tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59875053758652739202024-03-13T14:36:02.275-07:00The Shrinking OwlA fat girl who likes owls trying to become less fat.Liz @ The Shrinking Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712388476939611129noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987505375865273920.post-71948751105129391352014-02-17T05:53:00.002-08:002014-02-17T05:53:35.207-08:00Struggling.Confession: I've really been struggling lately. I lost about 60 pounds last year (260-200ish) but have pretty much been staying around 200 since October or so. I don't know why I've stopped losing. Well, yes I do. I've stopped tracking my food, my exercise has died off (I was running like 3-4 times a week, now it's been two weeks without a workout and I'm supposed to do a 5K on my 33rd birthday in two weeks) and I am just ambivalent right now. And frustrated. I got on the scale this morning and it was up about five pounds, and I know it has to be water weight, but it made me tempted to resort to ED behaviors to combat my feelings on that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://chasingweekendsdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/no-effort-meme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://chasingweekendsdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/no-effort-meme.jpg" height="282" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I don't know if it's this winter or what, but I need spring to come soon. I miss the outdoors, I miss fresh fruit and veggies and farmers markets, I miss sunshine, I miss feeling good about myself. I feel like I'm just hanging on right now, waiting for warmer temperatures and all of this damn snow to melt.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RRnU0DWzxP4/UwIURZQ0eEI/AAAAAAAAKZU/e2Fkoy31X5A/s1600/IMAG0906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RRnU0DWzxP4/UwIURZQ0eEI/AAAAAAAAKZU/e2Fkoy31X5A/s1600/IMAG0906.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
come back to me, my love</div>
<br />Liz @ The Shrinking Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712388476939611129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987505375865273920.post-652338977082406482014-02-04T05:55:00.000-08:002014-02-04T05:59:01.095-08:00It's back: FMM!<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21.993999481201172px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Haven't done one of these in awhile. So, here we go.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21.993999481201172px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></strong><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://alltheweigh.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wpid-friend-makin-monday-for-post3-300x179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://alltheweigh.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wpid-friend-makin-monday-for-post3-300x179.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="text-align: start;">If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: </span><a href="http://www.alltheweigh.com/" style="text-align: start;">www.alltheweigh.com </a><span style="text-align: start;">so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21.993999481201172px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21.993999481201172px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Random Questions</span></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21.993999481201172px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Did you watch the Super Bowl? If so, what was your favorite part?</strong> Nope, didn't watch the big sportsball recital. I actually watched a whole bunch of episodes of FaceOff after I watched Puppy Bowl. And I fell asleep at the end of it. Oh well.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://img2-3.timeinc.net/people/i/2014/pets/news/140113/keyboard-cat-600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://img2-3.timeinc.net/people/i/2014/pets/news/140113/keyboard-cat-600.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I may or may not be wearing a keyboard cat t-shirt today.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21.993999481201172px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21.993999481201172px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2. <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">What is the weather like where you live?</strong> Cold and we got dumped on with snow yesterday. And now they are calling for MORE snow, topped with ice tonight. Fannnnnnnnnntastic.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21.993999481201172px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3. <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">When is your birthday?</strong> March 1. Less than a month!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v141/l_i_g_a_y_a/Intarwebz/LOLcat/nomnomnom-noitrmybirthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v141/l_i_g_a_y_a/Intarwebz/LOLcat/nomnomnom-noitrmybirthday.jpg" height="320" width="228" /></span></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21.993999481201172px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21.993999481201172px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">4. <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Do you prefer sparkling water or flat water?</strong> Flat. But I do like that fizzy flavored water stuff. Yum.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21.993999481201172px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">5. <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">How many hours did you sleep last night?</strong> 6.5 or so. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21.993999481201172px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">6. <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite day of the week?</strong> Saturday. I get to sleep, go to the market and see my brother and parents, and Saturday seems to be the night that I get to see the guy I'm dating.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21.993999481201172px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">7. <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">If you had to choose between riding a bike or swimming, which would you choose?</strong> Swimming. I LOVE SWIMMING.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21.993999481201172px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">8. <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">How often do you eat red meat?</strong> Not too often. Maybe once a week or so?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G264AUrmbW4/T8MVIvQffvI/AAAAAAAAEpw/mewMe0z5YqA/s1600/Bacon%20Double%20Cheese%20Burger%20Dip2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G264AUrmbW4/T8MVIvQffvI/AAAAAAAAEpw/mewMe0z5YqA/s1600/Bacon%20Double%20Cheese%20Burger%20Dip2.jpg" height="232" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Though I do plan to partake of bacon cheeseburger dip this weekend. NOM.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21.993999481201172px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21.993999481201172px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">9. <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">What time did you wake up this morning?</strong> 5:45ish. Zzzz.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 21.993999481201172px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">10. <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Do you have any goals for the week?</strong> Get my homework done well and on time.</span></div>
Liz @ The Shrinking Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712388476939611129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987505375865273920.post-53403441289728411752014-01-24T12:49:00.002-08:002014-01-24T12:49:27.256-08:00NBD, just rocking life.Oh hey. I have a blog.<br />
<br />
I'm still here. I haven't fallen off the wagon. Sure, I plateaued for about 3 months right around 203 pounds, but I made it through the holidays and guess what?<br />
<br />
I'm under 200 pounds for the first time in 5 years. I'm wearing size 16 jeans, and a L/XL shirt. I recommitted on January 2nd and the holiday pounds have been coming off slowly but surely.<br />
<br />
I feel AWESOME.<br />
<br />
This is what I have been up to since my last post, in early October, starting from now and going backwards.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KgyaL3QVI6I/UuLN0bFGNqI/AAAAAAAAKAw/B3TTAod-Qp8/s1600/IMAG0742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KgyaL3QVI6I/UuLN0bFGNqI/AAAAAAAAKAw/B3TTAod-Qp8/s1600/IMAG0742.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Holy crap, skinny jeans. Who am I.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And way back when, I said to myself that if I ever got below 200 pounds (and mentally added AND STAYED THERE), I would cut my hair.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XOiMzfCqrU0/UuLPn8w519I/AAAAAAAAKBU/3vCvR9MKIMg/s1600/IMAG0679_BURST001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XOiMzfCqrU0/UuLPn8w519I/AAAAAAAAKBU/3vCvR9MKIMg/s1600/IMAG0679_BURST001.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(This was actually early December, but I knew that the holidays were going to be a pain in the butt so I waited until last weekend.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrcJI93vmp0/UuLOHaTO6TI/AAAAAAAAKA4/qNIXDkBw3-c/s1600/IMAG0796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrcJI93vmp0/UuLOHaTO6TI/AAAAAAAAKA4/qNIXDkBw3-c/s1600/IMAG0796.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Before.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5tWqd44vJOE/UuLOHcLrt7I/AAAAAAAAKA4/xPKaESRLVAk/s1600/IMAG0797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5tWqd44vJOE/UuLOHcLrt7I/AAAAAAAAKA4/xPKaESRLVAk/s1600/IMAG0797.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
