Resolutions (for a lifetime)

I try not to make New Year's resolutions since I never stick to them and I find them silly.
But, I've been reading a lot of people's "Life Lists" and such and I thought it would be fun if I started one here. This will be a work in progress.

In no particular order:

1. Run a 5k
2. Get a new webshow online
3. Run a 10k
4. Learn how to knit for real not just the very basic stuff I know
5. Live in another country for at least 3 months
6. Travel to Wales, UK, Germany, Brussels, Italy, Greece and a whole
crapload of other places
7. Take singing lessons again
8. Own a house
9. Run a Half Marathon
10. Run the LA Marathon
11. Learn how to use Photoshop
12. Roadtrip to the East Coast
13. Be my own boss (aka not have a "day job")
14. Learn to scuba dive
15. Go on one of those huge ziplines

That's all I can think of off the top of my head right now. I will update this more tomorrow.

Calphalon

Over the past few years, Robb and I have been purchasing new pans as we've needed them. We've been so happy with the Calphalon Kitchen Essentials line from Target - we've purchased 3 different sized pans from there and use at least one of them every single day.

But, over the past few months we've noticed 2 of our pans (8 inch omelet pan and 12 inch skillet) have been increasingly difficult to use. So, we started looking at replacing them and discovered that Calphalon has redesigned the Kitchen Essentials line.

In my research, I discovered that Calphalon has a 10 year warranty on their pans and if you mail back your pans with a letter explaining what's wrong with them and the pans are found defective, they will mail you brand new replacements. So, a couple of weeks ago, I boxed up our pans, wrote a simple note explaining what went wrong and mailed them off.

Yesterday, when I came home from work Robb discovered 2 boxes outside of our front door. One of those was from Calphalon! And inside we found 2 new pans. We are a little sad to discover that they are the newly redesigned ones that we don't like as much, but new pans are new pans, we're happy either way.

Now, we need to start shopping for new pots as ours are my set from college and they are desperately in need of replacement. And you can bet that we will be purchasing them from Calphalon!

*I promise I was not compensated for this, I just wanted to write about good customer service!

I heart George

This has been keeping me entertained for the past few minutes.  I love an actor that doesn't take himself seriously...

Weighty Matters

Hey look! It's not November and I'm still posting. Go me!

I had my yearly physical in late October, wherein I proceeded to get my yearly lecture from my doctor about my cholesterol levels. I have them checked yet again and to my horror, they are higher than ever before. Basically, I've got roughly 5 months to get them down or I'm going to have to go on cholesterol medication. And my doctor knows this is absolutely the last thing I want.

Robb has been the best about this - we're exercising more, cooking at home more and he checks everything to make sure it's good for me and my cholesterol lowering mission. Of course, the number one way to lower cholesterol is to lose weight, so that is another thing I'm working on.

I've also started taking these pills called "CholestOff" that a co-worker recommended. I did research on them and figured it was worth a try.

But, in the end, the biggest thing I need to do is lose weight.

So. Frusterating. I'm so over this battle. Over looking at photos and being disappointed in how I look. Over myself for letting this happen, for gaining so much weight and not doing something about it when I had the chance.

And mostly I'm worried that it's something I can't fix no matter how hard I try.

NaBloPoMo Day 30

The end! I made it! Even though my posts have pretty much sucked this month, I still did it!

So Robb called the bank today and we have a claim number. All I know is that they had better get this deposit stuff straightened out soon or I will be calling Chase and having a very loud conversation with their customer service. This is the first time something like this has happened to me with them as my bank and I expect to be overwhelmed by their customer service. So far, I'm not.

Come on Chase, impress me! Don't make me start looking for a new bank again.

I hate the first day back at work after a long weekend. I feel like my brain is molasses. Although I have learned that Mondays at lunch are one of the best days to go to Trader Joe's to get some grocery shopping done. I run there, stop at home to drop off groceries and return to work with plenty of time to spare. I love it.

And today I even found Pfeffernusse cookies for Robb. He loves them so much and they are getting hard to find. After he spent all morning getting LFTI Episode 9 Part 1 online, I figured he needed a treat.

