but know by the end of the evening that I would never hear from him again.....and I was right. My 1st hint was when he asked "Do you have to go to the stables everyday" followed by "Well how long does it take you" then the finale statement when he had some idea how much $ it takes a month to own a horse he said something like he couldn't support that or he couldn't buy into that......the way I took his statement was that if we ended up together it wouldn't be acceptable for that much on my income to go towards a horse.....if he felt that way he sure wouldn't like the $ I spend for Belly Dancing classes.... costumes... wigs... BellyDancing instructional DVD's etc..... and the fact that I still help my daughter out with $.......I guess it is better to know it isn't going any where early on but I really think he was putting the cart before the HORSE in this case LOL! Like I thought I'm the Queen of 1st dates.......no Love Bug in my Future......I guess I have a Huge L on my forehead for being the Biggest Loser on the dating scene! Diane

Tags: dating

There is hope for a date tonight

2008-07-04T06:24:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th to everyone, I have no special plans for today, the only plans other than Belly dancing classes is going out to lunch on Sunday with my Mom, Aunt and Sister. Well much to my surprise a guy that I had winked at on Match actually called last night, we talked for over an hour....well he is playing golf this afternoon but we may get together for a drink tonight....that would be really cool....it would be nice to get my mind occupied with something positive.....I have been focusing my thoughts on 3 years ago....that was when Brett unceremoniously ended our 3 1/2 year relationship in the cruelest of all the break up's that I have live through. I keep telling myself that I should be over the anger/hurt but for some reason it is there.Maybe expressing it here will help me move through those negative feelings.......you know it isn't the fact that he didn't want to be with me anymore it is how COLD he was....almost unhuman like that cut me to the quick.....he must have really hated me is all I can think. to be so, so ugly. I have to weigh in tomorrow at my Turbo bellydancing class....bummer I don't think I have lost anything....my plan was to only eat poptarts and drink slimfast today in hopes that the water I'm retaining would depart before 10:00 tomorrow....if I go out for drinks that kind of blows that plan....but I have to be flexible and not get rigid like I was back in my aneroxic days when I would only eat certain foods and not have any social life that would take me into eating situations...i.e. eating out. Diane

The joy of Wigs

2008-07-03T11:36:00.000-07:00

Hi all....well I have to tell you that I'm sitting here in another wonderful wig.....a stylish Platinum white, long page boy cut wig...I really haven't worn it out in public but I'm going to venture out to do some shopping....it is definitely a eye grabber and you have to be in the just the right mood or should I say attitude to wear it....I will have to let you know how it goes! This is my 2nd day of vacation and I had all these plans for things I wanted to get to during this time off....it seems I only have enough energy to go to Belly dancing classes and the stables daily and then I'm tapped....sickly tired....I'm hoping whatever was wrong with me last year isn't reappearing it's ugly head....never could determine the root cause....I'm not sure if Hemochromotosis can cause extereme exhaustion.....I should be happy I have the energy to take 5 Belly dancing classes a week...it was so much worse not that long ago when I could barely walk up the flight of stairs to get to my apt. I guess I have to be happy with where I'm at and accept living in a messy abode. Maybe it a good thing I don't have a man in my life ......my apt would be embarrassing....my daughters are good about understanding, Thank God for my wonderful daughters! d

Tags: belly dancing

Vacation has begun

2008-07-02T09:15:00.000-07:00

Well Freida I'm changing my font for you.....I hate that you had trouble reading my entries, but happy that you went to so much trouble messing with the font so you could read......I really appreciate you reading my journal and leaving me comments....how is your garden looking.....can you send me your link again to your journal ....maybe you can post some photos of your summer garden? Well no dates in the past week and hardly any interest from the fellows on the dating site.....I keep praying that God will bless me with a wonderful Man to at least date and share some time with soon......I guess finding a Man that will appreciate me and all my quirkiness....Belly Dancing...Wigs of many colors....oh well life with me wouldn't be dull. I'm going to attempt to add a picture of me in my Platinum Blonde wig!

Is anyone one out there.....Hello

2008-06-29T16:12:00.000-07:00

I think I'm the only one that reads my journal....is there anyone else out there .....Hello....I would love some comments.................

I went to a Bellydancing Hafla last night,,,I wore my Platinum Blonde asymmetrical cut wig and everyone seemed to love it......the dancers were wonderful .....maybe someday soon I will have the guts to get up there and dance in front of a crowd.....it will be my goal within the next year to do it....I didn't realize that I was so tired....I slept for 13...count them 13 hours.....when I woke up I found out that Gracie's stall had flooded last night.....I've been at the barn for about 4 hours, thank Goodness 2 friends took pity on me and pitched in to strip her stall, get the standing water out ......in about 100 degree plus high humidity.....boy I have calories in the bank.....What's for dinnner....yummy. I have enrolled in a Turbo Belly Dancing class called "Fit or Bust" we are supposed to be writing down everything that touches our month..count calories.....I was an Anorexic and tend to go overboard when I focus on calories....I tired it for a week and have decided to do what is best for me and just track whether I only eat when I'm hungry and stop as soon as I feel full......I don't want to classify foods as good foods and bad foods ....I want a way to manage my weight for a life time. We were supposed to turn in our sheets for the last 3 weeks and I just handed in my daily exercise tracking sheet. My instructor didn't get on my case which I was happy about....I have lost between 3-4 lbs in three weeks. I have started to weigh myself which I can get over zealous...but so far so good.

