For the Love

Vent Post Ahead!

I have to get some shiz out or I'm gonna lose my mind.

*We have flying ants that were invading our upstairs bathroom. So, we had to call an expensive exterminator to come out and do stuff to make that stop. So that was fun. And expensive.

*The air vent upstairs in Emma's new room has nevercooled/heated correctly. We finally called a few people out for different ideas, and now that we know what's up and how much it will cost? They can't come until next week. Nice. The air is on 70 allll day and it's registering at 78 up there right now. As Emma naps. Under her comforter. At least we have ceiling fans. File this under expensive.

*My doctor kept me waiting for an hour at today's 3.5 minute appointment-with an almost 2 year old and my mom.

*Then, he told me I had to be at the hospital (30 minutes away, near downtown Atl) at 5:30 on Saturday morning to prep for my C section at 7:30. So basically, I'll have to eat dinner at 4:00 pm, take a Tylenol PM at 6:00 and try to go to sleep for my last night of solid sleep.

*My 'check battery charge' light came on after lunch today. I thought it was b/c Emma turned on an overhead light that I just found this morning, but when I finally called husband/the tire center, they told me to come in for it to be checked. Yeah, it's a 400$ alternator that needs replacing. After I spent 300 on new brake things this weekend. Plus all that other stuff up there. So, Jason had to come rescue us from the tire center and they will have to replace it tomorrow morning b/c duh-I'm having a baby Saturday. Again, let's file this under expensive and seriously?

*My 100 lb. bloodhound is stranded at the groomer being shaved. Now he is going to be crammed into Jason's Volvo. Nice. Sorry about your leather seats and his 6" talon toenails, J.

*I have about 4563985 things to do before HME arrives, like get the eleventy billion pieces of clothing out of his criblet so he can sleep. And no, I don't want someone else to do that b/c I want to organize his drawers.

*I still haven't packed my bag or installed the car seat. And my blood pressure was 'elevated' today.

*My feet haven't had a pedicure in a month, and won't get one for another 3 months if I don't go tomorrow.

*These are stupid #whitegirlproblems but it feels better to write it all out. I told my mom today that this was God's way of saying, "Quit trying to plan everything." But, somebody needs to make some kinda plan, right?

I also want to try to get up a post before HME to highlight all of Emma's "big girl things" b/c I KNOW it will be close to impossible once I'm home with two kids to not only get it done, but to remember all I wanted to say about her.

Here's to hoping!

And, thanks for letting me bitch without judging. Now, maybe I should go unpack HME's crib while everyone is out...................

You Decide...

I have a situation and I need your input.

If you follow me on Twitter, you've already heard most of this.

I want your honest opinion.

Today I went to the gym to walk/run in the cardio/movie room. When I got there, a gym employee was cleaning the treadmills and ellipticals and had the lights on. There were about 3 people working out while watching 10,000BC. I went in and got started, then begin reading blogs while power walking (which is quite a feat in itself.) :D

About 5 minutes later, a woman came in and went to the third/back row of the treadmills and proceeded to get on her cell phone and talk in a very loud voice. The women around me were getting pissed and saying things to each other and me. I was agreeing with them. Finally, a woman in the row in front of us said, "That's it, I've had it, I'm going to tell the manager."

During all of this, the employee was still cleaning the machines and the other ladies asked him to turn up the movie volume twice to compensate for "loud talkers" voice.

I would read a few blogs, put down my phone, swing my arms, pick it back up and read, increase the incline, jog, read some more, etc. Finally, the manager came in and had some words with the woman. She got pissed off.

She started saying, "Well, that lady's texting is bothering me! Make her stop! (referring to me-reading blogs-not texting-and anyway, texting is not a LOUD voice).

I ignored her and kept on. They told her that I wasn't breaking any rules and that I wasn't being disruptive.

The girls next to me were like, "Oh no she didn't, waht a cah-ray-zee ....................." About one minute after the manager left, they turned off the lights, and girlfriend KEPT SHOUTING TO ME that the "brightness" of my screen was distracting her from her workout.

No licken. Momma is getting riled.

I started getting pissed.

Girlfriend gets off her machine and comes up to me in the middle of my workout and basically cusses me out. Saying I am distracting and I should have to leave and put my phone up. I told her to shove it and get out of my face. Basically. I also informed her that I wasn't talking at mach 10. Really Susannah, mach 10 doesn't describe sound levels. It's speed. But good one.

She stormed out.

Without cleaning her machine. Figures. She's one of those people.

Now, I want your honest opinion. On the cell phone talking in the movie room. On the fuh-reaking out. And on the "attack" on me, practically an innocent bystander. And on me, my little reaction to her heinous ways.

What would you have done/said??

Please share and be honest! No hard feelings if you think I was in the wrong.

Can I get an Amen???

I have the BIGGEST PET PEEVE EVER that I have to get off my chest.

I KNOW I cannot be the only person who feels this way!

When I am at the gym on the treadmill, I am surrounded by people who DO NOT wipe the equipment down. Srsly, it is so gross! I hate it!