10 inches gone. I'm donating it to <a href="http://www.childrenwithhairloss.us/">Children With Hairloss</a>.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MRP3M1758iE/UuLOHe21IGI/AAAAAAAAKA4/lNZ9yFKs4Vg/s1600/IMAG0802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MRP3M1758iE/UuLOHe21IGI/AAAAAAAAKA4/lNZ9yFKs4Vg/s1600/IMAG0802.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Straightened-ish.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0w9lL5oNewI/UuLOWtgOIgI/AAAAAAAAKBE/TLOCiD9yjiE/s1600/IMAG0806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0w9lL5oNewI/UuLOWtgOIgI/AAAAAAAAKBE/TLOCiD9yjiE/s1600/IMAG0806.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Natural.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-30tnGKtlX_g/UuLPn5d2m2I/AAAAAAAAKBU/wXEMPIuV1Pc/s1600/IMAG0753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-30tnGKtlX_g/UuLPn5d2m2I/AAAAAAAAKBU/wXEMPIuV1Pc/s1600/IMAG0753.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My friend Emerald got me hooked on Korean dramas and I have been binge watching them.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been seeing a fantastic guy for about 3 1/2 months now. He's awesome.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I got my house all kinds of rearranged and even set up a home office in my front bedroom.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zQK6g0-SCTk/UuLPn8YBVnI/AAAAAAAAKBU/hmNlaUtWUUw/s1600/IMAG0674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zQK6g0-SCTk/UuLPn8YBVnI/AAAAAAAAKBU/hmNlaUtWUUw/s1600/IMAG0674.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BETRgVZq-ws/UuLPn6LfWPI/AAAAAAAAKBU/BPFftIdypwg/s1600/IMAG0766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BETRgVZq-ws/UuLPn6LfWPI/AAAAAAAAKBU/BPFftIdypwg/s1600/IMAG0766.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AukCuThlsd8/UuLPn3NCPFI/AAAAAAAAKBU/7FoAxec_6FI/s1600/IMAG0765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AukCuThlsd8/UuLPn3NCPFI/AAAAAAAAKBU/7FoAxec_6FI/s1600/IMAG0765.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Because I've gone back to school and am working on my master's degree.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GMPMMymfZHs/UuLRRwxBztI/AAAAAAAAKBo/S2asNI2QlaU/s1600/IMAG0785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GMPMMymfZHs/UuLRRwxBztI/AAAAAAAAKBo/S2asNI2QlaU/s1600/IMAG0785.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CueKTsWdSdQ/UuLPn6gWIrI/AAAAAAAAKBU/Kqom-HndCis/s1600/IMAG0754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CueKTsWdSdQ/UuLPn6gWIrI/AAAAAAAAKBU/Kqom-HndCis/s1600/IMAG0754.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I had Ethiopian food and it was AMAZING.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VS23h1XfHJE/UuLQChgfsMI/AAAAAAAAKBg/-YM8LScWJ5g/s1600/IMAG0746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VS23h1XfHJE/UuLQChgfsMI/AAAAAAAAKBg/-YM8LScWJ5g/s1600/IMAG0746.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5uYiLHB6Ghg/UuLPny_AxWI/AAAAAAAAKBU/RC4Ck80NJtw/s1600/IMAG0748-TWINKLE.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5uYiLHB6Ghg/UuLPny_AxWI/AAAAAAAAKBU/RC4Ck80NJtw/s1600/IMAG0748-TWINKLE.gif" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I had an amazing brunch with my beautiful friend at the Hotel Hershey.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6EN-JJS_QVs/UuLPn1iKypI/AAAAAAAAKBU/pSB6FhehNWs/s1600/IMAG0730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6EN-JJS_QVs/UuLPn1iKypI/AAAAAAAAKBU/pSB6FhehNWs/s1600/IMAG0730.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I had some amazing Korean food.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Un1bJ_JNoOc/UuLPn_BwhVI/AAAAAAAAKBU/N90mki0C_D4/s1600/IMAG0735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Un1bJ_JNoOc/UuLPn_BwhVI/AAAAAAAAKBU/N90mki0C_D4/s1600/IMAG0735.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_fGfRMELuGg/UuLPnzpmn5I/AAAAAAAAKBU/a9Rb87XbJhI/s1600/1388102892930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_fGfRMELuGg/UuLPnzpmn5I/AAAAAAAAKBU/a9Rb87XbJhI/s1600/1388102892930.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I baked a LOT over Christmas.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VDO51svdSAc/UuLPnxrpRnI/AAAAAAAAKBU/SGc3Wm2wZfY/s1600/FB_IMG_13865081436933780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VDO51svdSAc/UuLPnxrpRnI/AAAAAAAAKBU/SGc3Wm2wZfY/s1600/FB_IMG_13865081436933780.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I ran an entire 5K with said beautiful friend in Virginia in early December. I may or may not have blasted the Rocky theme song from my cell phone.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1idAGd6SjGY/UuLPn-PAsyI/AAAAAAAAKBU/qZTOyhhgfFE/s1600/IMAG0642_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1idAGd6SjGY/UuLPn-PAsyI/AAAAAAAAKBU/qZTOyhhgfFE/s1600/IMAG0642_1.jpg" height="304" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qhxzPXVUk3w/UuLPn2n-mBI/AAAAAAAAKBU/s_0IreuGfGo/s1600/IMAG0643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qhxzPXVUk3w/UuLPn2n-mBI/AAAAAAAAKBU/s_0IreuGfGo/s1600/IMAG0643.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I ran a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O5oyZswEuNA/UuLPn8pEYqI/AAAAAAAAKBU/BDPyPWdkcyo/s1600/IMAG0609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O5oyZswEuNA/UuLPn8pEYqI/AAAAAAAAKBU/BDPyPWdkcyo/s1600/IMAG0609.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4DRbMh-coMU/UuLPn9bwzpI/AAAAAAAAKBU/GLlA_zf1lpU/s1600/IMAG0608_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4DRbMh-coMU/UuLPn9bwzpI/AAAAAAAAKBU/GLlA_zf1lpU/s1600/IMAG0608_1.jpg" height="313" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I did the Color Run in Baltimore in November with a group of fantastic ladies, including Holly from<a href="http://www.mamabearblogs.com/"> Mama Bear Blogs</a>.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SurATMKeXOw/UuLPnxVuzSI/AAAAAAAAKBU/zX8Ccu-mWDM/s1600/IMAG0566-MOTION.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SurATMKeXOw/UuLPnxVuzSI/AAAAAAAAKBU/zX8Ccu-mWDM/s1600/IMAG0566-MOTION.gif" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I took an archery class and have horrible form and need a better bra.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
That's what I've been up to. I swear I'm going to try to be better about posting here.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Liz @ The Shrinking Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712388476939611129noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987505375865273920.post-61401753122761466782013-11-18T12:50:00.000-08:002014-01-24T12:50:50.236-08:00This was in November, but apparently I forgot to publish it. Oops.Oops.<br />
<br />
I said I was going to be better about blogging, and then I went and got myself a life and that flew out the window.<br />
<br />
Let's do some updating, shall we?<br />
<br />
What I'm Up To:<br />
<br />
Work<br />
<br />
I work about 45-50 hours a week, and also wait tables on weekends at my brother's restaurant, so I'd say I work about 60-70 hours a week most weeks.<br />
<br />
Oh, and my work approved me to enroll in graduate school, so starting January, I will be taking online courses to get my MS. Woohoo!<br />
<br />
I am pretty sure that once I start up with grad school, waiting tables will have to go. Obviously I can't quit my full-time job, and I need to keep my health/fitness as a priority, so waiting tables is the only thing I can get rid of. It'll suck because the money and environment is so much fun, but my brother absolutely understands and is supportive of me getting more education, especially on my company's dime.<br />
<br />
Friends<br />
<br />
I go out with my friends usually at least once a week, and go on a date at least once a week (I have someone I am seeing but we haven't had THAT TALK yet, but it's no biggie. We're just enjoying each other's company and so yeah.)<br />
<br />
Working Out<br />
<br />
I did The Color Run in Baltimore this past Sunday with four of my best friends and it was the most fun I have had in a long, long time. They are amazing, especially my friend Beth who RAN THE ENTIRE THING. This is the woman who told me less than a year ago that she a) DOES NOT RUN and b) does NOT wear white in public. Then she started C25K a few months ago and I asked her to join the race again, and BAM. Her first 5K, and she rocked it. We are doing another one together in December, and I'm hopefully going to do an 8K with Holly the weekend after that.<br />
<br />
Other than that, I am struggling with my workouts. The time change has really messed me up. I love to run outside. But with working 9-10 hour days, it's dark by the time I get out of work, unless I start showing up at work at 6am, and that is just NOT gonna happen.<br />
<br />
So my options are to use the treadmill in my company's gym, which I have done a few times, but it is SO BORING. And the TV there only plays Fox News and you can't change the channel. I know. Ridiculous. I HATE the treadmill, ugh.<br />
<br />
I could attempt to run outside at night, but that feels massively unsafe to me. The only well-lit areas that I am really aware of are not in the safest of areas. I may try running the local college campus, but again, I am concerned about safety. Do you have any night-running safety tips I can use? I wouldn't be running on a road, just on the campus, but still...<br />
<br />
I've been taking Zumba classes when I can, but that doesn't always work scheduling wise, and the place I go is REALLY crowded sometimes and it's hard to concentrate on getting a good workout when you are trying not to smack the person next to you in the head.<br />
<br />
And last but not least.... I won the giveaway on It's A Dog Lick Baby World for a free entry to any Spartan Race. I know, what the heck was I thinking? But I am going to attempt to do it, I just have no idea where to start. I have zero upper body strength. HELP.<br />
<br />
Food<br />
<br />
My eating has not been that great. I could make excuses left, right, and center, but really, I have just been lazy. I'm struggling with binging again because of stress, but I am trying to fight it. Luckily, I haven't gained any weight, but I haven't lost in awhile either. I'm holding steady at 202-205. I had hoped to be under 200 by Thanksgiving, but my discipline has just flown out the window.<br />
<br />
I'm determined to enjoy myself in moderation during the holidays and have given myself a five-pound buffer. Come January, I'm going back to tracking and scheduling workouts, hopefully establishing a training schedule in order to prepare for the Spartan race.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Liz @ The Shrinking Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712388476939611129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987505375865273920.post-60977238184480023722013-10-08T10:40:00.000-07:002013-10-08T10:40:07.211-07:00Technical DifficultiesI have no idea why everything has disappeared from my blog.<br />
<br />
What the heck is going on?<br />
<br />
<br />Liz @ The Shrinking Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712388476939611129noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987505375865273920.post-31877062712849969942013-10-04T06:47:00.000-07:002013-10-04T06:47:00.157-07:00On 55 pounds lost.This morning I weighed in at 204.6. According to my MFP sidebar, that puts me at 56 pounds lost.<br />
<br />
Things that have changed since I have lost 55 pounds:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>I can shop at straight-sized stores again (though I don't really have the money to do so at the moment)</li>
<li>I don't automatically hate every picture I see of myself</li>
<li>My butt looks FANTASTIC from running (even if I've been majorly slacking lately)</li>
<li>I don't feel like I am being judged for eating in public as much as I used to</li>
<li>I'm not tired all the time</li>
<li>My back doesn't hurt when I wake up in the morning</li>
<li>Climbing a flight of stairs is nothing</li>
<li>I'm getting positive attention from men and have been dating</li>
<li>My grocery bill is lower because I buy fresh things and eat them before they go bad</li>
<li>I sleep more soundly</li>
