Countertop Thursday

Wow, even on my laid back day at work, I was busy. I was there until after 3:30 today and just barely got home in time to meet Hannah's bus. I got a lot done though, so that felt good. I didn't get anything done at the house though.

Tomorrow the granite countertop is going to be installed! I'm really excited about it. The whole process will take most of the day. Morning for demolition, afternoon for install. I figure I will be able to vacuum the stairs and pack for the beach since I will have to stick around in the house anyway.

In my lofty ideal for the day, I will get up and exercise before they come to rip out the old counter in the morning, but I am not sure. I am just not a morning person at all. When I say that, I mean, I just don't see myself bounding out as soon as Hannah leaves for school. I enjoy taking things slow in the mornings. The greatest gift I have had since starting at this college is the laid back pace of getting Hannah off to school and then being able to take my time getting ready for work.

The football schedule has been posted. The games will run late August - mid October on Saturdays at 3. That could work out fine. I told Hannah she could possibly keep up with the current cheer squad she's on and horseback riding if she just backs off the riding lessons for the months football is on. She wants to do it all. Her friend "B" was at the barn yesterday with her dad and sister, checking the place out. They are talking about her starting lessons in the fall. Hannah's really excited. Practice is going to start the first full week in July (while she and I are visiting Florida, of course :().

Just about 2 1/2 weeks of school left! It has been raining so much lately so it doesn't feel like it should be summer vacation. The pool opened this past weekend and there wasn't much of a stretch of sun during any single day to let the pool warm up or to enjoy it.

I have to put in a plug for www.livestrong.com. I've been visiting that website and specifically using the www.livestrong.com/thedailyplate to keep an online food journal. It is awesome and it's free. It keeps track of calories for each day, shows the breakdown of fat, protein, and carbs, deducts calories for exercise... it's great. I had been keeping a notebook when I first started changing my eating habits, but I like the calorie tracking feature here. I admit it has helped me fudge a bit because I see that I have calories remaining and will eat a snack.

The nice thing is that it has really put a lot of things in perspective though. I had no idea, but I was eating a chicken and fruit salad at Bob Evans that I LOVED. Because it was fruit and chicken, I thought it was a good choice. It was over 1000 calories! I haven't eaten it since. Now, that doesn't mean I will never have it again, but I'm definitely not going to have that on the same day that I have another high calorie meal. If you are trying to start or maintain a healthier lifestyle, I think you will enjoy the siteI just have to lose what I've already lost about 2x and I will be at my ideal weight. I can do this.