Weigh (week 16) in review…

We skipped week 15, right? That whole vacation thing… I think. I can’t recall, too many margaritas.

Anywho, after my time in Vegas, where all food items that I wanted (especially the French ones) ended up in my mouth, I came home to a scale stating that I gained eight pounds. EIGHT POUNDS! IN ONE WEEK! EEEEK! Yes, I knew that it wasn’t a genuine weight gain. And, I knew that I had gotten my exercise while in Vegas. Did you not read about our massage escapades? Oy! But, I knew in my heart or hearts and thighs or thighs, that I didn’t truly put on eight pounds. I’d own up to three or four, that’s it.

After a few days of being home, my assessment was correct; I did bring home some fat friends. But, as always, I decided it was eviction time. I kept to my points, didn’t eat all the foods that I wanted to eat. I do wish I had eaten the eclair, if I had a picture to show you of the eclairs that they brought to work. I even exercised. *SHOCK* I bought a work out dvd and DID IT! And, I lived!

That all leads us to today. When I had to open up the door to WW and step on that scale. I had to accept my sinful behavior. And, then I got the results. Up .6lbs! YES! I will take it.

This week: Up .6lbs
Total: Down 19.2lbs

Feline logic…

We bought Sassy La Rue a water fountain that constantly circulates and filters the water. Even before we put the water into the fountain, it’s filtered at the sink through a hitech water filter. So, she’s drinking double filtered water out of her own personal fountain. You would think that she would be satisfied.

Nope! She’s now cleaning every drop of moisture out of the tub and when she’s done there, she’ll check the water in the toilet (if we’ve left the seat up) to make sure it’s up to her high standards.

Lack thereof…

I remember as a child I wanted to be a fighter pilot. My father was in the military and he worked on those huge jets that I saw up in the sky on a daily basis. When we’d visit him at work, he’d show me the cockpit, all the gauges and the missiles. I must say, it was the heat seeking missile that sold me on the job. I had a plan, a goal. As I grew up and my eyesight deteriorated, I knew that those plans would never come to fruition.

Then it was an actress, movie director, opera singer, baker and candlestick maker. (Okay, I had to go with the nursery rhyme.) But, all of those plans fell to the wayside. Did I know that software consultant was in my future at age nine, ten, thirteen, twenty? It didn’t even hit the radar until I was one month into being 28. Looking back on my short life, not a lot that I’ve done has ever been on a plan or goal list.

Reviewing my list at age 20, I was supposed to have:

-Lost all of this excess weight by 22
-Married by 26
-First child at 28

Ummmmm, none of that has occurred. I’m not married, but almost there (you have no clue as to how close) and I’m not even sure if I want to have kids. I’ve learned a lot more about myself living my life on a daily basis than a goal-oriented one. I know that I’m able to accomplish a lot more than what was initially expected of me when I graduated high school. I can go further when I push myself, than when someone else does.

As I approach a new decade of life, which I have not decided if I’m going to acknowledge or not, I’m not going to put pressure on myself to accomplish x, y or z by a deadline. I’m going to live life and see where I go. Who knows what I’ll be doing in five years. Maybe I’ll be a mom, CIO, baker or a candlestick maker. Candlestick maker is starting to grow on me.

The dog not forgotten…

(For Keely and Bailey!)

Everyone knows about Sassy La Rue Superstar Diva Kitty Cat. She is my bundle of energy that wakes me up at 3 am in the morning because she must inform us that she found a new piece of plastic that I didn’t throw away. But, I have another love. A love of the canine kind: Senor Butch.

Senor Butch is my happy place. B even knows that when I’m pissed off at him, all he has to do is say, “Senor Butch!” and I can’t help but grin in joy. This Boston Terrier of love came into my life two years after high school, in 1999, as a present from my parents. He was no bigger than my palm and would curl up and sleep. When I decided to go away for graduate school, I knew that I wouldn’t be able to take him with me. It wasn’t fair to coup him up in an apartment while I went through a grueling class schedule, trying to complete up a dual-masters program. So, Sr. Butch retired in Florida with my parents and a third of acre to run around everyday, which he still does.

He keeps my parents on their toes and fills Fat Elvis (name changed to protect the innocent or to annoy my sister), my nephew, with delight. Senor Butch is very protective of Fat Elvis, especially since he’s now walking, and Sr. B will let my parents or sister know when somethings not right. But, when all is happy, Senor Butch will allow Fat Elvis to pull, tug, and pet at will. He’s a very patient dog.

I do miss my loving Boston Terrier. I talk to him on the phone at least twice a week, in which he’ll paw the phone in response. I also miss the fact that if you leave the back door unlocked, he’d let himself out so that my parents nor I had to be disturbed with that duty. I haven’t been able to train Sassy to clean her own litter box.

