Holding the World in a Paper Cup

Archive for March 2011

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Noccalula Falls Revisited

Into the park!

Our first stop was the deer lounging area. We were happy we were able to get so close.
The deer didn't seem bothered by our presence at all.

Here is their buffet. It was full of all sorts of scrap bread, grapes, lettuce, etc.

No chickens in here.

Well maybe one.

Hardee har.

In Pioneer Village

Sweet Baby James wanted to know why these holes were in the rock.

I thought maybe it was due to an old post or something.

Then I told her she should ask her Daddy. So this is us asking, Daddy.

He was getting her gloves. Sweet.

Cute pig we wanted to eat.

JUST KIDDIN!

We wanted to smoosh his cute little fat pig cheeks.

Though sausage is sounding pretty good right now (said while licking my chops).

Kids (snort)

Mini Photo Sesh Time

Spring!

The falls were ROARING.

I had a hand on Sweet Baby James at all times.

Heading out of the park.

Coming Soon!

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Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Leading a mostly sedentary lifestyle in the winter, in Alaska, does not do the waistline good. Not any good at all. Probably didn't help that while there, I decided I would like for people to refer to me as the "Pie Lady" either. Chuck said in order to be called the "Pie Lady" then I probably would have to bake a pie. So, I did. I baked lots of pies. Apples pies, lemon pies, fudge pies, a pumpkin/chocolate pie, and even a rhubarb pie.

And....Chuck cooked me things like this.

And...I cooked him things like this.

And...I learned to make bread.

The second time I learned to use whole wheat flour.

But still, bread is bread.

Unless you eat this kind of bread.

Then it's broccoli.

This bread it what I believe my current diet hinges on.

Without this bread all would be lost.

Because if I go on a diet that doesn't allow bread (every other diet on the universe),

then I will surely fail.

(It's 'cause I like bread so much. In case you didn't get that.)

Body 4 Believers

Mom tried to introduce me to Body 4 Believers while I was in Alaska. Limited grocery options made following the diet difficult. Plus, I really couldn't absorb the diet details from 4000 miles away over the phone while Banana Nut asked me questions in the other ear. I needed a class. And you know what? The guy who is a big believer in this diet, offers classes. For free. His name is Greg Locklear. He refers to himself as a nutritional evangelist. He's also a preacher.

When I got home to Alabama, I found out when Greg was coming to a church near me and I attended classes one night a week for 4 weeks. During that time, I learned how to eat so that my body will burn fat efficiently. It's all about combinations of foods, portion sizes, water intake, and timing. The diet doesn't require buying special "diet" types of foods, though I find it is easier with a few "diet" staples around. I keep a protein powder on hand for shakes and several protein filled "candy" type bars for some sweet relief. It isn't terribly complicated, but without the classes I would have been lost. Mom also has a book that is a huge help.

After eating according to the plan for about 2 weeks off and on, I decided to make a 30 day commitment to follow the diet to the T. I made it 19 2/3 days solid. Straight. I have NEVER eaten that good, for that long. After 19 2/3 days, Mom made shrimp and grits. That's when I fell off the wagon. The following day I stayed off the wagon and indulged. I did so without guilt. I was proud of my 19 2/3 day accomplishment.

And what does a junk food loving girl want when she knows she's got 1 full day to cheat on her diet? Gas station pizza of course! Banana Nut and I made a date out of it. We traveled the 19.3 miles to Stephen's Expressmart and ordered a pepperoni pizza with extra cheese. Then, unable to wait until we got to a table, I pulled over and we ate it in the car. With Ranch. And with one giant muffin each. For supper, I finished the pizza off. Looking back, I wish I would have eaten (in addition to the pizza) a chocolate covered donut, a juicy cheeseburger with tomatoes, a Chick-fil-a sandwich and waffle fries, a glazed donut, and a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit from Jacks. Then, I would have been truly satisfied. Oh and a chicken biscuit. And some gravy and biscuits. AND some hashbrowns with ketchup. Maybe next cheat day. Right?

So, during that month in a half or so of mostly eating right, I lost FIFTEEN POUNDS! That's a lot right?! I think so. I am very pleased with my food lovin' self. And with my new butt that was underneath my old butt.

