Won't you please?

So I'm thinking a new bloggy name is in order, but my mental coffers are a bit er, um EMPTY. I would love it if you'd play along and offer up a suggestion.

And in return, I've got a slew of beach reads (Meg Cabot and Sophie Kinsella) to give away so how about this?

One entry for each suggestion. And another entry for each tweet or post, just leave a comment. A drawing for the books in a few weeks, and a small quilt for the person who comes up with the new name. Quilt picture to come next week.

So, are you in?

An interesting ledge

Today, in a hormone-induced haze, I considered blog-i-cide. These were my exact thoughts:

"I'm no longer Positive and my Organic has turned Schmo-rganic. Hmmph! I should just delete the whole blasted thing. Also, who ever thought it was a good idea for me to have children? Especially the kind that get older? Oh yeah. Me."

And then I realized that what I need to do is just BREATHE. And go in for new blood work, and in the meantime, stay far away from the chocolate/ice cream/bacon cheeseburgers.

This is just a technical difficulty. Right?

In other news we have moved Ty into our front room, he's too tall to carry down the long, twisty hall anymore.

I smell a remodel coming on: we'll add french doors for privacy and build him a bed that can roll into the family room during the day. New curtains are already up.

Wherein Mr. O scores some serious points

I secretly look forward to my birthday (alright - and Christmas) every year. I never know what Mr. O is going to do, but it is always thoughtful and, you know, extremely awesome. This year was no different. Remember this list?

He decided to help me get closer to crossing off #23 and gave me a left-handed guitar. We sit across from each other and I copy his fingering to relearn the chords. I've really got to get a left-handed tablature for chords and songs, because trying to flip the fingering in my head is crazy-making. Once I learn my song (and I swear it won't be Kumbaya), I'll post a video.

An Informal Poll - snooping

What's your position on keeping tabs on your teens?

Check their texts/journal/games/whatever-else-there-is on occasion?

Or just stay out of it entirely?

Is there a middle ground I should know about? We are just dipping our feet in the pool of teens & technology, and I'm a little bit reeling from the temperature of the water.

How do I put this delicately? Oh yes, men look away

Consider yourselves warned.

Anywho, let's address one of the aspects of losing weight that, erm, leaves A LOT to be desired. Literally.

You've heard of the three body types: apple, pear, and what is that last one? Oh yeah, hourglass. Sadly I am of the pear variety and gravity is not my friend. When I am slender, and I'm talking pre-baby days, I'm uniformly thin (flat in other words). Flat butt, flat chest, flat stomach, thin legs. Which is lovely when you're thin because a Miracle Bra or Victoria's Secret can fix some of that flatness.

However, when I'm am not "slender" I resemble a water balloon - filling out at the bottom first and lastly near the top. Having lost thirty-plus pounds this year a majority of it has come off my waist and let's face it, my bust line. I am looking rather deflated these days.

Enter organic "implants." I first saw these back in the old days of Regis and Kathy Lee. It was back during the uproar over silicone implants and falsies were making a big comeback. Guess what their low-cost organic alternative was? Wait for it.

Peanutbutter in ziploc baggies. I KNOW!

Apparently it looks (and feels) just like the real thing. And should you get hungry and need a snack...just find a couple slices of bread and you're all set. Let's just hope no one bumps into you and leaves you with a PB explosion in your bra.

I'll let you know how it all works out.

Putting the "Oh" in Older (as in "Oh, crap")

In just a couple of days, I will officially be one year closer to 40. Meaning that I 'officially' have one year less to complete the items on this 40 Before 40 list. I've done okay so far, and hope to be crossing 4 or 5 more things off the list in the next six months. I should be travelling to New Zealand this Fall with my siblings, and you can bet I'll be buying the trip insurance to ward off any medical issues with Ty. Yes, I'm hella superstitious. Why do you ask?

Speaking of Ty, I found the picture of me in the bunny suit just before his chemo port surgery, and it's a real beau-tay. Keep in mind I've lost 15 lbs since that picture was taken (first I gained 15 more, then lost about 30 - but who's counting?)

I am working hard to lighten up - literally. For once, my thyroid medication seems to be working with me rather than against me and I'm taking full advantage. I cannot believe I used to do my workouts with 30 more lbs. on this bod, because they are plenty hard without all that extra weight. In addition to doing P90X (of which Yoga X has been the most effective), I have changed how I eat. I start the day off with a yogurt smoothie and then eat far more fresh veggies and dark, leafy greens with my other meals. I am learning to like fish, slowly but surely. I plan on getting back into a size 8 sooner rather than later. Don't laugh, it could totally happen.

Yogurt Smoothie
1 cup plain yogurt (home-made organic is my favorite)
handful fresh/frozen berries
1 banana (optional)
2 scoops protein
1 tsp. ground flax seed or wheat germ

In other news, did you know that antihistamines, although great at fighting allergies, make it difficult to lose weight? Yeah, so I'll be sneezing and sniffing my way to Slenderville. Just by dumping the diet soda habit, I dropped another 5 lbs in two weeks - it's murder on water retention. Toss the diet drinks, your ankles will thank you.

In addition to lightening up weight-wise, I'll be joining the ranks of the blond people once again. I haven't lightened my hair in about 2 years, time to shake it up. Besides, I hear they have more fun.

P.S. I am now skinnier (that being a relative term, ahem) than in this picture. Not by a lot, but every little bit counts.

Random Burst of Creativity

Two down, one to go.