Links To Check Out 2/24-2/28

Here they are. My weekly list of Links To Check Out. They post every Tuesday around noon (mountain time). Hope you enjoy them.

New York Man "Grows" Six Inches Through Surgery - This is really f'ing disgusting. Why would you purposely go through the pain, not to mention the money, if you don't have to? So you're 5'6". Big whoop.

Melissa McCarthy's Cheerleader Past - Who doesn't want to wear a turtleneck as pants? Sounds like a new Etsy trend.

Jury: Farries Guilty On All Counts - This is a local story that's been big news for the last year. I'm so glad the stupid woman was found guilty. Whenever she was shown on tv, you could tell that she didn't feel bad at all that she'd killed someone.

Parenting Fails: Teaching Your Kids About the Coming Zombie Apocalypse is Important - This is freaking hilarious. I've got to get my hands on the full book.

How to Stretch Your Clothing Budget - Wow, this article is amazing! Or as Christian Siriano would say Fierce! I've always loved looking at clothes in magazines, catalogues, newspaper ads, etc. etc. And I keep telling myself I'm going to dress better. But I never really get around to it. Anyways, this article has awesome advice.

Dog Upstages Little Girl's Song - So cute.

Watch a Helicopter Get Destroyed By Physics Without Even Leaving The Ground - I don't understand why the pilot didn't shut off the engine to prevent the damage. Were they trying to demolish the helicopter?

Johanna Long Bests Whatsherface At 2012 Daytona Nationwide Race - This makes me so happy. #GoJo

What Word Describes Whatsherface And Starts With A "B" - Hahahahaha This is freaking great. I love this news anchor.

Gaynalysis: The 2012 Daytona 500 - This is the whole reason I read Queers4Gears. I love the snark that's injected into the race recaps. This one's not snarky. But it is fabulous.

Weight Loss Update - I Think The Scale Is Lying

Over the last few days I've been thinking quite a bit about weight loss. Where I'm at, where I want to be and how I'm going to get there. Since my last weigh in I haven't counted calories or even tried to moderate myself. And I haven't exercised at all this past week and a half.  So when I weighed in this morning I fully expected to gain a few pounds. I was all set to have today be Day One yet again. But somehow I managed to lose weight this last week and a half. Here's the weigh in...

Weight: 262.8 lbs
Change: 2.4 lb loss
Pounds to Goal: 117.8
BMI: 41.25

I'm kind of in shock. I have no clue how I managed that. But I'll take it and cross my fingers that it's not just a fluke.

In all my thinking I took an evaluation about how I want to lose all that weight. I've decided I'm going to do what I like and not going to do what I don't.

I really love yoga so I'll be doing yoga daily. Lately I've been frustrated with my yoga options. I have a 15 min dvd and there's several rest periods during that 15 minutes and I haven't felt very fulfilled the last month or so after doing it. I also have the Biggest Loser Weight Loss Yoga dvd, and I'm not loving it. Because it's for weight loss, Bob really works you out. I end up light headed and can only make it through about 15 minutes. I like yoga for the stretching and the peaceful brain drain. And I have the Wii Fit and it has yoga. But it doesn't flow from one position to the next and I don't feel like it's enough of a workout. And since I don't like doing yoga in public, I need to find an at home option. So I checked out the dvds that are available on Netflix. I'll test out some yoga dvds until I find the one that I really like. Then I'll buy that dvd. I'm starting with Rodney Yee's Yoga For Beginners. I'll let you know how I feel about it in next week's update.

I really dislike strength training. I despise lifting weights at the gym and I haven't found a program for strength that I can do at home that I enjoy. So I'm just not going to do it. I know that it's beneficial and raises your metabolism. But I'm still choosing not to do it.

When it comes to cardio, I have the stationary bike that my mom and I bought last year, and I have several dance dvds. And the new addition to the bunch: My sister-in-law gave me an elliptical. So I'll pick whichever one I'm in the mood for and work out every day. I also plan on walking Noel every day, weather permitting. I've slacked in this department too. She gained back the pound she had lost. I'm a bad mommy.

And for food I'll stick to using Lose It to track my calories. If I understand all the explanations as long as my net calories for the day is 0, mathematically I should lose 2 pounds a week. I'll see how things go.

