Baking up a storm but also working out - gotta work on my fitness

We're one day away from Christmas, and I baked up a storm in preparation. I made yummy caramel corn, delicious chocolate chip cookies, tasty oatmeal scotches, sweet and salty turtle bites (left) and then there are the chocolate cookies that were supposed to be dipped in chocolate. I say supposed to be because that didn't quite happen. The white chocolate I tried to melt in my microwave just didn't turn out right. I think I heat it too much and it just turned into this hard crumbly mess. So no dipping for me. Oh well, the Hubs says the cookies are still good.

Why all this baking? Well, first off I love to bake. I think it's the sound of the mixer and the smell of the yummy goodies in the oven. I also have a bit of a sweet tooth. My sweet tooth has not been my friend over the years as I gained more and more weight, which I am now trying to lose.

If you have followed me for awhile, you might remember that I've lost 50 pounds this year. Lately, I haven't been too strict on my diet, but I'm still working out. So maintenance is my goal during the holiday season, and so far I'm doing good. I haven't gained any of the weight back, and I think that's because I've upped my workouts by signing up for a personal trainer and doing more running. That's right, I'm running. I don't plan on running a marathon or anything, but my goal is to do a few 5Ks next year. So far I'm doing good, but I know that it will be different running outside than on the treadmill. I've been stuck on the treadmill because it's been pretty chilly in the morning.

Now the personal trainer thing is new for me. I did that boot camp that wrapped up a couple months ago, and that was the first time that I did organized workouts with someone telling me what to do. It wasn't too bad. Then my instructor sent me an email saying she was moving gyms and offering personal training sessons. The gym is really close to work, so I go in the morning, shower then just walk over to work. Let me just say that she has found muscles I never knew I had. What seem like small little moves with weights make my arms feel like jello, and if I don't get a good booty soon, then I will just think I am doomed to always have a flapjack. She has me do so many lunges and squats that it is sometimes hard for me to walk down the stairs the next morning. It's not that painful though. It's a good burn. I'll continue going to her in the New Year, and my goal is to lose another 50 in 2010.

So here's to a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all my readers. I hope to close out with a year-end kind of post later, but in closing here are some pics of my yummy treats. Like how I do that? Tease with treats, sandwich in some workout updates and close it out with more delicious bites. It all balances out, right?

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Another famous person sighting

On Friday, we were eating at a little Italian restaurant that offers a pretty darn good buffett for lunch. Sitting there at a table in the middle of the restaurant, we look outside to see a commotion. There happened to be a music video being filmed outside with the one and only Carrie Underwood.

As we left the restaurant, I snapped some pictures of the scene.

She's the tiny little blonde. Sorry, I only had my phone to take pictures. I normally carry my camera with me, but I happened to leave my purse back at the office.

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Long day in the land of the infertile

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The best way to keep your mind off being infertile is to be ridiculously busy. While pulling a 13-hour day at work, I don't think I thought about trying to conceive once, and I definitely don't feel like trying now. Have I mentioned it's been a long day?

Now I'm home, finally. It's sad when you get home from work, eat some fast dinner and then get ready for bed. I know that when we finally do have a child, I won't be working as late. At least I hope I'm not. I'll definitely have to figure out alternatives to staying after hours to meet deadlines.

Right now, I'm sort of okay with the overtime I'm getting though. As part of our "Saving $$$ for FTSP" plan, all of my overtime goes into a savings account to work towards our goal.

Speaking of our plan. I'm still organizing for our yard sale. I didn't know I had that much stuff I can get rid of. Who knew that I had that large a range of clothing sizes in my closet? I think there are at least eight different sizes in there. Granted some of them are in the box labeled "I will fit into this again." I am happy to report that several sizes are being sold because they are much too large for me. Pants that I bought last winter are now so large that it looks like I've had an accident in them. The baggy bootie is not a good look - especially when one is sometimes called flapjack by friends. I'm sure it's a term of endearment.

I also have a plethora of craft supplies, a dehumidifier, a friend's mattress, some furniture and much more. Yes, some of my friend's have graciously donated items for me to sell. I don't know if it's because they are trying to help us reach our goal or because they just need to get rid of stuff. Either way, I'm okay with it.

Well, this is one of those really random posts that I could just go on and on rambling, but I think I will stop. Again, it's been a long day. One note...I'm over halfway through the 30 Posts in 30 Days Challenge. So go me!

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