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January 27, 2005

A newborn or a gallon of milk.

I lost 1.4 lbs at my weigh in this morning. That's a total of 7.2 which Scot informs me is a newborn or almost a gallon of milk. I don't feel that much lighter and I am seriously peeved that I worked out and ate right all week for a measley 1.4 lb loss. FEH.

There's also the issue of my energy level. I am totally worn out by 7:30 pm and asleep on the couch by 8pm. Is this because I am eating healthy food and exercising and carrying around one less newborn?
I'd really appreciate the ability to stay awake and enjoy life too. Is that too fucking much to ask? Gawd.

I will just say one more thing about the diet thing then I promise to drop it for now. I have this weird mentality when it comes to the points system and food. For example: this morning I bought a box of 2 point snack bars at the weight watchers office. I immediately figured out that I could eat 12 of them in one day, 14 if I go to the gym! I do the same with dinner. I figure out how many beers I can have, then decide how much a meal would mean to me in comparison. I usually opt for 2 beers and a light dinner. Last night I opted for 2 beers and crashing out on the couch by 7:30.

Posted by krystal at 12:46 PM | Comments (3)

January 25, 2005

Natalie Dee is my hero.

http://nataliedee.com She rocks.

Posted by krystal at 1:48 PM | Comments (1)

January 24, 2005

human hibernation

I feel fit to argue the truth and validity of PMS as a true affliction and if asked to testify in a court of law I'd feel like an expert witness. I will admit that I know my cycle very well and I am in tune with my body, but sometimes pms hits when I'm not even thinking it's time.

Last Friday, for example, a man was rude to me at Park Place Diner where I go to get my pita bread, hummus and green veggies sammich for lunch. He was a filthy redneck and I was in a hurry to get my food and get back to work. So when he mouthed off to me, I told him in very few words how fucking rude he is and then turned on my heel and left. Once I got safely to my car I could barely contain the rage and the urge to go back inside and kick his ass into next week. It was then that I realized I was there...the pms zone. I carried that rage all the way through my 2.5 hour drive home and even through dinner with Dan's folks that night. In fact, I went to bed with the rage. I was pretty well full of delicious seafood and light beer and good times with family but bubbling below the surface was the rage. Fear it.

Saturday morning I awoke with a new joie de vivre. I knew that snow was coming and kids were leaving and there was a Russian party to attend. Everything about Saturday came together perfectly. We had a big fat breakfast (ok, the family did, I just smelled it...reserving my weightwatchers points for Russia, ya know) then we all bundled up and drove to mom and dad's house to ditch the offspring. They were happy, we were happy. To make things even better, the snow didn't come as heavily as planned and we were able to make it to the party. It was such a fun night. We had some really cool food, lots of good vodka drinks and a great time visiting with friends. The party was held directly across the street from the house I lived in as an infant. We're total party animals and were back home and in bed before 10. yehaw!

Sunday we got the kids back before noon and I swear aside from cleaning and cooking and doing laundry, my ass did not leave the couch. We watched Song Catcher (thanks for the recommendation Tree) and some other crappy but fun movies on tv and ahhhh...by Sunday ol' PMS seemed to have gone away for good. Maybe PMS is not to blame here. Maybe I was just a bitch from hell on Friday, maybe, just maybe, I should have gone back in and kicked that redneck's ass.

I hate missed opportunities.

Posted by krystal at 7:53 PM | Comments (3)

January 21, 2005

It's my Friday.

I remember when I worked 12 hour shifts and on Tuesday night I'd be thinking "yeah, it's long but it's my Friday!!" Now my Friday is Friday. I only have 4.5 hours left to work though so it's cool.

I managed to lose 5.8 lbs my first week of weight watchers. I stuck w/ my diet and worked out a few times but I'm sure that the weight loss was water weight. I'll take it. I know from experience that the hard weeks are coming up where I will lose less than a pound or even gain, even if I stick to my diet so the bonus weight loss now is appreciated.

