Orange Laces to White Pants Update

I need to ease my way into losing weight.  I figured I'd start by eating less of my favorite meals. Eventually I would add exercise. On Feb. 24 the shortage of my food intake began and I decided to start a photo journal of my meals. I started at 214 lbs. I didn't plan to get back on the scale until April 1. Around March 22, I noticed a difference in my clothes, I decided to check the scale. I had lost 6 freakin pounds. What!! All by eating less. I was supped the fuck up. I could do it. Then this thing called life happened. The beginning of April my allergies began to kick my ass. Then Aunt Flo came for her monthly visit. Bringing with her, hair pulling cramps. To top things off my beloved Kitty passed away. I gave two fucks about eating less. I was pissed, sad, depressed all at the same damn time. This lasted for less than two weeks. I figured I definitely must have gained back at least 2 pounds and to my surprise I was wrong. I had lost another pound. Brining my total weight loss to 7 lbs.  This was a gift. I should have appreciated that I ate whatever I wanted and still lost a pound. I didn't. I overdosed on food and gained back 4 lbs. Fuck it, what's done is done. Starting Sunday April 27, I plan on returning to what I was doing and walking 2 miles per day. I also walk my dogs 3-5 times a day, depending on energy and weather. The walks last amount 5-10 minutes. That shit counts as exercise. 

On a brighter note on April 15, I had my annual GYN visit. For the past 8 years I've had the same doctor and I love her. She actually takes the time to talk to you. She is so personable, fun and kind. She commented 3 different times on how much weight I lost and how great I looked. My last visit was in August 2013, so I asked what my weight was back then, It was 233 and on today's visit it was 213 (that was with clothes on). WTF!!! That is a 20 pound weight lost. Hell fucking yeah. That is something to celebrate. I didn't even realize how far I've come. Slow and steady is working for me. I look forward to my next weigh in on May 27. 

 

My Chess Record 3-19

Finally after eating loss after loss, I was able to take his King. I couldn't believe it. What made it more exciting was that I won by cornering him with my King and Queen. Tag Team baby. I got high from the win and want more. The next day I was able to feed my hunger with another win.

My second win came by the Queen. I guess the King never heard to not fuck with the Queen. Bow Down. Ha. I'm talking mad shit and I've lost atleast 19 games. I won another game today. My chess game record is 3-19. 

We play 2 to 3 games almost every night for the past week. I've noticed my mind getting sharper and my concentration getting stronger. I'm starting to see where I may have fucked up and where I should start positioning my peoples. Even though I may have only won 3 games, every win feels fantastic. I don't think about the loses. I'm having fun and love that my brain is being exercised.  

My First Visit to "Three Lakes Park"

 The weather this past weekend was too wonderful to stay in doors. So we left the comfort of our aired conditioned home to visit Three Parks Lake which has a Nature Center and Aquarium. I can now cross it off the list of parks to visit. As usual I was not expecting much, but I was surprisingly wrong.  The Nature Center is small but they use every available space, including the ceiling. Therefore you get more out of your visit. It was educational, clean, pretty and had great trails. I felt like I was much further away than the few miles from my home.

This is the pier overlooking the indoor aquarium and one of the lakes. The Nature Center has a rustic look. They have a chart with pictures and names of the turtles that were in the lake. Had fun trying to decipher the turtles we saw. 

This is part of the aquarium that is outdoors. The sun was shining bright and the color it created on the lake was a thing of beauty. No filter. It reminded me of watercolor paintings.  

Only the turtles on the top right are alive. The rest are stuffed, a picture and a replica. I thought they looked cool. 

Disgusting but intriguing. I love history and seeing anything from the past excites me.

They have many inside wall aquariums that hold turtles, snakes and fish. I like that they continued the rustic look from outside and created a fake rock wall around the aquariums. 

