Wasps vs. Griffin Girls

My friend Christina and I went to Busch Gardens Williamsburg last Friday for Howl-O-Scream. It was a blast... and though I love me some Carowinds, Busch Gardens definitely put Scarowinds to shame. They had a TON of full out haunted houses and trails... the kind you'd normally pay 10 bucks a pop to visit... all inside the park! The scariest things were the ghosts that were on bungee cords that would bungee down from the trees to scare you... well, actually, that was ALMOST the scariest thing.... they couldn't compare to the GRIFFIN!!!!


No, the rollercoaster itself was not scary. It was super fun. Your typical super duper steep feel like you are free falling type steel coaster. The scary part was what they announced just MOMENTS before we got on the ride! Here's the story:

Christina and I had waited about 30 minutes in line for the front seats on the Griffin. We were convinced it was the only way to go. So after watching pre-teens and trashy old folks grope each other in line for 30 minutes (what is it about amusement parks that makes people so flippin' horny????? gross.) they made an announcement:

"Attention Griffin riders: If you are allergic to, or simply afraid of, WASPS!!!!!!!!!!! please do not ride this ride. There are swarms of wasps on the lift."

WHHHAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTTT???? Did he say WASPS?????????????? Did he say SWARMS OF WASPS???????

I couldn't breathe. I felt my knees weaken. I turned to Christina and told her there was NO WAY I was getting on the ride. She (who is apparently not afraid of wasps) tried to convince me we should still ride, as we had waited 30 minutes - our longest line all day... So I asked the guys working the ride how bad the wasps were. "Well there's about 30 or so... but you'll probably be fine." Oh probably? Oh grrrreattttt PROBABLY... I'll PROBABLY throw a hissy on my way up and get stung to death!!!!

Christina did not find my b*tching to be amusing. I sucked it up and got strapped in. "Great, no escape." We began our ascent and I see the wasps being all sneaky and waspy on the lift. I closed my eyes and hoped for the best. I, of course, made it up the lift sans sting. But honestly, that was the scariest part of Howl-O-Scream... BY FAR!!!!

Halloween!

Well, the Queen of creative Halloween costumes drew a blank this year... well, actually, I had a stellar idea to go as "The money you could be saving on car insurance" but I was slackin' on my mackin' and I don't know if I have time to make it now... so, I went with a store bought costume - which I swore I'd never do... but at least it's cute!



Here are a few of my favorite Halloween costumes of past...

2006 - I was a Q-tip!

2007 - I was Big Bird :)

2008 - I was mustard, and Steph was ketchup.... aka "condom-mints"

More Super Cool Pictures!

Well when I saw that the Bataan site was updated I immediately emailed Tony to tell him how excited I was. Turns out that butt had a ton of pictures from out there he hadn't sent to me! I guess he didn't think I'd care about pictures of his craft... silly boy. So upon hearing of my interest, he emailed me the following pictures. His craft is LCAC 71... I found it in at least 2 (one is from below, the weird circly shaped picture, so I won't repost that one...)

Tony's craft!!!!

Finally some LCAC Love!

After more than 5 months of incessantly checking the Bataan website, finally they posted something about ACU-4! There are pictures and a news story up on the site now of the ops that Tony has been telling me about this past week. These pictures were taken in Alexandria, Egypt. Isn't the water gorgeous!?!? I just wish you could see the numbers on the LCACs so I knew which one he was on... oh well, I'll take what I can get! So proud of my babe :)

Top Ten Low-cal Foods that TASTE like High-cal Food!!!

I know a million of my friends, myself included, who have embarked on the low-cal journey only to get sick of it after 2-3 weeks and start housing chips & helluva good french onion dip and making stops at Taco Bell on their way home from work... Why? Low-cal foods taste like low-cal foods and foods that taste low-cal are NOT satisfying! I can honestly say I've never CRAVED salad... well unless you put loads of croutons, cheese, dressing, candied pecans, and coconut shrimp on top.... (Joe's Crab Shack... num num num) So though I can't guarantee these options will set you on the right track forever, here's my top ten low-cal foods (and drinks) that taste high-cal... which at least oughtta buy you 2 months...

10. Apples with Caramel Dip packs - 90 calories
They have started selling 90 calorie packs of apples with caramel in the produce section of Walmart.(You can also get 110 calorie packs of apple with caramel and peanuts if you like...) They give you a good bit of caramel, enough that you feel like you are "cheating," but you really aren't. The individual packs are great to take to work, too! Yum!

9. Green Giant Just For One Cauliflower and Cheese Sauce - 40 calories
Another great single serving option from Green Giant! The cheese doesn't taste low cal... and cauliflower tastes very "carbalicious" for my potato lovers like me... a great substitute when you are craving something starchy!

8. Shrimp cocktail - 100 calories
This one is obviously going to depend on your serving size, but 20 small shrimp are only like 40 calories, and cocktail sauce isn't bad either. I always associate shrimp cocktail with fancy restaurants so I love picking up a mini tray for myself when I'm craving fancy food :)

7. Turkey Vegetable Soup - 200 calories
I make this soup in the crock pot all winter long like it is my JOB. It is sooo easy and VERY low cal as long as you use lean ground turkey. Just brown & drain the turkey, add 1 can low sodium beef broth, 1 can tomato soup, 1 can petite diced tomatoes, and one bag of frozen vegetable soup mix (I like the Food Lion brand because it has okra). I add garlic & onion powder, too... and a little pepper to taste. Leave it in the crock pot on high for 3.5 hours and you have 4 substantial servings! It is great to freeze for later as well.

