Scared Pantsless

I've just started reading the Primal Blueprint.  Literally just started. I'm 8 pages in and haven't finished the introduction. But I had to stop and write this blog because I'm already freaking out. Can I really switch to primal eating? Is it possible?

Primal, from what I've gathered in 8 pages and a perusal of the cover, advocates a high fat, no grain, no processed foods approach to eating.  The cover says the Primal Blueprint will "reprogram your genes for effortless weight loss, vibrant health and boundless energy."

That sounds pretty good to me.

I know several people who have given up grains or carbs, and they have typically had such a good experience that they want to convert you.  I'm sure we've all had this conversation with those around us who've gone low-carb or Paleo or Primal or whathaveyou. I, for one, typically just shut my ears to their entreaties while exclaiming "I could never live without bread -- or pasta!"

It seems silly and extreme to me to eliminate a whole food group.  Much more sane to not cut oneself off but allow all things in moderation.  Heck, I've lost weight before (more than once, it turns out) and I've always done it by playing the calorie counting game. Consume less calories then you expend and you will lose weight.

BUT

1. I can't bring myself to diet in the traditional way again. Losing all of that weight, then gaining it back and then continually trying to lose it again has damaged something in me (mentally).
2. I need to lose weight. Honesty check: I don't easily fit in seats at all movie theatres or stadiums anymore and the thought of traveling somewhere by plane makes me really nervous because of my size. I'm missing out on 3/4 of my wardrobe because of the weight I've gained, and I don't want to have health issues when I'm older.
3. I am tired a lot and dread working out because of how much harder it is with all of this extra weight.

Things could stand to change.

So, what I'm committing to right now is suspending my disbelief, reading this book, and seriously considering following its principles.  And, apparently, apologizing to all of those who've tried to convert me to giving up wheat/grains/carbs previously and watched while I plugged my ears and said my line about not living without bread.

But really, the whole thing scares me pantsless.

You know what actually scares me more than giving up grains? Giving up processed foods. How will I live without Oreos?

My Father, the Hero

My dad's birthday was last month.  In celebration of that day, I posted this status on Facebook:

I posted it early in the morning, and as the day went on, I kept thinking about it. It was bothering me.  

I finally figured out why. 

My dad has a great yard, and he works really hard to make and keep it beautiful. But that status makes it sound like yardwork is the only thing he taught me. If the best way to honor my dad is by attempting to do all the things he does well, that would make for a busy and exhausting day.  

It's true my dad taught me to love the way a freshly mown and trimmed yard looks, but he also showed me the beauty of day lilies and helped me grow my own.  He taught me the importance of customer service and appreciation of employees, things that affect the way I work on a daily basis. He's the king of corny jokes, and I'm pretty sure I learned to laugh from him. 

He's creative and good at decorating.  He grills the best burgers.  The thing I miss most about him when we are apart is the way he hugs.  He's the best hugger I know.

My dad takes care of everything. You don't have to worry about anything when he's around, cause if something comes up, he'll take care of it.  He has an attention to detail that I will never have, and he doesn't understand laziness.

In the past two months he's become a caregiver and a nurse for my mom, something that is maybe not in his natural wheelhouse, but roles that he has become patient and proficient at performing.

Just two weeks ago, he coached me through taking care of a wasps' nest that had sprung up in my shed over the phone, giving me the confidence to tackle it on my own. (I was really dreading dealing it with it.)

Basically, even attempting an exhaustive list of all the things my dad is and does quickly becomes a daunting task, let alone trying to actually live out all of those things. Basically, he's my hero. Let that suffice for today's status.

Hotdogs!

A vlog in which I tell you a story that involves hot dogs, NYC, exercise and policemen. Sit back and relax.



Ohmygosh, I only now realized I should've worn my hotdog hat for this video!

My Top Songs of Summer

I have a Summer Songs playlist on my iPhone.  I listen to these songs each summer, but only in the summer, because listening to them at any other time is a little painful.  Stirring up too much summer-fun longing in the dead of winter can be dangerous to your mental health.

I hear today is Memorial Day, I wouldn't know because I worked a regular day today while all of you were at pool parties and cookouts and basking in the sun. But since Memorial Day is the official opening of summer, I thought I'd share with you my most favorite summer songs, in no particular order.

Summertime's Calling Me by the Catalinas

We Stuckeys grew up listening to beach music each summer. I think it was part of my dad's attempt at making us northern transplants more southern.  I definitely remember hating the whole genre for a period of my life, but now, summer's not complete without these dulcet tones.

Sample lyric

"I remember this past winter, I told myself to settle down. And I seriously tried to do just that.