<li>I feel more confident in general</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QbwUL85t1EE/Uk7GYfNsx8I/AAAAAAAAHro/qUDh-GT8jYE/s1600/IMAG0277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QbwUL85t1EE/Uk7GYfNsx8I/AAAAAAAAHro/qUDh-GT8jYE/s1600/IMAG0277.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hand on the hip is surprisingly flattering. Too bad I don't have red hair.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MKDiejpkKps/Uk7GYf2SdFI/AAAAAAAAHro/lym2tef_7uA/s1600/IMAG0274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MKDiejpkKps/Uk7GYf2SdFI/AAAAAAAAHro/lym2tef_7uA/s1600/IMAG0274.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It hasn't been easy. And I still have another 50 pounds or so to go (we'll see). But I am *thisclose* to being the weight I was when I got divorced in 2008 and ballooned out of sheer depression.<br />
<br />
I haven't really talked about that much, but yeah, I got divorced in 2008. I was married for 3.5 years to a man I thought I wanted to be with forever. I got married because I thought it was what I was supposed to do. After all, that's what my parents did, and they have an awesome marriage, so if I did that too, then my marriage would be amazing, right?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v688/thelizzy/lizweddingpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v688/thelizzy/lizweddingpic.jpg" height="400" width="208" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I don't even recognize myself.</div>
<br />
Oh, how wrong I was. My ex-husband and I didn't live together before we got married and it was, suffice it to say, quite the adjustment. Couple that with sheer ignorance of how to be an adult on both our parts, and well, it wasn't a marriage. It was playing at marriage, with one stubborn-as-hell spoiled Mommy's boy (him) and one headstrong spoiled only-girl-in-a-family-of-all-older-brothers (me). It was a recipe for disaster that ended with him being angry and distant and me completely losing who I was in my desperation to be what I thought he wanted me to be.<br />
<br />
I'm not sure why this has been on my mind a lot lately. It seems like so long ago, and like it happened to someone else. Maybe it was because I went back to my college alma mater this past weekend and felt like I had stepped into my past. I stood in front of my senior year dorm where I watched my roommate and the guy I loved kiss not 100 yards from me, no idea that I was there and saw the whole thing (right after my computer lost my thesis paper).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/---JtAf3ar9c/Uk7FoUcKvmI/AAAAAAAAHrI/OUahW0OUkpg/s1600/IMAG0224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/---JtAf3ar9c/Uk7FoUcKvmI/AAAAAAAAHrI/OUahW0OUkpg/s1600/IMAG0224.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I went into the church on campus and remembered singing in the choir when I was a music major. I walked by where we met up for orientation and sat on the bench I had to rest on after I got the flu REALLY badly my freshman year and my mom couldn't come and take care of me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8vH6KAbMT8U/Uk7FwX79Y0I/AAAAAAAAHrQ/hxaa0mONlRE/s1600/IMAG0219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8vH6KAbMT8U/Uk7FwX79Y0I/AAAAAAAAHrQ/hxaa0mONlRE/s1600/IMAG0219.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I've grown a lot since then. I live alone. I have a good full-time job, I cook, I clean, I have successfully kept this silly Monkey alive for 9 years.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QPhw9b7WjyQ/Uk7F6V2QHEI/AAAAAAAAHrY/4Jlbtj3tkwc/s1600/1378679077443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QPhw9b7WjyQ/Uk7F6V2QHEI/AAAAAAAAHrY/4Jlbtj3tkwc/s1600/1378679077443.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Yes, my last relationship didn't work out. But it's going to be okay. I didn't think it would be okay 10 years ago when I saw Mike and Jessica kissing, or 5 years ago when I finally had the guts to say out loud "I want a divorce". But it will be. It has to be.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="320" src="http://christahobart.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/419998_10150606191314295_791359294_8830370_1859691345_n.jpg" width="239" /></div>
<br />Liz @ The Shrinking Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712388476939611129noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987505375865273920.post-74848270807402989702013-09-27T04:42:00.000-07:002013-09-27T04:42:10.076-07:00What I've Been DoingYes, I know I said I was back. But apparently I am full of it, because I then went over a week and a half without posting.<br />
<br />
But I have an excuse! I've been getting a life! Seriously. I am in such a great place right now: great friends, happy with my job, and even dipping my toes into the dating pool, which has been surprisingly way more successful than I ever anticipated (or maybe I don't have very high expectations?).<br />
<br />
Right now, unfortunately I have caught the Death Plague Cold (TM). Of course, I am heading to DC tonight to see some of my fabulous friends that I haven't seen since January, so this will be wonderful. I can't wait.<br />
<br />
Other things I've been doing...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GutZ_7pZh9E/UkVtNlOx3lI/AAAAAAAAHYk/OsFd8IXuk5w/s1600/IMAG0201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GutZ_7pZh9E/UkVtNlOx3lI/AAAAAAAAHYk/OsFd8IXuk5w/s1600/IMAG0201.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Getting Thai food with the fabulous Heidi.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NfvkMBeN_H4/UkVtT6YLEkI/AAAAAAAAHYs/GRdaSQIoI1o/s1600/IMAG0197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NfvkMBeN_H4/UkVtT6YLEkI/AAAAAAAAHYs/GRdaSQIoI1o/s1600/IMAG0197.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wd72XdcJmJ0/UkVtV3MuGpI/AAAAAAAAHY0/XLnYbQuhfcI/s1600/IMAG0196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wd72XdcJmJ0/UkVtV3MuGpI/AAAAAAAAHY0/XLnYbQuhfcI/s1600/IMAG0196.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Drinking tea and hanging with my best girl on a sick day from work (while looking at The Daily Corgi, because corgis = awesome)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KG5w0CusWXQ/UkVti4Zh05I/AAAAAAAAHY8/DsHexViiZaI/s1600/IMAG0190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KG5w0CusWXQ/UkVti4Zh05I/AAAAAAAAHY8/DsHexViiZaI/s1600/IMAG0190.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Trying to sell crap like this on Craigslist (can't imagine why no one wants it...)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-840YEumAlD4/UkVtq8H21AI/AAAAAAAAHZE/ucM8xgKmP0U/s1600/IMAG0183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-840YEumAlD4/UkVtq8H21AI/AAAAAAAAHZE/ucM8xgKmP0U/s1600/IMAG0183.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TFhTItwH86Y/UkVtq2odVPI/AAAAAAAAHZE/pglIrpGgCjI/s1600/IMAG0181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TFhTItwH86Y/UkVtq2odVPI/AAAAAAAAHZE/pglIrpGgCjI/s1600/IMAG0181.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hitting up the Greek food festival with friends Joe, Anthony, and Heidi.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lj19YadEQio/UkVt7PzJJpI/AAAAAAAAHZQ/QYFMFa70aZ8/s1600/IMAG0158-MOTION.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lj19YadEQio/UkVt7PzJJpI/AAAAAAAAHZQ/QYFMFa70aZ8/s1600/IMAG0158-MOTION.gif" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Taking Bella for frozen yogurt.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-brNGEaKfMBI/UkVuJJlyZ4I/AAAAAAAAHZY/gUNOl3EJlL8/s1600/IMAG0176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-brNGEaKfMBI/UkVuJJlyZ4I/AAAAAAAAHZY/gUNOl3EJlL8/s1600/IMAG0176.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Trying to figure out what the hell to do with eight pattypan squash.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r-YKFinOKJg/UkVuTh5M5-I/AAAAAAAAHZg/dFLcHUWZHSM/s1600/IMAG0167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r-YKFinOKJg/UkVuTh5M5-I/AAAAAAAAHZg/dFLcHUWZHSM/s1600/IMAG0167.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wxSwKswp9TQ/UkVuTgkRrjI/AAAAAAAAHZg/Au0es1uGK8U/s1600/IMAG0164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wxSwKswp9TQ/UkVuTgkRrjI/AAAAAAAAHZg/Au0es1uGK8U/s1600/IMAG0164.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Going to the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3sLUpFLinOQ/UkVuhD-9P4I/AAAAAAAAHZo/OKfkXo1Tatw/s1600/IMAG0153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3sLUpFLinOQ/UkVuhD-9P4I/AAAAAAAAHZo/OKfkXo1Tatw/s1600/IMAG0153.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Taking pictures of bacon</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r3JNzmOFSDE/UkVuhAlPMuI/AAAAAAAAHZo/MuyopLRuo7I/s1600/IMAG0155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r3JNzmOFSDE/UkVuhAlPMuI/AAAAAAAAHZo/MuyopLRuo7I/s1600/IMAG0155.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Working at my brother's restaurant</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f8Qyi5AOuRk/UkVuqcF9ZhI/AAAAAAAAHZw/9Y0LqOIcvrk/s1600/IMAG0148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f8Qyi5AOuRk/UkVuqcF9ZhI/AAAAAAAAHZw/9Y0LqOIcvrk/s1600/IMAG0148.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Eating pumpkin funnel cake</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3jTIQPGlo0/UkVuqdraA-I/AAAAAAAAHZw/-qlQaLnsIzI/s1600/1379108538534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3jTIQPGlo0/UkVuqdraA-I/AAAAAAAAHZw/-qlQaLnsIzI/s1600/1379108538534.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Taking pictures of the last place I ran. I've really been slacking on that, and um, my first 5K is in oh, a week? Crap. <b>Anyone have any good tips on how to be prepared to run a 5K when I haven't run in two weeks and am getting over a cold?</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Liz @ The Shrinking Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712388476939611129noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987505375865273920.post-7379022699192739342013-09-16T06:28:00.001-07:002013-09-16T06:28:17.196-07:00Friend Makin' Monday: Relationships and Dating<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7k65uBZysws/UeP6tv7KMUI/AAAAAAAAGFM/84IpGMySKTc/s1600/wpid-friend-makin-monday-for-post3-300x179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7k65uBZysws/UeP6tv7KMUI/AAAAAAAAGFM/84IpGMySKTc/s1600/wpid-friend-makin-monday-for-post3-300x179.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: </span><a href="http://www.alltheweigh.com/" style="text-align: start;">www.alltheweigh.com </a><span style="text-align: start;">so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">Relationships and Dating</span></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>1. List five characteristics that you think are important in a significant other. </b><br />
Only five? Hooboy. Good person. Employed/self-sufficient. Wants to do fun stuff to me ifyouknowwhatImean. Loves animals. Not abusive/addict/alcoholic.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mbbywjaicn1qepdgco1_500.gif" /></div>
<br />
Oh my.<br />
<br />
<b>2. If you had to choose between staying single for the next two years (as in, no dating at all,) or receiving $10,000, which would you choose? </b><br />