I've been trying to do "meatless" days as a way to work on lowering my cholesterol. It's been a fun way to find new things to eat. Today I nabbed a "Spicy Lentil Wrap" from Trader Joe's and I am so full still, they're not kidding around when they call something spicy. I love it.

Also, I have recently discovered a love for Brussel Sprouts. Tonight we're trying them with olive oil, garlic salt and roasting them. Yummy!

NaBloPoMo Day 29

Last day of vacation before returning to work. Robb has a bunch of work to do today, getting our latest episode all ready for launching, so I've busied myself with vacuuming/mopping and general hanging around enjoying our last day of freedom together.

We walked to the bank tonight, after Robb went for a walk around the park and I did 30 Day Shred (in an attempt to ward off some of the stupid weight I'm sure I gained this weekend). As soon as we got there I knew we should have turned around and went home, but we didn't. Turns out our bank has finally switched to the "no deposit envelopes or slips" method of depositing to an ATM. I figured it was worth trying, but now I know it will be all "walk in and deposit with a teller" for me from now on.

We get to the part where we're supposed to deposit the checks, I put them in the machine and suddenly the ATM loses power as do a few lights around us. I totally freaked out. We call the 800 number posted next to the ATM and speak to a unhelpful "phone banker" who keeps us on the line just long enough to inform us that there's nothing she can do. She gives us Customer Claim number to call and oh sorry, they closed 5 minutes ago. The whole thing had me so pissed off and freaking out as one of the checks we deposited was from Robb's freelance job and it was no small check for us.

UGH! I hate it when this type of crap happens, when I don't listen to my inner critic, things go wrong and then I am doubly mad because I should have known.

Now this had better not keep me up tonight. It's Sunday night and I already have a hard time getting to sleep without being stressed out about money things.

NaBloPoMo Day 28

I'm writing this from my Blackberry as Robb and Zoe are finishing up color correcting LFTI's episode 9, so the computer is all tied up. This is why I need a laptop!

And I'm getting one! As soon as I can get to the Apple store and check out the different sizes as a final check, I've already got everything else decided on what I want. Yay! I can't tell you how excited I am about getting a MacBook Pro! Robb and I have already decided that this will be our Christmas present to each other, the way our camera was last year.

Okay, I'm being told I have to decide where we're going for lunch, so I'm off!

NaBloPoMo Day 27

Happy Day After Thanksgiving!

We have successfully done nothing today. I haven't been bored or tried to get anything done, it's been pretty wonderful. We even took a super long nap. And we just got back from an hour and a half walk at the park, which was totally necessary since we've also been eating leftovers all day.

Usually this type of day leaves me feeling guilty for not getting anything done, but I've been trying to work on really relaxing and being in the moment on days when I truly have nothing to do and nothing I have to accomplish. This is very hard for me but it's something I've needed to work on for awhile now, for my own sanity. I usually spend the day worrying about everything that needs to get done and always tell myself I will relax "right after I do this" but I never do. I always find something else that also needs to get done and the cycle continues until the day is done and I'm still tired.

But again, I'm working on it. And today has been a good day.

NaBloPoMo Day 26

Happy Thanksgiving! And Happy Birthday to my Niece Cassie!

I have so many things to be greatful for, there is no way I could possibly list them all here. Let's just sum it up with I'm greatful for everyone in my life and that I have an awesome person with which to spend today with.

We've got the turkey in the oven and we're about to go take a much needed nap. We got up early this morning and went for a short 30 minute run. Came home to throw sticky buns in the oven and begin our day of laziness and eating. The cheeseball we made last night is ginormous and the pecan pie (our first ever) smells so good I can't wait for dessert time!
Okay, I'm exhausted so I'm going to end this and get some sleep while the turkey's cooking.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

NaBloPoMo Day 25

Only an hour left of work and I have the next 4 1/2 days off! Yay!
We have no plans at all, except hanging out and getting lots of sleep. I'm going to kick this damn cold that's been trying to take over.
After I get off of work today, we're going to run to the store to pick up 1 thing we forgot, grab lunch at TOGO's, take a long nap, make a cheeseball and make a Pecan Pie. After all that, we may go for a walk, depending on how late it is. I am so looking forward to this long weekend.

