On Repeat: The Way You Are

Thanks, Lauren!

Miserable, But Healthier

I thought I should give you a diet update so that I can continue to be held accountable for my words last Monday. Basically, dieting is miserable, but I've seen results already, both in the mirror and on the scale. I have dropped three pounds since starting on the 17th so I'm back to my usual weight.

I found a cool calorie and exercise tracker via Weddingbee's Mrs. Penguin's personal blog. After inputing some information, it told me that I have a daily calorie budget of 1,440 in order to reach my goal by April 4th.  I like that it subtracts my exercise calories burned from the food calories consumed. But it's a flawed system because it's hard to input how many calories homemade meals are or even how many calories I burn during my daily exercise. Because of this, I usually try to go under my daily "budget".

I try to eat my biggest meal for lunch so that I'm not starving for dinner. Although 1,440 calories seems like plenty, I am still hungry quite often. A friend suggested more whole grains so I'll look for that on my next trip to the commissary. I'm not really a fan of pasta anymore because I can't pair it with creamy sauces and I don't like tomatoes. Lactose intolerance fails me yet again!

Source: eyesmize.tumblr.com via Min on Pinterest

I'm surprised that I have been able to keep up with my exercise routine. I am doing Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred, and it seriously kicks my butt. It consists of three circuits of the following: Three minutes of strength training (push-ups, dumbbell presses), two minutes of cardio (jumping jacks, jump rope), one minute abs (crunches, bicycles). I purchased the DVD a couple of months before the wedding and did it a maximum of three times.

My nosy dog doesn't help the process at all. She always sniffs me when I'm on my mat and tries to shower me with kisses. I think she likes the taste of salty sweat, or maybe she's just excited to see me on the floor and at her level.

Although her bed is less than a foot away and is much more comfortable, she insists on sleeping on my mat. I have to order her off for my ab exercises.

Please! No kissies!

Rawr!

And then she eventually lies down next to me, usually it's right at my head so that I can't put my head back down after a crunch.

What a silly girl!

Day nine on the system and I already see less of a belly pouch, a higher endurance, and greater strength. I'm really excited to see what I'll be like at day thirty. I'm almost regretting not taking a "before shot" so that I can compare my results.

It's getting harder for me to actually want to exercise so I'm glad to see that it's working. I also realized that I absolutely have to change into my workout outfit as soon as I get out of bed or else I won't do it.

After my workout I typically eat some lunch and then take her out for a brisk walk. The entire Schmidt family is getting healthier!

Minzilla Mouse

During our trip to Disney World last October, I spotted the most adorable Minnie Mouse apron. It was over $20 so I refused to make The Hubby buy it. 

Who knew I would be able to make one on my own? Unfortunately, the polka dots are a smaller size, but it's still plenty cute. And since this apron is only my fourth project where I had to start completely from scratch, I'm pretty proud of the results. 

Excuse the silly MySpace-esque shot. This is why I need The Hubby around. Or at least a tripod.

I used a tutorial on how to gather fabric into ruffles and followed a fat quarter apron tutorial from Prudent Baby as a reference. It took two days, but it was well worth it.

I'm going to try to attempt to recreate this $32 Tea-And-Crumpets Apron from Anthropologie. Think I've got a shot?

Grounds for Divorce 3

Bad screen capture. I promise we were actually happy to be speaking to each other.

The Hubby and I finally had our first Skype session today. It's amazing how we are still able to communicate even though he is in the middle of nowhere. 

We had already said our goodbyes and he thought he had ended the call, but actually he just closed the screen so I could still see and hear him. This is the conversation that followed:

The Hubby (to his roommate): My wife wants to go home in fudging May and in fudging July. Fudge!

Me (while stifling my giggles): Uh, you know you can hear me, right?

The Hubby: Oh, shoot! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Me: Yeah, you're in trouble mister. HAHAHAHAHAHA

The Hubby (to his roommate): I didn't end the call! I just closed the window!

Me: I should have let you keep going! I shouldn't have told you! HAHAHAHAHA

The Hubby: HAHAHAHAHAHA

Me (while laughing): Okay, honey. I love you. Be safe.

The Hubby: I love you, too. Bye!

He's lucky I'm understanding, and probably even luckier that I told him I could still hear him before he went on. Best wife ever for not being upset at all? I think so!

*"Fudge" and "shoot" were not The Hubby's chosen words. I can understand why he was upset because it costs a fortune to fly home and deal with Bella.

Well, That Was Nice While It Lasted

The bugs are back. The weather has been warmer, and along with the resilient weeds growing back in our otherwise dead yard, the creepy crawlies and freaky flyers are back.