Wait, am I reading this right? I can take 10K AND get to date? Why would anyone want to stay single then and not date? I don't get it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>3. What is your relationship status? Are you satisfied with it? </b><br />
I'm single. I recently got out of a five year relationship and while it has been hard, it's the right thing. So yes, I'm satisfied. I am dating.<br />
<br />
<b>4. Would you date someone who has children? </b><br />
I would, but to be honest, it's not my ideal situation. But then again, what ever is?<br />
<br />
<b>5. Would you date someone who’s shorter than you? </b><br />
Sure, if we are compatible in every other way.<br />
<br />
<b>6. Would you date someone who has different political views? </b><br />
Sure, as long as they are open to discussion and not a jerk about it.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="400" src="http://static.fjcdn.com/pictures/Teachin_a2d2c3_2316099.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>7. If you were going on vacation together, would you choose the beach or the mountains? </b><br />
I love both, but right now, I'd choose the beach.<br />
<br />
<b>8. How do you show someone that you’re interested in them? </b><br />
I smile, I laugh, I touch their arm, I tease.<br />
<br />
<b>9. Do you prefer to date people who are older than you or younger? </b><br />
Older. Mid-to-late 30s.<br />
<br />
<b>10. Share some details of your dream date. </b><br />
Doesn't really matter to me as long as we get along, laugh, are attracted, and I get an awesome kiss at the end.<br />
<br />
<br />
Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions! Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments! Say hello to someone new too! Happy Monday, friends!Liz @ The Shrinking Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712388476939611129noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987505375865273920.post-20314809108472311242013-09-13T07:35:00.001-07:002013-09-13T07:35:23.964-07:00I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaack.I took a little break from blogging because of Real Life, but I think I'm back now. At least for a little bit.<br />
<br />
I'll admit the reason I took down my blog for a bit was stupid: a boy. I was afraid a boy would find it and be like "WOW WHAT A FATTY, GROSS. DON'T WANT TO HIT THAT."<br />
<br />
But then I realized, my weight is a big part of who I am now. And if a guy can't deal with the fact that I was once heavier and out of shape, do I really want him as a part of my life?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.searchquotes.com/sof/images/picture_quotes/80401_20130304_075452_310620_372277129516971_1364063551_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.searchquotes.com/sof/images/picture_quotes/80401_20130304_075452_310620_372277129516971_1364063551_n.jpg" height="294" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This isn't about a specific guy, it's just in general.<br />
<br />
Anyway.<br />
<br />
I'm weighing in at 209 pounds. I only lost 3 pounds in August, and suddenly I've lost about 4 pounds in a week or so. I don't know if it's because I loosened up with what I was eating or what, but I'll take it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aKzlbCMw6pY/UjMhRchjrvI/AAAAAAAAHFI/inHKYT66Yos/s1600/1378949108922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aKzlbCMw6pY/UjMhRchjrvI/AAAAAAAAHFI/inHKYT66Yos/s1600/1378949108922.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Holy crap, I kind of have a jawline now.</div>
<br />
<br />
I've been spending lots of time being social with friends and it's been wonderful. I have a fantastic group of friends who have been incredibly supportive throughout the past few months, and I am so lucky.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Izg_tBiCY0/UjMhmmUoSUI/AAAAAAAAHFQ/EBcpYL6k6Qo/s1600/IMAG0135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Izg_tBiCY0/UjMhmmUoSUI/AAAAAAAAHFQ/EBcpYL6k6Qo/s1600/IMAG0135.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is <a href="http://heidichampa.blogspot.com/">Heidi</a>, she is awesome. She is a writer of smut. You should see her butt. I adore her. That's Jeri behind her. I also adore Jeri. She is sunshine and unicorns.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GW_VIVDvxe4/UjMhmoAc4sI/AAAAAAAAHFQ/nK6gpPAdKMU/s1600/IMAG0133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GW_VIVDvxe4/UjMhmoAc4sI/AAAAAAAAHFQ/nK6gpPAdKMU/s1600/IMAG0133.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
That's Anthony, Heidi's husband. <a href="http://whiteroseteddybear.blogspot.com/">His teddy bear has a blog</a>. And Jesse, Jeri's husband, who gives great hugs.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hals4Mct31U/UjMhmg6_DBI/AAAAAAAAHFQ/WTzZw8E5Zug/s1600/IMAG0112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hals4Mct31U/UjMhmg6_DBI/AAAAAAAAHFQ/WTzZw8E5Zug/s1600/IMAG0112.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mmm, pumpkin beer.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JYi560O3Djk/UjMhms8sw3I/AAAAAAAAHFQ/ulmSZ5O6znM/s1600/IMAG0098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JYi560O3Djk/UjMhms8sw3I/AAAAAAAAHFQ/ulmSZ5O6znM/s1600/IMAG0098.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Riding a corgi into battle.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QT3rBpkCQfA/UjMhmqwB3vI/AAAAAAAAHFQ/oQkRH_FSDZs/s1600/IMAG0059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QT3rBpkCQfA/UjMhmqwB3vI/AAAAAAAAHFQ/oQkRH_FSDZs/s1600/IMAG0059.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Street art.</div>
<br />
<br />
Onward, friends.Liz @ The Shrinking Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712388476939611129noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987505375865273920.post-43293074575335303222013-08-28T06:11:00.002-07:002013-09-13T07:22:06.925-07:00How normal people eat and a self-image freak-out.<a href="http://www.mealsandmoves.com/">Janetha </a>posted a link to this very interesting article on the Huffington Post: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/isabel-foxen-duke/healthy-eating-tips_b_3791498.html?utm_hp_ref=healthy-living">5 Ways to Eat Like a 'Normal' Person (That Dieters Just Don't Get)</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://images2.beautyheaven.com.au/system/posts/443032/images/resized/funny%20diet%20tip.jpg?1340928002" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images2.beautyheaven.com.au/system/posts/443032/images/resized/funny%20diet%20tip.jpg?1340928002" height="280" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This is just... completely not me. I think about food all the damn time. If I don't plan my meals or look at menus ahead of time, I get anxious. And then I question myself: Is this healthy behavior? Am I giving myself an eating disorder (beyond what I'm already dealing with)?<br />
<br />
And is it okay to plan and count calories when I am actively trying to lose weight? It's better to do that than remain obese and unhealthy, right? (Please keep in mind that obese and unhealthy are NOT synonymous. *I* was obese and unhealthy. But one can be unhealthy at any weight, and one can be obese and be otherwise extremely healthy. I am talking only about my personal experience.)<br />
<br />
I'm trying to practice moderation, but it's hard for me. I am a volume eater, and tend to have very black-and-white reactions to things: it's all or nothing. If I'm going to eat chocolate, I'm going to eat an entire bar or a handful of Hershey's Kisses. None of this "oh just one or two" stuff. Like everything in my life, I do it whole hog and go all out. No half-assing it here.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/fbf1683f86260e912ba832151902ba77/tumblr_mgh3d6LxUy1s1wlr0o1_500.gif" /></div>
<br />
On a completely unrelated note, I am completely insecure in how I look right now. Yesterday I had a full-blown meltdown over it. I was wearing grey jeans, a black V-neck t-shirt, and Converse sneakers. Two, three, four months ago, this outfit would have looked fine. But since I've started running, my lower body has been shrinking RAPIDLY. Less than a month ago, I bought three pairs of size 18 pants. They are all too big now to the point where I had to buy a belt this weekend. My 2X shirts are billowy now, and men's XL t-shirts are rapidly approaching that point.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="274" src="http://zrdavis.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/tent-shirt1.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The shirt I had on yesterday was a ladies' XL, and it looked awful. (You must be thinking "WHY DID YOU WEAR IT THEN, LIZ?" I'll tell you why: because I had to do some climbing around on a large structure yesterday for my job, and the last time I wore it, it looked okay, so I stupidly assumed it would STILL look okay.)<br />
<br />
I caught a glimpse of myself in the full-length mirror in the bathroom and promptly lost my shit. I looked terrible. My jeans were too big, too baggy, my shirt made me look huge. I looked frumptastic. I looked like the frumpiest frump who ever frumped, and I didn't even have silver sandals on or horizontal stripes or a Davidson visor.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="241" src="http://i.imgur.com/y8uv2l0.jpg?1?5333" width="400" /></div>
I freaked out to my work-wife, Joanna, who lent me a pair of sandals, and I ran to Ross as soon as I got out of work and frantically tried on random items until I found something that would be acceptable for my evening plans. I succeeded, but barely. I wish I had had more time.<br />
<br />
Anyway, the point of this blathering on and on is that none of my clothes fit, and I can't go dropping $50 every time I want to buy something that fits. I'm going to do a major closet clean-out next weekend, but I'd really prefer not to live in elastic waist pants for the next several months while I continue losing weight.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="225" src="http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/screencrush.com/files/2012/06/gif-11.gif" width="400" /></div>
<br />Liz @ The Shrinking Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712388476939611129noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987505375865273920.post-91326951465278954952013-08-26T10:40:00.003-07:002013-09-13T07:22:06.988-07:00FMM<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7k65uBZysws/UeP6tv7KMUI/AAAAAAAAGFM/84IpGMySKTc/s1600/wpid-friend-makin-monday-for-post3-300x179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7k65uBZysws/UeP6tv7KMUI/AAAAAAAAGFM/84IpGMySKTc/s1600/wpid-friend-makin-monday-for-post3-300x179.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: <a href="http://www.alltheweigh.com/">www.alltheweigh.com </a>so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">Questions and Answers</span></u></b></div>
<br />
<b>1. What is a typical weekday like for you? </b><br />
I wake up around 6AM and get ready for work and am at work by 7:30AM at the latest. I work until 5-5:30PM, then go run until about 7PM. I get home, throw dinner in the oven, and take a rinse-off shower while dinner cooks. Then I chill on the couch with TV and internets.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Name one song that never fails to make you happy and one song that you always listen to when you’re sad. </b><br />