I'm a city chick from the concrete jungle. I hate sweating, bugs, mosquitoes, flys, bees and because of that I will never be an outdoor person. However I do love trees, flowers, lakes, oceans and parks. In order to enjoy these works of nature I must deal with the possibility of being uncomfortable for a short period of time. Which usually doesn't happen. I look forward to returning with our doggies and walking the other trails. To quote one the greatest lyricist, Ice Cube "today was a good day."

The Simpsons Chess Set

Found this adorable Chess Set at Goodwill for $5.25. Score. Cha-Ching. I couldn't wait to get it home and clean off any kid cooties it may be holding. The set came in a big tin box. Homer is on the cover with his crown. 

The back of the tin is a replica of the chess board. I love that the squares are yellow and blue and a picture of all the characters is imprinted on it. 

The pieces are colorful, large and heavy. Homer is the King. Marge is the Queen. Bart is the Bishop. Krusty the Clown is the Knight. Lisa is the Castle. Maggie is the Pawn. 

The King can move only one square at a time in any direction. The King is the target and must be protected.

The Queen can move any amount of squares diagonally and in a straight line. This gives her an advantage on the defensive side. The Queen is the King's ride or die chick.

The Bishop can only move diagonally for any amount of squares.  

The Knight moves two squares in a straight line plus one square to either left or right. The Knight is the only piece which can jump over it's own or the enemy's pieces which may be in the way. 

The Castle can move in a straight line in either direction left or right, backwards or forwards for any amount of squares.

The Pawn can only move forward one move with the exception of it's first move, which can be two squares. 

I've had a few chess lessons and lost each match. I also downloaded a chess game and lost each match. It's all good, I know it's part of the learning process. I'm definetly going to enjoy this chess set. It's colorful, playful and has one of the most iconic families on TV, The Simpsons. As a huge cartoon fan, I'm very happy I bought it home. 

Cheap, Ugly Chess Set

I bought this chess set for $7 because it was 3 games for the price of 1. Also it was the only chess set at Target. As soon as I opened it, I regreted my purchase. The board was filmsy and don't breathe near the pieces, it felt like they would blow away. However it served it's purpose. My hubby explained the role of each piece. We played two games over two days and I lost both. Didn't look forward to continuing my lessons on this cheap ass chess board so i ventured out to Goodwill to see what I could find. See my next post to see the gem I found. 

Our Kitty Cat Trudy Rudy

The past week was filled with allergies and cramps. I felt and looked like shit. Then to top things off, the unthinkable happened and our beloved kitty cat Trudy inexplicably passed away. She was about 16 years old and we had her 9 years, 3 months. It was my first time losing a pet. Didn't expect it to hurt as much as it did. I cried a thousand tears. She was our baby. She was spoiled rotten and loved. I didn't feel like doing anything, let alone learning how to play chess. It has been a few days and while I'm still very much sad, I'm feeling better. Enough to have my first chess lesson. Off I go to keep my mind occupied. 

My First Visit to "Which Wich?"

I hate trying a new restaurant and the food is blah. I need to be wowed for a return visit. Even though we've had more misses than hits that has not deterred us from trying new places to eat every few weeks. This past week we tried the sandwich shop "Which Wich?". The ordering system is unique. You pick a paper bag according to the sandwich you want and a sharpie. After marking off your custom sandwich, you hand over your paper bag to the cashier. Not sure on how I feel about the ordering system. I ordered a chicken parmigian. I was not expecting much then boom, it was fresh and delicious. The place was clean and the staff was friendly. The best part was the artwork left by customers on the paper bags. They hang them by clothes pin at the end of the ordering station. They were whimsical, clever, cute and scary. Loved it. We enjoyed it enough that we returned two days later. I plan on returning as they make milkshakes and I love milkshakes. Glad that after months of procrastinating we finally placed a visit. 

This was a combination of mine and my hubby's drawings. I didn't leave it, felt it was not good enough to hang with the others. But it's good enough for my scrapbook. 

April's Challenge: Chess

 My April Challenge is to learn how to play chess. (yes I changed the name, lively experience never felt right). My hubby is going to be my teacher. Since I don't own a chess set I will buying one on Friday. Until then I will read up on how to play chess.