Sunday, September 28, 2008

OSU v. Minnesota (football) pics

Dane (my little brother) & Me - Isn't he handsome? :o)

Script Ohio (upside down from our vantage point)

A very nice view of Mr. James Laurinaitis (#33) :oP

"Da Man" - Beanie Wells


The best Big 10 quarterback - Terrell Pryor



Coach Jim Tressel - another one of my men :o)

Final Score - suck on that Gophers!

Carmen Ohio - O-H-I-O


I was so glad that I got the opportunity to go again this year and that Matt let me take Dane instead of him. We had a BLAST and Dane was really appreciative of me inviting him along. Plus, we got in some much needed bonding time. It was just so neat to see everything through his eyes for the first time again and him saying "This is SO awesome!" He totally deserved to go too, as good as he has been playing football this season.
Did I mention that he is the #2 tackle in the MOAC right now?
I just love my little brother! No matter how much bigger he gets than me...

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Weight loss (and interview) update

Okay...so I had to get on the scale this morning because this was the target date for my 10 lbs. weight loss for the month. I was pleasantly surprised because not only did I meet the goal (on the exact target date!), but I exceeded it and have lost a total of 12.5 lbs. since I started eating low-carb AND exercising a month ago. Of course, I'm a little bummed since I expected more weight loss with low-carb but I'm happy that I'm not starving and that I feel GREAT! Still...12.5 lbs. is nothing to balk at.

I'll take it!

Oh, and the interview...well...it went fairly well. I blanked out on one question but I blame them for that since it was a 3 part question and they read it to me all at once and expected me to be able to remember each facet of the stupid question. I think they realized that they screwed up because on the remaining similar questions, they asked each piece of the whole question separately. Over all, I think I did the best I could but I wouldn't say that I have it in the bag by any means. They hope to let us know who gets the promotion by next week so stay tuned!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

So...the big interview is tomorrow

and I'm totally shitting bricks! Sorry for the cursing but seriously...I'm freaking out here! Please say a little prayer for me or send me some positive vibes if you don't believe in praying. Thank you SO much! :o)

I'll let you know how things go...

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Random pics

So we took a few pictures yesterday that I had to share - from Adrian's first flag football game. He did okay. I wasn't super crazy about his lack of effort for the first half of the game but I had to let it slide since it was the first game he had played against any other team. He did have a lot of fun though. Keep your fingers crossed that he keeps up with this. I can SO see myself as a football mom!

Enjoy!

Collin - Can you believe the kid needs ANOTHER haircut so soon?

Daddy & Collin (looking very much like Mommy!)

Mommy & her little football player - He INSISTED on wearing his mouth guard!

Saturday, September 20, 2008

So much to do, so little time

So I think it's time for a general update and this is going to seem completely random, but bear with me anyway.

I think Collin is pretty much potty-trained now. I've been hesitant to let you know because I was afraid of jinxing myself but he's been training for two weeks now and has not had ANY accidents for the past 2 days! Yay for no more diapers! That's $35/month in my pocket now!

I have my interview for the position I mentioned awhile back on Wednesday. It is now back to being a Supervisor position but I'm cool with that. I'm so ready for the change! I'm pretty much shitting bricks at this point in time (I hate interviews!) so wish me luck! I've got to log a bit of time on Monster.com this weekend and review my management text book that I used for my Intro to Management class in the Spring to brush up on stuff.

I have like one stupid pound (or so) before I meet this month's weight loss goal. I gave myself until the 24th to lose it so keep your fingers crossed. I've done great as far as eating sensibly and working out this week so I better see some results when I get on the scale for the final weigh-in!!!

I started back to school on Thursday. I'm taking 'Dealing with Diversity' and 'Human Resources Management' and it seems as if the quarter shouldn't be too difficult as far as homework and whatnot. Yay for that!

I bought my Christmas present way early. I'm so flipping excited about it! I'm flying down to Naples, Florida BY MYSELF to visit my BFF, Joe for about 5 days in December. I'm scared shitless about flying by myself but I'm excited about going to Florida and getting to hang out with Joe (and Vic). He's already got a bunch of fun stuff planned...beach time, fun at the gay bars, etc. The best part of it is is that I got the round-trip plane ticket for $206 TOTAL. Can you believe that?! I couldn't pass that up and considering that this will be the last chance I'll have to visit him for probably the next 5 years, I just have to go!

