Exhausted

Not going to lie, I am beat. I really should still go for a bike ride today but I am too tired to consider going up or down the hills in my neighborhood. I did some heavy lifting as I cleaned out our "Armageddon Room" (all the food storage and extras of everything go on there) in preparation for the heavy duty cleaning, bug spraying and painting to happen next week. Some weed pulling and a crazy workout (which you can see here) finished me off.
I really need a personal chef. I have no energy for cooking for myself anymore. Boo.

Four's

For Ms. Micquellyn:

4 Things on my Wish List

1. Success at my 5k in ONE WEEK
2. My Cruise to be here now
3. Having lost the last 60 lbs already
4. New clothes that fit

4 Shows I Watch

1. Biggest Loser
2. Flash Forward
3. The Amazing Race
4. Modern Family

4 Things I'm Passionate About

1. My weight loss and helping others with theirs
2. my hair
3. Kids
4. Music

4 Phrases I say a lot

1. Oh Man!
2. For Serious?
3. Pumpernickel!
4. Swiper no swiping

4 Things I've learned from the Past

1. You choose your reaction, not your consequences
2. Do it today, tomorrows stack up
3. It is easier if you just do what God wants you to do the first time
4. You can fake almost anything, except being yourself

4 Places I want to Go

1. Belize
2. Russia
3. Honduras
4. On a cruise

4 Things I did Yesterday

1. Went to work
2. Worked out
3. Got my hair cut
4. went to bed too late!

4 Things I'm looking Forward to

1. Losing the last 60 lbs
2. My Cruise
3. My 5k
4. sharing secrets

4 Things I love about Winter

1. Hot Chocolate
2. Watching the snow fall
3. The Holidays
4. COATS!

ATTENTION!

NEWS!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, first and most important...

I HIT THE 100 LB MARK! YIPPPEEEE!!!!!

*excuse me as I do a dance and jump up and down*

Ok, so in honor of that I have set up a photo shoot and will have some pretty awesome pictures to show off soon. I have also contracted with this photographer to do a series of photo shoots with me over the next year. Some at my races, at the gym, just all around in my life so that you guys can follow it. It is pretty amazing really.

Also, because of this, I am going to be part of a promo for my gym/trainer! Videos of me training will be up online showing progressions of Olympic lifts and such. As well as some printed posters and stuff. WOOHOO!!!

Also, in honor of this, I am going to be a featured guest blogger on "Or So She Says" sometime in the next few weeks. I share some pretty intimate details about my weight loss journey and my tips. Which will of course be linked back to my "Fit With a Side of Cheesecake" blog which is where you will be able to read all about my journey.

And my 5k is only 2 weeks away.

Is anyone else as excited about this as me? I don't think that they are.

Who Am I?

Sometimes I stop and look at myself and ask the question, "who am I?"

Not because I don't know who I am, I do. I just have done so many things lately that seem crazy to me or unlike me, but aren't unlike me. Does that make sense?

I have started this crossfit training. It is killer! I can hardly move sometimes! Today we did a bear crawl, Dumbbell Swing and Burpee circuit for 18 minutes after a pretty good warm up. Doesn't sound too bad but it is killer, believe me. After at 30 minute session of squats, I think I totalled out at 16 per 20 second interval and we had 20 intervals...so...It just seems crazy that I can do it. That I don't burn out and have to stop. I pushed through all of them and was ok. I enjoyed, not tolerated a protein shake to end it all. Seems so out of character!

I got a bike for Easter. Nice. I got all the bits and pieces to go with it too. The helmet, lock, blinking lights for night riding, water bottle and the carrying case that attaches to the back to haul grocceries in. Yeah, you read that right, grocceries. See, I am riding my bike to work and to the store and just about anywhere I can. Seriously?

We got solar powered fans to install to reduce our electric bill.

We got a compost turner to help with the greenhouse and the plants we also bought. Those of course match the indoor fruit trees that were purchased this week.

I went out shopping yesterday and tried on clothes only to find I had gone down another pants size and am loving how great the large shirts fit. I gave away no less than 20 shirt, sweaters and jackets this weekend that were too big. All except my one "before" shirt.

I also weighed in at another 5 pounds gone this week. That my friends takes me to two pounds until the 100 mark!

So you can see why I might be asking myself, "Who am I?" right?

Vindication!