Well there you go. That's the plan at least. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Deep Thoughts - What Will Happen This Year In NASCAR

I'm so ready for the NASCAR season to start! Technically it already has. Last week was the Budweiser Shootout. The Nationwide Series and the Camping World trucks have already started last night and today. But for the majority of people, even NASCAR fans, NASCAR means the Sprint Cup series. With predictions popping up all over, I have to throw mine into the ring. They're based on who I like, don't like, driver stats, and my gut. I always follow my gut when I pick for fantasy leagues. And I frequently make predictions to my mom and dad. And I'm right more than I'm not. So here we go...

The 2012 Sprint Cup Champion will be...



Carl Edwards. He keeps coming so close then losing. So heartbreaking. Since he's not racing in Nationwide this year, all of his attention will be on the Cup. I'm certain (and hoping) that this is his year.

OR...



Kevin Harvick. His first child is due in July. He's either going to come out and kick ass. Or totally fail. I don't wish failure on him but I don't want him to win. Just saying that I think it's going to be him or Carl.

So with 36 races, who's going to win?

Well... the definite winners are...

Carl Edwards. Kevin Harvick. Brad Keselowski. Kasey Kahne. Jeff Gordon. Kyle Busch. Kurt Busch. Denny Hamlin. Tony Stewart. Jimmie Johnson.

And the possible winners are...

Greg Biffle. Matt Kenseth. Jamie McMurray. Juan Pablo Montoya. Joey Logano. Regan Smith. Martin Truex Junior. Ryan Newman

That's right. I left off Bowyer, Burton, Martin, Earnhardt Jr., Allmendinger, Ambrose and Whatsherface. I just don't think they'll win races this year.

I think that Kasey Kahne and Jeff Gordon will either flourish or fail. If Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr stay away from them, they'll be amazing! But I don't trust Jimmie or Junior. I think they will intentionally hit and wreck Kasey and Jeff if they don't remember their places. I also don't think Jimmie will contend for the championship this year. And I don't think Junior will win a race and if he makes the Chase, it will be barely. He hasn't been great yet at Hendricks; I don't think he'll be turning that around this season.

Over at RCR, eh. I think Harvick will contend for the title through most of the Chase. If he loses, he won't be second. He'll be lower than that. But the others, Jeff Burton and Paul Menard are so inconsistent that I don't think either will do anything impressive this year. And I'm not wagering on them making the Chase.

At Gibbs, I think this will be another season of Kyle Busch overshadowing Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano. It's contract year for Joey, and I'm not sure if he'll be able to handle the pressure. I really like him and want him to do well, but I'm not sure that he will. I think JGR rushed him into Cup too soon. He needs more experience and I think stepping back to Nationwide would be good for him. I also really like Denny. He's a good driver and will be a champion someday. I just don't think he'll get there as long as he's on a team with Kyle. And Kyle.. well, he'll be put on probation at some point this season. And most likely for fighting with someone. Sorry but I think that it will be another season where at the end, he's not in the running for the championship. And it will be his own doing.
And at Penske, I think Brad Keselowski will do okay. I think he'll win a couple races and be in the Chase. I don't think he'll ever be a serious contender for the title this year. And it will be another season of A.J. Allmendinger sucking butt. I've heard other fans and some of the media talk about how he's really good. But I don't see it. He wrecks his own teammates on a regular basis (search "Elliott Sadler Pocono accident" on YouTube, and even "Kasey Kahne Pocono accident") and I'm waiting for the smackdown that Brad puts on him. You know he will. There's just no way that Brad will tolerate being wiped out by his own teammate.

I think this is going to be another season of MWR putting out mediocre results. I think Martin Truex Jr. is extremely talented and can do well. I don't think he can do well at MWR however. The cars are just too inconsistent. And Bowyer? Well, his car has already been nailed for not meeting specs. Need I remind you about the tow truck incident? It's a definite pattern. I also think that Mark Martin is not going to put up any impressive results this year. He should have retired a few years ago. And Michael himself is a mediocre driver.