Part of me wants to yell at them as they walk away, "Hello! Wipe the flipping equipment down! It is not hard! If you have time to go to the gym then you have the 5 seconds it takes to wipe down the treadmill/elliptical/whatever."

What is the deal? Gah!

The Big Reveal

OK, lots of good guesses on how many calories/how much fat was in the Buffalo Chicken Ranch sandwich! I only wish that they were right. Scary, I know. If you have seen the comments-yikes...




So, like I said, I got this sandwich with double broccoli-plain, steamed broccoli. The caloric intake, fat grams and fiber (for the sandwich only) were:



1150 calories
70 grams fat
A whopping 3 grams of fiber (I'm guessing from my whole wheat bun!)



If you ate the sandwich as they served it (with fries), it was:



1850 calories
86 grams fat
3 grams fiber



I'm sorry, but ignorance used to be bliss! Now, I will have to really check out all restaurant food in advance. This is practically criminal. I was talking to b.e.g. about how some people eat like this for 2 meals per day! And don't really know how bad it is. One of their salads had as much fat as the sandwich.I am soooo guilty of getting a salad to be "healthy" and it ends up being worse than say a burger with no cheese or something!



Anyway, it wasn't even worth the 28 flippin points! I mean, it was still good but it wasn't 28 points good!

Moving on, Melissa from one of my favorite blogs (For the Love) wagered a guess of 900 calories and 35 fat grams, coming in closest. So, Melissa, you win the prize! See, it was a giveaway in disguise!!! (Betcha wish ya woulda commented now! :D)

I have a penchant for office supplies so Melissa will be getting my favorite pack of pens (extra fine tip), a pack of mechanical pencils (cause IMHO mechanical pencils make everything better-new, fresh lead all the time!), a cute notepad, a cuter post it pad, and a set of page flags to match!

Email me your mailing address at southernsass30{at}gmail{dot}com by Monday so I can get your goodies out to you.

And everyone else, stay on your toes-you never know when a secret giveaway will transpire...............

I'm So Ashamed.........

Y'ALL! Disaster in training!

Let me lay a scene for you.

Yesterday, the in laws came in town to look at a house. They were spending the night with us, so I picked up Chili's on the way home from work.

I must be the dumbest person alive. Why did I spend 10$ on the WW Dining Out Companion book if I never plan to use it.

I skimmed through the Chili's menu and decided not to blow it totally out but to get a small something I wanted/craved. I decided on the Buffalo Chicken Ranch sandwich. Some of you are shaking your heads right now like, "Girl, you are doomed!" And you would be right. But, back to the sandwich. It was a piece of fried chicken (oh, the humanity!) on a whole wheat bun with lettuce, tomato and hot sauce. No cheese or special sauce. It was served with a side of ranch.

I asked for double broccoli instead of fries. So, I was thinking, "OK, piece of fried chicken breast is the only 'bad' thing I am ingesting."

After eating it, I had husband look up the nutritional info for me so I could track it. I had estimated 15 points.

I want y'all to GUESS how many calories and fat grams were in this sandwich. I was BLOWN AWAY! Leave a comment with your guess.

I will reveal the answer later today or tomorrow morning. Please don't go look it up. Save your excitement for me to share the answer with you.

Let's just put it this way, I am out of my 'extra' points for the week, and I just got them yesterday.

Sometimes I question my brain power...............

Happy Friday!

Menu Monday

Here is this week's menu:

Monday-Crockpot chicken stroganoff with salad
Tuesday-Weight Watchers sausage and pepper pasta pot
Wednesday-Turkey burgers with broccoli and fat free chips
Thursday-Dinner out-in laws in town
Friday-Weight Watchers spaghetti with asparagus, salad
Saturday-Salsa Verde sour cream enchiladas (indulgence night!) with chips and salsa-the recipe is from Chloe's blog-if you want it, look around on there. :D
Sunday-Burgers and oven fries

OK, I am having major issues with my weekly grocery spending. Let me lay this out and get some advice from you all.

-I always shop at Walmart for groceries-Publix is too expensive for buying 7 nights worth of meals, plus lunch, breakfast, and replenishing needed items. This weekend I had to buy formula for Emma's caretaker, so I spent an extra 21$. I spent 140$ on groceries! That is insane to me!!! I used to spend maybe 100$ for all of this. And I don't buy diapers or wipes there! Ever since Emma, my bill has gone up by about 40$ a week and I don't buy formula and baby food every week. What is going on? Have groceries gone up that much?

Also, I know so many people RAVE about coupon shopping, but I have two issues with that.

Number 1: I don't have time to look through all that crap and clip/print coupons. Srsly. I did a lot of printing coupons and searching for them while pregnant and got lots of good deals. But it takes dedication and TIME that I don't have right now.

