Look Ma, No Rules!

Part of Intuitive Eating, which I've been doing for a little over a year now, is getting rid of all the "rules" and "shoulds" regarding food and exercise. So, when I recently started P90X, a new workout that comes with a meal plan, part of me was worried about falling back into old patterns of trying to do it "right" and punishing myself if I didn't, or being too strict.

But I haven't fallen back into the old patterns. I'm not trying to do it "right." I'm not following the meal plan. I'm just doing it my way (cue Sinatra music?).

Saturday I "should" have done the lower body workout. But I didn't. I was tired, and I took my dog for a walk. And that was it.
Yesterday, Sunday, "should" have been my rest day. But it was beautiful out, so we hitched the bike trailer to Hubby's bike, put the kids in, and rode 10 miles to a really great playground. After chasing the kids around for about 45 minutes, we rode home. Then I took the dog to the dog park. It was a great day! OK, so my butt is still a bit sore, it was totally worth it!

Today I'll do P90X chest and back. And it'll be fun. Tomorrow, Pilates. Wednesday? I don't know. We'll see what I feel like doing. And if I eat good, fresh, healthy food, it's because I WANT to, not because someone else is telling me what to eat.

So there.

I think I've finally begun to quiet the NNSSC's.
(In case you don't know, those are the Nosy Nattering Semi-Subliminal Chipmunks. It's what I call the judgmental voices in my head. The ones that say things like "Do you REALLY need that whipped cream on your mocha?" or "Maybe you should buy some more Spanx.")

It's Like Hitchcock, Only Cuter

The birds are my friends.

We have a bunch of ducks, geese, and other water (and air) fowl outside the house. I've been known to sometimes (cough every day cough) feed them. The other day I took the dog over to a big grassy patch and took her leash off. Two ducks came waddling out towards me, as we'd disturbed their nap (I didn't see them before I let the dog off leash). I apologized to them, and offered to bring them some bread. The thing was, they both looked right at me and cocked their heads. I thought, "Huh. That's weird." and proceeded to clean up after the dog. But before we left, I had to see if it was a fluke. So I went over to the ducks again and offered them some bread. And they looked right at me and cocked their heads. Again.

So, what could I do? I brought the pup back to the house, got some bread, and went back out to feed the ducks.

The cute thing is, there's one goose who will now take the food right out of my hand. And he's pretty dainty, too. (The last thing I want is to get bitten by a goose, believe you me!). And, sometimes, when I walk out to the mailbox, the birds will follow me, to see if I have any goodies for them.

Oh, what have I wrought?

But they're so cute!

I'm thinking of buying some birdseed, which is probably better for them.

And, on an entirely different subject, I will begin teaching my very own Pilates Reformer class next Friday!!!!! And I have a line on 3 other classes!
(The other day I taught a gentle/senior mat class. Those guys wore me out!!!!!)

OK, enough babble. Have a great weekend!

Part II

I just went on to the PBS website, and there's an interview with Andrew Davies, talking about his "new" ending of the story. Apparently, E.M. Forster had written a post-script to the book, 50 years after it was published, in which George goes back to Florence and remembers all the things that happened. But Davies thinks that the book is more Lucy's story than George's, so he made her a widow who visits Florence, and meets up again with the driver who took them around ten years earlier. There's a moment at the end, when you think she and the driver might get together, which is good, 'cause I hate to think of them both being alone. But it would have been better if GEORGE HADN'T DIED IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!!!

OK. Done. I just need to get over it.

I Don't remember That!!!!!

OK, so, in the 80's I watched "A Room With A View" on a flight to England. Then I bought the book and read it. I was all of, I think, 16, and pretty much enamored of most things English. Except Margaret Thatcher. And the food.

So, last night, I decided to check out Masterpiece Theater's new version of "ARWAV." OK, Now it's called "Masterpiece," and it's hosted by Gillian Anderson instead of Allistair Cook (who, unfortunately, passed away), in front of this bizarre, REALLY red background that makes her red hair look, well, even redder.
But I digress.

O.M.G!!!!!! I DO NOT remember George Emerson, our hero, DYING IN WWI, after only 10 years with Lucy!!!!!!! Did that happen in the book? Am I crazy?!?!?! Did anyone else here read the book? Do I have to go to the library and get it? I MUST KNOW!!!!!!