As everyone knows I have been working really hard in the last year to improve my health and lifestyle. I have done all kinds of things from various diet changes, to all kinds of work outs. My success has included losing 90 lbs, lifting crazy amounts of weight and feeling lots more energetic.

I have also struggled a great deal. Going from no activity (or little) to very vigorous and regular activity is taxing. I push really hard. I have struggled a great deal lately.

I have been at a relative stand still in the last few months. I have lost a few pounds, gained a few pounds. Not moving much at all. It has been a very emotional time. I have struggled with a constant hunger. I eat my normal meals, well balanced and regular. I eat snacks regularly. And I have a gnawing hunger after an hour or so. It is frustrating to feel hunger all the time and very taxing emotionally when you are trying to limit your caloric intake and you are starving. I had more than a few very emotional days where I was in tears because I was so hungry and so afraid to eat as much as my body seemed to want for fear it would not only derail my progress but become my biggest fear, a binge. I talked it out with many friends at the gym from multiple trainers and people trained in the wellness industry. Many, if not all, have said that it may be in my head that I am so hungry. An emotional reaction to the changes. I wanted to agree, but it was not in my head that I was hungry which was even more emotionally frustrating for me. I just couldn't get anyone to understand.

So, after consulting with my trainers, dietitians and friends I ran some tests. I did an RMR. A Resting Metabolic Rate test. It shows how much your body burns each day by just sitting, how much you spend by doing everyday activities and then about how much you would burn with a 1/2 hr work out a day. The results were shocking.

At rest I burn 2319 calories a day. Everyday bits and pieces burns another 693 calories and with a moderate 1/2 workout I burn another 289 calories. So I burn about 3300 calories a day. The test results also say I have a very fast burning metabolism. So what does that mean for me? I was not exaggerating, I was starving myself. In order to maintain my current weight I would have to consume about 2500 calories a day and to be losing I should be consuming 1800. And I had been on a diet that allowed me 1300 a day! I was starving!

I share this not only to let some of the emotional stress about it go, but to share how important it is to regularly make sure you paying attention to what your body is telling you. Even if others try to tell you it is in your head or an emotional reaction, do what you feel you need to. It is worth it.

Today is the first day in a month I have not been hungry. The first day I have cried tears of relief instead of frustration. Today is the first day to being back on track and it feels so good.

One At A Time

Amazing little tidbit...I did a pull up today. Sounds little and dumb and insignificant, but I have never in my life been able to do a pull up. Never. So that I could pull with all my might and get one is amazing. I have been watching as I suddenly wonder why my "new" pants keep falling off, or why my favorite sweater doesn't fit so well in anymore. I am amazed. I am amazed that I feel so great. I am amazed that as of today, I have lost 88 pounds since last may. Only 12 more to meet the great 100 lb mark, which my goal. I want to have lost 100 lbs in a year. I am pretty sure I can do it. So, watch for before and after pics when that day comes and copious amounts of bragging.

Ramping Up

I start my really hard core training next week. I start meeting the trainer at 5am at the gym, yikes! Weight lifting three days a week and runs every day. I really start the protein shakes and rigid diet. While it is a little daunting at the moment, I am kind of excited. I seriously get to walk around and say, "I'm training for a marathon". Crazy!

While I am excited and ready to start training, there is a part of me that wants to go out of this week just ignoring it all. I want to eat all of my favorite things and not care about the calories. I want to eat chocolate cake, cookies, coconut fried shrimp, pizza, root beer and something dripping in a rich thick sauce. I know it will only make it harder, but there is that part of me that craves one last hurrah.

I started a crazy training regimen today, doing 83 (progressively smaller sets from 21 taking away 3 each set) of each of the following. Dumbbell Swings, 20lb weight swinging from a squatted position to chest height. Shoulder press, 2 ten pound weights doing a squat with a shoulder press at the end. Sumo Dead Lifts with a pull, as noted before these work the inner thighs and shoulders. Squat jumps, easy enough and push-ups. If you can make it through that easily, I admire you. It is not as easy as it sounds, I promise.

My new gym shoes make a huge difference though.

Endless Christmas

So my Christmas keeps coming and coming. I love it.