"A Better Son/Daughter" by Rilo Kiley. ANTHEM!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/o7N-0I8Y1rk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>3. Did you watch the VMA’s last night? </b><br />
I did not. I watched Roxanne. I had no idea the VMAs were even on, but apparently I missed a twerkathon.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="400" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/4c863a09f38c4c5798f1b2a1f549f40d/tumblr_ms4d9dixJA1r8bo4jo1_500.jpg" width="325" /></div>
<br />
<b>4. Share at least two talents that you possess.</b><br />
I am a great cook and am good at finding bargains.<br />
<br />
<b>5. Share one thing that you wish you had the confidence to do. </b><br />
Wear clothes that show off my body/flatter me.<br />
<br />
<b>6. Tell us about one insecurity that people might be surprised that you have. </b><br />
I am constantly second-guessing myself and care too much about what others think of me.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>7. If you could be the CEO of any company, which one would you choose to lead? </b><br />
The Humane Society of the United States. And I would completely overthrow everything they do and<a href="http://www.humanewatch.org/"> make them actually help animals</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>8. List at least three hobbies that make you happy. </b><br />
Cooking, running, and reading.<br />
<br />
<b>9. Is there someone in your life that you wish you could say “I love you” to? </b><br />
Yes.<br />
<br />
<b>10. Share one cool thing that happened over the weekend. </b><br />
I went to an awesome cigar box guitar/jug band show and the local Artsfest!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u7EKLphUECY/UhuSxSDPU_I/AAAAAAAAGug/gtuf2X9g_vs/s1600/IMAG0059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u7EKLphUECY/UhuSxSDPU_I/AAAAAAAAGug/gtuf2X9g_vs/s1600/IMAG0059.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions. Happy Monday, friends!Liz @ The Shrinking Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712388476939611129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987505375865273920.post-11299097363660607052013-08-22T06:37:00.002-07:002013-09-13T07:22:06.893-07:00"You're so inspiring!"I feel like I am constantly apologizing for sporadic posts. The truth is, my life is very busy right now, between work, personal stuff, and trying to have an active social life.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://i729.photobucket.com/albums/ww293/Staciesmadness/1275685180nothingdone.gif" /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It seems like a lot of people have been noticing my weight loss lately (down to 213.2 as of this morning!). I don't know if it's because I bought pants that fit, or what, but I've been getting a lot of compliments. Some people have even gone so far as to say "You are so inspiring!"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The thing is, I don't feel inspiring. I still feel like the invisible fat girl in the room. And while I am still quite far from my goal and have a long way to go, I know that I am looking better than I have in years. My double chin is almost gone, I can feel my hipbones again, and my pants (the ones I JUST BOUGHT) are too big for me.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6HVLauNvPOc/TVeDvmWicmI/AAAAAAAAADo/_-u3i_fmKSk/s400/dancing-elephant-animation-shaking%2Bass.gif" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
But on the inside, I am still insecure, feeling like I have to be funny or outlandish to get positive attention, and when someone tells me I'm attractive, I think they are lying to me.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'd really love to hear from anyone else who has had to deal with this. Anyone? How long does it take for the inside to match the outside?</div>
</div>
Liz @ The Shrinking Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712388476939611129noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987505375865273920.post-4559540427311307002013-08-17T15:35:00.000-07:002013-09-13T07:22:06.934-07:00Busy Saturday and lots of talk about delicious foods I bought.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
What a day!<br />
<br />
First, let me back up to Friday night. Last night involved Chinese food and frozen yogurt, and dude, I think I have a food hangover today.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fi-TSYK7E9Q/Ug_3lVgIq9I/AAAAAAAAGco/NPMF9rvHoL0/s1600/IMAG0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fi-TSYK7E9Q/Ug_3lVgIq9I/AAAAAAAAGco/NPMF9rvHoL0/s1600/IMAG0016.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I call this "The Deathstar". It consists of chocolate yogurt, peanut butter yogurt, brownie bites, a crumbled chocolate chip cookie, crushed Oreos, rainbow sprinkles, caramel syrup, and chocolate syrup. Seriously sugar overload, but SO good. HOLY YUM, HAHAHA AM I POPULAR AND WEARING SHORTS UP MY HOO-HAH YET? GIMME FREE TRIPS! Whoops, sorry. I channeled someone else for a second there.</div>
<br />
I eat pretty healthy usually, and I seriously felt hungover this morning. I don't know if it was because of the MSG or the sodium or the sugar or what, but all I want to do is drink water today.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I didn't sleep well because of the sugar and MSG, but I got up and went to a nearby community yardsale where I scored some hanging metal baskets that get my produce up and off the counter, and a bunch of Star Wars toys for a friend of mine.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n5_0MG4qsJU/Ug_4k736u-I/AAAAAAAAGc4/AudEb2yRB2I/s1600/IMAG0017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n5_0MG4qsJU/Ug_4k736u-I/AAAAAAAAGc4/AudEb2yRB2I/s1600/IMAG0017.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These squirrels looked strangely evil to me.</div>
<br />
Then it was off to the farmer's market to say hi to my Mama and brother, and have lunch with some friends. All that sugar last night didn't stop me from trying some amazing Filipino food today at a stand that just opened at the market. It was AWESOME.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YlxGk75xPV8/Ug_4wSy5LmI/AAAAAAAAGdI/XmVj1lgDsiA/s1600/IMAG0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YlxGk75xPV8/Ug_4wSy5LmI/AAAAAAAAGdI/XmVj1lgDsiA/s1600/IMAG0023.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pork (in?) adobo with jasmine rice. The pork was slow simmered and fell right off the bone. I ate every bite. If you're local, you HAVE to try Tasa in Central Market!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I bought a ridiculous amount of fruits and veggies:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li> an eggplant for eggplant fries</li>
<li>two huge beefsteak tomtatoes that I plan to roast with olive oil and roasted garlic salt and top with fresh mozzarella</li>
<li>green beans</li>
<li> white peaches</li>
<li>a dozen ears of white corn that I'm going to cook up and freeze the kernels</li>
<li>Oh, and some Carolina-style mustardy barbecue sauce. </li>
<li>And four different smoked salts because I am addicted to the stuff.</li>
<li>And a sea salt caramel and chocolate cupcake.</li>
<li>And some more stuff that I'm sure I'm forgetting.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
... man I'm hungry now. I'm going to go make some burgers for dinner. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xbBU1xmPAmY/T1cesJOZM1I/AAAAAAAACh8/6pX38apm_nc/s1600/eat.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xbBU1xmPAmY/T1cesJOZM1I/AAAAAAAACh8/6pX38apm_nc/s1600/eat.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Liz @ The Shrinking Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712388476939611129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987505375865273920.post-61114959820118814252013-08-14T06:09:00.003-07:002013-09-13T07:22:06.957-07:00Wednesday randomnessJust a list of stuff that is running through my head.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>Oh my God, I am terrified of dating again. How the hell do you find a man in his 30s who a) does not already have children (I really don't want to be a stepmom, y'all), b) doesn't live in his mother's basement/has a job/is a productive adult, and c) isn't some kind of freak who wants to like, do really weird gross stuff on me or something?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_maz7yviVBj1qery84.jpg" /><br /><br /></div>
</li>
<li>Should I be eating something ("refueling", wtf, it's EATING something) after I finish running? I usually chug some water, come home, throw dinner in the oven, shower, and end up eating like, an hour after I finish. I don't want to drink gross protein shakes or eat protein balls or whatever people who pose with their hand permanently stuck to their hip do, I just want to make sure I am Doing It Right.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="308" src="http://www.themotocrosssite.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/FoodAsFuel_TheMotocrosSite-1024x791.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Maybe I'll just drink gasoline.</span></div>
</li>
<li>Speaking of running, my Runtastic stuff says that I am burning about 200-225ish calories per mile. Is that accurate? It doesn't seem accurate to me... I mean, I am slow as hell. Anyone out there around 215 pounds who could shed some light on this for me?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.webpagescreenshot.info/i3/520b8098cd3f61-02736479" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://www.webpagescreenshot.info/i3/520b8098cd3f61-02736479" height="341" width="640" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Yes, I know, I am slow as hell. No judging allowed. Right now I am just trying to finish the Zombie runs, not going for super speed.</span></div>
</li>
<li>I vacillate between "I FEEL HOT, Y'ALL SHOULD WANT THIS" and self-loathing that makes me wonder if anyone will ever find me attractive again. I KNOW. Ridiculous.<br /></li>
<li>Crap, I have so much cleaning in my house to do. Like, SO MUCH. I am considering hiring a maid service or someone who wants to earn some bucks to help me get a handle on it/create a baseline of clean. Has anyone ever done this?</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ln825bcUtH1qirvj1o1_500.gif" /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Liz @ The Shrinking Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712388476939611129noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987505375865273920.post-40181461335086107602013-08-12T09:33:00.000-07:002013-09-13T07:22:06.920-07:00FMM and shtuffSorry I have been shitty at best with my posts (all 8 of you that actually read this, lol). I'm going through a breakup right now and working 50 hours a week in addition to trying to keep up with healthy habits, so things are kind of all over the place right now.<br />
<br />
Onto the fun stuff...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7k65uBZysws/UeP6tv7KMUI/AAAAAAAAGFM/84IpGMySKTc/s1600/wpid-friend-makin-monday-for-post3-300x179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7k65uBZysws/UeP6tv7KMUI/AAAAAAAAGFM/84IpGMySKTc/s1600/wpid-friend-makin-monday-for-post3-300x179.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: <a href="http://www.alltheweigh.com/">www.alltheweigh.com </a>so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Have You Ever?</span></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<b>1. Jumped out of an airplane?</b> No, but I want to.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Lived alone? </b> Yes. I loved it and am looking forward to living alone again in the very near future. I am going to redecorate my house and cook lots of Indian food and seafood.<br />
<br />
<b>3. Met a celebrity?</b> Yep.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://multiculturalfamilyrecipes.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/chicken-tikka-masala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://multiculturalfamilyrecipes.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/chicken-tikka-masala.jpg" height="203" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I AM COMING FOR YOU</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(<a href="http://multiculturalfamilyrecipes.wordpress.com/">Source</a>)</div>
<br />
<b>4. Said something to someone that you immediately regret saying? </b>Oh dear lord, yes. I call it "foot-in-mouth syndrome".<br />
<br />
<b>5. Had a manicure/pedicure? </b>Yep.<br />
<br />
<b>6. Gotten a hickey? </b>Yep. Shh, don't tell my mom.<br />
<br />
<b>7. Owned a pet that was not a dog or a cat? </b> I had a few fish in my lifetime.<br />
<br />
<b>8. Been outside of your home country? </b> Yep! I've been to Italy (twice), Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, and Belgium.<br />
<br />
<b>9. Kissed your best friend?</b> Yes.<br />
<br />
<b>10. Eaten food that fell on the floor? </b>Dude, 5-second rule. Duh.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="401" src="http://i966.photobucket.com/albums/ae143/My_Time_To_Shine/5_second_rule0.gif" width="640" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>11. Met someone online?</b> Lots.<br />
<br />
<b>12. Been on TV? </b>Yep.<br />
<br />
<b>13. Had braces? </b> Yep!<br />
<br />
<b>14. Gone skinny dipping? </b>Yep. I liked it.<br />
<br />
<b>15. Been to the opera?</b> Yeppers. I'm cultured like that.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/ab29dc83d1d4e88e66c7a07fd949c7eb/tumblr_mg2fb4B8O91rng4ovo1_500.gif" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Okay, this is a musical, not an opera, but I *have* been to the opera.</div>
<br />
<b>16. Been caught making out by a policeman? </b> Oh God, yes.<br />
<br />
<b>17. Sung in public?</b> Tons. I used to do a lot of theatre and was a total drama/band/chorus geek in high school.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/66p816V.jpg" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nice wig, huh?</div>
<br />
<b>18. Handed out candy on Halloween? </b>Absolutely! I love Halloween.<br />
<br />
<b>19. Been snowed in? </b>Oh yeah.<br />
<br />
<b>20. Fallen in front of other people?</b> Allll the time.<br />
<br />
<b>21. Cheated on a test?</b> In college, yeah. I wrote some notes about prominent sociologists on my shoe. Not my finest moment.<br />
<br />
<b>22. Regretted saying “I love you” to someone?</b> Yeah, unfortunately.<br />
<br />
<b>23. Finished a meal in a restaurant and realized that you didn’t have your wallet?</b> Nope.<br />
<br />
<b>24. Shot a gun? </b>No. I am not a fan of guns.<br />
<br />
<b>25. Heard a song that was written for (or about) you?</b> Uh, I don't think so.<br />
<br />
<br />Liz @ The Shrinking Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712388476939611129noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987505375865273920.post-86645245341910537292013-08-06T05:31:00.000-07:002013-09-13T07:22:06.978-07:00Run, Lizzy, Run!I am STILL flying high from my run last night.<br />
<br />
I had the third workout of Week 4 of Zombies, Run! 5K on tap. I decided to push myself harder than I ever have.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/a691318e77c00bd220961f13a62a4333/tumblr_mj3s2l7qeb1s66bddo2_500.gif" /></div>
<br />
After warming up by walking for 5 minutes, it took me into a 5-minute "freeform run", which means you can walk or run, just do whatever your body is comfortable with. The entire program is like this; except for specific drills where you are required to run, the freeform runs are up to you to take at your pace. And my pace is SLOW.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ih3.redbubble.net/image.14396998.5928/fc,220x200,silver.u3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ih3.redbubble.net/image.14396998.5928/fc,220x200,silver.u3.jpg" height="290" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Anyway, it started and I was like "welp, here we go." And started jogging. I tried really hard to listen to my breathing, focus on how my legs were feeling, etc. A few times I had to slow down a bit, but I wanted to keep jogging. Next thing I knew, they told me I was done 2 minutes. I felt good, so I decided to go for the entire 5 minutes. Why not? I'd never jogged that long before, but hey, you won't know until you try, right?<br />
<br />
WELL I DID IT.<br />
<br />
And the look on my face was like this:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="338" src="http://www.dogcentral.info/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/laughing-dog.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<br />
So I did my drills that they make you do, and went through this scary-ass tunnel...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6c0otw4fdRk/UcTpVgE2vuI/AAAAAAAAGVY/dtOuM3NTGMQ/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6c0otw4fdRk/UcTpVgE2vuI/AAAAAAAAGVY/dtOuM3NTGMQ/s1600/photo.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
it gets REALLY dark in there....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
turned around, went back through it, walked for a bit, and at that point, I heard the app announce that I was 4 minutes into the last 15-minute freeform run. I decided to try to run until they said 9 or 10 minutes. So I did. And when they did, I felt great, so I decided to keep going.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/54676674eafcb56407b0b6759d1b1eb9/tumblr_mm8qj0K7sW1riucd0o1_500.gif" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And then I finished the mission, walked a little bit more, and decided, heck, why not run some more? So I ran for another 10 minutes or so.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And I felt AMAZING. No sweaty selfies here, no "marathon legs", no "Guys, I did four-point-oh-oh-oh-oh miles." Just absolute wonder that I can go from being completely sedentary 8-ish months ago to jogging 4 miles, and not feel like I'm going to die afterward. I feel like I can do ANYTHING now, because I never thought this would be something I could do.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Am I a "runner" now? Far from it. But whenever I see a fellow chubby girl on the trail with her headphones in, working up a sweat, I want to give her a giant high five and tell her that she kicks ass. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Because I am also that ass-kicking chubby girl, and I am kicking the butt of everyone sitting at home on the couch.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/1fe41eb5f6a0ff3a70df176e54e213f6/tumblr_mgui30f5mr1qgggvgo1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/1fe41eb5f6a0ff3a70df176e54e213f6/tumblr_mgui30f5mr1qgggvgo1_500.gif" height="279" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Liz @ The Shrinking Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712388476939611129noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987505375865273920.post-52040160207037881072013-08-05T10:23:00.002-07:002013-09-13T07:22:06.943-07:00Friend Makin' Monday: in which you learn that I am a crazy dog lady.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7k65uBZysws/UeP6tv7KMUI/AAAAAAAAGFM/84IpGMySKTc/s1600/wpid-friend-makin-monday-for-post3-300x179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7k65uBZysws/UeP6tv7KMUI/AAAAAAAAGFM/84IpGMySKTc/s1600/wpid-friend-makin-monday-for-post3-300x179.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: <a href="http://www.alltheweigh.com/">www.alltheweigh.com </a>so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">My Community</span></u></b></div>
<br />
<b>1. Where were you born? Did you grow up there?</b> I was born in York PA, and grew up here. I don't think I am ever getting out of this city... I went to college in Washington DC, and somehow ended up back here. Sigh.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://www.igougo.com/photos/journal/pref/centralmkt_prefRes.jpg" /></div>
<br />
<b>2. Tell us about your favorite spot in your city.</b> Sitting at the counter at <a href="http://www.mezzoatthemarket.com/">my brother's restaurant</a> (which is located in the building pictured above), or watching the sunset at <a href="http://www.brownsorchards.com/">Brown's Orchards</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>3. Do you volunteer for any organizations? If so, will you tell us about it?</b> I am what I call a "freelance dog transporter". I do animal rescue transports for a number of organizations that pull dogs from shelters and get them to rescues, foster homes, or adoptive homes. I don't care about breed or anything; if it needs a ride and fits in my car, I'm there. To date, I've helped to transport probably over 100 animals. If you are interested in helping to transport dogs, <a href="mailto:thelizzy@gmail.com">PLEASE EMAIL ME</a> and let me know where you are located. If you have a car and the time, YOU CAN TRANSPORT DOGS. It is incredibly rewarding and always has a happy ending.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PKzH4vSqr20/Uf_dgHlBxbI/AAAAAAAAGVE/j7_sGr26R1I/s1600/sundae1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PKzH4vSqr20/Uf_dgHlBxbI/AAAAAAAAGVE/j7_sGr26R1I/s1600/sundae1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sundae, one of the dogs I helped transport. LOOK AT THAT BEAK.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>4. Tell us about your favorite local restaurant.</b> Again, <a href="http://www.mezzoatthemarket.com/">my brother's restaurant</a>. Seriously, best breakfast ever.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FWbwDCntA_c/UeP5x0QFTaI/AAAAAAAAGFA/8vO1_m7tPCg/s1600/IMG_20120519_084052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FWbwDCntA_c/UeP5x0QFTaI/AAAAAAAAGFA/8vO1_m7tPCg/s1600/IMG_20120519_084052.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>5. Has your city ever experienced tragedy? If so, how did it recover? </b>We had some pretty severe flooding about two years ago, but we recovered quickly.<br />
<br />
<b>6. Share at least one unique thing about your neighborhood.</b> It's very racially diverse, which is rare in my town.<br />
<br />
