Just to get it out there, I haven't exercised much this week. I am babysitting tonight and if it's ok with the 'rents, I'll be strolling their baby girl in North Tacoma for a good walk. Or I might go by myself this afternoon. We'll see. Motivation for walking is easier when the weather is so beautiful outside. However, I've really been focusing more on eating right and drinking more water, taking my vitamins, etc.

But the real reason I wanted to blog today is that I need an outlet for these emotions I'm having. Today my co-worker Tom, my parents long time friend and employee, came over to hang up my mom's window, in our home. I watched her work on it, and now it's here. It's been on the floor since last summer. Now it's in our dining room, filtering the afternoon sun, watching over us. It's difficult to tear myself away from it. I could just watch it all morning. I can't wait to see my dad's face when he comes over on Saturday. He's going to be so happy. But I can tell that I'm not going to get much accomplished today. To me, with the window finally up, I just want to stare at it. I feel like she's here, watching over us, guiding me. I just wasn't ready for that today.

Exercise #1

35 minute walk today during lunch. Things just haven't gone my way today, and I'm stressed and overwhelmed! Thankfully it is NOT raining so I grabbed my iPod and walked along Marymoore Creek. I feel much better now.

My best

So I have a couple of friends who are on a weight loss/fitness plan, and I have to say, there's not a bigger motivator for me than to keep myself in line with others. I'm working really hard at cutting back on sugar. Even with making cookies yesterday, I only had one. And today someone brought in gingerbread squares, and I only had one. While yes, my original goal is no sugar, I'm doing my best.

This week I'm getting back into my "normal" schedule. I say "normal" because I've been in shows for the last 7 months, and I can't really remember what "normal" is anymore. This gives me a little time to figure out meal plans, clean out the fridge, and focus on healthy eating habits. Next week I'll figure out my workout routine, which will probably be a few weekday walks during lunch, (especially now that the weather *should* start warming up), BodyRock TV, and a weekly Zoomba class at the community center. I've heard good things about that class, and I am eager to check it out. I figure if I keep the activities changing, then my body will respond appropriately.

Why the push? Not only do I just want to look better and feel better, but I'm in a HUGE wedding in June. I want to look good in those pictures, and feel better about myself over all. I'll be using the blog and facebook to hold myself accountable. So far, week one hasn't gone bad. Not perfect, but hey, everyone has to start somewhere, right?

Refined Sugar

When in a show, I try to be healthy. Key word is "TRY". This show, for some reason, a lot of chocolate has been going around, along with cookies and candy. Luckily Matt realized that Lent just started and decided to give up refined sugar for Lent. And, though I'm not religious, I've decided to support him and give up refined sugar too. Which means if I want something like a cookie, it can't have any sugar, except honey and/or applesauce. I realize this is going to be a major challenge, but it shouldn't be too bad. I mean, I get to eat more fruit to satisfy my sweet tooth, and what's wrong with that? :) Just in time for spring and summer too. Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries...here I come...

Wow, I haven't blogged in nearly two months. I guess you could say I just haven't felt like it. There's been lots of stuff going on, in my life and in my head, and to try to sort it all out on the Internets just takes too much effort sometimes.

The latest show I'm in is finally winding down this weekend. It's been an amazing experience, probably my best role ever, what a challenge! For the first time I wasn't cast because I look young (not that I have a problem with that), but I feel that I was cast because of my abilities as an actress. This is the toughest role I've had to play in my post-college career, mostly because of all the physical attributes. And what's really neat is that I learn something more about my character every time I go on stage. What an adventure! I love it. I'm really going to miss the cast and crew. However I am going to LOVE having my weekends back, as well as my weeknights. I have been in shows pretty much straight through, from August until now, and I'm tired, friends, I'm so tired. That's not to say that I won't audition again, because I will, but likely not anytime soon. The rest of my life needs attention, and I'm excited for upcoming plans, including a HUGE wedding that I get to be a part of, vacation with my hubby in April, possible trips to Spokane this summer, and getting our house in order...maybe we'll finally paint some walls! There are other aspects of my life too, that need attention, but I don't want to publicize them all over the Internets, but for those of you who I've talked to in the last couple of months, you know what I'm talking about. :)