Today's gift was from my dear friend Liz. In an engraved case she gave me chopsticks engraved with my name (on the box and on the chopsticks themselves!)! I know it seems cheesy, but we have lunch once a week and one of the places we like to eat is a Chinese place. I complain about not getting chop sticks or the quality all the time. So, my dear friend gave me my own set and I love them!

I got this cute blanket from my kids, Livy, Kiki and Milo all helped make it, isn't it sweet? I love it, because it is from them.

Christmas keeps coming and coming. I am so blessed. Over and over again.

Sometimes It All Just Works

Sometimes things just work out for the best. I have seen it in my life a million times over. From breaking up with boyfriends, losing jobs, getting odd jobs and life changes. It always seems to work out.

After a lot of thought and discussion with my health care team (yeah, it sounds odd, but I seem to have collected a sizable little group of about 6 health care professionals) I have decided to go off my medication for a trial period. I am really nervous about it. I am afraid of the mood changes and the transition my body will be in, but I am also hopeful. This will gauge if my body has been responding to the hormones and if there are any natural hormones still functioning in my system. If there are, the chance that I might be able to conceive one day get greater. If in fact there aren't, then the discussions start about long term management. It is scary and good all at once. It will all work out for the best though. If I end up having the chance to adopt what a blessing it will be!

In the midst of all the emotional chaos that is mixed into my life I received a wonderful Christmas Gift. An hour long massage. Can you imagine? I only DREAM of stuff like that. So tonight after a long few days and an emotional week, I get to go meet with my trainer and use every bit of energy and grit I have in me at the gym, enjoy a quiet dinner at one of my favorite restaurants and then, the massage.

I am always amazed at how crazy and hectic my life can be and then in the same moment how the hand of the Lord is constantly swooping in to calm, bless and strengthen it.

12 Days of Christmas...at the Gym

I met with my trainer today and we did the 12 Days of Christmas work out. Let me just explain what that entails.

First, I ran a quarter of a mile, as warm up. Then I did 12 of each of the following:

Medicine Ball Toss: Stand 6-8 feet from a wall, hold the medicine ball (10 lbs) over your head and squat and while returning to standing position tossing the ball against the wall and catching it as you return to the squat.

Sumo Dead Lifts: The set up is your feet will be about shoulder length apart with your feet turned out at 45 degree angles. Your back and neck should be straight. Using an overhand grip with hands about 12 inches or so apart you are ready to start. Similar to normal dead lifts, the benefit is with a Sumo you work your inner thigh and ham stings. Your back stays straight as you bend your knees to prepare for the lift. We added a pull to the end where instead of just lifting to chest height, you pull the bar to the chin and the elbows go up and out. This adds difficulty and makes it a more complex work out. We used the 25 pound bar today.

On the Power Plate:

Squat Jumps: Standing on the Power Plate (which provides constant vibration which engages more muscles) you do a deep squat but instead of just standing you jump out of it, landing lightly on the balls of your feet.

Sit Pumps: Sitting on the edge of the Power Plate place hands beside you then lift yourself up and off the Power Plate and use your arms to lift your body weight.

After doing 12 of each of those, you then start at the beginning and do 11 of each, then with each rotation you go from sets of 12 to sets of only one. Finishing with running another .25 miles.

When all is said and done you will have done 78 of each of these.

My tips of the day, remember to breath and keep hydrated. They are the key to success.

What a great way to celebrate Christmas Eve, I think I have a new tradition.

A Day in the Life

I have been so busy in the last week or two that I haven't had time to update! Here is what I did today...

Off to work bright and early and enjoyed a morning of some interesting discussions with kids. Apparently Santa is bringing me shoes and diamonds and lots of money. Haha! I wish he was bringing that.

Today I apparently made plans to have lunch with two people...opps! I couldn't be in two places at once so I had lunch with Liz at 12:30 at Chili's and enjoyed our weekly session of venting and giggles. It was a blast, as always. Then at 2pm I met Logan at Patricia's. We chatted and enjoyed our monthly gab session. I am so lucky that he has such an amazing wife that let's him still hang out with me. Needless to say I was really full. I ate with Liz, nibbled a salad with Logan and brought it home to eat for dinner.

Then a run to the dollar store to pick up thank you cards for those who participated in the Angel Tree we did at work and a few bits and pieces for tomorrows Christmas festivities.

I ran home to change, feed the cats, check the mail, vacuum the house and mop the kitchen/dining rooms.