NaBloPoMo Day 24

Oh man, I feel like crap. I barely made it through work today, stumbled home to a peanut butter sandwich for dinner and now plan to lay on the couch until I go to bed around 9 pm. I am so run down and trying hard not to let this turn into a cold or whatever I'm fighting off.

Here's to a lazy night and a lazy rest of the week. Tomorrow is a half day at work! Woo!

NaBloPoMo Day 23

We ran to the store tonight and bought everything needed for Thanksgiving dinner. I love that we can do that, divide and conquer, get everything needed and get the heck out.

I am so freaking tired today. No exercise, no energy to do any exercise, but I did eat very well today, so I feel good about that.

I'm doing some research to figure out why my Blackberry will not support 2 different gmail accounts and I'm not having any luck. I'm sure if I wasn't so tired I could figure this damn thing out.

I'll tackle this again tomorrow. Too many things happening with LFTI for me to spend any more time not getting those emails sent to my phone.

If I wasn't so tired I would be way more annoyed at this.

NaBloPoMo Day 22

I'm writing this from my Blackberry as the computer has been taken over to do color correction for LFTI episode 9 (aka "someday we'll have a title for it, hopefully before it goes online").

Color correction is tedious, especially to watch, but I plan on trying to use the downtime to get some things done around here. Like taking apart the Lemonaid stand we built for episode 7 that's been living in our carport since we shot. Robb and Zoe are going to be tied up all day around the computer, so I can piddle around to my hearts content (this usually drives Robb bonkers, so I'm happy for the excuse to do whatever I want, which so far has = hanging out in my pajamas reading magazines).

The screening party went very well. Everyone was quite happy with the episode and it was so nice to have some downtime to actually hang out and chat with everyone in a relaxed setting. We had some very awesome guest stars for this episode and I am so happy we've met and worked with these people, they are all someone I would work with again in a heartbeat.

This is getting annoying to type on my phone, so I'm off. I hear rumblings of lunch needed, so I'm going to try and get some leftovers scraped together for the color correcting duo.

NaBloPoMo Day 21

I have to dash this off quickly before Robb needs to get back on the computer.

We're getting ready for our Life From the Inside Episode 9 preview screening for the cast and crew. I hope everyone likes it as it's not quite finished yet. The picture is locked, but music and color are not done. Oh well, the intent is there and I think people will be pleasantly happy with what we've done.

Plus, PIZZA! I've been good most of today with the expectations that I will eat whatever I want tonight since I have no impulse control when it comes to pizza. MMMMMMMMmmmmmmm.

Okay, I'm getting kicked off the computer already. Toodleoooo.

NaBloPoMo Day 20

It's Friday! Hell. Yes.

I'm looking forward to a yummy dinner prepared by The Boyfriend, probably a long walk at the park and then some movie watching.

We also have to make cookies for a screening party tomorrow night, so I will also be spending the evening battling with my willpower to not eat all of the damn cookies myself before the party.

I had to go to Costco at lunch today to get some stuff for tomorrow. I know better than to go to Costco anytime close to the weekend, but I had to get this stuff done so we wouldn't have to go tonight. I want some time to hang with Robb, not spent running errands and so forth.

But, I had no idea Costco was going to be so freaking packed. With the most annoying types of shoppers every. The type that leave their cart in the middle of the aisle, right in everyone's way, so they can wander off to look at something and then get all huffy when you dare push their cart out of the way so you can get by.

Lucky for me I needed to talk to Robb about something while I was there, so I was just that jerk that talks on the phone while shopping. Whatever it takes to get it done.

My boss has shown up from her offsite meetings, so I'm off to get some work done before the weekend starts.

NaBloPoMo Day 19

Ugh, I am so sore today. 30 Day Shred Level 2 + Pilates = a very sore me. I like the feeling, don't get me wrong, but again we didn't run this morning, so I'm still feeling sluggish on top of being sore.