They have been relatively small so far, and I have not yet seen the gargantuan intruders last summer yet.  But anytime I feel an itch on my arm, I fear to look down because it may very well be a spider like my last encounter. I do not look forward to the days when anytime I open the back door for Bella I have to be armed with a can of insect poison to survive beastly attacks. And I no longer have The Hubby's combat boots to squish the suckers DEAD.

It took half of a can of poison to take this sucker down.

At least I can be thankful that I will never see a Camel Spider, which resides in Iraq. Good luck, Hubby!

Source: bluecricketdesign.net via Min on Pinterest

But spiders, other buggies and weeds aren't the only things reappearing along with the warm sun. When we first moved in I was surprised at just how many people would knock on my door. No, I do not want your gardening service or a different alarm system. 

I had two different people ring our doorbell a couple of days ago. Bella's strong bark typically is enough to send them running, but one man actually looked into our window and continued to watch Bella bark at him for a few minutes. Rude! Luckily, our windows are reflective so you can't really see inside, but I should really put some curtains up in that room. Another sewing project for Ken, perhaps?

I'm conflicted on trying to figure out whether or not I should answer the door. I have a hard time saying no to anyone, but I don't want them to think that no one is home either. For now, I'll just make sure to keep all the doors and windows locked, the alarm system on, and continue to praise Bella for her protective nature.

Good girl, Bell. Good girl.

Just loungin', like always.

Pieces from Home

There are so many men and women overseas who are away from their family and friends, and they need to be reminded that they have not been forgotten. Before The Hubby was even deployed, I had it in my mind that I would do my part back home and give some encouragement to our brave protectors in Iraq or Afghanistan.

I had the opportunity to work with several groups of children and I asked them to do me a favor. They were asked to write a letter to a soldier or marine and I mailed them to strangers whose addresses I found through a wonderful organization called AnySoldier.

This is how the site works: "This effort is 110% voluntary.You send your support, and maybe some stuff, directly to whatever unit or units YOU select. We have volunteer Soldier "contacts" on the "Where to Send" page. They list what the folks they represent want and need...All the Soldiers involved in this effort are military volunteers stationed in areas that are in harm's way. You send your support (letters and/or packages) addressed to them and when they see the "Attn: Any Soldier^®" line in their address they put your letters and packages into the hands of Soldiers who don't get much or any mail first. Everything is shared."

I received feedback from the actual people I've sent letters to, and they have all been absolutely positive. Their words reassure what I already know about soldiers: They are selfless, brave and remarkable.

One wrote: 

Another wrote:

So even if you do not have willing children to help you send encouragement to troops, just a simple card or letter will make a difference. And if you are feeling extra generous, you can ship packages overseas.

You can order a free military care package from the USPS by following the instructions found here. I ordered one on February 9th and I received it yesterday. In the kit were four medium flat rate boxes, two large flat rate boxes, five priority mail labels, six customs forms and envelopes, and a small roll of tape. It takes less than two minutes and you can request this kit up to four times.

You can also order more boxes and customs forms online through the USPS site. The large flat rate box gives you the best deal because you get a $2 discount when you ship to an APO or FPO address. Of course, these materials can also be found at your local post office.

This site had the easiest directions on how to fill out the customs forms using unusual military addresses while this one has detailed tips on shipping to Iraq or Afghanistan.

I hope this post convinces you to spread some encouragement to the troops. Please let me know if you are interested in getting my husband's address because I'm sure he needs a little love, too. 

Fetch! Kinda

Bella is not a fan of fetch, even though she is a Labrador RETRIEVER. The name is lost on her. She is more of a "get it yourself, you lazy human" type of dog. 

The other day I decided to just throw a toy outside, and miraculously she ran after it! And then she came back! Bella still isn't very good at the whole "drop it" part, but she eventually lets go of the toy and lets me throw it again.

What a change compared to what she used to do a few months ago. It's so nice to see her running around.

Not Poop

I thought we had a FRG meeting scheduled this past Saturday so I baked cookies to bring for the dessert potluck. But it turns out that the meeting isn't until next weekend so I was left with a bunch of cookies and no one to eat them. NOT good for my diet, mind you.

I tried to make Homemade Thin Mints, a recipe from Ming Makes Cupcakes. 

I couldn't help but laugh when I saw what my cookie dough logs looked like after chilling them in the refrigerator for two hours. Poop! I'm serving poop to people?!

I didn't cover the baked cookies with mint chocolate because it was too much trouble so I can't tell you whether or not they taste like the classic Girl Scout cookies. I can tell you that they're definitely not healthy at all because they're full of butter and sugar.

Counting calories is not fun, kiddos! Otherwise all the poop cookies would be in my tummy right now instead of sitting in tupperware, waiting to be tossed tomorrow.

On Repeat: Loving You Tonight

Fatso

I'm angry at you right now. Yes, you. Unless you are my mother or my friend Spencer, it is very likely that I do not like you very much right now.

