Lounging...

This morning when I got on the train, I noticed this guy slumped down in his seat. At first, I thought he was asleep. But he kept opening his eyes and shifting around in his seat. As I began to pay closer attention, I realized that what he was doing was trying to get in a better position to look under the skirt of the woman sitting in front of him.

At first, I said nothing, but then, I saw him take his camera phone out of his pocket and move it down beside his leg. At this point, I got up and went over to the young lady and tucked her skirt under her leg and whispered to her that the guy was trying to look under her skirt.

After I returned to my seat, a gentleman who saw what was going on, got up and sat beside buddy to block his view.

The nerve!!! Nasty buzzard!!!

So many sleepers...so little time...

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Long week...long day...long nap

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I'm not up now...

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Feelings about Public Assistance

And as one who grew up in an under the income limit household that qualified for benefits, I can promise you that we were not living "high on the hog."  The assistance that came in as WIC and government food subsidies (gubment cheese) and food stamps was used to stretch what money my grandmother had.

I didn't own a pair of name brand ANYthing that didn't come from a garage sale or the white lady across town or a pair of shoes that did not come from TG&Y or Payless until I had a job and bought them myself.

In the summertime, I wasn't playing and sleeping in and watching cartoons.  My grandmother had us in the fields, picking peas and butter beans and canning in the afternoons and riding up and down dirt roads, picking up aluminum cans.

So, the thought process that EVERY welfare recipient is lazy and good for nothing and doesn't deserve it doesn't necessarily fly with me.

08.17.11 - Lunch

100p

Chicken Stir Fry with Brown Rice

 

***

08.17.11 - Morning Snack

1100a

Apple

08.17.11 - Breakfast

800a

SlimFast Chocolate Shake w/ extra protein

08.17.11 - Morning Run Report

Power Walk - Regular Route - 2.25miles - 36minutes - focused on posture, long strides and tight abs.  Me, TheDude, the dog.

Caughtcha sleeping...

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Good night, sweetheart...

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08.16.11 - Evening Meal

530p
The leftover chicked fried rice from lunch
and a biscuit with syrup.

(Boo on the biscuit. LOL)

08.16.11 - Afternoon Snack

330p

Orange

Granola Bar

 

***

08.16.11 - Lunch

120p
Chicken Fried Rice

M. came and took me to lunch at Noodles on Main Street in College Park.

***

08.16.11 - Morning Snack

1045a

15 almonds

1 banana

 

***

08.16.11 - Breakfast

845a
Oatmeal
Turkey Bacon - 2 slices
Milk
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View from Pemberton Place

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Do You Know...

Books I bought for me and M.
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Echelon 3000

M. won a party at Echelon 3000 last night.

And because we had been told how crowded it would get, we actually got there kinda early. Around 730p.

There was a MySpace talent show going on and Dwele was performing later. There were a couple of standouts in the show, voice-wise and performance wise, but most every performer was rather decent. The Dwele performance was quite forgettable. In fact, I'm only writing about it so that I don't forget it.

I met M.'s cousins - Franklin and Monica(?) for the first time and they were really cool. Tomond, Nicole, Montrez, Dee, Ed and another couple that M. is friends with also joined us out.

All in all, we had BIG FUN!!!

***

I Know Why I Got Fat

I was victim of a combination of things.  Around the same time I started working a more demanding job with longer hours, I started dating someone who was damn near BBOD's size.  (And sorry, buddy was chunky.  He looked okay with it.  But he could have lost a few pounds of stomach if nothing else.)

Prior to him, I was dating someone who was very physically active and who had outstanding eating habits.

After that, my activity level dropped to zero.  My eating habits went to sht.  And since buddy was so big and I'm so tall, the extra pounds that I was putting on were almost un-noticed.  In fact, buddy used to celebrate the fact that I was "spreading out."  Until one day, I was walking through the grocery store and I thought someone was following me.  Turns out, it was my own ass.

At first I made excuses, but then, I realized that I needed to make a change for the better.  That was 5 years ago.  I have been working out fairly regularly since then.  Every now and then, I get off my workout plan, but never for too long.

It's the eating plan that screws me up.  After growing up having sweets very infrequently and in a town where there were no fast food restaurants until I was a teenager, I now have a raging sugar addiction and fast food is way too convenient.  In my opinion, a fast food restaurant on every corner is just as detrimental to American culture as a liquor on every corner in the hood.

Pretty Girl Traveling...

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08.12.11 - Run Report

Well, not at all a run, not even a walk, more like a stroll. Me and GiGi - 2.25miles - 48 minutes.

And considering that, at first, I had talked myself out of getting out at all, I won't complain about that.

But since I was going to have to take GiGi out anyway, I put on my Skechers and walked it out.

Yay me!!!

08.11.11 - MARTA Chronicles

Today on the train, there was a monk in orange robes, a gay guy with Little Orphan Annie red hair and a man pushing identical twins, identically dressed who looked like mini versions of him.
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On the train with a half dozen Silverbacks

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Pedicure! Lotion! STAT!