<b>7. If you could do one small thing to change your community, what would you do?</b> Mandatory spay/neuter for all pets that are not registered as having been health checked and had eyes/hearing/hips/etc. tested.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.pawesome.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/PeopleSavingPets-SpayNeuterInfographic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pawesome.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/PeopleSavingPets-SpayNeuterInfographic.jpg" height="494" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>8. The Powerball is currently up to 400 million dollars. Would you move to a different place if you won? </b>I wouldn't move too far. I love where I live, and I would buy about 100 acres of land and build a giant senior dog rescue where unwanted senior dogs could live out their days getting belly rubs, going for golf cart rides, and taking naps in sunny spots.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-prGNQOQhISM/TsGSkQ_PREI/AAAAAAAAAS0/4S0FF9VnIHk/s400/old_dog.jpg" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Old dogs ARE the best dogs.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions! Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments! Happy Monday!Liz @ The Shrinking Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712388476939611129noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987505375865273920.post-13258984464397038292013-08-02T10:41:00.002-07:002013-09-13T07:22:06.895-07:00Another round of progress pics.This past month, I've seen a LOT of changes in how my clothes fit and how I feel like I look.<br />
<br />
See this picture?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="640" src="http://i.imgur.com/S1bUOH6.jpg?2?8089" width="360" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Those jeans need to go soon. As do a majority of my pants. They are just too darn big for me. I think it's safe to say that I am no longer a (tight) size 22 anymore, and possibly even not a 20. I remember being a size 16 around 190 pounds, so that would be about right, to be a small 20/large 18 right about now.<br />
<br />
So what happened this month? Well, I started running. Well, walking/slowly jogging/breathing very heavily. I only do it a few times a week (2-3) for about 3 miles, but it has made a real difference in my body so far. And I'm going to keep it up.<br />
<br />
When I look at these pictures side-by-side (the first one was from the beginning of April), I am just amazed... I weighed in at 217.6 the other morning, and for awhile there, I felt like you couldn't see that I was losing weight. You can DEFINITELY tell now. And I love it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img height="320" src="http://i.imgur.com/w1wkLrg.jpg?2?5837" width="180" /><img height="320" src="http://i.imgur.com/S1bUOH6.jpg?2?8089" width="180" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And now for my SHRINKING OWL gif, moohaha.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Aem20pMGM08/UfvvEeSGlmI/AAAAAAAAGSA/BmlMGm1hPjo/s1600/TSOaugustgif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Aem20pMGM08/UfvvEeSGlmI/AAAAAAAAGSA/BmlMGm1hPjo/s1600/TSOaugustgif.gif" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I miss my bangs. Can't wait for summer to be over and bring them back.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On the agenda for today: 4 miles and BEER with friends. :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Liz @ The Shrinking Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712388476939611129noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987505375865273920.post-44858596917315417172013-08-01T08:18:00.002-07:002013-09-13T07:22:06.928-07:00Throwback Thursday!<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/G51NX2m.jpg" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Junior prom. 1998. Age 17. Nice pinky ring, self.</div>
Liz @ The Shrinking Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712388476939611129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987505375865273920.post-52663461684235222452013-07-31T13:30:00.001-07:002013-09-13T07:22:06.945-07:00Blargh.I feel like I have nothing to say right now, and I don't want to bore the, like, three of you that read this thing with more surveys.<br />
<br />
I'm dealing with some personal stuff right now, so my mind is largely focused on that.<br />
<br />
Don't worry, I'm not letting it affect my exercise or diet, but I am definitely preoccupied more than usual with analyzing my precious feels.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://31.media.tumblr.com/b29c0c29615318641191574ba2c05253/tumblr_mqrj530AvW1rj93n5o1_500.gif" /></div>
<br />
I could post some filler content about my favorite sippy cup or how I apply white eyeshadow up to my eyebrows, but really, what's the point?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img height="400" src="http://i.imgur.com/BNUiFAZ.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Instead of a sexy picture of my lips, here are some mannequins that I saw in the Dallas airport last summer.</div>
<br />
<br />
I'm going shopping for pants this weekend. Because none of my pants fit anymore.<br />
<br />
<br />Liz @ The Shrinking Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712388476939611129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987505375865273920.post-48405032933572972182013-07-29T04:15:00.000-07:002013-09-13T07:22:06.941-07:00Friend Makin' Monday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7k65uBZysws/UeP6tv7KMUI/AAAAAAAAGFM/84IpGMySKTc/s1600/wpid-friend-makin-monday-for-post3-300x179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7k65uBZysws/UeP6tv7KMUI/AAAAAAAAGFM/84IpGMySKTc/s1600/wpid-friend-makin-monday-for-post3-300x179.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: <a href="http://www.alltheweigh.com/">www.alltheweigh.com </a>so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Ten Things That Make Me Happy</u></b></span></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. Dogs. I love dogs. Old dogs, young dogs, purebred dogs, mutts. Dogs sticking their beaks (yes, beaks) out windows joyfully, running, pouncing on toys, sleeping. I LOVE DOGS.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mcplrdC3VZ1r72ht7o1_500.gif" height="400" width="298" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2. A good night's sleep where you don't have to get up for anything in the morning and you can just sleep until your body says "Okay, I'm good."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3. Finding THAT SONG. You know, the song that comes on and you are just like YESSSSSSSSSSSS. It varies from week to week, month to month, and you probably listen to it on repeat and make yourself sick of it after awhile.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">4. That feeling you get when your bills are paid and you actually have a bit of money left over and you're like "Hell yeah, let's go do something fun! I HAVE MONEY!"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><img height="296" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTXqUltjtsdOxcnOtraYx9rLi90W9i4wbT_KDv_yFj2AD0K06Gp" width="400" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">5. Cheap sparkly nail polish.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--R7sKc03X-Y/UfZNda4N5hI/AAAAAAAAGNk/cThcQMp6h6E/s1600/IMG_20120530_093314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--R7sKc03X-Y/UfZNda4N5hI/AAAAAAAAGNk/cThcQMp6h6E/s1600/IMG_20120530_093314.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">6. Clean bedsheets and clean pajamas. Heaven.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">7. When people send me links or post links to my Facebook wall because something they saw made them think of me. Usually owls.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u7DTGuy4gMc/UfZNiQKE_mI/AAAAAAAAGNs/nQvrumaevO8/s1600/IMAG0897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u7DTGuy4gMc/UfZNiQKE_mI/AAAAAAAAGNs/nQvrumaevO8/s1600/IMAG0897.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">8. Getting checked out in a non-creepy manner. Just having a dude look at me and do a doubletake with a smile on his face.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">9. Autumn. Taking a long drive, admiring the leaves, drinking pumpkin beer, and wearing hoodies and Chucks.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hRjrYGoMeZQ/UfZOERS4afI/AAAAAAAAGN0/Fj2DItmgyaI/s1600/2011-10-28_08-06-36_795_KPT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hRjrYGoMeZQ/UfZOERS4afI/AAAAAAAAGN0/Fj2DItmgyaI/s1600/2011-10-28_08-06-36_795_KPT.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">10. My parents when they are cute to each other. They've been married for over 50 years and are ridiculously in love. They give each other a hard time, hold hands, sing to each other, dance randomly in the kitchen, and are best friends.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QIlblJiSFko/UfZOW9KhuII/AAAAAAAAGN8/w5KIvgfKysA/s1600/100511_210324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QIlblJiSFko/UfZOW9KhuII/AAAAAAAAGN8/w5KIvgfKysA/s1600/100511_210324.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
Liz @ The Shrinking Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712388476939611129noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987505375865273920.post-74175288110647382122013-07-26T07:03:00.002-07:002013-09-13T07:22:06.967-07:00My current song obsessions for Z25K training.I have one more workout to go and will be done with Week 3 of Zombies, Run! 5K training.<br />
<br />
So far, everything has been going fantastically. I am learning what paces work best for me and when I can push myself a little more. I ran/walked a little more than 3 miles last night on the local rail trail and it was just AWESOME. I felt strong and motivated, which is good, because I am dealing with some rough personal stuff right now.<br />
<br />
Here are my current song obsessions to work out to:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/P3oBZ4_TNys/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/P3oBZ4_TNys&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/P3oBZ4_TNys&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Eminem - Till I Collapse</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/TSNerxNwWtU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
David Guetta - I Can Only Imagine (ugh, I hate myself for liking this song)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/PVzljDmoPVs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
David Guetta featuring Sia - She Wolf (Falling To Pieces)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/3KL9mRus19o?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Blackstreet - No Diggity</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Adgx9wt63NY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Bloodhound Gang - Fire Water Burn</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/BKQ6nINAeq8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Lonely Island - Go Kindergarten</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/BofL1AaiTjo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Jennifer Lopez featuring Pitbull - Live It Up</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/nlcIKh6sBtc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lorde - Royals</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
