Monday, January 17, 2011

Apparently the rhythm is gonna get me

As you probably know, today is Monday. I think I'm gonna make a list because I have various and sundry thoughts in my head and a list helps to clear the cobwebs.

1. I am trying a Zumba class for the first time today. Anybody out there Zumba? Its supposed to be a lot of fun and is billed as an exercise class where everybody leaves smiling. Hmmm...that sounds suspicious to me but I have a free pass and a friend to go with and a few pounds to shed so I'm in.

2. If I'm not around for the Hodgepodge this week you'll know I had a Zumba mishap.

3. My hubs is in China. He left on Friday so goodbye weekend. Last week he was in Mexico and had to leave on Sunday for that trip. He has traveled all of our married life and I really don't mind the weekday travel but those lost weekends are hard. The problem with China is its a long way from here. And weirdly, it's already tomorrow there so you have to arrive a day earlier than your meeting because if you don't it will be yesterday. Something like that.

4. When the hubs is gone for a full week I make lists so as not to be a sloth.

5. Items on my list this week include: call the eye doctor, clean out the refrigerator, clean out the other refrigerator, clean out the pantry, organize my knicker drawer and while I'm at it organize my sock drawer too...anyone else have issues with their sock drawer? arrange for a professional to look at the gas fireplace, figure out what sort of professional that would be, follow up with the plumber, vacuum every ceiling, corner and baseboard in the house, carry on with my couch to 5K workouts, go to bible study, get back to yoga, stay away from sugar and carbs, don't hurt myself Zumba-ing, figure out what there is to see and do in a certain section of NYC since I'll be there soon, celebrate a friend's birthday, write letters to my girls, sort thru and purge my 2010 office files...there's more. Hey, I'm nothing if not optimistic.

6. I said I made a list. I didn't say it was an interesting list.

7. I went to church by myself on Sunday. Two little girls in pretty pink dresses sat behind me. I miss my girls on Sundays. The pastor reminded me I'm not the center of the universe. Well, technically he was speaking to the entire congregation but it sort of felt like he might be talking just to me.

8. I watched the Miss America Pageant Saturday night and was remembering how much my sister and I loved to watch the pageants when we were growing up. We would make lists of our top 10, then edit them with each round of competition. Daughter1 and I may have done the same thing via text on Saturday night. Sometimes I really love technology.

9. I made a pot of homemade vegetable beef soup last week and it was really delicious. I used beef short ribs in my soup and followed this recipe, more or less. I omitted the macaroni and added half a head of cabbage to mine instead because I think cabbage is a must in vegetable soup. I didn't have beef bouillon cubes in the house so I added some beef stock and just cut the water back by an equal amount. I also didn't have black eyed peas or okra in the house but I think you can pretty much toss in whatever veg you like or have on hand. It made a huge pot and I froze some to have this week too. The recipe is from The Lady and Sons restaurant in Savannah (Paula Dean) and I will definitely be making it again.

10. I wanted to make some chocolate chip cookies but I didn't because it wasn't on my list. See how that works?

23 comments:

  1. Love your list. It's always nice to make lists, but I find so hard to check things off them.

    Hope your Dear Hubby returns a day early (or is it late - my head was spinning too) and you can then put away your exciting list for another day.

    And make the cookies. I made pumpkin muffins today with a cream cheese center. Baking is always good.

    Lastly, I have been enjoying the words with friends too.

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  2. oh, you're gonna have so much fun at Zumba!
    just know everyone looks ridiculous the whole time :) it's about having fun and acting foolish!

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  3. Tell me how you like the Zimba class! I am thinking of buying the Wii DVD and doing it at home because I have 2 left feet and don't want to be seen falling all over my self. I'm a list maker as well so I understand how you feel about that.

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  4. Good luck with the Zumba. I don't know what is sadder: my sleep injury from last week or your potential Zumba injury. B was out of town this weekend too. I don't care for the weekend business travel either. But I did get to watch the pageant at my ouwn pace, uninterrupted. And yes, you gotta have cabbage in veg soup!