Oh and that week and a half I was on the Atkins Diet, that I was so devoted to, and that I blogged about here, it didn't work for me. I didn't see results fast enough (within the week and a half) and I felt really, really, bad while I was on it. I am not a savage, cave woman. Meat is not the only food group.

Body 4 Believers is a diet I think I can live with. For a while anyway. I'm only human.

P.S. Melting is what happens when you are having "hot days" (when you do everything right). That's when you are burning fat most efficiently, so they say your fat, melts. Kinda gross right? It is really being used for fuel. Whatever. As long as it is leaving my mid section, they can call it whatever they want.

12 Comments

Monday, March 28, 2011

Waters Down

Not long ago the water was down. WAY down.

We had a lot of rain, so the dams were adjusted to prevent flooding.

It was great for more bank walking.

And since we were down there we did some digging.

And some self portraits.

And some.... mussel busting open. In the name of science. Or discovery. Or something.

We like to think we rescued 8 other mussels when we found them on the dry bank and threw them back into the water. They might actually be able to move themselves into the water. They may have been ok without us. But that is how I justified beating this one against a giant rock and jabbing other sharp rocks into it to pry it open. Kill 1, rescue 8. That's how I sleep at night.

4 Comments

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Chow

We missed eating out while we were in Alaska. Oh, don't get me wrong Alaska has restaurants, but they DON'T have restaurants that charge less than $8.95 for a cheeseburger WITHOUT fries and a drink. To eat out in Alaska, it costs us (a family of 3, ordering cheeseburgers and one side item) no less than $45.00. So. We didn't eat out much in Alaska. We missed our family restaurant outings. Meatloaf and I even made up a song about it. It goes a little somethin' like this, "Oh El TAPitio how we miss you, we miss your chips and cheese dip, Oh, Applebees, Oh Applebees, how we miss your broccoli and cheese soup and cheesesticks, OHHH, Stephens Pizza, how we want a cheese and pepperoni pizza with EXtra cheeeeese, Oh Logan's, we miss your buttery hot rolls, Ohhh,..." well, you get the idea. Yeah. It was a beautiful song. So since we've been home, we've been eating it up. Literally. At all the restaurants in town. In fact we've been eating out SO much, I had to put a temporary ban on restaurants. Below you will find random images of us eating at restaurants. I know. Good stuff.

Meatloaf and Granddiddy at El Tapitio

Goofing off in the waiting area at Old Mexico

My Uncle Sonny Boy at the The Fish Market

My Aunt Sara at the The Fish Market

My Dad at the The Fish Market

My daughter at The Fish Market

Studying the Menu at The Lion's Den in Sardis

Acting at The Lion's Den in Sardis

Annnddd goofing off again at "Logan's"

(in the bathroom)

(they're only clip ons)

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Saturday, March 26, 2011

Golf Cart in the Neighborhood

Craig has a golf cart.

Sometimes he lets us ride it.

Riding in the golf cart reminds me of the trip we took to Peachtree City, Georgia a couple of years ago. Peachtree City boasts 90 miles of multi-use paths for pedestrians, cyclists, and golf carts. Both residents and visitors can travel from their residence or hotel to shopping centers, schools, parks, and several lakes through wooded paths. We especially loved the tunnel that led safely under a main street and the overpass that allowed safe passage over another. Visitors can rent golf carts at one of many rental locations in the city. Peachtree City, GA should be listed as one of the top 10 family vacation destinations in the South. We have the Georgia Inlaws to thank for our trip.

And let's face it, since I am no longer riding on the back of my boyfriend's motorcycle (I know Chuck is STEWING at the mention of this), or repelling off any cliffs (and this), or bouncing up insanely steep hills in the backseat of a jeep (and this); riding the golf cart helps me feel youthful again, in a safe, family friendly way. Maybe I'm not hanging on for dear life in the passenger seat while Chuck spins 360's in a mud bog, but I can still feel the wind in my hair in the golf cart.

More on our trip around the block in Rainbow City, Alabama (alert the media right?)...