Vegas, part 2…

On with the show…

After a lovely lunch with Michelle, B and I had made plans to get a massage. Now, we could’ve gone with the hotels spa and paid out the wazzoo but, we being OH SO SMART, decided to go with this lovely chain (that shan’t be named) that we happen to be members of and will allow us to benefit from their massage therapists all over the country. Unfortunately, the nearest parlor was several miles off of the strip. No prob, we’ll just take a friendly neighborhood taxi to said destination and we’ll hop in one back. Uhhhhh not so much. We got to the destination without a hitch but after our relaxing therapy sessions, getting a cab back was the equivalent of finding a virgin hooker over 80 at the Bunny Ranch. (Too much? Nah, I don’t think so!)

We ended up hoofing it across a busy highway to a casino about a mile and a half from our original location. Did I mention that it was only 110 degrees out? Yeah. Oh, and this casino, is the casino where cabs NEVER GO! We went to the cab station where people had been waiting TWO hours for ONE cab. I tried to bribe the bell boy. I offered to rent a car. I was willing to pay for a limo. NO ONE WITH A VEHICLE and A HACKS LICENSE wanted to drive out to this casino. One cab arrived about 1/2 an hour later to take four people away but B, I and another stranded victim were still stuck in Hades. Finally, an hour and a half, waiting outside (in the shade thankfully) and a couple bottles of water later, Gloria, the taxi driver angel, arrived. B, I and the other stranded victim shared Gloria’s cab back to the strip. And, the victim, a gracious lady in Vegas for a conference, paid for our fare and we took care of the tip. YIPPY! Moral of the story: Pay for the hotels overpriced massages.

We registered B for his WSOP event and then went back to the room to recuperate from our adventure. But, we had plans! He had made reservations at Wolfgang Puck’s Bar and Grill! Yeah, he’s a keeper. We had the crab cake appetizer for starters and then I had the shrimp risotto and B had the flatiron steak. For desert we shared the apple turnover, which was HEAVENLY! After our lovely dinner we sauntered around the MGM Grand, experiencing the casino and the lions. We’re leaning towards the Grand for our wedding location. Though, they weren’t to keen on bringing the lions down for the ceremony. *Sad*

Saturday was the BIG DAY for B.

His tournament started at noon and the competitors were fierce. The best of the best were out to try and win a WSOP bracelet.

TJ Cloutier, one of the granddaddies of Texas Hold’em was two tables down from B. Jennifer Tilley was four away, playing with the guys.

She almost seated herself at our friends Philip’s table but realized that wasn’t where she was assigned. Phil was bummed about that. I don’t have a picture of Phil playing because his table was in the middle and we weren’t allowed in that area while play was in action. Chris, our third player from Texas, was way across the room.

The event was sold out at 2600 players and a first place finish of $600,000+.

Philip was the first to bust out, only a couple hours into the tournament. Then went Chris, but the cards just weren’t moving his way. Poker is about 40% skill and 60% luck. B held his own for quite a while, taking out some really tough competition along the way. Unfortunately, about seven hours into the tourney, his pocket 8s were dominated by pocket 10s and that was the end of this seasons dream. But, there is always next year! I’m very proud of him and the way that he played. He lasted longer than over 1300 players, who came in thinking they too would make it to the final table.

The rest of the weekend was going to shows, Penn & Teller being our fave. We actually got to meet both of them and Teller DOES talk! He was very kind and graciously informed us that Bullshit was picked up for a 6th season, YAY! Oh, and we picked out our wedding cake. Yeah, before the engagement. Freed’s Bakery will be creating a wonderful piece of pastry to celebrate our big day.

Also, a friend of ours, Steven, did well at the WSOP in Razz. It’s not a great pic, but it’s right before he busted out, but he was in the money.

He played against some of the best in the world, including Men the Master and Jennifer Harmon. Men was great and flirtatious, he was buying me drinks while he played cards.

Now, I’ll leave you with a few views of Vegas from the Eiffel Tower. I can’t wait to go back!

Vegas, part 1…

After arriving from North Carolina in Houston, frantically washing, sorting and folding laundry, I was able to pack for Vegas. Typically, I can pack light and only check one bag (due to liquid laws that TSA lives by and will make you put your lipgloss into a one quart baggy, because lipgloss is going to take us all down). But, this was to Vegas and I planned on bringing cute summer dresses and fabulous tops that I wanted in my hanging bag. B wanted to bring the laptop so we could update the peeps of the internet of our happenings and all other necessary electronics to amuse him while we travel.