I've been thinking a lot about my future too, not in a panic, but more of ideas of where I want to be, and what I want to do. I definitely want to travel more, but I also want to go back to school and get my masters. The tough question is IN WHAT because, as you know, I'm interested in so many different things. Writing, journalism, Japanese, cooking, marketing, hospitality...oy...and it would be hard to find a program that would combine all of those. So I'm going to take a little time in my head, do a little research, figure out what I would like to do, but still stay open to possibilities. I don't want to think that I'm where I'm going to be for the next thirty years, because thirty years is a long time and who knows what's going to happen?

Almost Play Time!

For those of you in Seattle, in the Northend and Eastside, here is the information on the play I'm in. We'll be performing in Bellevue for just one weekend. I hope you can make it!

The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie
Bellevue Civic Theatre @ The Meydenbauer Center
11100 NE 6th St
Bellevue, WA

The longest-running play in history. A group of strangers stranded in a boarding house during a snow storm, one of whom is a murderer. The suspects include the newly married couple who run the house. Others are a spinster with a curious background, an architect who seems better equipped to be a chef, a retired Army major, a strange little man who claims his car has overturned in a drift, and a jurist who makes life miserable for everyone. Into their midst comes a policeman, traveling on skis.

Originally written for the late Queen Mary in celebration of her 80th birthday, The Mousetrap is in its 59th year in London's West End.

With:
Wendy Enden
Scot Garrett
Travis Tingvall
Yvette Zaepfel
Robert Alan Barnett
Camille Mesmer
Jeremie Wallis
Nathaniel Jones

Directed by Curt Hetherington

Opening Night - February 3, 2011 at 7:30pm
Shows: February 4 and 5 at 8pm, February 6 at 2pm

Tickets:
$30: Adults
$27: Seniors
$15: Students & Under 18
425.235-5087 or bcttickets@bellevuecivic.org

For those of you in the South Sound (and for others who miss the weekend we're in Bellevue), we'll be performing in Renton at the end of February through mid-March. I'll post more information on that later. But if you're really eager to get tickets, or just want more info right now, click here.

Challenge - Ideal Job

Today's Daily Health Challenge is to write down two or three characteristics of your ideal job. So I thought what better way to do so than to blog about it?

1) Flexibility - I have that right now, in some ways, at my current job. I have the ability to work from home if needed, which is really amazing. But I'd like to have a job where I can not be sitting at a desk all day, where I can break the hours up, meet different people, see multiple goals get accomplished throughout the day and not get bored, which seems to happen when I work a desk job. One distraction leads to another, which leads to another and so on...

2) Achieving both career dreams - In a perfect world, I'd be running a bed and breakfast while still acting in community theater shows now and then. I know it might not be possible to do both in reality, but there is nothing wrong with dreaming big!

Interesting Discoveries

Day 2:

Breakfast - Scrambled Eggs w/ veggies

Lunch - Salad with veggies, quinoa, chicken, and basil vinagrette

Dinner - Unknown

Yesterday was quite interesting. Since my hours at work have change, so has my hunger. I am eating later which makes me not as hungry. I ate breakfast around 7:30, lunch around 1, and by the time I tried to eat dinner at 5, I was full pretty quickly. Today I'm going to try just having a large snack of a little meat, string cheese, and some sliced veggies for dinner. I don't want to overdo anything and give myself heartburn again.

I joined a free website via Facebook that keeps you moving and motivated with a daily health or fitness challenge. Should be interesting, I'm excited to try it out.

Gluten Free vs Wheat Free

Either way it's still hard.

Breakfast - Scrambled eggs and tea.

Lunch - Gyro Salad from the local greek restaurant. A total splurge and well worth the $$. I yummed it right up.

Dinner - Leftover soup.

