where the sun don't shine

i went to visit the dermatologist today for my annual mole-check... though she poo-poo'd me for having a tan (i never use anything under SPF 50!) and found a "questionable" mark on my chest (that i need to keep an eye on), everything seemed to look normal... i asked her to remove a mole/growth that had appeared in the last year so the nurse gave me the usual "this will pinch and burn for only a second" schpeal and 5 minutes later - off it came... on my way home, i stopped by the shop to check on eric - he was getting a new back tire put on the bike and for some reason the brakes weren't working... needless to say, i don't think i'll be seeing him for quite some time though i'm very excited about the chili pepper poppers i'm making for dinner (from the garden, thank you very much)... :o)

i'm not sure how many of you are aware of lean cuisines designer lunch bags but they have just come out with this year's designs and talk about cute! not only will you be supporting a worthy cause ($5 from each bag goes towards the susan b. komen for the cure) but you're also getting an adorable, insulated bag that can be used for taking your lunch to work... i usually just throw mine in my totebag but i would love to have something a bit more organized and stylish - problem solved! so order one today or like me, order more than one if you can't make up your mind... they would also make a great birthday or christmas present... :o)

though i haven't had much time to read everyone's blogs, i have come across a few posts that i thought were worth sharing... kathleen (pink bunny foo foo) has been doing the south beach diet and wrote about why it is so important to stick to plan, this time around... and jennette (pasta queen) admits to losing her momentum, gaining some weight, and getting back into the swing of things... if you have some spare time, these posts are a must-read... :o)

so why do i think these posts are worth sharing? for many reasons but mainly because i think it just shows that regardless of who you are, what you've done, where you've been, or how you've handled things - shit will happen... it doesn't mean that you're a bad person, that you've failed, that you given up, or that you just don't care anymore but rather - that you are human... some people will do really well on plan, and some will not... some will lose a bunch of weight and keep it off forever, and some will not... and some will just say, "you know what? i love myself just the way i am"...

personally, i've worked REALLY hard at the last one and think i've done a pretty good job at it - i can look in the mirror (naked) and not cringe, or cry, or throw something at my reflection... i have accepted my hips, thighs, small boobs, and not-so-toned arms because it's who i am and who i'll always be... i'm not going to kid myself (or you) and say that i've been able to maintain my weight since this summer, because that would be a lie... i'm exactly not sure HOW much i've gained but i know it's a bit higher than last time i weighed in, and the number i saw on the scale after my vacation was quite a surprise... are my clothes still fitting? yes, but i don't want to get to the point that they don't... do i feel okay? yes, but i know i need to be more consistent with my exercise... am i eating well? yes, but that all depends on the day and where i am (here or at eric's)... either way - i'm still working thru what i'm doing and trying to stay positive and motivated... just thought you should know... :o)

happy hump day...