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A Forgotten Memory...

When I was 14, this chick that moved in across the street from my grandmother tried to fight me because her boyfriend gave me a ride home from school. 

 

She went to my grandmother and accused me of being "hot in the tail." 

 

It's the reason I ended up on the Pill at that age.  Never mind that I would not even attempt anything sexual with a boy for another two years.

08.11.11 - Run Report

Regular route – me, the man, the dog. 40mins.

 

We did way more walking than running. Most days, I'm way more concerned with it being a cardio workout than making time. But we walking today for two reasons, I usually only press all out when I'm coming up on a race. And…M. was sore from when our neighbor, Mr. B., had him outside doing yardwork for most of the day on Tuesday.

(I love me some Mr. B. He and his wife, Mrs. V are old enough to be our parents. And they basically have just adopted us. It's a really special feeling.)

08.11.11 - Confession

I really, really, really....really wanted a burger and fries for lunch.

 

(really big sigh here....)

 

I bought an Apple Pecan Chicken salad and a small chili instead.

 

***

Siesta...

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My Relationship and Outsiders

This is again one of those things where as I learned better and did better.

As I aged, matured, grew into my own person, starting caring less about others' opinions – not saying that some opinions don't have value - stopped trying to analyze my partner's every move, started communicating directly with my partner about our issues, ish in relationships got a heckuva lot easier.

Now, I share *some* of the good. Very, very, very little of the not so good. Other folks have longer memories about the bad in your relationship and have little stake in forgiving, repairing and moving past injuries or slights, real or imagined.

 

***

08.10.11 - Run, or actually No Run Report

No run for me this morning. I *had* to go to the grocery store. I was out of fresh fruit and vegetables. Fitness starts from the inside out.

I drove to work yesterday with the full intention of going on the way home. However, when I pulled in to the Kroger parking lot, there were way too many doggone cars in the parking lot. I didn't want to wear out the last nerve that I had left.  I just didn't want to deal with all them folk INSIDE the store. I just decided to come back when I knew I could beat the EBT card carrying and baby-hollering crowd.

Since I am on pace to meet my minutes/miles for the week, I do not feel at all bad about not running this morning.  Especially since it would have profited me little to get out and run this morning and head to the vending machine this afternoon because I didn't have my apple and banana for the day.

Shoes off...Feet up...

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Love on a train

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08.09.11 - Morning Run Report

Me, Mitch, GiGi - 2.25miles - 34 minutes.

It was a really slow start for me this morning. When I first start out running, the back of my calves scream loudly in protest. This morning, I almost couldn't push through.

But...I made it!

Early Morning Traveler...

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08.08.11 - Prayer Warrior

This week I am believing for:

M. to find the position that is exactly what he needs it to be in his job search.

That I make good eating decisions to get to my ideal body image.

That M and I continue to be financially blessed.

I am praying for this nation and its leaders.

I am speaking blessing into the lives of my friends and family.

All blessings I ask in Jesus' name.
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08.08.11 - Run Report

Me, Mitch, GiGi - Morning route - 2.25miles - 34minutes...give or take.

This morning, M. set the run pace. He *drug* me up a couple of hills and although I was hating it the whole time, I am so glad that he did.

Peanut Butter Bars Recipe - KMS

‎1 1/2 Quarts Peanut butter, 

2 boxes Conf sugar, 

2 lbs graham cracker crumbs, 1 tablespoon vanilla flavoring, 

2/3 cup melted butter, 

Mix first 4 ingreds together, then add butter as you need to makes this stick together like a ball, butter a dish put ingreds in dish pressing down firm pretty thick. Cut in squares then place in refrigerator. 

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Petscapades

We just put a diaper on a dog. Wow.......

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Dinner

Brown rice with sauteed veggies and baked chicken
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08.05.11 - Run Report

Blog Run Report – Me, TheDude, GiGi – regular route – 41 minutes WALKED!

I am all psyched for the 5K tomorrow. There are gonna be some ladies from Black Girls Run – Atlanta out in full force! Wish I had my t-shirt already….

 

I had to drag my ass out of bed this morning and MAKE myself get out on the sidewalk.

I asked TheDude if he was going with me and he says, "Naw, I don't think I'ma go this morning." I responded, "Yeah, I know what you mean. I wasn't going either but I just decided just before I asked you the question that I needed to go ahead and get it in."

Four minutes later, he came down the stairs dressed to go.

I love how we motivate each other.  It is the best part of having someone really awesome in your life!

#Winning….

Afternoon Sleep...

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Toilet Lid Closed

I know some chicks get all riled up because their mets leave the toilet seat up.

I am actually one who prefers that the entire lid be closed. And I've asked M. to close the lid, but er um...yeah...that never happens, in fact, he leaves the seat up.

But whatever, I just close open lids as I pass by them. No worries....

The Paper Towel Bandit

I am trying to figure out how M. manages to use nearly a whole roll of paper towels in one day?