Dinner is going to be a challenge with my rehearsal schedule. Now that I a) get dropped off at the theater or b) take the bus, I won't be home to make dinner until late at night. I have given myself the week to go out to lunch so I can figure out timing and how all of this is going to work. I'm not going to stick to a lifestyle change if it's going to be immediately stressful. Matt has another job, writing part time for a video game company. This is really exciting for him, I am so proud (not to mention the extra income will be incredibly helpful)! This just adds another adventure to our evening commute. Luckily 2 people in the cast are south sounders, so I can get a ride home, or at least close enough so that Matt can pick me up and not have to go more than a mile or two.

I have gotten several suggestions on wheat free and gluten free blogs from friends and family. I know that I'm not gluten intolerant, nor allergic to wheat. But wheat and dairy allergies run in my family, and I do notice that when I focus on just eating meats, veggies, and fruits, I feel lighter and rather than weighed down.

I can tell that going wheat free alone is going to be a challenge. I went to the grocery store for lunch and thought I could get some baked chicken and a veggie salad. I was pleased to find the chicken, but all salads were coated in dressing and had pasta. The pre-made salads all had dressing that had MSG. Very disappointing! Then I went to find some sushi, only to discover that soy sauce has wheat in the ingredients. (This means I must find an alternative sauce so I can still enjoy sushi and chinese food...guess this means no more chinese take-out).

I am just taking all of this one day at a time, and am doing my best to not get overwhelmed. Day one is almost complete. We'll see how day two goes, hopefully it will go just as smoothly.

Dietary Changes Needed

I had a fantastic girls weekend. We went to Lena's in-laws cabin in Home, WA. There were 7 of us. Some crying, but mostly laughing, talking, and LOTS of eating. But the wine. Oh the wine flowed, and we got very happy. I ate and drank, and continued until 9pm, when the heartburn set in. I haven't had heartburn since May of 2009 when I overate in Hawaii and was up until the wee hours of the night dealing with painful tummy issues. Which got me thinking, while laughing and watching others drink wine, about making some changes to my diet so I didn't have to suffer anymore and pop tums like an addict.

Today I've been thinking seriously about making those dietary changes that I've been curious about. I've been reading a lot online about how those who've cut out gluten do feel better and have more energy. Bread and pasta are a big portion of our diet, especially in the evenings and in the winter. But I think we can manage by perhaps making our own bread, and buying gluten-free pasta. I have some friends who are gluten-free, and Matt has several family members who are as well. Now I'm not saying that we won't cheat now and then, but if we're going to seriously make this lifestyle change, then we are going to have to keep one another accountable. At least until we can feel/see a difference.

So, in the spirit of change, I made Sausage and Spinach Soup for dinner. Yum!

Girls weekend!

Taking off tomorrow morning. Early. So I won't be posting tomorrow.

Wine? Check. Groceries? Getting them soon. Girl time? Can't have enough.

I finally went for my first lunch walk yesterday. It wasn't pouring rain, and by 1pm I was nodding off. Instead of trying to fall asleep for a little bit, I took a 35 minute brisk walk to get the blood moving. I felt so much better, and wide awake. I'm going to do it again today, this afternoon, rain or shine. With the crazy rehearsal schedule creeping in these next few weeks, it's really important for me to keep this up, at least 3 to 5 days a week. And now that my work hours are changing, I just might have some time to try Zuzana's workouts too.

Not feeling so hot today, but it's not contagious. Lots of emotional stuff. Thankfully I have a girls weekend planned, and I'm in desperate need of fattening foods and wine. I can sweat it off at Yoga Sunday evening.

Really wishing I was somewhere sunny and warm, instead of wet and cold. Meh. Maybe tonight's rehearsal will boost my energy level. We are getting fitted for costumes. Yay!

Trying

Today's a rough day, but I'm working on keeping focused on what I need to do. I have some new goals for work that I am excited about.

Last night I didn't get much sleep and I'm going to be having more caffeine this afternoon. I'm already having trouble keeping my eyes open.

And I wish the snow and ice would melt already. But that would require temperatures to get above 40!

Blogging Every Day?

I was on wordpress (where my poor little abandoned travel blog is located), and they are encouraging everyone to blog every day or once a week. So I'm going to aim high, and see what happens!

Today I'm at home, my final day off of break. I have a lot to accomplish, mostly going over my lines and working on my character for the next play. It's a large amount of work because this character is unlike any that I've ever played before. I need to do her justice, to make her real. It will help when I get my lines down and then I can really start diving into quirks and characteristics.