Oh, BTW...sorry for all the cussing this go 'round. It was completely necessary! LOL

More evidence of my little brother's awesomeness

Victories build confidence for Indians
By DENNY McPHERSON • The Marion Star • September 17, 2008

MOUNT GILEAD - Victories in recent close games have finally given the Mount Gilead High School football team and its faithful a winning attitude.

The Indians have won a pair of one-point contests in the last three weeks and slipped past Northmor 18-7 in between those two thrillers to run their overall record to 3-1. They are also tied atop the Mid Ohio Athletic Conference Blue Division with Pleasant at 3-0.

The first game of the Indians' run, a 7-6 cliff-hanger against arch rival and backyard foe Cardington-Lincoln, gave Mount Gilead a reason to believe its program was beginning to turn the corner.

"Defense won that game for us," said senior Indians quarterback Geoffrey Gompf, the third-leading rusher in the MOAC with 412 yards who has also thrown for 414.

"The defense saw what it is capable of doing and it has shut down teams." Senior tackle Dane Jobe has been a big part of that defense with more than 40 tackles on the season. He said the Indians' penchant for winning close games has not come by accident.

"We're a lot more conditioned now than what we were in the past," Jobe said Wednesday after completing some running drills to close a Mount Gilead practice. "In the fourth quarter, that gives us a boost. Everybody else is sucking wind."

Gompf believes the triumph over Cardington, which is also off to a 3-1 start, did a lot more than just add a notch in the win column for the Indians.

"If we get into a tight situation now, we know what to do," Gompf said.

First-year Mount Gilead head coach Steve Ringer also understands the importance of winning a tense struggle. As an assistant coach, he's seen the Indians falter in the past. Mount Gilead was just 3-7 a year ago, coming off of back-to-back 0-10 campaigns and a 24-game losing streak.

"I believe those close wins we have helped the kids believe in themselves," Ringer said. "I believe they always had the ability. A lot of this game is mental. When you win those type of games, it changes the whole attitude of the team."

It has also changed the outlook of the Mount Gilead community, Jobe said.

"A lot of people here are a lot more into the football team," Jobe said. "When you lose all of the time, they say the football team is horrible. Now everybody is coming to the games. They know what we can do and they are excited."

The Indians will look to extend their winning streak to four on Friday when they host Ridgedale's winless Rockets for the Indians' homecoming clash. Despite big games down the road against MOAC title contenders Pleasant, Highland, North Union, and Buckeye Valley, Ringer and his troops have their sights set on the Rockets.

"We could care less who we play next week. It's who we play this week and that's Ridgedale," Ringer said. "In past years we've been in 0-4 situations and people looked us over. We've learned from 0-10 and 3-7 to never take anyone for granted. We'll need to give our best effort."

Ringer is wary of the Rocket squad, no matter its 0-4 overall ledger and its 0-3 conference mark. "They come out in a lot of different formations and we will have to be prepared to defend the whole field," Ringer said.

"When they line up in the I, they run the ball effectively. In other games they have thrown the ball well. When they put everything together, they have a dangerous offense. "On offense, we will have to execute the plays we know how to run."

Denny McPherson: 740-375-5158 or dmcphers@marionstar.com

KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK, DANE! YOU FRIGGIN ROCK!!!
GO INDIANS!!!





Sunday, September 14, 2008

Deep thoughts

*Trigger Warning* Sexual abuse references below

So...I am reading Dr. Phil's book (yes...I'm a weirdo and I like the guy) called "The Ultimate Weight Loss Solution" and I read a passage or a story today about a woman that really hit home with me.

I am (for the most part) past my binge eating days, overeating days, and sugar-laden days so I've conquered (or so I hope) all of those demons that he's spoken of and we're on to self-sabotage.

I'm guilty of it. Every single time I get down to about 20 lbs. less than I am now, I get all excited, reward myself with food, loosen the reigns (so to speak), and veer completely off track for weeks, if not MONTHS at a time.

He went over the story of one of his patients who has (or rather had) the same problem. Every time she'd get close to a weight loss milestone, she'd do something to completely sabotage herself and gain a bunch of weight back. After they delved deeper into her issues, Dr. Phil discovered that she had been sexually abused as a teenager and upon further discussion and review, her reason for self sabotage was due to the fact that she blamed herself for being too pretty, too thin, and too attractive and that she was the reason for her sexual abuse.

I really don't want to discuss my abuse but I will say that I was sexually abused by a family 'friend' at age 8 and my issues with that still haunt me to this day. I have dealt with the issue very well, in and of itself I think, but I still have quirky little things that I think I'll always have to deal with.

