Thumbs up:  Blog recognition.  I’m much belated in saying how tickled I was to be included in Cranky Fitness’s list of Best Weight Loss Blogs for 2012.  Super thumbs up “thank you” to those who voted for me.  I had no idea this was even going on!

Thumbs up:  Work.  Still going well.  Thumbs down that I get nervous still with the “register.”  It’s not at all intuitive IMO and we have to manually make price adjustments for our frequent promotions.  And there are so many exceptions or unusual situations to learn.  I know I’ll eventually learn it all.  Thumbs up that I am at least now ringing my own sales.  And making sales!  Thumbs down though that I still have self-doubt creep in regarding so many aspects of the job.  I need to get over that.

Thumbs down:  Work.  So… my biggest complaint about work has to do with scheduling.  Not knowing when I’ll be working, having to ask for dates off for things like my many trips lately and a variety of appointments.  Thumbs down that it has made life rather more complicated.  Thumbs down that I cancelled my blogger meet up in April:(  Thumbs up that my boss does allow us to take time when we need it.  Phew.  Otherwise this just wouldn’t work for me.  (No pun intended.)

Thumbs up:  Zucchini pizza.  LOVE!!!  Thanks to Caron for introducing me to this delectable meal.  You can find the recipe I use here; my only change is to cut it into round slices, not horizontal ones.  My mom’s been loving it too:)  I had this for lunch every single day last week.  And I don’t even like zucchini!!!!

Thumbs down:  Heartburn.  It started one afternoon and continued for several days.  Not horrible, but consistent.  Worse when actually swallowing food or liquids.  It was very reminiscent of what I experienced when I started on an aspirin regime several years ago.  So I talked to my pharmacist (who happens to also be my friend) and switched one medicine from before bed to mornings with food and, voila, no more heartburn.  Or the burps that were accompanying it.  Thumbs down that I really struggle to remember to take it in the mornings, since all my other meds are at night.

Thumbs down:  Brain fart.  I went to my twice-weekly workout with my mom and trainer an hour early.  Twice.  Now in my own defense, we workout at different times on different days.  But still.

Thumbs up:  My calf.  Maybe?  I’m being optimistic but I think it is finally noticeably improved!  I’ve stopped wearing the calf support.  When I get back from my upcoming road trip, I hope to finally gradually start back with cardio.

Thumbs up:  Being a mom.  One son is home from college, although I don’t see him much.  But I’ve gotten some fantastic hugs.  The other son graduates this coming Saturday and I know there will be all sorts of hugging going on then:)  I believe that my greatest accomplishment in life is my boys.  And being a mom.

Thumbs up:  Eating.  I’m considering myself maintaining.  Mostly easily.  Mostly.  I’ve even done well lately with eating out and special events.

Thumbs down:  Eating.  So… this past week I had my first binge in months.  I’m not sure what set me off, but I know exactly the first thing I ate that was not what I’d typically eat.  And it was followed by a slew of “off plan” food that is in the house right now, thanks to my nest no longer being empty.  Can you say “bread?!”  It was ugly.  I had a stomach ache.  It never ceases to amaze me that when I eat crap I feel like crap, physically and mentally.  Okay, confession and bingeing are both over.  Back on plan.

Thumbs pending:  Road trip.  We leave Thursday and return the following Monday or Tuesday.  So you won’t see me around much in the coming week.  I’m not the least bit worried about my eating this time, even though eating well on the road will be complicated with the addition of my boys (and their snacks and needing to stop with them for meals when otherwise I’d just pack them) in the car.  And another road trip is planned for early June when my son officially moves east.

Just to be clear, she doesn’t really, but she could because my momma kicks butt!  Once again, in honor of Mother’s Day, here is just some of what I learned from her:

• Family is important.  As is spending time together.  And not taking each other for granted.
• Traditions are powerful, but they can change over time.
• You are as young as you feel, act, dress, want to be.  Getting older can be redefined.
• Be generous.  With your time, your self, your money.
• Injuries will only slow you down as much as you let them.  Fix what you can, work with/around the rest.
• Applesauce is best hot off the stove with big chunks of fruit and no added sugar but lots of love stirred in.
• Great minds really do think alike:)
• There’s nothing like a good book.  (Although ebooks are great for traveling.)
• Do the borders of a jigsaw puzzle first.
• Grandkids are one of parenting’s greatest rewards.
• If you eat only half the cookie or brownie, don’t be surprised if the rest is missing when you go back for it.
• Musicals are great entertainment for a few hours and some of the songs linger on and on and on.
• It can be a good thing not to clean your plate.
• It’s better to marry a man with potential and build a life together than to marry a rich man who has already gotten there alone.
• Wear beige undergarments under white clothes.
• The true value of family heirlooms.
• Gray hair is not flattering on everyone.  Thinning hair is indeed hereditary.
• Every mom will make parenting mistakes but they will be different from those her own mom made.
• Working out with a trainer is lots of fun when you do it with a partner.
• A spa vacation is true bliss.
• Mother’s should not try to talk in teenager-speak.
• Always write a thank you note.  Sometimes a phone call or email will suffice.
• If momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.
• Use good manners; help clear the table; RSVP when asked; ask what you can bring.
• Wear sunscreen.
• You don’t have to do what all the other kids are doing or have what all the other kids are having.  If they jump off a cliff you don’t have to jump too.
• If a food or household supply is running low or you use it up, put it on the shopping list or replace it.
• Whatever it is… this too shall pass.
• Not everyone passes their driver’s license exam on the first try.
• Avoid booking the last flight of the day if possible.
• Sometimes mother really does know best.

Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers, and most especially to mine:)  I love you Mom

I wonder if those survey respondents have been following the story of the New Jersey mom, accused of bringing her daughter into a tanning salon, who many are now calling a “tanorexic.”  Apparently some people are addicted to food, some to alcohol or drugs, and some to tanning.

I have no opinion about the case, since I don’t know enough specific details.  But I will share that I was struck by how very unhealthy this woman appears in all the photos I’ve seen.  I don’t know her personally; I don’t know why she tans as often as she does; I don’t know if she thinks she looks healthier or thinner or more attractive this way.

But what I do know is that doctors will tell you that a tan is an outward sign of skin damage.  And that the sun is a known carcinogen.

Do I think I’d look better with a bit of color on my uber-pale skin?  Maybe.  Okay, probably.  But as a three-time skin cancer survivor, my days of intentionally exposing myself to the sun without protection are long over.

Consider this:

• One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.
• One dies of melanoma every 62 minutes.
• Each year there are more new cases of skin cancer than of all other cancers combines.

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and today is Melanoma Monday.  So today I am asking you to consider changing the paradigm that tan looks better than au natural.  Or to at least choose to get your tan from a bottle.  And I am encouraging you to take steps to prevent skin cancer for yourself and your loved ones.  The research is very clear:  most skin cancer can be prevented by practicing sun protection.  And it is never too late to start protecting your skin.  And with that said, I’ll hop off my soapbox now:)

To learn more:

Melanoma Monday

The Skin Cancer Foundation

Thoughts about the Jersey tanning mom?  Have you or anyone you know been diagnosed with skin cancer?  Any personal crusades that you’d like to share today?

Photo credit [myFOXny]

The winners of Diane’s book giveaway are Lori and Andie:)

I may… get choked up when my son graduates college.

I may… not get around to my typical annual birthday treat debate since I’ll be spending most of the day on the road, driving home from the graduation with the graduate in tow.

I may… be glad that there is no scale around on my birthday.  Something about that day makes me always mark my weight in my mind.  But I’m confident I’d weigh at or near my goal weight, except for those inevitable pounds from several days of travel.

I may… watch a House marathon with my (husband and) youngest son when he gets home from college.  I’ll also be catching up on the many episodes of Chopped that I’ve saved to watch with both my boys.  Go figure – they like cooking competitions as much as I do:)

I may… cry during the last episode of Desperate Housewives.

I may… take a “posed” family photo while both boys are home.  I guess I need to start thinking about what we can wear and which family member I can impose upon to try to get us all to smile at the same time.

I may… find a different day to celebrate Mother’s Day because I may be working.  I don’t mind; hopefully my mom doesn’t either:)

I may… have to get someone to drive me to work this summer since we’ll be back to more drivers than cars.

I may… start feeling confident comfortable, rather than nervous, about ringing sales and returns on the register.  I may finally have less back aches from standing.  I may feel guilty about asking for so much time off.  The job is still going well but it sure is making all these trips out east more complicated.

I may… blog less often.  Or without a schedule.  Or I may not.  I’ve said it before and, yet, here I am today.

I may… eat less meat to go along with my husband or eat more meat to go along with my teen, home from college.  I may tear my hair out trying to plan family meals.

I may… read “Shades of Grey” to see what all the hype is about.

I may… bake sweets for my son’s “officially leaving the nest and relocating halfway across the country” party or I may let someone else handle desserts so I’m not “sampling” the batter or tempted by the wonderful smells coming from the oven.  I may once again show my love with his favorite M & M cookies.

I may… paint my toenails for the first time this season.  If I can find just the right color.  I may decide I don’t like how it looks and I may start over.  Or I may just be lazy and leave my nails alone.  I may over-think this and so many other things.  Okay – for sure I’ll over-think many things, that’s just me.

I may… babysit my three young nephews overnight this weekend.  Which means lots of little boy energy.  And three soccer games at three different locations but not at three different times.  I may be reminded how glad I am that my boys are (for the most part) grown.  I may need a nap.

I may… start doing cardio again!!!!  My calf is still bothering me but I’ve sort of given up waiting for it to be “normal” again.  I may regret my decision but there’s only one way to know.

What may you do this month?

The winner of the Snikiddy Snack giveaway was Diane!  Really.  Coincidentally.  I’ll be announcing the winner of her book giveaway next week.