A few people asked if I was going to share tips or guidelines/things I’m doing to lose weight.

I have already posts about some things, like:

Hangin’ with Billy Blanks

An update on the working out

Things I do (even if I eat 1am ice cream)

An example of what I eat

So far, my exercise routine has been both sporadic and consistent.  I am full of contradictions!  Hah.  Basically, I don’t have a routine I stick with the same amount of time/number of days a week/anything.  I just make sure I’m more active than I have been previously several times a week.

So, I make time to do something like the Tae Bo Cardio tape with Billy Blanks, or I go for a walk with Braden.  If I can’t find time for anything structured, I put on music that Braden likes and dance around with him.  He likes it, so I can actually get it done without tripping over him as he complains about what’s happening.

Next up on my “working out” mission is to join the YMCA.  I tend to veer away from joining clubs (though I have in the past) because they require money and time.  The appealing thing about the Y for me is that they offer free childcare (free, as in, not extra after they rape you with the monthly membership fee).  I can see myself going a couple times a week and using the fitness rooms or pool while Braden is looked after by someone else.  This is a good idea, b/c I’m paranoid about handing him over to anyone, and I really need to learn to change that.  If I can continue to get in shape at the same time, it’s a win-win.

Now we’ll just see if I can hand over the money.  And get over working out in front of other people again.  EW.

And I’m inordinately proud of that.  So much so that I’m going to show it to The Internet.

Enjoy!

[click through for video if it is not available from reader/email]

You like my stripes, don’t you? *snicker*

And can I just say that SO MANY of you cracked me up immensely with your comments on that post? Thanks for that!

The first 3 (non family) people who leave a comment on this post with my middle name in it get a consolation prize.

Anyone who still wants a chance to win something, head over to Who Doesn’t Like Free? (my product review/giveaway site) and subscribe.  I do giveaways there regularly, and have some cool things planned.

Thanks for entering, it was fun!

Leave a comment on this post and you have a chance at winning this brand new Retro 1951 Tornado Big Shot, Black Stout Soft Touch Pen, valued at approximately $21

Yup, I’m doing a giveaway on this here site. Sure, I have a Giveaway site, too… but I’m already hosting a giveaway there this week. So? I’m going to host one here, too. Why? Because it’s Bloggy Giveaways time and I’ve got free shit lying around here that you want.

Now, I know that most of you like to click and peck on your keyboards all day. (Do not pretend that you are not just like me, wasting your life away on The Internet.) But a lot of us do at least some writing with an actual pen and paper once in a while.

And you know what sucks? A crappy pen. Pens that don’t write well INFURIATE me.

And while I ultimately really don’t care if the pen is ugly… good looking pens make me happy. (PENS, I SAID P-E-N-S) No, I don’t really know why. Maybe it will come out in therapy. Did I have a pen as an imaginary friend when I was a kid? Who knows. Maybe I buried that in my mind.

What I do know is that a good looking pen that also writes well and is of good durability and quality is a fine thing to have.

And you want it.

So, leave a comment on this post and you get yourself a chance at winning this fine pen:

Link back to this post on your website, or send a friend an e-mail with this post’s URL (and copy me on the e-mail thelotuscarroll@gmail.com) and you earn yourself an extra entry.

Get yourself a pen for free. Don’t be a lazy douche (like me, according to “Dana”) and miss this opportunity!

Anyone is free to enter. Yes, I’ll pay the damn shipping even to a foreign country. That’s how much I love you freaks and geeks.

You have until 11:59PM CST, Friday, August 1st to leave a comment. On Saturday, August 2nd, I will announce the winner here, at the bloggy giveaways site, and via e-mail provided by the winner.

GOOD LUCK!

Oh yeah, and I have to put
this lovely button here…
clicking it will take you to a
huge list of other giveaways.

Have fun.

For lunch today:

[Iceburg lettuce, jumbo black olives, onion, cherry tomatoes, orange bell pepper, packaged romano cheese, home-made zesty italian dressing added after photo]

And plain tuna on the side.  (Yes, I actually really like that.)  Over the past several years I have become very attached to the foil packaged tuna… I now hate the canned tuna.  It’s… so… MOIST.

*shudder*

The tomatoes and bell pepper in my salad came from plants I grew, the romano cheese… came from Olive Garden.

Fess up, who else is so Cheap Ass that they do this?
 

Sometimes, I want to show the world my ugliest possible face, and see if it still accepts me.

I might actually be happier that way.

If only we were so courageous all the time.

Kill everyone else.

Then it won’t matter how bitchy you act.

Until, you know, you start pissing yourself off….

You’re lucky.

I suppose it’s hereditary.  My father never. stops. farting.  They say some people can clear a room.

The man can clear a county.

If you happen to be married to someone with this gift curse, but you do not possess it, no doubt you are often left feeling low on ammunition in a battle to the death.

Because sometimes, John really acts like he’s going to die if I fart one more time. He refers to the collars of his shirts as, “Poot Sheilds.”

So, what can you do if you’re in the same predicament as John?  Arm yourself.

Skillet Pork Chops & Beans

6 center cut pork chops
1 tbsp oil
1 md onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, pressed
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup BBQ sauce (whatever you like, I use Hickory Brown Sugar)
3-4 cans (12-15 oz size) Pinto Beans, drained

In a deep, large skillet, sear pork chops in oil until brown, about 5 minutes. Remove pork chops and place on plate. Add onion and garlic to skillet; sauté 5 minutes. Stir in broth, BBQ sauce, and beans.
Heat mixture to a boil. Return pork to skillet.
Reduce heat; cover and simmer 50 to 60 minutes, stirring sauce and turning chops occasionally until meat is fork-tender.

This recipe is amazing. The beans taste wonderful and the pork is always so tender and delicious.

It goes beautifully with potato salad, cole slaw and corn bread.

If you’re seeing these words, reading this… will you PLEASE click over and give me your opinion?

I’ve been thinking about this site a lot lately. A LOT. You may have noticed a few posts back where I mentioned I’m thinking of writing about the random things in my life. Recipes I use, things I do, blah blah blah.

I used to just post photos here…

WHICH WOULD YOU PREFER?

Should I just keep this a blog where I post photos of myself? Or should I write about the mundane parts of my existence that I usually keep to myself?  Does anyone want to know about this crap?

I am really dying to know what you think.

Please tell me?