So That Happened

The Master Cleanse: A Follow-Up

A few days ago I put an APB out on the Master Cleanse and you were all so great in leaving comments - thanks!  I wanted to let you know that I decided to not do the MC as it seemed very drastic.  Not only that, this has a pretty stressful month for me and taking on something like this would not do my psyche or body any favors.  I'll stick to what I've been doing for several months, which is a lot of portion control (including weighing most of my food into eight-ounce servings).  It's worked very well for me so far.

In case you were wondering, my co-worker finished the MC and lost ten pounds.  Her fiance, on the other hand, lost nineteen pounds.  NINETEEN.  In TEN DAYS.  She said he said he feels fine but...I don't know.  That seems like an awful lot of weight to lose in less than two weeks - to me, at least.  

The Master Cleanse: Any Thoughts?

I've been watching my co-worker like a hawk with great curiousity for the past week as she has been on the Master Cleanse.  In case you don't know anything about it, it's essentially a 10-day (or longer) fast in which you only drink a specific blend of water, lemons, cayenne pepper and maple syrup (click here for more details including the recipe). 

I have been thinking about doing it for some time because it seems like a nice way to "reset" your systems.  I know many people who have done it and absolutely rave about it (read Carla's take on it if you would like), so I wanted to cast a wider net and get more input from the interwebs.  Have you done it?  Did you like it?  Did you miss things like chewing?  Would you do it again?  Help a girl out and leave your thoughts - thank you!

A Brief LASIK Update

1. I CAN SEE!

2. Some of the pre-surgery steps as well as part of the actual surgery freaked me right the F out.

Details to come - right now I have to put drops in my eyes.

Zappin' It to Ya...

Shout out to those who know where the title comes from!  Don't know?  Answer will be at the end of this post.

After years of consideration, I am finally doing the deed: I am getting LASIK today.  Huzzah!  I am one of those pathetically nearsighted people who lives in their contact lenses; I break out my eyeglasses only when it's not sunny out or if I'm at home puttering around.  When I told my friends of my upcoming procedure more than one person told me that they didn't even realize I wore lenses, to which I said if only I was one of those lucky souls born with perfect vision!  You lucky, lucky bastards.  Seriously.

I thought of getting LASIK a few years ago but didn't because of the cost.  I'm really glad I waited until now because technology has greatly advanced the procedure plus the location where I am getting it done is top-notch.  Oh, yeah - I can afford it now, too.  That always helps.  

I haven't had to do much prep for today except buy my prescription eye drops (expensive!) and wear my glasses for at least three days beforehand.  Let me tell you that wearing them 24/7 hasn't been fun: I hate being outside or driving without sunglasses on when it is bright out and this week I've been a total Squinty McSquinterson.  Ugh.  Mama wants to wear her big sunglasses during the summer, y'all!

Think good thoughts for me today, won't you?  Thank you!  I can't wait until the next time I post because then I will be able to see clearly!

Questions for the room: have you gotten LASIK?  What did you think?  How was your recovery?  Any advice for the newbie?

(Answer: the title is from "Electric Youth" by the one and only Debbie Gibson!  Ever since the George Michael concert I've been on a total Songs of My Youth kick.  Awesome.)

On Beauty

If you have a daughter, niece, or little sister, I implore you to read Faith's missive.  It's really kind of perfect. 

Christmas List Addendum

Dear Santa,

Please give me the hearing in my right ear back for Christmas. I miss it very much. I would also like to ask you to punch my ear infection in the face.

You know, if you have any free time.

Thanks,
Catherine

Ugh.

Worst earache ever. Cannot think straight. Blech.

Sniffle.

I have a cold.  Gah.  I hate being sick.  All I want to do today is stay in bed and alternate between napping, knitting, eating soup and watching TV but I can't.  And now I'm up early and there's nothing on except the news (which I watch religiously already) and The Village by that hack Shyamalan.  Not like I was going to see it in the theaters or anything, but thank God someone already told me the movie's big twist. 

Yeah, yeah - whine whine whine.

Better Living Through TV

Here's the thing about me: I am kind of crazy about infomercials.  I love watching them (is there better mindless TV in the middle of the night when you can't sleep?), and I love ordering from them even more.  No, I don't have the Ronco Rotisserie Oven or Pasta Maker or Pocket Fisherman.  HOWEVER, I do have the Magic Bullet, which works if you're blending, like, two tablespoons of food at a time, and no, I haven't used it to blend dozens of margaritas for friends with each person getting a color-coded cup thing, YET.  I ordered this product years ago before Jessica or Vanessa or Diddy started pitching for it, but I had to return it as it totally stripped my face of everything good and holy and pure.  I even started using this product based on the infomercial, but I bought it in the store instead of ordering it online, and I have been using it regularly ever since, just so you know.

As much as I am a fan of the gadget, what I am apparently a bigger fan of are exercise programs.  I collect them the way I collect cookbooks in that I hoard them all and use them maybe once or twice.  Over the years I have kickboxed and worked my core group, both times on VHS, mind you.  I was even given the pilates set again last year but on DVD.  You'd think I'd be in Super Awesome Shape with the programs I have on hand, but no, not so much, only because I don't use them as much as I should.

But now, my friends, I think I have found the road to fitness, and it is paved with these: Hip Hop Abs.  OH YEAH.  I saw the infomercial a few weeks ago and was sold: hip hop dancing combined with moves to work my abs without having to do crunches?!  I'M IN! 

I broke down and finally ordered the DVDs this weekend.  I'll let you know how it goes.  No, there won't be any 'Before' photos of me looking tragic with bad posture and no makeup and under bad lighting and in a too-tight outfit.  You will just have to take my word that I have, indeed, awesome-looking Hip Hop Abs.

So there.

My Trash Can (And Nose) Runneth Over

Six days.

Two boxes of Kleenex.

One cold.

Man, I hate being sick.