Day 39 - The good, the bad, and the ugly

Well, we did it! My sister's team won their substate championship game and will be going to state this week. Congrats!!! Wish us luck! So in honor of this achievement, I'm giving my good, bad, and ugly list.

The Good - In my sister's final season as head basketball coach, her girl's won their substate championship game. This accomplishment made her the first girl's basketball coach in our school's history to go to state four times, as well as four consecutive years! Congrats!!!!

The Bad - I didn't eat dinner last night, so I had peanut M&Ms. That's not too bad, right? I mean, peanuts are healthy.

The Ugly - Last year, we lost in the first round of state with our best group of girls. Sadly, two girls (both starters and scorers) as well as the assistant coach came down with the stomach flu. This year, all of the girls are healthy (so far), but my sister has come down with the flu and is losing her voice. Seriously, we can't catch a break!

Please keep my sister, her team, and our family in your prayers. May we all stay (or get) healthy, travel safely (some departing Tuesday and others Wednesday), and may the girls play to the best of their ability (or better). ;)

Have a good one!

Day 38 - Basketball anyone?

Well, tonight is the night. Tonight, my sister's team is playing in the Substate Championship! It's exciting but sad at the same time as she is set to retire at then end of the season. I'm feeling the way I did when she was a senior in high school. Aw...it's her last team breakfast before the substate championship. Aw...it's her last Substate Championship. Well, you get the point.

I'm excited to say, that while the highlight video I am working on is not quite done, it is the furthest along I've been in all of the years that I have done them for her team. You know though that it is time to retire when you realize that you use the same song every year (without imput from the girls). Now, my sister says that it's fine because it's like a tradition. But seriously, the creative well has dried up, the ink pen has run dry, the computer has shut down, the chocolate has melted. Ok, so the chocolate reference really didn't work, but what can I say...I'm hungry! Well, I better get going on my day!

Good luck tonight sis!!!! (By the way, it is the last time you will ride a school bus. "tears" I could go on and on).

Day 37 - TGIF

First off, let me congratulate my sister and cousin on a great game yesterday! They will be playing in the Substate Championship game on Saturday in the hopes of making their fourth consecutive trip to state. Good luck!!!

As for me, all I can say is TGIF!!! As most of you know, due to my quest for Olympic gold in weight loss, I have have been sacrificing sleep these past couple of weeks. I know what you are thinking...Man, that is dedication to workout that much! I know,right. I haven't watched that many consecutive hours of TV since I was a kid! Hey, at least I pedaled my way through the events. It was kind of like workout music. The faster tempo the sport, the faster I pedaled. Seriously, the Wii needs to develop a bike riding game with feet pedals. I would be all over that!

However, now that the Olympics are over, I need to catch up on some much needed sleep. So, tonight I plan on sleeping like a baby. Big plans for a Friday night, I know. I'm sure all of you parents of small children are jealous! To be honest though, I would love to be in your shoes. Have a good one!

From your sleeping beauty (who isn't sleeping yet, doesn't really look beautiful because I forgot to put on makeup and is having a bad hair day which equals ponytail...oh well, you get the point...well, in case you didn't, I look gorgeous!)...Amy

Day 36 - A discovery

I'm sure that in the past I have mentioned that I have been blessed and cursed. Blessed because I'm proportionate so I don't look as heavy as I am, and I carry my weight well (if that is possible). However, I'm also cursed because I can't tell when I'm losing weight. I know the scale has shown a nine pound drop (Yay me), but to look at me you couldn't tell.

I was so excited to look in the mirror this morning to see if I could see any changes. As I looked in the mirror, I thought to myself "lookin' good". It was after this observation that I made my fatal flaw. Yep, I turned sideways. This viewpoint has always been the bane of my existence. In my case, I'm thinking I'm definitely seeing the weight loss, and then I turn to the side and realize it's just hiding. It was there all along (darn big butt).


