frustration

Sadie sniffs a crocus while I photograph it for my wallpaper.

I have been trying to make healthy lifestyle changes - to take off some poundage, get in shape with my personal trainer at the gym, and eat more wholesome foods. I was on a good course of action when I met Paul in July. You know how you gain weight when you first get into a relationship? Not only did Paul and I eat out all the time, but we also explored our love of beer by checking out local breweries and going to beer festivals. It was all so happy and romantic and fun . . . until the day I could barely button my favorite pair of pinstriped trousers.

Suddenly I saw where all those pints of Detroit Dwarf, Huma Lupa Licious, Hopslam, Bell's Brown Ale, and all the pub burgers, onion rings, giant plates of creamy pasta, and platters of sesame chicken went. Right here. Pasted to my body like a lumpy sticky note that screamed "what the hell have you done?!"



So I started going to the gym 4-5 times a week, three of those days with my trainer. I ate healthy food, measured my portions, and really enjoyed feeling lighter and stronger. But life has a way of stomping on your plans.

Last November and December, I had whooping cough for six weeks. Then it was Christmas and New Years. In January I had a soft tissue foot injury that put me in a Frankenstein boot for two weeks and in pain for six; then I caught a cold that turned into tonsillitis for two weeks; and NOW I am getting over a horrid case of strep throat. Yesterday I went to the walk-in clinic almost in tears because I was in so much pain - aching all over, unable to swallow or turn my head, feverish, and miserable. Today I'm finally beginning to feel better. Thank you, antibiotics.



When you're sick or in pain and unable to go to the gym, or shop for healthy food, or be motivated to do much of anything, it's hard to stay on track. I kept getting through one thing, only to be hit a few weeks later with some other issue. I felt like I was on some game show called "Name Lisa's Ailment".

Hopefully the worst is behind me. I'm determined to be over the strep for the upcoming Easter weekend, and then I plan to hit the gym again next week. I'm not giving up - I won't.

I also need to figure out why I've been so sick this season and how to strengthen my immune system. I mean, really - whooping cough?!

baby blue eyes

My friend and her baby visited from New Jersey over the weekend. This is the first of many photos of this gorgeous little girl.

six days old

Here's a sneak peek from the session I did on Sunday. At only six days old, he slept most of the entire time and was extremely patient with all of my posing him and moving him around. What a cutie!

once in a blue moon

It's very appropriate that a blue moon appeared for my New Year's Eve. Something rare, strange, and fascinating? Yes, that would be my life at the moment. Because this year there were TWO plates of spinach lasagna.



Crazy.

Paul and I spent a quiet evening at my house. I made the above lasagna and garlic bread, which has become my traditional New Year's Eve dish.

We drank some tasty IPA's:



One is Short's Brew "Huma Lupa Licious" from Elk Rapids, MI - "a complex malt and hop theme park in your mouth", and Ruination IPA from San Diego, CA - "a liquid poem to the glory of the hop." I love the bottles as much as the beer.

Around 11:00, we deep fried some pickles and zucchini in the Fry Baby . . .





. . . and ate them as the ball dropped in Times Square.



After that, I forced Paul to go outside and light sparklers with me. He was a good sport.



Happy New Year, everyone!