For instance, I have a very difficult time talking to men; I can hardly make eye contact with one that I don't know. I do everything I can to keep the conversation short and sweet, but I'm okay with the guy once I get to know him and determine that he is 'safe' and trustworthy. I also HATE the idea of anyone looking at me, especially and mostly men. Whether it's that the eye contact is too long, they stare too long at a certain body part, or watch me walk away from them. I feel completely naked, violated, and it gives me the heebie-jeebies.

I really think this is the root of MY self-sabotage. I can't sit here and say that I feel exactly how Dr. Phil's patient felt as far as I've never said those things to myself but it's so deep and it just makes sense; especially considering my bizarre issues with men.

Now that I am cognizant of this problem, I hope and I think that it will help be successful in my weight loss crusade and that I will be able to keep the weight off this time.

If you are having issues with weight loss and you want to read a good book, I highly recommend this one.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Quick updates

1) I have not cheated (eaten badly) since Sunday...yay me! Even today when I was away from home at a client meeting. I actually brought snacks with me and ate as I should have while I was out. Yippee!!! It can be done!
2) I have worked out for 2 1/2 hours total this week so far.
3) I have continued to take the stairs at work since last Monday. That's 40 up and 40 down at least once per day, if I don't have to go downstairs for anything.
4) Lastly, I got invited into the Phi Theta Kappa organization at school and I decided to join. It is the International Honor Society of the Two-Year College; you have to have above a 3.5 GPA to get into this so I'm pretty durn excited! I can put this on my resume, they will write me a letter of recommendation for prospective employers, I will have access to a ton of scholarship money, and I will have better employment opportunities (job leads).

Today was a good day.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Go Bucks!

As promised, here are some pics from the Buckeyes game yesterday:

First few minutes at the game:


Halftime Show by TBDBITL - Top Gun Theme - Pretty Cool!


Me & Matt - So happy to get be at the game!



The touchdown that FINALLY turned the game around:


We were a little nervous there after the first half but thankfully they pulled it off. We are definitely keeping our fingers crossed for the USC game next week...


GO BUCKS!!!


P.S. Had to add this because it is quite possibly my favorite pic from the game yesterday:


Oops! *evil laugh*

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Blech!

I'm so disgusted with myself right now! I have eaten so badly since Thursday! We have also been on the go non-stop since then. We had to go to a local parade Thursday night and didn't have time to cook so I had a Whopper value meal (regular size) with a diet. Yesterday, I did good until dinner; I had Dane's football game (and will have another 8 or so to go to over the coming Fridays of the football season since it is his Senior year) and didn't have time to eat so I had a coney dog for dinner and then since my Uncle David is in from Germany, we went to Pizza Hut and I had 3-4 pieces of the new (delectable) chocolate dessert sticks. Today, we went out for our 4th wedding anniversary to the Ohio State game and then to The Funny Bone Comedy Club. I won't even tell you what I had to eat today other than that it was either fast food, fried food, or carb-laden foods...and two margaritas! Urgh!

I know these are my triggers but how in the world do you stop life? I guess it's just getting it through your (or rather MY) thick skull that you have to eat good no matter where you are.

I also did not get a chance to work out much since Tuesday. One of my lovely co-workers gave me the flu and I have been sick for like 4 days now. I'm finally feeling on the up and up now but I'm still a little under the weather.

On a positive note, I had to go up like probably 10 HUGE frigging flights of stairs and our walking to and from the car before and after the game totaled an hour or so and we probably walked 20 minutes total to get to and from the Comedy Club today so that's good, right? I was proud of myself that I could actually do it without having a heart attack so that's a step in the right direction, huh? We are also taking the kiddos to the zoo tomorrow so we'll be getting in quite a bit of walking tomorrow too.

Adrian had his first flag football practice today. Grandpa (my dad) had to take him but I guess he did very well, I'm happy to report. I thought for sure he'd hate it since he's a little clumsy and (I thought a little) smaller than the other kids his age but Dad said he did very well; in fact, even better than a lot of the kids. He has another practice on Monday and then his first game next Saturday. I'll be sure to get some pictures up after his first game. I'll also be sure to get some pics up from the OSU game today once I get them uploaded. Too tired to do it tonight.

Tomorrow is a new day though as far as the eating well goes. I'm just going to dust myself off and start anew...

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Cardington SUCKS! And my little brother totally ROCKS!!!