6. Dannon Light & Fit White Chocolate Raspberry yogurt - 80 calories
Let me start by saying I am NOT a yogurt fan... but I tried this yogurt the other day and almost passed out with how satisfying it was. I could have eaten 3 packs of it... and only 80 calories!!!!

5. Progresso Light Santa Fe Style Chicken Soup - 160 calories in the whole can
I've found that most low-cal soups are bland and mostly broth, but not this one. Its spicy enough to keep your taste buds on their tippy toes and filling enough for a whole meal. By far the best light soup (out of a can) that I've ever had.

4. Angel Food Cake - 140
I bet you didn't know Angel Food Cake was so low-cal!!! IT IS!!! Top it with some strawberries and oh Lordy - party in my mouth!!!

3. Mango Chipotle Tilapia - 180
A1 makes a Mango Chipotle marinade that is to die for, and low calorie as well. I put it on tilapia fillets and broil them for about 8 minutes, until it flakes with a fork. Its so flavorful and really healthy, too.

2. General Foods International Coffee Sugar Free Chai Latte - 80 calories
I am a Starbucks FANATIC... and the hardest thing for me when I am trying to eat healthy is avoiding my double tall caramel macchiato. This sugar free mix from General Foods is the next best thing! It reminds me of Christmas for some reason... so filling, and great for cold winter nights!

1. Strawberry Soup - 120 calories/serving
If you haven't tried it yet... I suggest running to the store now to pick up the ingredients... you will be in love! I first made the non-low-cal version, which still wasn't even bad.... but Tatiana gave me the idea to cut down the cal count and it is just as good! Here's the recipe:
In food processor, process 1 quart fresh strawberries (hulled) until smooth. Then add 1/3 cup ginger ale, 1/4 cup skim milk, 1/3 cup equal(or any other cal-free sweetener), 1 tsp. vanilla extract, and 1 tbs lemon juice and process until blended. Pour into serving bowl and wisk in 1 cup fat free sour cream. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours. Makes about 6 servings.
A-MA-ZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy dieting ;)

If I never see another sequin again...

IT WILL BE TOO SOON!!!! OK, I have always been "crafty" and "creative" and blah blah... but this snowman stocking for Tony is KILLING me! No joke... I have put in a solid 10-11 hours on it already and I am not even a quarter of the way done. Do you realize how many pieces there are on that snowman? OVER 100!!!!!!! And that is just the felt... that doesn't even include the HUNDREDS of sequins and beads and buttons I have to sew on that thing... and let's not even get into how long it takes me to thread that darn beading needle EVERY TIME... who's idea was this anyway? I should have started back in JUNE!

Now that I vented... he is, of course, so very worth every pin prick :)

Ten Days In...

I am happy to report that 10 days in I am already down 2 pounds :) I have cut out all carbs with the exception of fruit & whatever carbs are in my 240 calorie lean cuisine lunches... (and one lunch at Azteca with the work crew, because Babcock twisted my arm...) I feel great and I went NUTS at Express the other day where I found myself to be "swimming" in a size 4 and comfortably in a size 2 - with room to spare! I even had someone at work today ask if I had lost weight, woot woot woot!

Let me be clear... I am in no way shape or form suggesting that at 5'6", 118 lbs, I am "overweight," but with my frame (I have no hips... and I mean NO HIPS....) 115 is perfect for me. I wear a size 4.5 ring for crying out loud... most 8 year olds have bigger hands than me...

In related news, Tony gave me "the code" today and he will be home a few days earlier than expected! YAYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!! We are under the 2 month mark now so I'm in crunch time :) Wish me luck!

Bucilla Stockings

My mom made Bucilla Christmas stockings for my whole family & I have always loved them. So, though I know Tony LOVES his Redskins stockings, I've decided to be crafty and sew him a stocking this year. I decided on the golfing snowman and I am starting it today!



I'd have to say its pretty creepy that the sample picture has "Andy" embroidered on it... but Tony's brother's name is Andy, too, so we'll just say it's after him :)

Also, my mom is sending down my stocking from when I was a kid, and she is going to sew Madison a stocking for her Christmas present! I am so excited to hang them on the mantle for when he comes home!!!!

Let the countdown (and the weigh-ins) begin!

OK so for safety reasons I am not allowed to post dates of when Tony will be arriving home, so you will just have to trust me when I say we are in the final stretch! I have been hovering around 120 pounds since I got here in VA... increased time at work and alcohol intake have kept me from losing any more weight. Well, that all stops tomorrow! I am officially beginning my countdown slimdown tomorrow... I went grocery shopping today and it was depressing. I basically got all lean white meats (chicken, fish, turkey) and fruits & veggies... no bad carbs, no dairy (other than some organic fat free milk), and noooooo junk food! I didn't even get 100 calorie snow puffs because I always end up eating 3 at a time which defeats the purpose of calling it a "100 calorie pack." I figured if I blog about my slimdown I will feel more accountable :) And Captain Crosby will guilt trip me if I cheat, haha.

So, officially I am weighing in at 120.3 pounds. Goal weight: 115. Wish me luck!