Tags: Wigs, dieting

Bevy of Bellydancers

2008-06-29T15:55:00.000-07:00

It's been forever since I've dropped a line...more oof the same ....first dates that are either nice but no spark or just straight out NO WAY! My Mom says I need to write a book on all my online dating sites 1st dates.....maybe....who knows....
My daughter Jennifer graduates from the 1st level of belly dancing tomorrow night....I'm so proud and then Robin will graduate the end of September.....In my family we are going to be a Bevy of Bellydancers!

Tags: Belly dancing

Wigs, wigs a beautiful thing!

2008-05-25T13:25:00.000-07:00

Hi all,
How is your long weekend going? Mine is very laid back, my only plans have been belly dancing lessons and I'm going to Scarborough Faire tomorrow which is closing day and is usually a little crazier than a normal day. I've gone about 7 times already, two times I was an ambassador for my Belly Dancing Studio which was very fun. I've gotten into this Ren thing which I would have bet against in the beginning. Each visit has been more fun than the previous one.
Oh by the way, during my first time down to Scarborough Faire I realized that short spiky salt and pepper hair doesn't play well as a belly dancer! The other dancers can buy those clip on pony tails etc So I decided that wigs was my solution! Ive gone wig wild and have discovered that I look pretty good as a blond and a red head especially a platinum blond....I've been missing out all these years....I won't be changing my hair color but it fun to have a different hair color and style every day
I feel like the Barbie doll that came with 3 different wigs, I love it!

Tags: Belly dancing, wigs

Belly Dancing Graduation celebration

2008-03-30T17:49:00.000-07:00

Hi all,
I can't honestly tell you when I made the last entry.....Hi Winifred....sorry I haven't been timely in my updates.
I graduated from the intermediate beginners level, I will now move on to the Advanced 1...the graduation was something else I will actually have another graduation tomorrow night, my daughters will be attending...I hope I do well. We were all prepared to do our dance, which was first on the program...what we didn't know we would also be doing an impromptu veil then a dance impromptu
then we were called up to do a short solo....OMG ...I thought I would die.....I pulled it off, tomorrow night at least I will know what to expect.
I'd like to ask for everyone's prayers, my Mother is ill, I went to see her today and she doesn't look well at all... I tried to talk to her about things to look forward to once she gets well....I'm going to make more time to connecting with my family and friends.
FYI ...I've had 3 1st dates this month....no love connection....my time will come.

Tags: Belly Dancing

Bounce, Bounce...i hate being dumped

2008-01-27T18:15:00.000-08:00

Hi all,
A first happened yesterday.....I had performed in my 1st Belly dancing performance as a member of a new troupe "Crown Violet". Both my Father and Step Mother came to support me and Both of my daughters and their boyfriends also came to my debut! I don't know if it was a great performance but I have one under my belt now....and I can tell you that there are more to come...how strange to find something you love doing when your almost 49! Look out 50 who knows what I will be up to then. Oh by the way
Oh by the way I have also taken up drumming classes at the Belly Dancing studio...hand drumming a doumbek used to play middle eastern music that belly dancers dance to ......I bought the most beautiful drum,,,inlaid mother of pearl and the design has a sultan and about 3 belly dancers on it....how perfect for me! An update all the time I was posting over the last 5 months I was dating a guy Oct through Dec.....I didn't want to write about it and jinx it....well it didn't make a difference....he broke up
up with me on Christmas and went back to his exwife....What a horrible Christmas gift..I'm still crying over it on a daily basis.I keep hoping time will that the memories and the hurt and loss away...after all the failed relationships you would think I would be better at handling them but the hurt just compounds with each new one! I haven't given up on finding Love! d

Tags: dating, belly dancing

Suri .....My Dancer name!

2007-10-27T16:55:00.000-07:00

Hi all, Well I gave myself through yesterday to have my pity party but no more...I'm getting ready to go dancing, meeting some friends...I don't really feel like going ....I probably won't dance all night but oh well you h ave to jump out of your comfort zone. Good news is I got my Belly Dancing name approved, there can't be another dancer with the same name (I know I'm a little ahead of myself but oh well....It was approved....My Dancer name is "Suri" in Hebrew it means Princess,,

Tags: belly dancing

2007-10-26T07:08:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

I'm still around....I thought I had found a great guy to date (eHarmony ) but all it took was 1 call from his exwife and now he isn't sure he is ready to move on......hell he was a terrific C&W dancer...3 step...we had 3 great dates a until Wed. nite we had a dinner date planned for tomorrow....I'm getting really tired of disappointments...in this dept of my life....it just never seems to change. I know I shouldn't find my Happy place in someone else....it was just so nice to have someone to talk
to in the evening and someone to be excited to get together with you .....hold your hand, that kind of stuff....I think I had 7 days of unbridled Happiness now I'm back to uncontrollable bauts of crying....I guess I'm not ready to give up the pitty party I'm throwing for myself although I really want to feel better!
On the happier note I've taken up BellyDancing and adore it, I would go to a class every night If I could....the studio I'm taking froms motto is no one is too old or large to belly dance.....
it is celebrating being a woman and dancing! I can't tell you how much fun it is....I also have bought instructional DVD's so I can practice at home....