... I don't know who I am anymore. I usually listen to like, pop punk and emo crap. WHO AM I.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
What's your current song obsession?</div>
<br />Liz @ The Shrinking Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712388476939611129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987505375865273920.post-33629934954791753442013-07-23T10:33:00.001-07:002013-09-13T07:22:06.910-07:00My weekend of food and my dog's giant arse.I started this entry on Sunday morning, while watching Breakin' 2: Electric Bugaloo, and I just love this gif so much that I wanted to keep it in here.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view7/3360970/breakin-o.gif" /></div>
<br />
My good friend Karen drove her awesome self all the way to my humble little town, which I really appreciated because a) it was hot and my car doesn't have AC and b) I got to sleep in.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="225" src="http://i.imgur.com/sKSOa5H.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Karen coaches Crossfit. She is a BAMF who does not wear shorts that are entirely too tight for her, unlike some people who also do Crossfit. Nor is she obsessed with pugs and disgusting food combinations.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
We went to <a href="http://www.mezzoatthemarket.com/">my bro's restaurant</a> at <a href="http://www.centralmarketyork.com/">Central Market </a>and went nuts buying stuff. I bought a GIANT zucchini, a beautiful eggplant, pasta, and some local Southern style mustard barbecue sauce, which I had last night on some homemade pulled pork.<br />
<br />
After that, we went to <a href="http://parkstreetpantry.com/">Park Street Pantry</a>, a local spices/oils/vinegars store, and did a salt tasting, which we made fun of at first, but then realized was pretty awesome. I bought this amazing smoked salt (Alderwood, it smelled JUST like the PA Renaissance Faire), roasted garlic salt, and GHOST PEPPER salt, which is not for me, but for a friend at work and my brother.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="400" src="http://i.imgur.com/4yby9Vk.jpg" width="225" /></div>
<br />
After a quick stop at my house, it was off to <a href="http://www.brownsorchards.com/">Brown's Orchards</a>, which is my favorite place in the world, and bought even more veggies, fruits, sweet things, coffee, had a beverage, and did a wine tasting from <a href="http://www.logansviewwinery.com/">Logan's View Winery</a>.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="360" src="http://i.imgur.com/ppaj1h1.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
While we were there, they told us about <a href="http://www.drinkord.com/">Old Republic Distillery</a>, a moonshine distillery nearby, and we were just like HECK YEAH, so we went and did a moonshine tasting, which was cool. The woman doing it was super knowledgeable and really nice. I am definitely not a hard liquor lady, but the apple pie moonshine was tasty.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="360" src="http://i.imgur.com/OTRnWY6.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<br />
On Sunday, I made a ridiculous goulash/ratatouille thing for my lunches this week. It combined:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>eggplant</li>
<li>zucchini</li>
<li>Vidalia onion</li>
<li>garlic</li>
<li>Roma tomatoes</li>
<li>Campari tomatoes</li>
<li>toasted onion pasta</li>
<li>Boca crumbles</li>
</ul>
<br />
All with some reduced fat mozzarella and parmesan cheese on top. DELICIOUS. Although I think I added too much crushed red pepper.<br />
<br />
I also made a batch of <a href="http://theshrinkingowl.blogspot.com/2013/07/200-calorie-2pp-breakfast-burrito-yes.html">my breakfast burritos</a>, balled (heh) a watermelon and some cantaloupe, and made pulled pork in the crockpot. I was a cooking fiend!<br />
<br />
Unrelated:<br />
<br />
Here is a picture of my dog's giant butt, taken last night.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="400" src="http://distilleryimage2.s3.amazonaws.com/c8f9df3cf33011e28a1a22000aa81ffa_7.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<br />Liz @ The Shrinking Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712388476939611129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987505375865273920.post-61749380891938857122013-07-22T06:46:00.001-07:002013-09-13T07:22:06.959-07:00Friend Makin' Monday!<br />
If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section at: <a href="http://www.alltheweigh.com/">www.alltheweigh.com</a> so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links there too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!<br />
<br />
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Let’s Talk About TV</span></u></b><br />
<br />
1. Share your current “Must-See” TV shows. <br />
<br />
True Blood, Under the Dome, Dance Moms (damn right), Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/742b002f563fd94f7e063ad2bc40f951/tumblr_mfymxu4opj1rydgfzo1_500.gif" height="193" width="400" /><br />
<br />
2. Do you prefer reality shows or sitcoms? <br />
<br />
Reality shows. I swear to God, if one more person asks me if I like "The Big Bang Theory", I am going to lose it. NO I DO NOT LIKE THE BIG BANG THEORY.<br />
<br />
3. Who is your favorite talk show host?<br />
<br />
I.... don't watch talk shows. Sorry.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/a64064ffa665ae1f40affece48b3ae83/tumblr_mhf3auphlX1rppi2wo1_500.gif" height="290" width="400" /><br />
<br />
4. Which network(s) do you turn to for news?<br />
<br />
Usually CNN or MSNBC. Never, ever Fox News. NEVER.<br />
<br />
<img height="130" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/p480x480/1010693_10151700971762346_1049083579_n.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<br />
5. Do you have Tivo or DVR? If so, which programs do you have set to record?<br />
<br />
DVR. And good lord, what DON'T I record. The Pioneer Woman Cooks, Barefoot Contessa, Dance Moms, various tattoo shows, science-y stuff for the boyfriend.... we have a ridiculous amount of stuff set to record.<br />
<br />
6. Have you ever started watching a show simply because you heard so much about it on social media? If so, which one did you watch?<br />
<br />
Yep, Game of Thrones! And True Blood. Everyone was talking about them, so I watched a few episodes, became hooked, and promptly signed up for HBO.<br />
<br />
<img src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRJ2KapKzYpXlAhAJcJ_KGrF47-ckh_MAii8U1p0Ut92mGTjzl2" /><br />
<br />
7. List any TV series that you own on DVD. <br />
<br />
None because INTERNET.<br />
<br />
<br />
8. Do you have a subscription to Netflix, Hulu, etc?<br />
<br />
Nope. If I want something, usually one of my friends has it.<br />
<br />
<br />
9. If you could star in a TV show that already exists, which one would you choose?<br />
<br />
True Blood!<br />
<br />
<br />
10. If you could bring back one TV show that is no longer on the air, which one would you choose? <br />
<br />
I honestly can't think of anything, besides maybe The Black Donnellys?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions! Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments, and don’t forget to take a little time to welcome some of our new FMM friends! Happy Monday everyone!<br />
<br />Liz @ The Shrinking Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712388476939611129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5987505375865273920.post-53298327195084473582013-07-22T05:31:00.000-07:002013-09-13T07:22:06.947-07:00surveyA to Z<br />
<br />
A. Attached or single?<br />
<br />
Attached. We’ve been together 10 years and married 3. <3<br />
<br />
B. Best friend?<br />
<br />
S. He’s my partner in crime.<br />
<br />
C. Cake or pie?<br />
<br />
This is a no brainer. Tiramisu cake is my all-time favorite. But, it’s got to be the old-school cookie type.<br />
<br />
tiramisu<br />
<br />
Why hello there gorgeous!<br />
<br />
D. Day of choice?<br />
<br />
It’s a toss up between Monday and Saturday. I love the newness and freshness of Mondays. Starting a new week always motivates me to start things off on the right foot.<br />
<br />
Saturdays are pretty awesome too. S and I are always up to something fun on the weekends.<br />
<br />
E. Essential item?<br />
<br />
Calgon Morning Glory. This stuff smells so fresh and incredible. I love it.<br />
<br />
calgon<br />
<br />
F. Favorite color?<br />
<br />
Red! It speaks for itself doesn’t it!?<br />
<br />
IMG_4347 (550x411)<br />
<br />
G. Gummy bears or worms?<br />
<br />
Bears! I have an issue with self-control when it comes to these things. I can eat a ton of them and make myself sick if I’m not careful. The solution, I just don’t buy them anymore.<br />
<br />
H. Home town?<br />
<br />
Montreal, Québec.<br />
<br />
I. Favorite indulgence?<br />
<br />
Chocolate chip Cannoli’s.<br />
<br />
cannoli<br />
<br />
This speaks for itself I think.<br />
<br />
J. January or July?<br />
<br />
January. I love winter. There’s snow and I can Ski!. It’s wonderful and I love it.<br />
<br />
K. Kids?<br />
<br />
4 Angels. :/ Read this – it explains everything.<br />
<br />
L. Life isn’t complete without?<br />
<br />
Love and laughter!<br />
<br />
M. Marriage date?<br />
<br />
May 15, 2010. <3<br />
<br />
wedding<br />
<br />
N. Number of brothers/sisters?<br />
<br />
2 half brothers!<br />
<br />
O. Oranges or Apples?<br />
<br />
Neither! I’m a melon girl!<br />
<br />
P. Phobias?<br />
<br />
Small rodents. *shudder*<br />
<br />
Q. Quotes?<br />
<br />
“If I had no sense of humor, I would long ago have committed suicide.” ― Mahatma Gandhi<br />
<br />
“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”<br />
― Dr. Seuss<br />
<br />
loss<br />
<br />
R. Reasons to smile?<br />
<br />
My husband. My fur kids. Great family and awesome friends!<br />
<br />
S. Season of choice?<br />
<br />
Winter! I love love love Christmas, snow and winter sports.<br />
<br />
T. Tag 5 People.<br />
<br />
Ladies: Shelly, Jes, Lee, Emily & Mlal!<br />
<br />
U. Unknown fact about me?<br />
<br />
I’m fluently trilingual. I speak English, French and Italian.<br />
<br />
V. Vegetable?<br />
<br />
Fava! You can check out that recipe here!<br />
<br />
IMG_4644 (570x426)<br />
<br />
W. Worst habit?<br />
<br />
I was a nail biter but that’s now been replaced lip biting. When I’m deep in thought or ultra concentrated I bite on my bottom lip.<br />
<br />
X. X-Ray or ultrasound?<br />
<br />
Ultrasound! They’re way more effective for diagnostic purposes.<br />
<br />
Y. Your favorite food?<br />
<br />
Pad Thai.<br />
<br />
padthai<br />
<br />
(Source)<br />
<br />
Z. Zodiac sign?<br />
<br />
Capricorn!<br />
<br />
Your turn! Do the survey, blog about it, ping me, tweet me, leave me a comment! I want to know your A to Z!!!Liz @ The Shrinking Owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712388476939611129noreply@blogger.com0