Number 2: You have to buy the things on sale and they are mostly not healthy. I spend about 40-50$ on produce, 20$ on fresh meat. Maybe I should start buying more frozen meat and veggies??? I love reading Leslie's blog about her shopping trips, but I get nauseous when I see her total for a crapload of groceries is like 25$ a week! That is crazy insane! Leslie, want to move in with Noah and Hardy and do this for me??? :D

I am making a lot of healthy, Weight Watchers meals. I cannot go buy 12 rolls of crescent rolls, 4 blocks of cream cheese, and 14 packs of cheddar cheese. Now I will buy 12 boxes of pasta or other things that I can make healthy. I am just at such a loss! We only have one kid and she isn't even eating our food yet!

I take my lunch everyday, I make my breakfast everyday, and I take about 3 snacks per day. But it's not prepackaged, more expensive stuff.

Example of a Day
Breakfast-yogurt or toast with coffee
Snack-mini bag of 100 cal popcorn (get coupons for 1$ off 2.29 at WW)
Lunch-WW Smart Ones-I buy the cheaper ones for 1.80-2.00, apple or other piece of fruit, sugar free jello pudding
Snack-cheese stick, bell peppers
Dinner-whatever I've made that night, you can see examples above.

I quit making "gourmet" multi ingredient meals because I don't have time to cook anymore unless hubby is home to watch baby, so it's all relatively simple and quick meals.

I just do not think I should be spending close to 600$ a month on friggin groceries for our family. We also go to the wholesale club for diapers, wipes, dogfood, cokes, bottled water, and paper goods. That's another 150 a month (estimated).

Please leave me some tips, advice, or empathetic comments letting me know I'm not alone! :D

I am going to be eating chicken breasts, rice, and frozen broccoli for the next 3 weeks............blech. Gag me.

Weight Watchers Wednesday and I'm Still Here............

Well, as predicted from last week, I am up 0.4 lbs. Oh well, I had a sneaking suspicion that this would happen. I wasn't too shocked. However, I will also attribute part of this towards my complete and utter lack of tracking-I need to get back on that horse. ASAP.

Anyways, how did you all do? I have read a few updates. It seems like many of you are not doing WWW anymore-is this a passe tradition? :D I like it!

Also, I am still here but SWAMPED at work and home-it is a busy week with conferences coming up, normal wear and tear, and testing coming up. Blech-I am also rolling up home at about 6:15 and between feeding Emma and bathing her and getting ready for bed, it's about quarter to eight before dinner is happening. Not cool!

So, I shall try to be back in full force next week. I feel like I am majorly slacking! I will post a menu this week too! :D

Happy Wednesday, only two more days till the weekend! Yay!

What Up???

Hello sweeties! I am still alive! I did not post a Sunday Saying (it's been a while!) or a Menu Monday (major leftovers after weekend company), but I will post a WWW on Wednesday. Sorry I've been slacking, just give me a few days to get back to my "normal." Emma is turning 6 months on Thursday, so we will have that post to look forward to as well!

I promise, I shall return! Hope your Monday was swell.

PS-I came home to a big ole crockpot of ..................raw chicken and potatoes. Awesome-forgot to turn it on. This was after taking Emma to the doctor for her "cold." Deets later. What a day. I'm out.
xoxo

For the Love...

WARNING: POST CONTAINS RANTING AND MAYBE TMI ABOUT BREASTS

*I am tired of being in pain-it's one thing after another! My wrists hurt sooo badly! I went back to the orthopaedist today and filled him in. He is not optimistic since the braces and cortisone shot didn't cure the problem. He decided we should try a more "obtrusive" brace and another shot. OK-we will try this-because I do not want to have the surgery. But, I will if that is what it takes to make the pain stop. It is getting so bad, I can hardly pick Emma up. WTF? My question/problem (besides the obvious) is what happens when I get pregnant again? Will this return? Will the surgery make it go away? The answers are: we don't know for sure. I'm not really down with surgery if that is your answer. Ugh!

*My boobs are not making as much milk as before. Why? I have no clue-it's been doing this for about a week. It started out only on one side-now it's both. I used to could pump for 15 minutes and get 3 ounces from each. That is what she takes in one feeding-three ounces. So, I could get 2 bottles worth of milk. Now, I am lucky to get 3 ounces combined. WTF? I did some research on why this could be happening-nothing I can identify. It mentions stress and not pumping enough, but I'm pretty much stressed a lot, and now I am pumping like 6-8 times per day. It is consuming my time. I am not going to be able to do this when I go back to work. I really want to keep feeding her breast milk. I am going to have to call the lactation department.

*My neck has hurt since Emma was born-I'm assuming it's from looking down while feeding or poor posture, etc. It's on my last available nerve. All this stuff starts hurting all at once too.

*My OB told me to start checking my fasting blood glucose for a few weeks to make sure my gestational diabetes went away. Well, for the past 5 or so days that I have checked it, it has been over 3 times. I really don't know how I will deal if I end up having diabetes too. That sh** almost drove me up the wall at the end of my pregnancy, and it was only for 10 weeks.

*On a positive note, my lupus seems to have disappeared (for the time being) since pregnancy. I hope I don't jinx myself! I've been out walking in the sun with Emma, and it hasn't reared it's ugly head.

Thanks for listening readers! Sorry this was such a negative Nelly post! I will survive and get over it all-it's just been a blah day!