Check out the story (from Marionstar.com):

Indians 'D' shuts down Cardington By RUSS GOULET • For The Marion Star • August 29, 2008 CARDINGTON - Mount Gilead senior Cody Castline hopes Friday night's 7-6 win over Mid Ohio Athletic Conference foe Cardington is the start of a new tradition.

It was the end of an old tradition as it was the first win for the Indians over the Pirates since the 2004 season.

"We are hoping to start a new tradition of never giving up. We want to play hard all four quarters. We did that tonight," said Castline. The Indians (1-1 overall, 1-0 in the MOAC) did not give up, especially on a defensive stand late in the fourth period of the game on the Pirate turf.

"We knew we had to stop them. We had not beaten them in a while and we did not want to give up," said the Mount Gilead senior.

The MG defense came up big throughout the game, holding the Cardington offense to just 29 yards in the first half. The Pirates finished the night with 163 yards. Castline said the key to the defensive success for Mount Gilead was simple.


"We all played our roles," he said. "I tried to not let anyone get outside on us and my teammates were all right there to make the stops."

Mount Gilead coach Steve Ringer was pleased with his team after giving up 50 points a week earlier.

"The kids played hard last week and we had some injuries and some things go bad, but this week we came back and played better," said Ringer. "Hopefully this will set us up to continue to get better." Ringer thought the defense was strong against a good Cardington offense. "They have a lot of weapons," he said. "We played well on defense."

The lone scoring in the first 24 minutes came in the opening quarter as Mount Gilead's Kyle Sweeney fell on a fumble in the end zone. Dane Jobe tacked on the extra point kick for a 7-0 count with 7:10 to play in the first period. Mount Gilead had driven from its own 35 down to the Cardington 1, but lost the ball on downs. Two plays later, Ryan Knauber tried a sweep, but was hit in the end zone and coughed up the ball. Sweeney pounced on it for the points. Cardington had a good scoring chance in the second quarter, taking over at the Mount Gilead 21 with 11:12 on the board. A holding penalty hampered the effort and the Pirates lost the ball on downs. Cardington got the offense moving in the third period as the Pirates moved 47 yards for a score. Knauber went the final eight yards for the touchdown with 2:14 to play in the stanza. The Pirates' try for two fell short as Mount Gilead's Marcus Vanderkool broke up the conversion attempt. Knauber ran the ball five times during the scoring bid. The Pirates (1-1, 0-1) had a chance to take the lead in the fourth quarter. Cardington held the Indians and took over at its own 28. Cardington moved down to the MG 30, but Dane Jobe came up with a fourth-down sack of Pirate quarterback Matt Kill. The Indians were then able to run out the final 1:30.

"When your defense pitches a shutout you should win the game or in the worst case come up with a tie," said Cardington coach Matt Stephens. "We didn't do either one. We gave them their only touchdown." Stephens felt his club was unable to move the ball early, but got the offense rolling in the second half. "We got things going in the fourth, but by then it was too late," said the Pirate coach. "The defense did what we needed to do. We just didn't get it done on offense."

Geoffrey Gompf led the Mount Gilead offense with 104 yards on the ground, while Chris Carver hauled in four passes for 82 yards. Knauber led Cardington with 91 yards rushing.

"This was a big win for our kids. It's a big rivalry. Our kids were amped and ready to play," said Ringer. Russ Goulet is a correspondent for The Marion Star.


I love you, Dane! I am SO proud of you!!! Keep up the GREAT work!!!

Monday, September 1, 2008

New Sparkpeople.com Group

I created a BabyCenter Moms group over on Sparkpeople.com. Here is the link if you are interested in joining:

http://teams.sparkpeople.com/babycentermoms

In case you don't know, Sparkpeople is a free website designed for anyone who is interested in losing weight and/or getting healthy. There are free food journals, fitness journals, and you can even create your own personal weight-loss page. If you have not joined before, it's pretty easy to get started. Just be sure to put that I referred you so I can get my points toward my next virtual trophy. My ID over there is siouxgal79. Hope to see you there! Let me know if you have any questions.

Down 4.6 lbs...WOO-HOO!

I couldn't believe my eyes when I stepped on the scale!

4.6 lbs. - even with the cheating!

The Wii Fit ROCKS! Only 5.4 lbs. to meet my first mini-goal and I gave myself until September 24th to do that.

I haven't been this excited about weight loss AND working out for a long time!

Wish me luck!