Kids...And by Kids, I mean the Four Legged Kind..

Mr. Magoo gives me his "bad eye" as I'm trying to read about Christian and Anastasia once again.

 
I kinda think that one day...there will be children in therapy, sighting neglect due to 50 shades of Grey.

Lucky for me, animals don't talk. (just one of a billion other reasons I prefer animals to human children, but to each their own!!!)

However, Mr. Magoo learned the fine art of being intrusive when I am otherwise engaged....from his cat siblings. When such a cute face comes between you and your book, you have to scratch the belly...right?

Since we are talking about animals....
 

Magoo sometimes likes to be held like a baby. Honestly..I make him let me hold him this way, but he doesn't object

Yet another adorable interspecies interaction...Mr. Magoo was licking his cat sister's head for a few minutes...

Fizzgig ate all the catnip, and it seems that Mr. Magoo somehow understood her frustration. I have the sweetest animals!

OH! Losing Weight? Yea...I Still Do That...

I have been so wrapped up in my reading, and imaginary whirlwind single life, that I havn't had much time to talk about weight loss. Sure, I'm still trekking along on this trail! It's a lifestyle change, always and forever!

Still trying to drop that 15lbs I gained back, and have 10lbs to go. It's a lot slower not being on the extreme restrictions I was on to drop the weight, but this whole "maintenance" thing is sure hard! I'm learning to eat healthy in a way I can sustain forever, vs. eating from a list of "approved" foods. I still try to keep it clean, but I do enjoy my progressive light soup now and then, and rotisserie chickens!! (and turkey sandwhiches...mmm...) Oh, and let's not forget I've added back the wine and martini's which I'm sure is the biggest culprit of my slower weight loss. But, that's me. I have to find a way to make it work.

I can give up the ice cream, and pizza, and 95% of bad carbs...but I cannot forgoe a life with no wine or martini's. It is just not in the cards for me people!

If I'd gone back full swing, I could've dropped 15 lbs in 2 weeks. But, that isn't the real me, and I'm determined to find the balance I need to last me a lifetime. Trial and error.

Down only 5lbs.. but I have still seen so many changes in my body due to adding strength and core work. I'm not just an empty shell anymore, I am getting toned, and I love to see my arm muscles visible at rest. I touch my own guns a lot.

"These are mine?", I ask myself. And  myself answers, "oh yes, watch out Kelly Rippa!"

Hi Kelly Rippa's arms! You will be mine, oh yes....

What I am in mourning about, is saying goodbye to my favorite jeans. I am past the point where I can wash them in hot water, and dry them forever to wear them a few hours before they stretch back out again, and hang lifeless at my waist. (don't we all use this trick, ladies??)

They are so old, that I have been unsuccessful in locating them in smaller size.

I'm determined though, to find my levi, low, flare, 542's, with the button pockets, that make my ass look "just right", in my new size. 

There have been zero times before these jeans, that I thought my ass looked good in anything. And...we all know how important it is to think your ass looks good in your jeans...right, ladies??? I mean, it changes your entire outlook!


I bet if I had a Christian Grey, he would find me these jeans with all his worldly connections...

Oh, I'm sorry, did I just go "50 Shades of Grey" for a second? I am still kinda hung up on that. So much so, that after finishing the trilogy so quickly, I am now reading it again...at a normal human person with a life's pace...I'm determined to soak in every word now that I know the ending.

Rejoining the Real World after My "50 Shades of Grey Getaway"....

 I spent my weekend on zero sleep. 50 shades of addicted, I was. I don't remember the last time I was so tired, and sleep deprived, that  I could not sleep.  I kept waking up to thoughts of Christian Grey. So I read more....I finished the series this afternoon, (3 books in 4 days/nights) so I can now resume life in the real world! (and get some rest!)

I'm all about commitment...so when I set out on this fifty shades journey, I knew I would finish it. 

I never thought I would relate to so many aspects of this relationship, given the reputation of this series. (of course, not ALL aspects...ahem...)

But, what can I say? I. Just. Love. Love!! Unattainable, unrelenting, and unrealistic? Maybe, but that's why we have books and movies, isn't it??!! As the tale unfolded, it caused me to revisit old feelings that I have kept bottled up. Not just  the spicy sex stuff...more so, the being "so in love you would do anything for a person" stuff.

I shed more tears while reading these books, than I have in a very long time. We are all damaged in some way. Sometimes when you are in love, you understand that more about the other person than they do. I so related to Ana's frustration with her fifty shades.

Anastasia, to me, is a heroine. I just loved her unconditional love of fifty, and her gentle understanding, and patience with him, despite his posessiveness, and need for, well....um....control.  I loved to watch this relationship change, as they both gave way to compromise, to be together.(true fiction!)

A woman after my own heart, indeed!

These books allowed me to mourn for what I miss so much...my love..I needed that, after all this time without him.. Who knew that a practically pornographic love story would bring up all my junk that I've tried to stifle??? And for most people who "get" this trilogy, it is just that...a love story.

I did, however, leave the house for  2 hours, for a much needed smoothie (my gaping tooth wound is still sensetive, so I can't really eat much) and I went to visit the local pet adoption expo.

I got caught up at the greyhound rescue, petting these sweet creatures..when...

 Mr. Magoo helped himself to their inviting pool.

And then he decided he was staying. 

I'm off to sleep after a mid-afternoon martini. I have been without sleep for so long, that I stopped being tired! I am hoping the vodka may take over, and guide me to sleep..

This song is a beautiful remake. It was on the playlist for 50 Shades series, compiled by the author. And it just tugs at my heartstrings...over, and over...

**You can find the complete youtube playlists for all three books at the Author's website under Music.