So I have decided that all mirrors should be like car mirrors. They should have a disclaimer that says "Objects in mirror are thinner than they appear". Seriously, wouldn't that just make your day? Then it wouldn't matter that the fit of my clothes haven't changed, or that I look the same as before I lost the nine pounds. I can believe the mirror! I mean the words would be right there. I'll be rich I tell you...RICH!!!

Day 35 - A recap of yesterday

I know you are all dying for a recap of yesterday's American Idol (the weight loss edition). I'll admit I was nervous about my performance yesterday. It was not my worst showing, but it was not my best either. I started the day with cereal and milk. For lunch, I had grilled chicken, a small baked potato, and applesauce. Then for dinner, I had two soft tacos from Taco Bell (the Fresco kind off their "Drive Thru Diet" menu). Needless to say the judges reactions were mixed.

Randy just didn't get it. He missed the kind of "artist" I was in weeks past (I think the Taco Bell dinner threw him for a loop). Ellen liked me! She thought I had great presence (someone has been reading the blog). Kara said that I was a million times better than last week. (She is so hard to please). Finally, to Simon...the judge we love to hate, but let's face it, we almost always agree with him. When he heard what I was going to do (eat a Taco Bell dinner and get on the scale the next day), he was sure it would be a disaster. However, he was pleasantly surprised (He heard I rode the bike for an hour after dinner). He thinks that this is the type of "artist" I should be. Someone that takes risks but doesn't change what works.

So based on the judges comments, I wasn't too worried about today's results. When Ryan called me to take my place at center stage, I took a deep breath and looked at my competition. My competition appeared so small and personally I thought he was a little flat. I knew I would have no trouble besting him. So, I stepped right on him (yep, I'm talking about my scale) and awaited the results. Amazingly, we did not cut to a commercial break, but got right on with the figures. I was safe! I lost two pounds!!!! I'm so excited! I have now lost 9 pounds total, and my next goal is to reach 179 by April. Wish me luck!

From someone who is safe to weigh another day...Amy

Post 34 - A new muse?

Oh no! I've lost my muse!!! Without the Olympics, I don't know what may become of me. I'm going to need to find new inspiration, and I'm not sure that I'm up to the task. I mean, if I'm not striving for something shiny, why do I exist? (Deep, right?) Where is Dancing With The Stars when you need it? Let's face it, that shiny ball trophy is more shiny than any Olympic medal. Oh well!

Maybe I need to use American Idol to draw inspiration from (again with the deep thinking...it kinda hurts). Seriously, don't we all have a little Simon Cowell in our head. You step on the scale and hear his voice..."It just isn't good enough", you try on a new outfit..."hideous", or my favorite, you have a cheat day and hear him say..."I think that performance was a little indulgent" (and if there is chocolate involved I would agree).

So as tomorrow (weigh in day) approaches, I can already hear Simon..."It wasn't amazing. I mean, I didn't stop and go WOW! It was just good." I'm hoping my just good is good enough to shed a little bit more weight, and maybe I can be the next American Idol! (And I promise if I succeed I won't sing...that will be my gift to you, the fans).

From your favorite "dawg"...Amy

P.S. I need a name for my fans. Adam Lambert had the Glamberts, so maybe I can have the Famys (Fame + Amy...get it) or the Weightys. I always knew there was a reason I wasn't on Idol...besides the singing (I would make Idols "worst" reel) and the playing of the instruments (does a recorder that I played in third grade count)...I don't have a cool name that can be linked with a saying or word. My short lived career may already be over!!!!

Day 33 - The most wonderful time of the year

March...what a wonderful time of year. Is it because the weather should be warming up? Is it because you could be pinched on St. Patrick's Day (preferably by a cute, single man)? Nope! March is the best time of year (after Christmas) because March Madness begins. Somebody get me a bracket!!!

High school substate basketball begins this week, and the moment is bitter sweet. My sister will be retiring as head basketball coach after eight years of coaching. I'm so proud of all of her accomplishments. It is also my cousin's final season playing for my sister. She has been a joy to watch. Best of luck to both of you this week!!!