Ran-dumb

I got... (wait for it)... 9 glorious hours of sleep last night. That's 9, nine, N-I-N-E! Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine!

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We're thinking about renting The Island tonight. I've heard good things about it, but even if it sucks fat nuts there will still be lots of Scarlett deliciousness involved. Oh, and I think there's a guy in it, too. Watching it will not be time wasted if you ask me.

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I have a question for y'all: how do you manage your stress? What do you do for you? How often do you set yourself some me time? Here I am, living in Louisiana. My husband works long hours, 6 days a week. I have no friends here. None. 90% of the time it's just me & E. That's all fine and dandy, but it gets to be a little stressful and a little lonely. Not really having anyone to talk to, except for you, my only friend, the Internet. (And maybe E!, but watching that for too long makes me think dark thoughts that we won't talk about here. That's another post entirely.)

Anyway, I'm going back to work in a few months and I'll actually have a life again, so things will work themselves out. But for now, at the end of the day, my shoulders are tight. I tend to clench my jaw. I sigh a loooooot. Sometimes my heart will pound rapidly, like when all I want to do is pee for the love of Christ and this baby won't let go of my ankles help me pleeeeeeeeeeeease!

I know that sounds a bit dramatic, but when THIS IS YOUR LIFE day after day after day, it can be stressful is all I'm saying. And I need desperately to find a way to manage that stress. I used to unwind by smoking pot. Then I started drinking every night. I don't do either or those things anymore, and clearly I need to find a way to unwind that does not involve the use of mind-altering substances. At least until I'm finished breastfeeding. (Kidding, mom.)

So, what do you guys do? Maybe some of you are shaking your heads and saying to yourselves, damn, I don't have a way to unwind either. I hope not, but we are one stressed out, high-strung country and it just shouldn't be that way. I need suggestions. Knitting? Meditation? Taking a deep breath and counting to 10,000? Punching strangers in the face? Pouring salt on slugs? What works for you?

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I forgot to mention that yesterday was the start of week 2 of project:tighten-that-ass. I'm feeling great and while my clothes are fitting more loosely, I'm anxious and ready to see some real results. It takes time and persistence, I know. I will keep on trucking. (I can do regular push-ups for the first time ever, and that is awesome. That is progress! Also, I can do bicep curls with 15-pound dumbbells now. WHOOt!)

Yesterday Grubage

South Beach wrap
black coffee with Splenda

1 pear
1 string cheese
coffee with Splenda and 1/4 c. 1% milk

Egg Salad wrap (made with 1 whole egg, 2 whites)

1 rice cake with 2 T. peanut butter

1 serving Basque Chicken
1 c. brown rice

diet rootbeer
1/2 a bag of light kettle corn (Orville's Smart Pop, it's freaking delish)

Total cals: 1,500

Workout: Active rest day