I am upset at anyone who has told me the following phrase or something similar: "Min, you're so thin. You have  a great figure. You don't need to worry about anything." I'm mad at you because you are a liar. I listened to you for years, and now it has finally caught up with me.

Spencer is the only person who has ever told me straight up, "It only goes downhill from here." My mother was the one who asked me if I was pregnant when she saw my belly bulge while sitting as a passenger in her car.

I've gained weight, and it is not going away. This is probably due to all the food I have consumed without regret or a second thought. And now my "great figure" is not so wonderful anymore. I feel like a fat lard.

Here are some reasons why my self esteem is so low right now:
1) I don't have The Hubby telling me how hot or beautiful I am every day.
2) PMS and extra bloating
3) My horrible skin due to late nights and stress
4) The fact that I need to drop eight pounds to get to my ideal weight and size
5) Knowing that The Hubby is working out twice a day and will return as the much more attractive husband with the fat wife

And I've realized that all of my fat has accumulated right at my stomach area and "love handles". Why can't some of it spread down to my flat ass instead? Or even my chicken legs? So if you think I'm thin, it's only because I hide my stomach under my clothes.

Every now and then I get the sudden urge to exercise again. Well, I'm serious about it this time. And you, my readers, will have to hold me accountable.

Goal: 115 lbs by July 28th and maintain it
Plan: Drink more water. Sleep before midnight. Eat more whole grains and fiber. Exercise. Stop baking. Portion control. Walk Bella more often. Eat more fruit in replacement of Chex Mix or chocolate. Look at thinspiration sites.

I want to look like them. But with smaller boobs because, well, that's a lost cause. More Marisa Miller than Miranda Kerr though because I think she's a healthy thin. And while I know that "model skinny" is a near impossible goal to set for myself, it's at least something to aspire to.

Source

Don't worry about me starving myself though. I love love love food far too much to give it up. I want to do this the healthy way, meaning no pills or cleanses. Just balanced meals and exercise, baby.

Also, I'm not posting any before pictures like the brave souls out there who do so because I look about three months pregnant in a bathing suit.

Wish me luck!

State of the House

Source via Pinterest

My house is a disaster zone. Like seriously embarrassing. I'm posting pictures of it because it is proof that The Hubby makes me a better person in regards to cleanliness and other aspects of life. He hates clutter. I hate it, too, but my utter laziness always wins out.

Here is our living room where I spend the majority of my day.  Shoes on the ground, variety of snacks on the coffee table, clothes on the chair, and fur all over the floor.

I have taken over The Hubby's desk with my sewing machine and various supplies. 

And since that desk is so tiny, I also took over our dining table with fabrics and bags from my many shopping trips. Bella's toys are also strewn all over the floor. Pretend you didn't see the Double Stuff Oreos. The Hubby bought them before he left and I'm just finishing them for him, okay?

The kitchen is no exception. My sink is filled with dirty dishes, I use the island as a ironing board because we don't have one, and there is barely any counter space remaining.

I destroyed the house between Wednesday afternoon and this morning. It was actually in impeccable condition just a few days ago because our landlord wanted to do a walk through.

I hope to get my craft room set up by the end of next month so that most of the mess can at least be contained behind closed doors.

Does anyone want to offer to clean my house for me?

Fortunate

I'm not sure what I did to deserve such amazing friends.

The other night, I heard my doorbell ring and I ignored it because I never answer my door and Bella's strong bark typically scares the solicitor away. It turns out that it was the UPS man delivering a Valentine's gift from my friend Rebecca! She figured that I needed a little pick-me-up from The Hubby's deployment. 

Rebecca sent me a recipe book that I have been eying for years, Hello, Cupcake! Now, I just need an excuse to make cupcakes. Or rather I need people to eat them for me because I am on a diet--after this last cookie..nom nom nom...

I am most excited to try to make these penguin cupcakes. Adorable, no? 

And of course I will have to make some pup cakes. Maybe I will throw Bella a 5th birthday party at the end of the year. 

I also received this pretty ring in the mail from Val in the same week. I have freakishly thin fingers so I have to wear it on my right thumb, but I want to wear it every single day. It makes every task a little more fun.

P.S. I bought near 1/2 yard of this blue Japanese print fabric from the clearance bin at Hancock Fabrics for only $0.85!

Thanks Rebecca and Val! You've made this week so much easier to get through.

Waiting Minzilla

Overheard in Iraq: "It's only been a week? That's it?! It feels like a month!"-The Hubby last week

Taken about fifteen minutes before he left on the bus. Doesn't he look happy?

I have been having trouble with this post. It's been over two weeks since The Hubby left for Iraq so I suppose it's about time I talked about it. You can find full details of my husband's deployment on my other blog, Waiting Minzilla.

