A week in review

I'm taking a page from a few other bloggers that I read, and thought I'd start posting a week in review.  It's been pretty interesting to see what other people accomplish in a week.  But, then, they lead more exciting lives than I, so read at your own risk.

Reading:  I finished Mr. Darcy takes a Wife and I highly recommend it to any Pride and Prejudice fans out there.  A bit of sex, but not too much, and it makes the story believeable.  I started the second book in that set, Darcy and Elizabeth.  A bit slower, but equally good.  I started, also, the newest issue of Above Rubies,  and read the daily paper, maybe three times this week. 

Watching:  I rewatched the BBC Pride and Prejudice - why, yes, I do obsess, why do you ask?  I also watched the first dvd from Homicide: Life on the street, the finest series ever on tv.  Disc 2 awaits.  Morning and nightly news.  Nothing else watched, unless you count the nightly forced overheard That's so Raven.  My girls are obsessed with that show.

Exercise:  I walked 3 miles Monday, 5 Tuesday, 5 wednesday, and 3 yesterday.  Add in 5 today for a weekly total of 21 miles.  Which brings me to my weigh in, which showed a total pounds lost since January 1 of 18.6.  Whoot!  Almost to 20!  Which isn't my goal, but whatever.  I've been very satisfied with my progress - it's been slow, but it's getting there.  I've done 200 pushups. I have eaten 10 oranges this week, 10 bananas, and 15 bottled waters.  AND only one coke, which is ginormous for me.  Coffee every day, though........

Clothing: I was able, for the first time in I can't remember how long, to put away some clothes for myself that were too big.  See, here's the story:  I wore a 10 -12 when married, and was pretty much able to stay there until baby #4.  I was a 12-14 after him, and a solid 14 after #5.  When Riley was born, and we started having so many problems with her, I was in a deep depression and used food to medicate.  I went rapidly to a 16, and at Christmas was horrified by both my presence in pictures and the fact that my "fat" clothes were too tight.  I was unable to buy anything in Ann Taylor, and that embarrassed me immensely, since I love that store.  So, now, last summer's clothes are too big, and I need to buy new ones.  I was totally thrilled that on Sunday, my one pair of black church pants needed to be safety pinned to stay on.  Kalisah was kind enough to give me some suggestions, but I'm looking for more.  What do you consider the one, hot, must have item for the summer?

Family and Friends: Talked to some great out of state friends several times.  Had wonderful email exchanges with another.  Had horrible family stuff happen, but had great family stuff happen as well.  Didn't have my day care kids but once, so no extra money this week: boo. 

Housekeeping: This, my friends, is where I have drastically dropped the ball.  I've washed and dried 16 loads of laundry, and four of them still reside on the floor of my laundry room.  The rest are folded, and sit in the hallway, awaiting their trip to various and sundry bureaus.  I have 8 work shirts and 10 pairs of pants to iron today for The Hubster.  The dishes have been done daily, but food hasn't been a huge priority, so the kids have had lots of sandwiches and quick stuff, and leftovers.  Healthy, but not totally homemade, which I'd like to get back to. 

Writing:  I had someone who is knowledgeable and local read my first third of the manuscript - about 27,000 words.  She loved it, and has restored me to hope.  I've not worked on it in over a month, feeling really unsure of it, and questioning if I should continue.  Sara really reassured me, and now I'm fired up to continue. 

I've driven probably 100 miles, slept about 30 hours, had one migraine, and watched The Hubster give a presentation at school for Math Career day - which made me extremely proud of him.  His job is hard, involving long hours and mental prowess, and he performs flawlessly.  He impressed the faculty at school, and the kids loved him.

So, what happened to you this week?

Comments

[Denise]

Wow. I'm not sure if I can remember all the way back to last Sunday. If I can think of a few things that are not too scary I'll post them on my blog.
I think the three or four must-haves for this summer are a knee-length flared skirt, wedge sandals, and a twist-front shrug with matching camisole. (I have none of those items myself...yet) Congratulations on your weight loss! That is a tremendous achievement!

[Stephanie C.]

Congrats on your 18.6 pounds, Carmen!! That is wonderful, but you're working hard for it so you certainly have earned it.
I'm not a fashion person so I don't know what's "in"; I stick with basics like nice t-shirts and polo shirts. Boring, I know.
I borrowed the BBC "Pride and Prejudice" from a friend, but haven't watched it yet. I've heard it's the best.

[kalisah]

congrats on the successful weight loss. You know, you can crash diet and lose it quickly, but it will come right back on just as quickly. So losing it slowly means less chance of it coming back on.

Also? I couldn't do one push-up if my life depended on it.

And I have this recommendation for Hubby's wardrobe: Brooks Brothers wrinkle-free dress shirts. They come out of the dryer looking like they've been starched and pressed - even with creases in the sleeves. SOOOOOO worth the money you'll save in time spent ironing.

[Homestead]

Yeah, about that 18.6 lbs you lost?? I found it. Are you SURE you don't want it back?

Summer must-have items:
Solomon amphibian shoes
Lands End t-shirts
Long skirts
Perfect and comfy black sandals
And, this year, giant muu-muu summer maternity dresses by Omar the Tent Maker.

[Suzanne Balvanz]

now that you've seen BOTH Pride & Prejudice movies, which one do you think is better? (Personally, I don't think ANYONE can do it better than Colin Firth, but I adore him.....)

:)

[Kate the Shrew]

Wow, congrats on the weight loss. I'm fighting a daily battle on the last 10 pounds of baby weight myself, racing to get them off before we start trying for #2 babe.

You can *NEVER* watch the BBC Pride & Prejudice too many times. I'm right there with you and Bridget Jones on that one. Not that I'm obsessed or anything, either! Fortunately, my three year old thinks it's a hoot, so I get to pretend we're watching it for her.

[Elizabeth]

Oh it pains me to read other people (women) enjoy Colin Firth ;-)

Yippee on your almost 19 pounds. Slow is THEE hardest but best way to go. But why just *put away* the clothing - and not just get rid of them, hopefully for good! ;-)

[paige]

20 Pounds! You are inspiring! This week I was in charge of making sure every teacher got a singing telegram at our school, and then we sang them all at the teacher's luncheon on Friday. I probably gained two pounds this week, because I made wonderful homemade wheat bread and cookies---no more of that.

You must have two pairs of capris that you love, a long denim skirt, and that one pair of sandals that you live in. Shirts you probably have enough of in your closet already.

[Dollymama]

Way to go on your weight loss. I am impressed! And, I don't think that it's all that slow, actually. Isn't one pound a week supposed to be the expected avaerage for women losing weight without crash dieting?

I don't know what's cool to wear this summer. I was hoping I'd learn about it from reading the comments. I can tell you that Lane Bryant has some seriously LAME shirts this year. NOW where am I gonna shop?!

[Melessa]

Hey! I do this every Sunday, but I'm betting you got this from Toni rather than me. Her blog is much cooler because, well, she is a much better writer. WTG on the 20 lbs. I gained 2 lbs. last week and I'm still pouting (not really eating badly, just pouting). The lady at WW gasped when I got on the scale last week and it hurt my feelings. I didn't go back yesterday. Don't they teach those ladies not to do stuff like that?!

My girls love Raven too. Ugh!

[Paula]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that stores her clean laundry on the floor! My dirty laundry is in the hamper, and the clean gets pulled out of the dryer onto the floor. I fold constantly, but my laundry room floor hasn't been clear in months. This is in part because I have no counter or cabinets or storage space in my tiny laundry room, just the washer and dryer.