Off to a training session, where I got my butt kicked. I wonder why I do it sometimes, because I hate feeling like I am absolutely done and exhausted. My muscles don't work by the end and I push like crazy just to finish sometimes. I work hard and I always am glad I did it, but man does it hurt some days.

Then off to cover a shift for someone.

I came home to eat a wonderful dinner of cereal. I finished up the last of the Christmas projects for tomorrow and decided I had to update. Ah, a day in the life of me! I am grateful for the chance to have a few down days coming, not just for the joy of Christmas, but for the chance to just nap and not have to go and do anything!

Enjoy the last days before Christmas.

Real Love

Today I spent my afternoon making snowmen, doing yoga and singing Christmas songs. I got a million hugs today. I had three people tell me that I looked great, and found out that out of everyone in the gym, I lost the most weight out of everyone in six months. That includes all members and employees.

I tried on things that had been sitting in my closet for years, that haven't fit and was happy to find some that hadn't fit in 5 years fit and some that I just missed and now are too big all together.

Today I had two people ask me to spend the holidays with them.

I had dinner with my dear friend Tricia, got a message from Liz J., heard from a ton of my old school Prescott friends including my best friends from High School, Beverly, Jason and Alicia.

Today, I remembered what it is like to be really loved. Unconditionally, faults and all loved. That is what the season is about. It is about remembering what is important and why. It is feeling close the ones you love and knowing that no matter what, they love you back. Thank you my dear friends, for reminding me.

Turkey Run

I started my Thanksgiving off with a Turkey Run. I ran most of the three mile course I did (could do up to five, but I pushed too hard training last Saturday and my old fracture is giving me some pain) and it was wonderful. It was so beautiful this morning and it makes it hard not to be thankful for the amazing blessings in my life!

Blessing number 1, living in beautiful Utah. This was at the end of the run and I just struck me how lucky I was to be so blessed to be surrounded by such beautiful scenery all the time. I love seeing the mountains in the background of everything and I love crisp cool air in the mornings.

I am so blessed to be blessed with amazing friends who have become my family. Being so far from my own family I have been so blessed to have amazing people come into my life. In no particular order the ones I feel most grateful for this year are: Logan, Chantal, Melinda, Tricia, Kari and Peter. There are so many more but it is this small set who have truly been such blessings to me this year by being listening ears, shoulders to cry on, late night texts about Taylor Lautner or Hugh Jackman, temple buddies, encouraging messages or telling me that no matter what others say or act like, that I am a beautiful and sweet person.

I am grateful for the gym and my trainer. You have to bored of this by now but the changes in my life have been staggering and a whole new world has opened up to me because of it. 6 days a week I am at the gym working out and I love the person I have become because of that one little fact.

I am so blessed, to know of my worth. I can move mountains, soothe troubled souls, lend a shoulder when needed and I can build and strengthen those around me. How blessed I am!

I am most grateful for the love of my Heavenly Father who has taught me that as long as I do what I know to be right, things will work out. Every time. It may not be in a week, a month or even a year, but in the end it will.

Those are just a few of the things I am thankful for today. Now that that is out of the way, on the the last bit of Black Friday planning...

Before and After

Well, my friends this week has been crazy.

I would wake in the morning have oatmeal, toast, fruit and a glass of milk about 7:30 and by 10:30 I would be starving! I thought that there was something wrong with me. So I mentioned it to my trainer and he laughed at me! Apparently my metabolism has sped up (NICE!) so I have to eat more frequently. It is the hardest thing to get used to! Six meals a day sounds way more fun than it is.

Having spent hours at the gym each week (between 7-8) and changing my diet I have really done a lot. In fact this week I hit the 60 pound mark. Yeah, that is right friends, 60 pounds down! I can hardly believe it.

So I thought I would share a little before and after. I am shocked myself at the difference. I can hardly believe it. Down 2 cup sizes, a whole shoe size, am now wearing Large shirts in instead of XXL and am down 3 jeans sizes!

Here are some horrible before's. I can't believe it when I look at the pictures.

I cringe when I look at those pictures. What was I thinking? I have no idea. I am just so happy that I finally woke up and decided that it was time to just do something. So my friends, after months of hard work, a stress fracture in my tibia and lots of ill fitting clothes, this is how I looked as of Monday evening...