Snow's coming tomorrow and we're supposed to go to a Russian party tomorrow night. I hope it holds off til we're home from that so we can go. I would really like a night out with Dan and no kiddies before we get snowed in all together.

Posted by krystal at 10:47 AM | Comments (1)

January 19, 2005

Those hands are lethal weapons

Careful, he's a fairly dangerous man.

Posted by krystal at 10:42 AM

Different from the entire grit eating world

Honestly, I have been up to more than taking pictures with my phone. I also took some with my regular camera.

Now where was I? Oh yea. Being fat but working on it.

Last Friday night we went out w/ the Fredtalkers to Mi Pueblo. I had a really good time and ate lots but not more than allowed AND I am happy to report, I've been drinking nothin' but lite beer and it's not so horrible.

Saturday Gayle picked me up for girl lunch with her and Dea and Kate. That was so fun. I'd never been to hooters. The food was good, the company was better. I really enjoyed myself and then we went to Kates to look at her sweet lil puppies. After that I came home and we just laid around *resting* til time to go meet Dan's folks for dinner in Ladysmith. The restaurant was surprisingly good for the area. Once again, I ate too much, but not too too much. (make sense?) and this time I stuck to water.

Sunday was the day of rest indeed. We were both comatose and pretty much lounged and geeked out all day long. I think it was a really necessary day after all of the running around from the week before us. Sunday was awesome.

Monday is the day when lots should have gotten accomplished. I went to the Honda dealership to get my car checked because the airbag light came on and it needs an oil change. Honda guy said I needed an appointment. Fucker. Then I went to my eye appointment and waited an hour for my checkup. Finally I rescheduled because I had a 10:30 gym appointment with Gayle. Oh yeah! We joined Slender Lady. It's this circuit training thing where you do each machine for a certain amount of time then do some running in place and stuff. It's only 30 minutes but it's quite a workout. It's also very fun and I look forward to going. This is quite a development for me since I hate hate hate hate +++++ exercise. I went again on Tuesday night and even though I wasn't going to go 'til Thursday I think I'll go again today if the snow holds off.
So anyway, after the gym, Dan and I went to the movies to see In Good Company. Cute flick. I liked it. Then we bought more fish (to replace the ones dan murdered) and then got the kids.

End of relaxing weekend.

/boring recap.

Posted by krystal at 10:17 AM | Comments (1)

January 18, 2005

Domestic Slave errr God

Dan changed the toilet seat AND cleaned it. I'll never again (this week) complain about men who don't put the seat down.

Posted by krystal at 12:16 PM | Comments (5)

January 16, 2005

My new celly takes pics!

Dan's my first victim

Posted by krystal at 8:34 AM | Comments (1)

January 14, 2005

an-tic-ipation

YAYAYAYAY in 30 minutes I get to leave work. It's been an adjustment working 5 day weeks. I do love it here but I want to be home.
I'm not afraid to admit that I'm ready for my kids to go see their dad. I'm also looking forward to mexican food w/ Fredtalkers and beer and making out on the couch with my sweet boyfriend afterwards. I am so stoked about lunch w/ the girls on Saturday. I am even excited about helping Dan paint his house if he needs it (ok not excited, that's a lie, but I'll do it 'cause I love him).

Now, let's pray that I don't wreck my car in the mad hurryscurry to get home and begin my happiness.

Posted by krystal at 2:35 PM | Comments (1)

January 13, 2005

Weighty issues

I joined weight watchers today. I was on the program before I reached my goal back in 2002 and quit AA for fat folks. Until I went on night shift I'd done a pretty decent job of keeping the weight off by just keeping my food intake in check. I know it's lame to blame night shift but that's when I started my slide back to the portly side of life. Then I got all content with Dan around and ate like it was my right and THEN I quit smoking and THEN the holidays came along...(I have my excuses lined up). Welp...my clothes are tight and I'm not one bit happy about that. So today I plopped my fat ass up on the scales and gave the nice lady my check. I'm back on track now. I like weight watchers because it allows me to still drink beer. The loftiest decision I have to make right now is if I want to drink fewer regular beers or more light beers or almost unlimited ultra lights. I'm pretty much a beer snob so I doubt I'll ever be satisfied w/ ultra beers. I'm going to just stick to light beer for now and maybe work myself down to ultra.

