Hug the ones you love

This morning I had an entirely different plan for a post.  Then I read Caitlin’s post about her neighbor and everything changed. First and foremost the response of the blogging community and the community in general who are helping  Tonya and her family is amazing. I, too, plan to donate in the future.

I took a few extra moments to look at Darth Husband across the dinner table tonight and think about how valuable even simple moments like this truly are.  This past year in the CSYA household has had some hard moments – the year mark of the passing of The BFFs mom as well as the sudden passing of my FiL. You never know what can happen in a split second that can alter your life. I cannot even imagine a spouse/partner being the person in that situation.

Their entire family will be in my prayers and I will be sending good energy into the universe for them as well.

To make a direct donation (though you really should read Caitlin’s post – be warned if you too are a crier) http://www.gofundme.com/TonyaTransformed

Lazy box meal

I lovingly call frozen dinners “lazy box meals” especially since that is what they are meals in a box when I am too tired/out of it/lazy to make something else. Are they the best for me? No. Should I realistically stop and take the time to set something up? Definitely. Can I make better choices on the LBMs that are ACTUALLY purchased? Of course.

A ways back I started paying more attention to the nutritional content of frozen meals. It was a combination of generally wanting to make better choices as well as figuring out if there was a food trigger for my migraines.

I learned a few things:

• calorie counts on some of these were insane
• sodium counts on some of these were even more insane
• processed food in combination with other things was indeed a migraine trigger

It made me rethink the ease of convenience vs what it was doing to me.  At the time I wasn’t calorie counting but it still caused a wtf moment. Ditto with the sodium. (It also explained why I felt like the Stay Puff Marshmallow (wo)man.) True this meant I could sit around do nothing watch more bad reality tv  get more things done but it really wasn’t helping me in the long run.

I did the progression of trying various reduced/low/weight/”diet” versions.  I wasn’t trying to lose weight via them but more so get a better option. Some tasted good. Some wrecked havoc on my digestive system. (It happens.) Some tasted like nothing spectacular. Some made me still hungry later. It works wonders for others. For me, I was spending money on something that would lead me to stop for fast food/raid the pantry later. I stuck to getting what was on sale for the most part.

Bad idea.

For the most part.

Why not try something OFF sale/priced within reason instead?

DING! DING! DING!

I ended up getting a few of the Kashi frozen meals (bought w my own money – no coupon – no company promo) when I was at Target yesterday. (Oh Target, how I LOVE thee!) They weren’t on my list (but that never only ends up being the case.) I bought them a ways back to have some backups.  I thought though that they were “too expensive.”  Oops. WRONG.

Is that always the best option? No. Is it a better way IMO for purchased frozen stuff when homemade stuff isn’t frozen and given enough time to semi defrost. Definitely.

Short skirt, WINTER* jacket

I have had Cake stuck in my head for a good chunk of the day today. I am normally not a huge Cake fan but when the song fits, play it (or just hum it offkey over and over again.)

It was a high of 50 today. FIFTY in MAY almost JUNE. Every time  I got blasted by the wind I “eeked.” Then I would think of how it is supposed to be in the 80s this weekend. Chicago area weather is known for changing quite a bit but 30 degree change is a bit wacky. It is like Mother Nature is channeling her inner 3 yr old who wants to wear a tutu one day, corduroy overalls the next and finish up in a party dress with a pair of snowboots.

I am hoping to be able to be outside – grill, play bags, walk the dogs, and/or work in the yard this holiday weekend.  Hopefully, I won’t need a parka.

Is the weather acting unexpectedly by you?
Do you have outdoor holiday weekend plans?

*not quite winter coat but warmer than I have been wearing before

Round two… DING!

Well, this is technically the third version of Can’t Survive on Yarn Alone.

The first version was set up and only existed for a very short period of time. Why? I thought that people wouldn’t care about someone talking about food since there were already “a ton” of other people doing it.  I made ugly food (still do but it DOES taste good) and didn’t understand some key elements of food based photography(my rule of thumb now is take a ton even if you aren’t looking to see what you are taking.) I was out of my comfort zone so I deleted the posts and let the account sit there.

The second version was started and has grown to over 200 posts. Are there others who can post that in a month? Of course. Am I proud of my little blog that could? DEFINITELY!  Have I “outgrown” it? I think so.

I know what at least one of you is thinking “Outgrown? 200 post does seem like being outgrown? She’s only had that blog a little over a year?” True. I have outgrown the mental box I’ve created for myself. PLUS I want to type more like I talk in real life or tweet. I want to be able to ramble about some crazy recipe I found online. I want to be able to rant/rave about something I found online about self esteem, health and/or body image that makes me annoyed/happy.  I want to post silly pix of the pets. I want to post about my plans/goals/downfalls about becoming as healthy as I possibly can. I want to post about my fears and accomplishments with getting back to running. I want to post my hooping playlists. I want to channel Lorelai Gilmore on days when that makes the most sense.

I will definitely not post every single detail of my life. That’s not me.

I want to be that person who when someone meets they say that I’m just like my blog. A huge thing? Can be. Just keep in mind that I babble when caught off guard and may not make total sense. (See Gilmore Girls mention above.)

So welcome to the new Can’t Survive on Yarn Alone.  There’s a  imaginary cup of tea waiting for you to arrive and a sticky roller to remove the pet hair on your way out.

Currently rocking out to: Glee The music: Volume One