Now I know that I am not done and that I still have work to do...but wow. The change is surprising! I will always have a large chest, it is something I think I will always have to deal with until the day comes when I can justify a reduction, and believe me I am always looking for a way. But wow. I am working on getting some better shots of me but this is what I have. Still, considering where I was, this is awesome.

Remember

Crossfit will kill you...if you don't kill it.

That is my new motto. I am dripping in sweat my muscles are spent and I lose all ability to have balance. It hurts, for days.

And I love every hard, painful moment of it.

Breaking Point?

I feel the need to brag. I am not ashamed at all to brag my friends. Not in the least!

Yesterday I trained with Zach, my trainer. He rocks my world. All the time. So when he starts me on a work out I am ready to be worked to my breaking point, which I love. Apparently my breaking point is a little further than I thought it was.

I did in about 35-40 minutes yesterday, 150 push-ups, 150, sit-ups (from a seated position on the bench, not on the floor) and 150 lunges. Yeah, that is right, I did 150 of each and not only did I live to tell but after that went and ran a mile.

So, excuse me for bragging, but I think I have the right.

Success!

I have been working hard this year to better myself, one of those parts is my body. I have been training with my personal trainer since the end of May. So about 4 months. I can not tell you how much I recommend it! I love it. Even for those who are not in need of the massive weight loss, it takes you to a new place and way to work muscles you may not use so much. But, that is not the reason for this post. No, the reason is to brag.

We did a bit of a "check-up" this week. WOW!

35 pounds down, but I was so kindly reminded by my trainer that while that is 35 pounds on the scale, the pounds of muscles I have gained is significant. The inches speak for themselves. And the Bras that don't fit (more that don't than do!), the pants and skirts I can not wear because I have had them pulled off by kids or by standing up too quickly and losing a skirt in sacrament meeting, opps! Not to mention the "underwear" issues. All in all, I have more to give to DI than I have in my closets! Plus some shoes, because I have lost weight in my feet...seriously, I am bummed that the shoes don't fit!

I am proud of myself. I have worked hard and it shows! Once I have some clothes that fit decently I will take a picture to show off, but until then, just know that I am kicking some pretty serious butt. Mostly mine!

Coincidence?

So while chatting with some friends talking about nieces and nephews and the names, it was pointed out to me that I have a niece named Alice (my sister Jessica's daughter) and Caius (Robin's son)...and didn't I find it odd that there were both names from the Twilight series? I laughed, but let me just say, if I suddenly end up with a nephew named Jasper, Emmot (which I totally hope I don't, I like that name!) or Edward or I happen to get a niece named Bella, Esme or Renee, I will start to be curious.

In other news, I totally got the most rockin' compliment the other day. I was wearing these amazing black satin heels and since I have been working so hard at the gym and all, I have these killer legs that when I walk, especially in heels, my muscles really show. So I was wearing these heels and a grey pencil shirt and some guy told me that I had the hottest legs, that the muscles were totally doing it for me. Um, hello, I know! haha. Made my day. I am starting to see definition in the arms (always been my worst features) and that is awesome. I'm just enjoying the fruits of sweaty-hard labor.

My Crafty Girls

Kiki and Livy love nothing more than doing crafts. All kinds and the more variety the better. So I have pulled from my creative stores, which are full of fun things, to please these cute little girls(hair clips are on the agenda for next week).

While I can't take credit for this idea, Emily first showed off this idea and I adapted it for kids. We used some bright summer colored cloth napkins and made perfect kids sized aprons. These little budding crafters were in heaven!

Livy decided on yellow with a bright pink tulle fringe coming out from under the fold that made the napkin the right length. See, finished edges and some style! A creamy/pink ribbon to tie it up with and an added pink silk cord got added as well. Some buttons made the bottom in the shape of a pink flower and then we embroidered her initials in the corner and she had an apron perfect for all her future crafting adventures.

Kiki on the other hand went with fancy red satin napkin that was all the fancy and beautiful things that she could ever want! Her tie was a red satin ribbon with pearls in various sizes hot glued around the waist. While that may not be the most comfortable idea, she is willing to suffer for fashion! haha! An organza ribbon decorates the folded over portion of this perfectly beautiful apron fit for a four-year-old fashionista.

Kiki couldn't wait to model this for anyone who would look! She wanted to walk around to the neighbors house to share it. I love this cutie pie!