***

The job is going well. I've spent the week doing things like making reservations and getting things printed and answering emails and voice mails and shredding things (which I ADORE). I love this kind of work. I think I was born to be someone's bitch. I like my boss too. I've been working for her for a month now and she hasn't yelled at me once. Yehaw!

***

Our home has turned into a zoo. I used to say it was a zoo because everyone in the house acts a bit wild, but now it's really a zoo. In addition to our new rat, we also have a frog named Mr. Hopper. (Dennis??) We also have two goldfish, Charles and Joseph. There are cages and computers in just about every room of the house. The cat is out of sorts about this. She looked at me this morning with a disgusted look on her face that clearly read "Am I not enough for you? WHY ARE THESE ANIMALS HERE?". I feel for her, she's the only animal we've had that hasn't kicked the bucket or run away. If I see her eyeballing my suitcases I'll know I'm about to lose her. Poor Kasey.

These are the things I'm looking forward to:
Tomorrow night: Fajita night w/ Fredtalkers
All weekend: no kids, just Dan and I all alone. Yay!
Saturday: Lunch w/ the girls
Monday: nooooo work.

Oh and one more thing.

Last night in bed Dan and I were discussing how the kids don't get nearly enough spankings. We'd watched the first 5 minutes of Nannie 911 and it started us thinking about how we need to catch up on the YEARS of missing disciplinary action that Jake is entitled to. Starting tonight I'm going to beat the kids a lot. That way, by the time they get to therapy as adults they won't be able to say I was apathetic.

Posted by krystal at 1:08 PM | Comments (4)

January 12, 2005

Adios WHFS

HFS has gone Spanish. It's not like the station hadn't already shit the bed but it's still the end of an era.

Now I'm off for a siesta.

Posted by krystal at 3:49 PM | Comments (7)

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

This month we're having the first Fredtalk Book Club meeting at my house.

I found a reading guide online and a few other reading guide questions. Here's what I've got so far:

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

How do you think this novel bridges the gap between literature for adults and children?

What do you think Haddon's illustrations add to the story and to our understanding of Christopher's character?

Although seemingly ill equipped as the narrator of a book, Christopher's character succeeds in eliciting a wide range of emotions in the reader. How do you think Haddon uses his protagonists voice to touch his audience in such a way?

Discuss the relationship between father and son in the novel. How well do you think Christopher's father copes with his son's condition?

The author has used his extensive knowledge of Asperger's syndrome to allow us to see the world through Christopher's eyes, how do you think the story further enhances our attachment to the character and our enjoyment of the book in general?

How far do you think the author has used Christopher's alienating condition to expose intricate truths about our modern lives? Do you think this was his intention in Christopher's exposure of his parent's secret?

Haddon uses the literary technique of the 'unreliable narrator' where the narrator gives a limited or possibly false version of the story, and the reader must work out the real story. What do you think is the overall purpose of using such a narrator in this novel?
Other well known examples of an 'unreliable narrator' are Ishiguro "Remains of the Day' - the repressed butler and Helen Martin's 'Property' - the slave owner's wife. Can you think of any other examples of where an author has used a narrator that doesn't or can't give the whole picture?

In your opinion, has Haddon created a credible picture of someone with Aspergers or Autism? Why/whynot? Research and discuss what you know of these syndromes? Imagine what it must be like in your everyday life to have to think/react like Christopher? or to have Christopher as a member of your family?

Despite Christopher's many 'behavioural problems' - do you feel sympathy or empathy for him? What makes him likeable character?

"This is a murder mystery novel." p 5 Is it really?