Rehearsals are going to kick up this month, as we open in Bellevue for a weekend in one month! So I'm going to try to go walking during my lunch break for about 20 minutes every weekday so that I can get a little exercise in and get the blood flowing. I went to bikram yoga on Friday, and naturally picked the hottest spot in the room. It was insane, but I felt so relaxed afterwards. I can't wait to go back.

Have you ever seen Friday Night Lights? So addicting. Matt and I got a Wii for ourselves for Christmas, and we can now stream Netflix to our television. Also addicting.

A New Year, A Fresh Start

I resolve to not have any resolutions this year but to just keep moving forward on my plans and goals like have been in 2010. I'm in my third play of the season, which is amazing, and Matt and I have this incredible house.

I am looking forward to 2011 with an open heart and an open mind.

Here's to a fabulous year!

3 for 3

I still can't believe it, but Matt isn't surprised. I got a part in another show! I'm playing Miss Casewell in The Mousetrap at Bellevue Civic Theater and Renton Civic Theater. We open for a weekend at Bellevue the first weekend in February. Then the set moves to Renton and we play at that theater for 3 weeks starting at the end of February. I am so excited to be part of this play! It has been running in London since 1952 and has had over 24,000 performances. I'll post performance dates and times when the time gets closer.

I haven't been blogging lately because there's nothing new to report. I'm tired, busy, seeing friends, and trying to eat well. I have little time or energy to exercise, yada yada yada. Matt and I are doing really well, he's really happy at his job, and we hosted a lovely/successful Thanksgiving dinner this year. Oh, and we got our first live Christmas tree! It looks beautiful.

I am also really looking forward to girls weekend January 7/8/9. It can't come soon enough!

Winter Wonderland

This may not look like much snow, but that's all frozen snow and ice.
Happy to be home with a working heater and a cup of hot tea!

I knew that when we moved from Southern California to Western Washington, it would be hard to acclimate to cooler temperatures. I certainly didn't expect snow and ice! My amazing husband, however, patched up our roof after the second windstorm took off more shingles, and even cleaned out the gutters so they wouldn't freeze over. My poor little flowers that I got at Fred Meyer are dead, and I forgot to bring in my jasmine plant, so that's dead too. But all in all, we are safe and warm, just a bit cold and not wanting to venture outside.

I am really glad that we went grocery shopping yesterday so that we didn't have to worry about food today or tomorrow. But we are hosting Thanksgiving dinner, and I completely forgot to get the ingredients to make my sister's favorite potatoes. Looks like we'll be heading to the store for a quick trip tomorrow! We totally lucked out with my Dad being in charge of the turkey - he's bringing my grandparent's turkey roaster - and stuffing. I'll be making sides and pies like a mad-woman, and my sister will be in charge of the sweet potatoes. I have no idea what my sister-in-law and her new hubby will bring since they just got back from their nuptials and honeymoon! Let's just hope the weather warms up. I'm remaining hopeful and trying to not listen to the weather report that says it might snow a little more Thursday morning!

My cell phone says it's 13 degrees right now. Sorry, LA peeps, you have no right to complain to this girl right now. I'd take a low of 40 degrees any day!!

Amazing News for JourneyQuest!

Matt's latest webseries, JourneyQuest, is now on HULU!

Click here to watch it. For all seven episodes, click here.

I am so proud of my hubby and everyone at Dead Gentlemen and ZOE. Congratulations!!

I guess I've done my job

Poor Lavinia...

Three of the best compliments I've received about my skills as an actor:

"Oh, as soon as I saw you, I thought you should play Ophelia!"

"Oh my dear, I'm so glad you can talk. Because if you couldn't we all planned on taking care of you!"

I can't remember the next quote exactly, but it was something about being completely believable, and she was very impressed, because I was so distraught and since my character's tongue was cut out, I wasn't able to talk.

Being on stage again feels good. Really good.

There's just one weekend left! Hope you can come catch the show. And no, it's not in a parking lot. It's inside, all warm and protected from the rain.