I've decided to create two separate blogs simply because I like to keep things light on Married Minzilla, and I try to keep my bitching and moaning to a minimum. But on Waiting Minzilla, I'm going to be less censored with my ramblings. I haven't found my "groove" yet there, but I'm sure that it will develop as I grow over the year.

There's a lot of cursing. I feel like I have to warn my audience of this because if you know me personally, I rarely cuss in public. But privately in my own home, car, or thoughts I have a nasty mouth. It stems from growing up with my sister and being completely infiltrated into Army culture.

My first few entries there are admittedly depressing, but I hope that they will grow to be more lighthearted. I suggest you start at the first entry and go on from there. Yes, that seems obvious, but I do a short introduction and it will explain even more so why I am sharing my innermost thoughts and feelings with the world.

I hope you follow both of my blogs, but I won't be offended if you don't. I don't plan on advertising Waiting Minzilla again so if you ever need a link for it you can go back to this post and find it or you can click on my complete profile under my "About Me" section and find it there.

Ciao!

I Love You, Target!

I have an unhealthy obsession with Target. Today was my third trip there this week alone, and of course I can never leave without buying something. It's awful, really. But I just cannot resist Target's neat and wide aisles, their great prices, or convenience. 

I feel like I have to justify my shopping trips by showing you what spectacular deals I just could not turn away from.

Their Valentine's stock is now 75% off. And instead of being solely interested in their discount candies, I was digging through their seasonal decorations. I have always wanted a house decorated with holiday items so I decided to stock up for future years now that I have a home of my own.

I can just picture perfectly frosted cupcakes displayed on these heart-shaped plates. The bear bowls will probably find their way into my craft room somehow because they just make me so happy to look at.

Target had a lot of other things on clearance, too! I picked up some essentials for the household. I'm especially proud of my crazy cheap tape find. I get excited over strange things. Oh, and Colgate 360 toothbrushes are my new favorite and I usually get them for about $3 each so it was definitely a steal.

And since I just started working out again for the first time in probably half a year, I picked up some clearance outfits, too. I'm hoping that the guilt of spending money will push me even further to lose seven pounds and maintain it. 

Other things I found on clearance: Garnier Fructis products, Olay products, Sally Hansen nail polish, Tresemme products, diapers, vitamins, blankets, bath towels, Slimfast drinks, clothes steamer, air filters, socks, men's undershirts, tights, house slippers

So head out to Target if you have time! They have things on clearance completely spread out throughout the store. Happy shopping!

P.S. Sorry, husband for spending all your money!

Clean and Huggable Pooch

Hi all! Bella here again. Mommy gave me what she said was a much needed bath yesterday. I had finally built up a wonderful stench. How dare she!

. 

She made me get into a glass cage with her and turned on the water. I had no place to run so I just crammed myself in a corner where the water couldn't reach me. Or so I thought. Mom still poured water all over me and lathered me up with some very tasty soap.

Mom said that I looked absolutely pathetic. She also told me that if she were a dog she would love baths because it's like a nice long massage. What does she know about being a dog, anyway?

I was not amused. She took a lot of after shots of me with my wet fur. I tried to snarl to tell her to stop, but she continued anyway. I didn't want any evidence of me before my usual blow dry.

So I rebelled by eating my paw.

Daddy gives me much better baths. He's much quicker at it and at least he leaves the warm water running so I never get cold. Come back soon, please!

This Week...

I finished a couple of sewing projects. 

I finally used my free fabric from Prudent Baby to make a camera case. I was saving the fabric for something special, and since I carry my camera with me everywhere I thought it was a project worthy of pretty fabric. I used this tutorial, but used extra cotton batting and a velcro enclosure rather than a button. 

I also made a simple black one for The Hubby because we didn't have time to go out and buy one for him. I made this black one first which explains why it's not as well made as mine. And of course Bella has already marked it with her fur.

I also made a potholder following this tutorial. I used fabric from dish towels that were on clearance from Target. It was a fun project, but very time consuming and I think I should have just purchased a pre-made potholder instead.

Bella had a playdate.


Penny came over again. Bella only picks up the ball if Penny doesn't get to it first, which is extremely rare. Otherwise, she shows absolutely no interest in playing.

Penny has really grown since we last saw her in November. The two of them are nearly the same size now, but of course Bella has a little more pudge.

I received lovely roses from The Hubby.

My flowers actually didn't arrive until the day after Valentine's Day because UPS messed up on the shipping. I only knew to expect them because The Hubby, who has never been good with surprises, ordered them on my laptop and forgot to erase the browser history. I was going to humor him and act surprised, but then he also left a popup ad for FTD on the screen and I just had to tease him.