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  5. Does anything from Paula taste bad? I definitely want to go to her new restaurant in Cherokee in the spring...I probably should make a reservation now!
    Love your list! You're making me feel bad that I basically just wasted this past week since we were off...I guess I should've made a list! :D

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  6. Joyce -
    1. My sister keeps inviting me to Zumba but I have never been either. Let us know how it is. She claims it is great dun, but like you, I am suspicious.
    2. I am also a list maker. Hope you get to cross some things off this week.
    3. Love me some Paula Deen!
    Have a good week! See you at the Wed. Hodgepodge!

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  7. Zumba looks like fun, but it's something I would do in private because I'm extremely grace-challenged. Not a pretty sight.

    I make lists, but not as much as I should. How much do you stick by your lists? Sometimes mine are extremely optimistic, falling in the "I Have A Dream" section of life.

    I always miss absent family a lot at church as well. I also get reminded that I'm not the center of the universe at church. Amazing how that works, isn't it? : )

    I'm curious why you don't travel more with your husband? Although I think I'd miss you while you were gone. : )

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  8. You will love Zumba if anything just to make you laugh and smile! My Zumba starts back up this week, lots of 40 and over women dancing to Single Ladies by Beyonce ! I discovered my hips really are clueless on how to move! Can't wait to hear how you like it! Good luck on your list it' a big one!

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  9. I've been wanting to try Zumba. I'll be interested to see how you like the class. Didn't know you are doing the C25K. When the weather turned nasty, I stopped so I'll be starting over as soon as the temps stabilize. I don't like the treadmill at all. ugh. Your soup sounds delicious. Have a great week crossing off items on your list. Blessings, SusanD

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  10. Made two soups myself. It's that time of year! Let us know how you like Zumba. Apparently it's better that good old Richard Simmons, Dancing to the Oldies.
    You just reminded me, time to clean the fridge!

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  11. I'm looking at my list right now. No chocolate chip cookie baking on mine either. Sigh.
    I'll be interested to hear how you like Zumba.

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  12. You're so disciplined - I am impressed. I wish I had watched the pageant I didn't even know it was on and for once our state won and I missed it. Texting with your daughter sounds fun.

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  13. Loved reading your list. I should make one. I've accomplished nothing during this long 4-day weekend without Jaylon. Oh, but I had such high hopes! :-) And here is it almost noon and the day is not looking to be any more productive than the other three! BUT I still have a few hours left!
    The Zumba does look like so much fun! Notice, I said "look", not "is". :-)

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  14. Good for you. I know two blog friends who do Zumba and love it! I agree, I do not like when my husband has to be gone on a weekend, just doesn't seem right. I use to like watching Miss America too, haven't seen it in forever. The soup sounds yummy. I haven't been making many lists lately, maybe that's why I haven't accomplished anything!

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  15. I'm going to Zumba this evening. I went to an open house Curves was having to introduce their new Zumba classes. It was fun! I'm looking forward to it this evening.

    I need to a make a list.

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  16. I'm convinced that Zumba is different in our neck of the woods. The class is filled with hispanics... they know & love their music. Really. Having said that, I'm far too intimidated to give classes a try around here. ha.

    Having hubs out of town is hard. I know. Especially on weekends. Agree!

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  17. I have never ever heard of Zumba. I think I'll look into it. Hmmm

    That is some kind of list. Nowhere on it is shopping! Ha.

    Yep, we should be neighbors. I might be bad for your list though. Ha.

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  18. ZUMBA? no clue - am I living in the dark ages?
    You crack me up with your lists. I do the EXACT same thing.
    But I like that you warned us it wasn't exciting!
    :) Have a great week! Karen

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  19. I hope your week goes my quickly! China is far! :)
    I have never Zumba . . d.

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  20. Can't wait to hear about your Zumba class. I've considered trying it but just always stick to my treadmill and can't seem to get out of that rut.

    I have a list everyday of my life, always have and probably always will. I can't imagine beng productive if I didn't make a list.

    Always enjoy my visits!

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  21. I've printed out that soup recipe. We've got more snow in the forecast, so I think I'll stop at the store on my way home from work tomorrow and get the ingredients and make soup tomorrow afternoon. ;-)

    Be sure to let us know how the Zumba went.

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  22. I love your list, Joyce. So much going on!!! I've been thinking about making some vegetable soup, too. I only live about 60 miles from The Lady and Sons restaurant, but have never been there. I do love Paula's recipes though!
    Zumba sounds interesting...do update us on how it goes!

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  23. I did ONE thing on your list, i made chocolate chip cookies. Does it count?

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