Week Three, Done! And a Funny!

Week three is done. Thanks to 10 days of the flu for the Z Man and I, I had no trouble abstaining from wine. But, week three is done and I’m glad the flu is done too!

My husband, the Z Man is absolutely hands down the funniest person I know, or have ever known. It’s “one” of the reasons I fell madly in love with him. I don’t remember a day that he has not made me smile. It just comes natural for him to find the lighter side of life and that is a beautiful quality.

Since I’ve been taking a break from wine, I’ve been finding different beverages to sip on, like the grape juice spritzer. And, here lately, I’ve been sipping on a cup of chamomile tea before bed.

Last night I asked the Z Man if he would like a cup of chamomile tea, and his response was…

No, I don’t want any “camel milk”

REALLY? SERIOUSLY??? I couldn’t stop laughing.

He honestly thought I was drinking camel milk.

Now, to his credit, I have brought some crazy things into our kitchen in the past. But, he was not going to partake of any camel milk, NO WAY!

At least now I know where he draws the line.

Take care,

Lori

Week Two, Done!

It’s been two full weeks of taking my break from wine. So far, this is what I’ve experienced.

The first week:

I had a dull headache for the first 3 or 4 days.
I drank just as many grape juice spritzers each evening as I did glasses of wine.
Even my, oh let’s call it “bathroom time” was minimal at best and very uncomfortable for about a week.
I had bad dreams almost every night.
And, every day around 4:00 in the afternoon I would become a bit sad.

The second week:

I noticed two beautiful sunrises, and thought to myself, “hey I noticed those and smiled”
I cut back on the grape juice spritzers.
“Bathroom time” became a bit more regular, thank GOD!
Sleep got a little easier, with the help of some chamomile tea
The 4:00 hour became a little easier
The weekends felt a little longer, but if I’m being honest perhaps a bit boring too.
My week at work was more pleasant in some weird way.
I’m smoking less (go figure!) of course that could be because it’s cold as crap and I don’t want to go outside!

That’s it…. that’s where I am now. My 30 days ends on February 14th. I KNOW RIGHT!!! Valentines Day. I don’t know how I feel about that yet, we’ll see.

All in all, I’m still feeling pretty good about it.

Take care,

Lori

Realizing You’re Never Going To Be Perfect

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Resolutions anyone?

YUP!

Well, maybe not resolutions as much as trying to just be a bit better…

It seems like every January I have a “come clean” moment and decide I’m going to better myself in some way. It also seems like I’m always trying to quit something… cigarettes, sugar, carbs, and most recently even my beloved wine.

I KNOW, RIGHT!!! I have said many times in the past that I enjoy “my wine” way too much to ever give it up. Well, guess what? It’s time to face the music and realize that it’s getting out of hand.

No, I don’t have any horrible story to share about why I am choosing to cut back. Nothing bad happened like a DUI, injury or accident. I just came to realize that wine is just too easy for me to drink, and I’m consuming too much of it.

So in keeping with my January tradition, I’ve decided to take a break from wine. No, I’m not going to jump full in and say “quit” because I’m not vowing to never have another glass of wine, as I know in my heart that would be a lie. But, I’ve decided to abstain from wine for 30 days and then see where that leads.

You know the funny thing is that I knew I was drinking too much and by that I mean every day. But, I can honestly say that I didn’t realize until now that I haven’t been drinking wine (for the past 7 days) that around 4:00 in the afternoon, I get a twinge of excitement in thinking “I’ll be home soon to have a glass of wine, and oh, do I have any wine at the house, what kind?” But, in the past 7 days when that feeling would come, I would remind myself that I am not drinking wine now, and then if I’m being honest I get a little sad about it.

Issues?

Maybe.

Right now, all I can say is I’m taking a break.

And, well heck, in full disclosure, you know since it’s January and doesn’t everyone want to “come clean” in January?

The Z Man and I were not successful in quitting smoking either! There it’s out, I said it, I’ve come clean.

No we aren’t perfect, and we are never going to be perfect. But, there isn’t anything wrong with continuing to try to be better.

So, we will continue trying.

Love,

Lori

Splurges… Friday Fun…

I was talking with one of my customers this week about the things we will splurge on and the things we wont.

She was asking me about my hairdresser. The hairdresser that I went to 6 months ago and got my hair cut for the first time in 5 years. It was a wonderful experience, he is the perfect mix of personable and professional and gave me exactly what I asked for. He used about 4 different pair of scissors to cut my hair and he styled it perfectly. Then took the time to show me alternative ways to wear it. It was everything I had hoped for. Honestly after he was done I felt like I needed a cigarette.

The crazy thing is that, while I loved that experience, I just find myself being too… oh let’s call it frugal (instead of cheap) to splurge on routine cuts and colors. Or for that matter manicures or pedicures. I’ll admit that there is a part of me (being a woman and all) that feels guilty about not doing these things for myself, and I’m sure if I did do them some of those hard mirror days might not be so hard.

(Sidebar here… I do realize that a cut and color is not going to take the place of or cover up the lack of exercise and healthy living. Those two things are still a struggle for me to get enough of what I should…. I’m going to go make a green smoothie right after this post!!!)

Now, I don’t want you to get the impression that I walk around looking like a hairy gorilla with dirty nails and toes. That’s not the case at all. I mean I do shave my legs, and I paint my toe nails, and I color my own hair (sometimes successfully). I just find these things to be “doable” for me. Does it look as good? That would be a big fat NO. But, I look ok. The ZMan thinks I’m beautiful (he says so anyway, and it’s not just when he is wanting something) so I believe him, and that’s what matters to me the most.

However, having stood on this soap box for the last 5 minutes claiming to be this frugal smugal woman of sensibility…. Did I tell you that I now have about $326.52 worth of olive oil and aged balsamic vinegars in my pantry. No, it’s not huge vats of olive oil and vinegar, the volume is much less. It’s approximately 10 bottles the size of a regular wine bottle. (which used to be 750 ml I’m not sure anymore because I’ve graduated to the large bottles and the boxes) 😉

Anyway, I digress, but isn’t that the point of a blog? HA!

It got me thinking about the things we’ll splurge on and the things we wont. Now, I’m certainly not passing judgement on anyone who goes for weekly pedicures, I just happen to be the type of girl who gets one once a year.

It’s just that I can not press my own olives into a beautiful oil, or age my own vinegars into a thick, rich, sweet balsamic vinegar.

I suppose the point of my post might be that I certainly would if I could. But the chances of the ZMan and I owning a vineyard in Napa valley growing our own grapes and olives is very slim. Oh, how I would love that! But it’s still unlikely. So, I’ll keep buying my good olive oils and vinegars and be happy that I can.

And tomorrow I’ll be going by Sally’s Beauty Supply to pick up hair color to color my hair this weekend, because I have a very special wedding to attend next weekend, and the roots are a little too prominent right now.

What do you splurge on? I’d love to know.

Tonight is pizza and beer night for me and the ZMan. I think it’ll be a ham and pineapple pizza tonight. YUM!

I hope you have a fun Friday and lovely weekend.

Just a little something pretty for you 🙂