So Stewart-Haas... I think that Tony makes sure he gets the best of everything at that team so he'll be okay. I'm not sure that he'll contend for the championship again this year. I think Ryan Newman has the potential to be a really great driver with really great results.But I don't think he'll get them this year. Because I think that Tony will give the best leftovers to Whatsherface. Not that they'll help her any. She's going to be best friends with the wall in every race she's in. And of course, she's going to blame everyone else. Surprise, surprise. Hopefully, she'll realize that she sucks as much as a Hoover and will go back to IRL soon.

As for Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing... I think that both Jamie and Juan are really good drivers with loads of potential. But I'm not impressed with the equipment or crews of EGR. I think they're in for another roller coaster year ending with mediocre results.

I'm also not feeling Kenseth or Biffle. I think they'll be good and will be in the Chase but that neither of them will contend. Carl is definitely the driver with the most talent and potential at Roush-Fenway Racing.

This year will make or break Kurt Busch at Phoenix Racing. He's seeing a sports psychologist. And I think that after all the off-season shit he had to eat, he's going to come out a stronger man. I want this to be a good season for him. Junior screams at his team all the time. Harvick screams at his. So why is what he said and did any different than them? He's getting the short end of the stick.

That's the biggies. I'll wrap this up with Regan Smith at Furniture Row Racing. I'm partial to him and the team because the team is based in Denver. Whoooohoooo! I think it will be a good year for them. They'll definitely be in the top 20. I'm not sure he'll get into the Chase. If he does, he'll squeak in. But he'll have a solid year. And might win a race.

Don't agree with me? Go ahead and tell me in the comments. Be respectful or I'll sic Creepy Junior on you.

Hi

I did weigh myself on Wednesday; I just forgot to post.

Weight: 265.2 lbs
Change: 0.7 lb loss
Pounds to Goal: 120.2

I managed to lose the weight I had gained last week plus a tiny bit more. Not sure how I managed to have a loss but I did.

I'm going back through posts and tinkering with the way they look. I want to get everything perfect for when the Blogging A to Z Challenge starts in April. That is part of the reason why I haven't been actually blogging lately. Also have been working on my crochet items for my shop. That should reopen today or tomorrow. I'll let you know. That's it for now.

Sabotage!

Dear Saboteur,

I'm trying to give you the benefit of the doubt, that you're just oblivious to your sabotaging ways. But it's become more frequent the last few months.

I asked for the small bag of pretzel M&Ms. Please don't buy me the 1-pounder.

I did not ask for cinnamon rolls. Please don't bring me any.

As adorable as they are, I did not ask for panda-shaped cookies. Please don't give me any.

I asked for a small jamocha shake, small blizzard or small Scholotzky's sandwich for a reason. Please don't "upgrade" me to a large because that's what I normally buy.  I did not have a stroke or stutter. The word small came out of my mouth on purpose. I know it's not what I normally request, but normal helped me get 120+ pounds overweight. Abnormal will help me get to my goal weight.

Just go with the flow on this. It's easier than resisting.

Thanks.

Weigh In and Mindsets

So yesterday was my weigh in. It wasn't great. But in the grand scheme of things, it's not that bad.

Weight: 265.9 lbs
Change: 0.5 lb gain
Pounds to Goal: 120.9 lbs
BMI: 41.73

I wasn't surprised. Well, I was. I was surprised that I had gained only a half a pound. I was expecting more. Yesterday I did the bike and only went 10 calories over. Today I've done yoga, the bike and walked Noel. So far so good on calories for today and I have dinner planned out. So if I don't eat anything extra I'll end up under.

So I noticed that the toughness of a workout is directly dictated by my mindset. Has anyone else noticed that? Tuesday I just felt so UGH. I mean, I didn't want to do anything at all. But I drug my way through the yoga dvd. And I felt like crap doing it. Usually I feel relaxed and stretched out during and after yoga. But because of my bad attitude I just felt more tense. Then after the yoga I did the bike. It was all just horrible. Everything hurt and I ended up twisting my knee and getting a cramp right where my leg joins into my hips. I probably should have just taken a mental health day. Unless someone has a brilliant way to feel with crap-mindset days?

Yesterday and today have been better for sure. No injuries to myself and I completed my workouts without grumbling. Well I did grumble while walking. About people who don't shovel their sidewalks. It's a law people. And it's not that hard. Just do it. Then I don't have to walk in the middle of the damn street to avoid ice because people are just too lazy to scrape off their sidewalk. Argh.