What is the significance of the title? How does the Sherlock Holmes novels influence Christopher and how he goes about being a detective?

Christopher doesn't like 'proper novels' because they use obscure metaphor p5 and because 'they are lies about things which didn't happen." p 24. Is 'The Curious Incident..' a proper novel? What makes something the truth or a lie in fiction?

Christopher's father lied about his mother. Why did he find it necessary to lie? Do you think he behaved badly by lying?

'Intuition can sometimes get things wrong. But logic can help you work out the right answer." p82 Does logic lead Christopher to the right answers? How important is intuition in reading this novel?

Is Christopher capable of change? Does his experiences help Christopher grow by the end of the novel? Has he overcome any of his behavioural problems?

What is your opinion of the ending of 'The Curious Incident...' Is it a satisfactory and tidy resolution as Christopher would wish for his novel? What do you imagine will be their lives in the future?

Posted by krystal at 1:07 PM | Comments (4)

January 11, 2005

To everything turn turn turn

Yesterday our obese hamster, Hamchovie, died. He'd been with us for quite a while and was, well, extremely fat. He died in his food bowl, paying homage to his favorite pastime i guess. RIP rodent.

So then, as if the night weren't shitty enough for Jake, he woke up at 11 with a toothache. He seemed better this morning so he went on to school but I've made an appointment with a new dentist today. We have a great dentist up in Springfield but I really needed to find one closer to home. Let's hope this guy isn't a turd. I hate dentists.

Posted by krystal at 12:12 PM | Comments (8)

January 10, 2005

AW RATS!

Yesterday we went to church and then to lunch with my folks. It wasn't so bad going to church. Really. I mean it. We got rocks.
After church we had lunch w/ my folks at TGIF's and then rode to Dan's parents house but they weren't home. So on the way home I suggested we stop and get a rat for the Snake because Dan said he was probably hungry.

We went to Maru and looked at all of the little animals there. They had rabbits(who were mating in front of god and everybody) and hamsters and lizards and birds and a mama rat who had just had like 5 little pink baby rats and a daddy rat. The sign on the cage said "not for feeders" so we thought mmkay and bought the daddy rat anyway.

In the car Kendall wanted to hold the box and she talked to the rat all the way home. We joked about how it should be named "dinner" and stuff. Kendall's a tough kid. She knew the rat was for the snake's meal and that he wasn't long for this world and she's ok with that. Remember, this is the kid who watched the fox who attacked her drown in the pool. She loves animals but nature is nature and that's how it goes. Or so I thought.

We got home and put the rat's box on top of the snake cage thinking he'd wake up hungry. Nope. Later in the evening, Dan put the snake and the rat in the tub so the snake could eat him. (yuck, my stomach turned just typing that). No dice. That snake wasn't hungry. The cat was thinking she'd like to have a bit of rat for dinner but we didn't buy the rat for her. So the rat went back into the box and the snake went back to his cage. We were cooking dinner and Kendall came in talking about the rat...and how it could be her pet and there could be another rat for the snake to eat. I swear, I'd said 10 times earlier in the day that we need NO MORE PETS. But she was so sincere...
Dan was looking at me like "no way, I know you're not falling for this" and I was thinking "well it could go into an aquarium...rats are smart, they're not really dirty...shit, what's one more thing to feed?" So I asked how much longer til the snake might want to eat the rat and Dan said it could be a few days. I knew there'd be no way in hell that my daughter would watch that rat for a few more days and not keep him as a pet. So now we have a pet rat, named Lucky.

Posted by krystal at 10:27 AM | Comments (7)

January 9, 2005

Sunday

We're all dragging our butts. Jake and Trev are fixing breakfast, Kendall is playing Animal Crossing with Dan. I'm chatting it up w/ Gayle and scoping out Fredtalk.

This is what I want to do all day. Instead we have to get showers, go to church and then go to Dan's folk's house.

I.am.so.uninspired.