This week has been very stressful for Robb and I've been fighting off some sort of cold, so it's been a week of not exercising very much. At least I haven't eaten that badly, I didn't even have any cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory. I had a bite of the one Steve and Robb ordered, just enough to remind me that I don't really like cheesecake to begin with, so no need to fill up on empty calories that I won't enjoy.

My boss has been out of the office this week, so I've been able to get some personal things done, like call my insurance company (Liberty Mutual, they totally ROCK by the way) and get my car insurance lowered. Nice.

Of course, I just got me AT&T bill and it's wrong, yet again, so now I have to call them and straighten things out. Since the upgrade we recently did with them on our DSL is not that great, I'm seriously thinking of switching to a cable modem and only having AT&T as a backup landline for emergencies.

Sometimes, I hate being an adult. I hate having to deal with this crap. Even if it does feel good to get it done.

NaBloPoMo Day 18

Well hello there!

Last night we went to dinner with our friend John, who has just moved back to LA. I love meeting with him, he's so full of ideas and merriment. Plus, we ate at the Cheesecake Factory, a place we never really go (they have AMAZING fish tacos, by the way) so it's enjoyable when we do.

Although, too noisy. I'm getting so old. We got to tell John our ideas for new webshows that we're doing, which is always exciting and nerve-wracking.

We of course got home late, so no running this morning. I'm dragging already, but I plan on doing 30 Day Shred tonight and a Pilates workout afterwards. Hopefully that will pick things up!

NaBloPoMo Day 17

ARGH! I've been trying to post from my phone for the past 20 minutes. Just home from an awesome dinner with John, Steve and Robb. I took an awesome photo of Monkey with a huge slice of Red Velvet Cheesecake, but I can't get it to post, so I'll do it tomorrow.

Goodnight! It's way past my bedtime.

Updated to add: Monkey, finally!

How much do I love that my friends think nothing of me whipping out a small plastic Monkey and taking his photo before they could enjoy their dessert.

NaBloPoMo Day 16

Monday. Blargh.

We slept through the alarm this morning. Since we didn't run this weekend, I now feel like it's been forever even though it's only been since Friday morning. Mondays we have a tendency not to run, whether by plan or accident and it always leaves me sluggish for the rest of the day.

Lucky for me my boss is in meetings all this week, so it should be fairly quiet. Today certainly was. And yet, when it's as quiet as it was today, I get nothing done.

We launched a new video for LFTi, check it out at www.lifefromtheinside.com, it's very fun!

At least we had yummy leftover turkey burgers and an hour long walk after dinner leaves me feeling more normal like.

I think that's all I have for today. My brain is mush, even after our walk. Here's to running in the morning.

NaBloPoMo Day 15

Sunday! Not usually a day of rest around here as I always become overwhelmed with the idea of getting stuff done before the week starts. I just love starting the week with a clean house and laundry done.

Robb is off on a walk right now. I just finished doing "30 Day Shred" (I heart Jillian), put in a load of laundry and did all of the dishes from the weekend. Yeah, Sunday's I tend to get productive.

While Robb was working earlier I cleaned out the microwave (yuck. it so needed to be done) and other small things that needed to be done around the apartment. Sometimes I love it when he has to work on the weekend, it gives me an excuse to putter.

Robb has been working on the new short we have going online tomorrow. When he gets home we're going to finish with my lesson of how to build webpages for the website.

Robb made the most wonderful dinner tonight. I love it when we're eating healthier and now that I'm not doing Nutrisystem, we're having fun discovering new recipes to try, or just making something we love healthier. Also, it's been nice and cool around here, which always makes cooking at home so much more bearable.

Tonight we had turkey burgers with avacado, jalapeno and a small amount of mozzarella cheese. Whatever Robb seasoned the ground turkey with, it was amazing. Seriously, one of the best tasting burgers I've had in awhile. And for a side, we made oven roasted squash. Yummy.

Okay, I'm off to take out the garbage and straighten up the apartment some more. It's amazing how easily things get out of place over the weekend.