The Sockhop

When GNephew was a baby, my mom and I babysat him on Saturday nights while my brother and sister-in-law participated in a bowling league. We spent nearly every Saturday dancing like crazy fools to a local radio program, The Saturday Night Sockhop. It was a few hours of fantastic oldies. And it was great to dance to. I taught GNephew all sorts of silly dances, the monkey, the swim and even the twist. We would laugh for hours.

The DJ, Lee Douglas was a local celebrity because he was also a local TV sportscaster. Last night on the news, I saw that he had died earlier yesterday unexpectedly. Without a doubt, his death leaves a hole in the sports community. He always featured local high school and college sports. And occasionally cause some irritation in this family of Chargers fans because of his loyalty to the Broncos. But he was a great sportscaster and even better DJ. So I prefer to remember and honor Lee Douglas for what he gave me: precious, irreplaceable memories filled with laughter and happiness.

Rest in peace, Lee Douglas. May the angels host a sockhop in your honor.

Hi

I'm rather worried about myself. I found this online last night. Don't worry it's not porn; it's an online metronome. Go ahead and click it. I was extremely happy when I found it. Actual almost delirious. I proceeded to sit there and watch the simple metronome for like 5 minutes. Maybe it's a message that I should really get back to trying to learn the guitar and playing the piano. I also found an online guitar tuner. I have a tuner from when I played flute and tuba in high school and it's okay. But sometimes it doesn't "hear" the guitar. So hopefully this online one will work out for me.

I also signed up on Pinterest. As of right now I plan on using it for the links that catch my eye when I'm surfing the web. That would be the Links to Check Out board. There's also a board called Inspiration; it's pictures of dresses and clothes that I like something about them and want to make my own interpretation. Yum is my board of hot guys. Right now it's just Kasey Kahne but I'll add more. And the last board I have right now is I Need These, the items I tell myself I can't live without.

Well that's it for now. I have a million things I need to be doing, like laundry, but I'm going to go work on the guitar for awhile, maybe play some piano. Put the online metronome and tuner to the test.

How Did That Happen?

So I think I mentioned before that I haven't really been able to get my act together when it comes to weight loss the last couple weeks. When I do okay eating, I'm crappy at exercise and when I actually exercise, my eating is bad. Last week I had absolutely no change in my weight and that's usually followed by a gain in my history. So this morning I decided that February 1 would be a really great day to start over since I was absolutely sure that I had gained weight since Thursday's weigh in.

Well... I didn't. I actually lost weight. And I had been really bad about eating and exercise this week.

Weight: 265.4 lbs
Week's Change: 1.6 lbs lost
Pounds to Goal: 120.4

Trust me. I do not deserve this. I did nothing to justify it, I overate nearly every day and came up with lots of excuses to bail on exercise (my ankle hurts, I'm tired, I didn't sleep well, etc.)

This weigh in was exactly the kick in the ass that I needed to get my act together. I was given a gift these last week that I need to show I was worthy of receiving in the upcoming weeks and months. I may be attending a wedding in this summer and I would really like to be about 200 pounds. (Note: If you've read this post before, you might notice that I've cut a portion of this post out. In hindsight I've realized I said things that could get me in trouble. So I'm editing it.)

Besides that, according to Lose It I'll hit my goal weight March 30, 2013. If I lose just a bit more than two pounds a week, I could probably hit goal weight earlier than that. So I could turn 30 with the totally amazing body I'm meant to have. How's that for a Happy Birthday?

So January was a success after all. I've lost 4.4 pounds since January 5 and 4.25 inches (spread over 12 measuring points). Not enough to have me going through the my trunk and boxes of clothes that I can't wear, but I'll take any success I can get. Maybe next month I can bust them open and rotate some items back into my wardrobe. That'll be nice. I'm sick of what I can wear but I don't want to spend money on more clothes when I have plenty that I can get into with a bit of effort.

Has everyone checked out the Blogging from A to Z Challenge? If you haven't, why not? I'm really looking forward to it. I won't be writing any earth shattering, world changing posts but most of the topics I've planned will be fun for me to write. By the time you read all 26 posts, you'll know more about me than you probably want to know. But you really should sign up.

There was something else I was going to mention... Ummm... I dunno. I'll think of it later and if I don't, whatever.