The Help

Until I saw the interview on GMA this morning, I had no interest in seeing another movie with oppressed Black women serving White women.  However, I am going to buy the book before the day is over and plan on checking out the movie when it hits Blu-Ray.

Inspired by the cast of Jersey Shore

I'm trying to get like the guys on Jersey Shore - not that I watch the show, there's just so much promotion on news magazine shows that I do watch - GTL.  Gym-Tan-Laundry.  Everyday.  That's where I'm trying to get with a few things in my daily routine...well, except for the tanning.  I just don't have a cool sounding acronym for mine right now.

Run-Work-Family.

Everyday I want to run.

Everyday I want to do some kind of work.

Everyday I will spend time with my family, my sweetie, most importantly.

Happy Birthday, Mr. President

Blessing to Mr. Obama on his birthday and every day.

08.04.11 - Run Report

Me, TheDude, GiGi – Regular Morning Route – 2.25 miles – 40minutes – Power Walk.

Taking it light today and tomorrow – I want to max out for the Atlanta's Finest 5K that my sister and I are running on Saturday morning.

I feel like sleeping on...

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I'm an abstainer.

My sweet tooth is still my Achilles heel.  And I have realized that I have to be an abstainer, not a moderator.  I have to stay away from it all together.  I'm not one of those folks who can get just a taste and be satisfied.  I'm an all or nothing kinda chick.

08.03.11 - Run/Walk Report

2.25miles – 45 minutes WALKED

M got out with me and is still in recovery from an injury.

He stumbled halfway down the stairs and twisted his ankle a couple of days ago….don't laugh…I mean…I did AFTER I knew his neck wasn't broken. And actually, I'm laughing now…I told him it seemed like he was falling for a long, long time…come to find out, he was trying to keep his balance while not spilling the cup of water he had in his hand…he was not successful at either.

The LOOONNNGGG Engagement...

While our ceremony will be very simple, relatively low cost and will be a bit of a departure from some standard traditions, we have some other plans coming up and some other priorities in place. (Interior painting at the house, some new furniture, a couple of trips planned)

We don't want the wedding to become the sole focus of our lives. We are way more concerned with the marriage than the wedding.

And although it's just one day, there are certain elements of the day that we feel are must haves that we are prepared to budget out and save for. We are pay for everything ourselves, paying for everything cash. And yes, we could have raided some accounts to do it sooner, but we decided it is best to push the date back to be reasonable.

Oh…and last, but certainly not least, this is the Friday before Labor Day. This will be three years to the Friday (but not the date) that we met.

The Date

08.31.12

August 31, 2012

The 31st day of the month of August in the 2012th year of our Lord.

08/31/2012

Title Loans...Seriously?!?

I immediately lose respect for any celebrity that does a title loan commercial.

 

Vern Troyer

Dominique Wilkins

 

Come on, dudes.  Y'all know that mess is bad money management designed to keep folks trapped in poverty.

Second Catch of the Day

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MARTA Lullabies...

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08.01.11 - Run Report

Me and GiGi - 2.25 miles - 30:58 minutes.

M. didn't go with us this morning. He is still feeling the effects of his trip downstairs yesterday morning.

6:30 came way too quick this morning. But now that the run is over, I FEEL FABULOUS!!!

Sweet dreams...

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So, so, sleepy...

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Cycles of Life

I have a friendship that is changing...and at first, it kind of bothered me. But now, I realize, not so much.

This friend has expressed some resentment for the fact that I have not been as available on the phone and to hang out. She said something about "knowing how you are - when you meet someone you get all wrapped up in them."

I haven't bothered to point out that TheDude and I have been dating for two years. I saw no value in trying to make her understand that this has been a time of transition and upheaval in my life requiring focus and the need to adjust to a new normal. I didn't try to explain that if I don't make setting a firm foundation for my relationship a priority right now, it will cause problems in my marriage down the line.

I really don't get folks that don't understand that different stages of your life require different things. I no longer have an interest in trying to juggle EVERYthing. I have determined that there are a few things that I want to do well.

She tried to make me feel like my life was out of balance because I don't make time for chitchat on the phone every damn day anymore. Also, my money priorities have changed and I'm not running out for dinner and drinks and movies every weekend anymore.

I am okay with the choices that I am making concerning my life right now.

Too many relationships fail because the parties involved don't know how to make those relationships a priority. I don't have to be all things to all the people in my life.

I don't have the energy for all that.

And initially, I considered that it may be a question of friendship. However, the more that I think on it, I really believe that is a lack of understanding of the concept of "cleaving."

"M. is my best friend now. Not you. And I need you to be okay with that. Seriously."

08.01.11 - Run Report

Me and GiGi - 2.25 miles - 31 minutes.

M was going to run with us this morning, but he fell halfway down the stairs. So, I sent him back to bed because obviously his day was not starting off just right.

He took forever to fall down the stairs, all while trying not to spill the glass of water that was in his hand.

I told him that if there is a next time, he should just give up on the water. LOL