And mixed in with these two adorable little diva's is me. I have been working hard lately, lots of hours at all four jobs (why do I have four jobs? I have no idea. I wish I knew how I got them!) and at the gym. I made it back to my 15 minute mile, which isn't that fast or anything, but coming off my stress fracture in march is a big accomplishment. I am building leg muscles (which have always been my best muscles) and can easily do 100 pound presses and am almost up to five minute wall sits. I can do more sit ups than I think is possible and am surprised that I can push out a pretty decent number of push ups too. My hair gets curlier and curlier by the day, which while is kinda nice is also a pain, how do I deal with curly hair? Thanks to my dad for that delayed gift I suppose.

All in all my life is hectic, crazy, full and wonderful. Except for that dratted accounting class. Not cool. But I have pushed myself through the first 4 chapters in two weeks so I am almost half way through the class so that I can be done with it and just concentrate on my research. Much more fun anyway.

Have a great weekend and enjoy your family and friends.

Love It

The things I love:

* Rainy Days- I love the jolt of humidity (since we have so little) for just a day or two and then back to the blessed dryness.

* New challenges- I love when you first make a choice, decision or have a project given to you and you have to figure out how to get to your desired end result. I love that initial jumble of ideas and thoughts and making plans. I love making plans.

* E-books- I love them. I love having one at my fingertips at any moment without having to add the bulk of a sometimes un-needed book, since I only like to read long ones apparently. I love that I can whip out a favorite quickly and enjoy it.

* Un-expected Hugs- mostly from kids, because lets face it an unexpected hug from some random strange guy is not really as appealing as it is scary. But I love little arms that wrap around and the moments of happiness that come. There is nothing like it.

* Spoiling nieces and nephews- I freely admit I don't get to do it as much as I would like, since I don't have many close to me, but you just ask my sister Robin and she will tell you I have stuff for Caius every time I see him. In fact, I have a bag full of stuff for Caius and the new baby that is months away. It will be like Christmas morning the next time I see them. If I had more nieces and nephews around I would spoil them as much. I spoil the other kids in my life just as much.

* Personal Training with Zach- I wish you guys could spend one session with Zach. I wish you could see the things he has me do! I wish you could see what a change in my muscles has happened in the last few months with the guidance of Zach. He is big and scary looking but can't raise his voice to save his life! It is great to push to the point of dripping sweat and muscles giving out and him pushing just that much further and you realizing you just barely had it in you. And the next time, do almost twice as much as the time before, and smiling through the pain. Nothing better.

* New deodorant- Not something you think of, but I hate to buy I just complain to myself that if I didn't stink I wouldn't need it and what a load of pumpernickel it is to spend $7-$8 dollars on the stuff. So new means I don't have to buy it for a while and that makes me happy.

* Notes from Old Friends- there is nothing like notes from people you knew best when you weren't your best self, not always your worst, but not as refined as you like to think you are now. That they like you enough to keep in contact or recontact and have things to say makes me smile. Not to mention the little things about them you remember and the memories that we associate with them. Always the obscure, but fun nonetheless.

* Free Bagel Day- I love bagels, I do. I always have. I do not buy bagels. I do not need the temptation because I would make bagel pizzas, bagel bites, sandwiches and all sorts of other bagel concoctions with them around. So I look forward to the once a month free bagel day at work. I get to indulge in one of my favorite things (and I do love cream cheese too...all kinds!) for free without having to fight the urge to have buy them I just think to myself, "its almost free bagel day!"

* Freshly colored hair- it doesn't matter the color, the method, it just matters that for at least a week I can look in the mirror and not see grey.

* Fall- it is almost here. I already have the decorations ready to put up, the apple cider ordered, planning thanksgiving dinner, Halloween parties, corn mazes and a bon-fire or two. I am pouring over new sweater purchases and allowing myself the chance to glance at the new coat selections. I am excited to try a couple of new soup recipes I have found this summer in the most yummy bread bowls. There is nothing better.

* Lunch with my friends/family- my friends are my family. Since I have a lack of family around, my best friends are family. I am so lucky to get to share lunch with my dear friend Liz regularly and of course Logan. It makes me pretty happy to know that a chance to spend some great quality time with them for an hour or so comes so regularly. I get to enjoy lunch with Logan today and Liz on Friday (maybe Thursday). I am pretty stinkin' blessed.