Posted by krystal at 9:12 AM | Comments (1)

January 7, 2005

"Don't go eating my... Don't go eating my..."

"Don't go eating my shoes..."
(sung to the music from: "don't go breaking my heart")

Dearest Krystal,

I love you sweetheart!

I enjoy playing with web sites and stuff. I enjoy bring food home to be eaten by my family and I enjoy singing songs even though I change some of the words around to make them more goofy.

Most of all, I enjoy being with you.

I hope you brought another banana and granola bar with you so you will be moved again today.

I love you!

Hugs & Kisses,
-dan-

Posted by dan at 6:10 AM | Comments (1)

January 6, 2005

Do you know the way to Zimbabwe?

Dear Dan,
Thank you for making the "about my site" and categories work. You're the best boyfriend a girl could ask for. Thanks also for bringing home bananas and granola. My bowels thank you as well. I'm feeling very moved, if ya know what I mean. Now, please make the "do you know the way to (san jose) Zimbabwe" song get out of my head. It's your fault.

Love,
Krystal

Posted by krystal at 12:39 PM | Comments (5)

January 5, 2005

Believe it

It's only natural that one can't know everything. I happen to know that I don't know much at all...that makes me "in the know". (as far as know-it-alls go anyway). So it makes perfect sense to me that people who know different things would compliment each other. This babble is mostly a huge huge huge thanks to Tree for making my blog header thing and to Dan for putting it up for me. I'm a total tard when it comes to design stuff and not much better at putting words down but I have the greatest luck in the world when it comes to surrounding myself with talented friends and loved ones.

And to Tree and Dan...don't rest, I've got a whole list of other junk we (read: you) must learn next!! hehe. <3

Posted by krystal at 9:17 AM | Comments (3)

Right now

I'm picking the raisins out of my raisin bran. I hate raisins. So why'd I buy raisin bran, you ask?

It was on sale.

Posted by krystal at 8:18 AM | Comments (1)

January 2, 2005

cornfed

So tomorrow officially starts the diet I meant to start today. I was going to start it yesterday but everyone knows you can't officially start a diet on a holiday and it's just as bad to start on a Sunday. Anyone with any sense at all knows that you start diets on MONDAY. I'm serious about this though. I've bought my coolwhip light and my sugar free jello and my laughing cow icecream sammiches and some lean cuisine meals and bananas. The only thing I lack so far is light beer which is what will be consumed once the good Sam Adams sampler is gone. Dan can continue to drink his yeunling but I can't unless it's light. That's just how it goes. If he were fat he'd have to go light but he's hot so he gets to keep drinking decent beer.

So a few things have changed since the holidays. It's pretty official that Dan's moving in (duh, he's been here for 3 months) and his stuff is coming too. We have a snake in our bedroom that tries to escape every night. He's pretty cool as long as he stays in his cage but he doesn't seem to think his life is fulfilled there. I dreamed last night that a snake was chasing me and I was smashing his head in a screen door and he turned into a kitten...otherwise the world of cohabitation is sublime.

I'm cooking cornbread and doing a shitty job of it so I'll go eat the parts that aren't burned and report back tomorrow in the world of low calorie, high fiber, no fat hell.

Posted by krystal at 6:59 PM | Comments (3)

January 1, 2005

left to my own devices

Today was the first day in ages that I've been alone. I mean alooooone. Dan left this morning to do some things at his house and the kids are with James for the weekend. I had huge plans for the day. They were a. haircut
b. oil change
c. eyebrows waxed
d. cook a fantastic meal (black eyed peas and corn bread or something)

Instead I found that not only was I alone but the world is closed for a the holiday. Rather than the huge plans I a. bought a skirt and pair of pants and undies and bra with my exchange money from xmas. b. read some of the book for our book club thing. c. watched a movie on tv. d. ate a 4 hour old cheeseburger from burger king. e. got a lil neurotic about being alone for the first time in ages.

Posted by krystal at 5:20 PM | Comments (3)