Thursday we got up and went over the final check list. Before we could go to the airport, we had one important stop to make: WAFFLE HOUSE! It’s a haven of grease and hashbrowns. Now, I will admit that I was not a Weight Watchers devotee during my vacation and it started with a lovely golden waffle drenched in syrup. (I’m regretting my WW vacation free decision.) Then on to the airport where we overestimated timing and ended up spending two hours waiting for the flight. I’ll summarize from here…get on plane, plane takes off, fly, plane lands, get off of plane, collect luggage.

We were lucky, my friend Kent picked us up from the airport and took us to Paris hotel. He even gave us free passes to the Eiffel Tower, which is 1:2 scale to the original. We got up to our room, walked around the casino and waited for our friends, Dave & Marissa to meet us at a sports bar, Blondie’s for dinner and drinks. We had so many tickets to the Eiffel Tower, that we took them up with us for a spectacular view of Sin City.

The next day, we went to Downtown Vegas so that we could experience the Vegas of yesteryear. We ate breakfast at Binnion’s fka The Horseshoe and walked around the area. We met up with another friend, Michelle, for lunch and then it was off to the biggest nightmare of the trip. To be continued…

What not to say…

Me: I’ve never been in a pillow fight.
B: Oh?

*WHAP*
B: Now you have.

Back to reality…

And back to the grind. I’m going to go hide under my comforter and hope that I wake up rich. At least the cleaning lady polished, scrubbed and washed while I was gone. Yay!

Weigh (week 14) in review…

Yes, this is the early edition of the weigh in review. But, I have good reason. VEGAS BABY, VEGAS! So, sit back and read my dedication to the plan…

I got up at 3:45 am to catch my EARLY flight from North Carolina to Houston. As soon as I disembarked the plane, retrieved my luggage and found my car, I drove STRAIGHT to Weight Watchers. The 9 am weigh-in was the only one that fit into my schedule and the plane touched down at 8:15. Thankfully, I did my due diligence and had all necessary weigh-in paraphernalia in the car. I ran into the building and changed clothes and then hopped on the scale BLIND to what may have occurred this past week. Since I had been traveling, I had no clue if my weight was up, down or the same. I waited on bated breath for the news.

I was down. I was down 1.6 lbs. Again, I won and the pastries lost. That’s Jen: 6 weeks of loss on pastries, Pastries: 0 weight gain caused.

This week: -1.6lbs
Total: 19.8lbs down.

Now, the next hurdle: Las Vegas!

A little this, a little that…

I wish I was writing to you about food. I’m sure it’ll be involved in my post somehow. I’m in North Carolina. Yes, shocking! But, alas it’s my job and I like my job. I just wish that Texas and North Carolina could be geographically closer. Who do I call about arranging that? Oh, yeah, God. Ummmmm…that’s another post unto itself.

This past weekend (which for me is really Saturday) we did a lot. B had us playing poker on Friday and Saturday night as he preps for the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Vegas on Saturday. He’s not playing in the Main Event but one of the smaller tournaments that lead up to the big one. I don’t mind playing poker, frankly I’m kind of good at it. Except when I’m in pain. Then all I think about are my wonder pill combination. I’ll talk more about that later. Promise.

Poker was Friday night and then on Saturday to continue on our gambling theme, we saw “Ocean’s Thirteen”. Better than “Twelve” but not as good as “Eleven”. I did enjoy the premise and hijinks. Okay, I really enjoyed the Clooney, Pitt, Damon and Afleck. I know you’re thinking, “Did I just read Afleck??” Yes, I did. But not the brother who has a penchant for Jennifer’s, but how can you blame him. Jen(n)ifer is a great name. But, Casey. He’s HILARIOUS as a man who stirs up trouble in Mexico for the greater good of the group. If you liked the first two, you’ll enjoy the third one.

Okay, back to the poker. Since I had the dubious pleasure of sitting in a movie theater for two hours and then promptly went to playing poker on Saturday night (having played Friday), the ol’ back wasn’t having NONE of it. I ended up throwing in the chips (per se) because I couldn’t sit in the folding chair. B was still playing so I found a futon, my pills (they travel well) and my Ipod. It was good time of music and a nice pain free buzz.

But, it also means the doctor was right and I can’t wait to get back to physical therapy. And, a side benefit, I’ll be exercising. UGH.

Anywho, the back is the back. But, today and tomorrow are short days of work and I’ll be flying back to Houston early Wednesday. THEN…THURSDAY IS VEGAS! I’m not excited. No, I’m not. I promise. And, if you believe that let’s talk about some ocean front property next to the Luxor. I haven’t had a real vacation in four years. Yeah, four years and it’s a well deserved. So, forgive me – my five lovely readers – if I don’t post a lot this week. BUT I have been COMMANDED to take pictures. I shan’t let you down!