The screenplay was written by Andrew Davies, who is great. (He wrote the screenplay for the 90's "Pride & Prejudice, the one with Colin Firth.) But this freaked me out! Especially as the scenes blur from the two of them in bed together to him lying dead on a field, eyes glazed over. I think my heart literally stopped for a few seconds.

I know, it's fiction. It's only a TV show. But, see, THIS is why I read romance novels and chick-lit! I'm at a point in my life where I NEED happy endings! God knows I'm neurotic enough in my everyday life! I used to read a lot of "serious" fiction. But I just cannot take it anymore! I don't want to read about 13 year-old girls being raped and murdered. And it seems like that's a big theme in all these critically lauded, award-nominated books lately.

OK, rant over. I'm going to go workout, and take out my sorrow and frustration on that.

I Found Balance! For a few seconds, anyway. Oh, and Zombies.

WARNING: It's Friday, and much of the text written below is random and rambling. Proceed with caution.


Last night my angelic sister-in-law volunteered to watch the kids so I could go to yoga while Hubby was at school. She also cleaned the house. AND, she's coming over AGAIN today to watch the kids so Hubby can come with me to our daughter's IEP (Individualized Education Plan meeting. It's something schools do for every child with special needs). They're trying to cut way down on the in-home therapy, so having him there will be a huge help. Does she rock, or what?

Anywho, I went to this yoga class that I LOVE. We start with a meditation and relaxation, and our instructor answered some questions. Then he led us through a very rigorous vinyasa series, followed by some partner work. Eventually we made our way into Crane, which I had been basically powering through by gritting my teeth, relying on arm strength, and falling over after 3 seconds.
But last night, I FINALLY GOT IT! After falling about six times, I found my balance in the pose! He was telling us that it's more about balance than strength, and I finally got it!

Until I lost said balance and fell over again.

But that's ok! I found that place, and I know how to get there again!

So, I was feeling pretty darn good, and calm. Then I got home, climbed into bed (after getting the child who wasn't already sleeping to do so) and started watching a movie on TV. I didn't know what it was at first, until a little girl came into a sleeping couple's room and proceeded to bite the husband on the neck, causing him to turn into a flesh-eating zombie.
Yes, it was the re-make of "Dawn of the Dead." Now, I am a HUGE wuss (had nightmares for months after watching "The Ring"), and had to turn the TV off.
But it got me thinking.
See, I don't think zombies would necessarily eat living people. I think maybe they'd actually be, well, kinda nice. There was an episode of "The X-Files" that dealt with zombies, and Mulder said they would probably do the things they enjoyed doing while they were alive, like dance, and drink wine and stuff.
And then there's the scene in "Corpse Bride" when the living come back to Earth and reunite with their loved ones. (I love that movie!)
SO, what do you think? Are zombies mindless, flesh-chewing monsters, or are they folks who simply miss kickin' it with the fam? Or are they something in between, like in Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series?
Just curious.

I Can't Do It Anymore!

Over the past few years, I've been pondering whether or not I should ever return to acting. I mean, never say never, right?
The thing is, after I left, I didn't miss it. And I still don't. For the most part. Sometimes I miss the actual performing part, but I don't miss all the stuff that goes along with it. (Auditions with jerky producers who try to belittle you, the egos and insecurities of the other actors, directors who want you to play the role the way THEY would play it, etc.)
The other day I was watching a show about models in the U.K (I know, I need a hobby) and the models were sent to an acting class. I ended up turning the TV off, because I got so anxious watching it! It was the same feeling I always had in acting classes and in the beginning of a rehearsal process. It wasn't until I quit that I realized how much of a toll it was taking on me. (Especially living in L.A. and trying not to be Anorexic,lol!)
Anyway, I was talking about this today, and it's been on my mind. I just don't think I want to go back to acting. At least not in the near future. Plus, my kids are young, and they need me. There's also the fact that I find it hard to stay awake after 9 PM. Most directors like their actors to be AWAKE on stage. Go figure.
So, onward and upward. Take care, everyone, and have a good night!