But here I am with everything so beautiful and green and I don't believe I told myself what I mean.

Maybe someday soon I can feel this way year round. But it's summertime and I don't want to stay in this town."

Pontoon by Little Big Town

A relatively new song, but it does capture the slow-mo summer spirit.
Sample lyric
"On the pontoon.
Making waves and catchin' rays up on the roof
Jumpin' off the back, don't act like you don't want to
Party in slow motion, out here in the open."

Summer Thing by Troy Olsen

A little known gem, I got this song as a free download from the iTunes store, but it's likely my number one favorite summer song. It combines the classic drinking song and the classic summer song in one.
Sample lyric
"Well the sun is getting ripe and the water's getting warmer
The days are getting longer and them shorts are getting shorter
You won't hear me complain.
It's a summer thing."

Summertime by Fresh Prince and DJ Jazzy Jeff

A classic from way back in 1992.
Sample lyric
"It's late in the day and I ain't been on the court yet.
Hustle to the mall to get me a short set.
Yeah, I got on sneaks, but I need a new pair.
'Cause basketball courts in the summer got girls there."

All I Want to Do by Sugarland

And lest you be confused, not every great summer song needs to actually describe the physical attributes or activities of summer with their lyrics. Sometimes, they capture the essence of summer just with a catchy melody or the timing of when a song was released and how heavily you played it during the summer months (see example: Call Me, Maybe.)
Sample lyric
"I don't want to get up, baby, let's turn off the phone.
I don't want to go to work today, or even put my make up on."

This list is just a sampling. There are many more great summer songs. My summer list has a lot more beach music, some Kenny Chesney, some Jimmy Buffet, some Beach Boys, etc.You get the picture.

So, let's celebrate summer together. What's your favorite summer song? 

How to Laugh like Jill Stuckey

Laugh and laugh often. Even if you have to fake laugh to get it started.
A tutorial:

The Office Goodbye: Reaction

There was a time when I was considered something of an Office fanatic.  I watched each episode at least twice the week it aired. I scoured Office fan sites, talked about it with everyone I knew, and threw elaborate season premiere parties.  I even named my wifi network "Michael Scott."

I watched it from day one when it aired the EXACT same pilot, word for word, as the British version. This was disappointing, but the British version had been so good, I understood why and still had hope. The rest of the first season is brilliant, but not the kind of main stream comedy most people go for.  

Season 2 came with noticeable changes.  The lighting was different, better. Less dismal.  The Jim and Pam romance continued to grow, and with more abandon, especially when compared with their British counterparts, Tim and Dawn. When season 2 ended with Jim professing his love with a single tear rolling down his cheek and then later kissing Pam, I remember exactly where I was.

On the floor. Because I had rolled off of my couch in shock and surprise.  That was a seriously great night of television.

And that's when I realized that I NEEDED to start throwing season premiere parties.  Cause if you have a party, it's slightly crowded and less chance of you falling off the couch.  I kid. No, I started throwing the parties so that more people would be introduced to the Office.

In recent years, the show has not been as phenomenal, admittedly.  But it had set pretty high marks for itself in the early seasons.  Still, what it gave us in those first four seasons was so beautiful, that I kept watching and hoping for the spot-on comedy to return. 

This season has been tough, as Jim and Pam have had some difficulty in their marriage.  People asked me worriedly, "Do you think Jim and Pam will get a divorce??" But I always responded that we should trust the writers, they know Jim and Pam are the heart of the show.

The uncomfortableness (but likely pretty real stuff, I wouldn't know, I'm not married) went on a bit longer than I would've liked, but in the last few episodes they've been bringing the show back to its origins.  Jim loves Pam. Jim loves to torture Dwight. Dwight loves to be in charge/powerful.  These are the three tenets that made the Office great.*

The Finale
*SPOILER ALERT DON'T CONTINUE IF YOU HAVEN'T WATCHED

Thankful Thursdays: a quickie.

Man, I am in a great mood this morning. Still, I'm trying to crank this out early, so it'll have to be a quick run down of the many things I'm thankful for.

Pump-you-up music
Honey suckles
Petunias
Great workouts
the Mindy Project and this breakdown of their recent fight scene.
My mama
That today is Thursday
That the weather has not turned blazing hot.
That I have a gym at work.
That my car runs, even though it does smell
That to alleviate the smell, I'm riding windows down all the time now in this perfect weather.
The interwebs
FaceTime
My curly hair.
My new lawn mower (it's a beaut. And it actually cuts grass)
That Vienna Teng is coming to Charlotte in July (Who wants to go with??)
Arrested Development is coming soon.
Scandal is amazing.
Blog comments (shameless plug)


So what are you thankful for this week?