Thoughts.

It's windy outside and I assume cold, and either way I am still in my jammies. So I am wasting the morning watching TV. And Full House is on, which means I feel compelled to watch it. I think I am reliving my childhood, and I like it.

I've been thinking about family lately and my childhood. (Note here that this is not a roundabout way of announcing that I'm pregnant. I'm not.) I hope that I can give my kids opportunities to try new things. And be successful. And fail with grace. And be comfortable with lots of people an situations.

And I hope that someday I can do all those things myself.

I Do Not Look Forward to Aging

I have a traveling pain in my shoulder that won't go away and isn't caused by an injury or seem to have a pinpointable cause. Earlier in the week, I got a blister on the balls of both feet (admittedly, this one was caused by stupidity). I also overdid the jumping earlier in the week and have sore calves.

Seriously, I am 28 years old and I am falling apart. In about a month we celebrate my grandma's 80th birthday. I anticipate living a long life, but I'm going to have to toughen up when I start having actual problems. Or I'll have to surround myself with people who don't mind hearing me whine.

My Thoughts on Weight Watchers

Because there's hardly any information online about Weight Watchers (sarcasm, in case you didn't catch that), I have some thoughts to share.

• Easy-to-follow: Yes. I struggle (a lot) with math, and I can do it. And since I can eat anything, I haven't had a problem being hungry or craving a food so badly I can't stand it. I thought I would be hungry all the time, but I'm not. And when I am hungry, I eat something. I am definitely eating less, but that's the point.
• Effective: I think so. I've lost just over 14 pounds since the beginning of April (one more pound and I get a sticker). Some weeks are better than others, but I can usually pinpoint the results to what I have or have not done during the week.
• Cost: I think that is part of what motivates me. I do the at-work program, so it costs a little more, but if spending money is what it takes me to stay motivated I think it's worth it. The branded foods add up quickly, but I don't buy them.
• Nutritional value: It encourages fruits, veggies, whole grain, lean protein and dairy. Lots of water. Good oils. Hard to argue with that. The branded foods have a lot of unpronouncable ingredients, which is another reason I don't buy them - I find similar products in the store to be cheaper and better for you.
• Meetings: I like them. I happen to like cheering for other people and getting stickers and sharing and learning a little lesson. I know that's not for everyone, but it works for me.
• Overall life effect: When I said I was going to join, Boyfriend said I shouldn't tell anyone. My reply is that people can see I'm fat, so I don't have a problem with them knowing that I'm working on that. And doing it at work means I have a support system there I can rely on. And he's come around now that he knows we can eat in restaurants and cook good meals and even bake dessert. I think more about what I'm eating, but it hasn't made life sad or dreary or dull. I go out, I have a drink on occasion, I have dessert on many occasions (just not as much of it). It's all good.

Overall, so far no complaints with Weight Watchers. My latest goal is to lose 20 pounds (total) before family reunion in June. I don't see this side of the family often, so that would feel good. And I think that's pretty realistic. Further updates as events warrant.

Good Housekeeping

It was chilly here over the weekend, which did not make me happy. Then my mom texted me that it was snowing there (not sticking, but still snowing). I responded that she should move. She thinks she's funny, so she offered to move in with me.

Then when I said she could clean, she suddenly changed her mind. Apparently I do not meet her standards.

Then Boyfriend's mom got in my car and commented that I should clean the floor. Which is probably true, but unlikely to happen.

I guess there was a reason I never won the clean desk award.

Alexandria, Minnesota Recommendations

So it's almost tourist season here in Alex (hint: pronounce it "Alec"). And because I've been thinking about local businesses lately and where I should spend my money, here's a list of my favorite local places in town. Note that I'm sure I left something off, so feel free to remind me.

• Sixth Avenue Wine & Ale. Order the Juliet.
• Butler's Pantry. I love sandwiches. This is the best place for sandwich supplies.
• The DATA trail. Ride it, walk it, whatever.
• InStyle Salon. They do a great job, not too spendy.
• City Park. I don't really get why this place isn't constantly crowded.
• Deck Bar at Arrowwood. Great view. Food isn't great, but the atmosphere is nice.
• The Corral. Technically this is in Nelson, but good food and it's an easy ride or drive. And you can shoot a minnow.
• Neighborhood National Bank. My checking account there earns way more interest than my supposedly high-interest online account.

What am I missing? Honorable mention to Raaper's, Time Square and Jan's Place. And of course, a special shout-out to Mike's Lunchbox - gone but never forgotten.

Better Late Than Never

Today is Cinco de Mayo. Since up until last year I was ignorant as to the meaning of this holiday - like probably most of you, I thought it was Mexico's independence day - here is a free history lesson for your edification.

Cinco de Mayo is the celebration of the day the Mexican army - wildly outnumbered - defeated the French at the Battle of Pueblo. The war eventually went to the French, but not the battle. I'm told today is actually a bigger deal in the U.S. than it is in Mexico.

So now you learned something. I went to a festival today featuring different businesses and mariachi and Latino dancers. And apparently there was free food, but I refuse to stand in line for an hour for a hot dog and a taco. Still an enjoyable evening though.

If you need more history than I have provided here, see what my friends at Wikipedia have to say: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo.