Happy Happy Joy Joy!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I entered this painting in my first juried show and won 1st place in my category! I had rushed to get this one framed for my college's graduate exhibit, then was a little bit irritated to find out that the UHCL gallery had decided (AFTER I had delivered the paintings) that they only had room for 2 works from each artist. I even had to make a special trip across Houston to go pick it up!

It turned out to be a blessing in disguise because I decided to enter it in the Galveston Art League's summer Juried exhibition instead. I would have been happy just to get my work accepted into the exhibition, as many paintings that enter do not even get displayed. I got a call today that I won my category though! When the phone rang I was completely prepared for them to tell me that my painting did not make it into the show, but was absolutely shocked to find out that I won! I could not be a happier camper right now!

Off to T-Town!

I'm off to Tulsa this weekend to visit my college pals! We are going on a float trip on the Illinois river and just catching up on things in general! It should be an all around ridiculous time, as Oklahoma float trips normally are. Last time we met a guy who popped his glass eyeball out in mid-conversation and saw more mullets than we could count! This time I am prepared with a waterproof disposable camera.

On Wednesday my parents are meeting me in Tulsa and we are going to Fayetteville to visit my Grandma. It has been 2 years since I've seen her! Way too long!

It should be a good time!

Minnie's new outfits!

Minnie has needed a new harness for a while, and I can't find the kind I used to get her anymore. I decided that I could make one pretty easily, so I looked for fabric when I was at Hobby Lobby today. I got this cute polka-dot jersey material for really cheap (and I only needed a tiny bit). I bought a bottle of liquid stitches and went to work! I still need to add velcro to the harness, but it is done besides that. I decided to make a dress with the extra material and here is Miss Minnie modeling her new look!(she still has a bandana on her neck so it looks kind of funny)

Diet: Day 9

I've been missing for a few days. I was out of town for a couple of days, then I just didn't eat anything eventful.

Breakfast/lunch: Atkins shake

Snack: nuts

Dinner: Portobello Mushroom Pizzas


These were really good! I really didn't miss the bread crust as much as I thought I would! Very filling!

Dessert: Sugar-free fudge bar

Diet-Day 4

Breakfast: Atkins shake

Lunch: uneventful salad

snack: sugar-free jello

Dinner: lean ground beef patty with salad, tomato, pickles, and avocado

Diet: Day 3

This has been a HUNGRY day for me! I've eaten a lot more than I normally, do, but can't seem to get full! I even went back for seconds for my taco salad! I remember this stage when I've done the South Beach Diet in the past, and it goes away after a day or two. I'll just take this as a sign that it is working...

Breakfast: Atkins protein bar

snack: nuts

Lunch: Spring mix, fresh mozzarella, and tomatoes with balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

snack: sugar free jello

Dinner: Bean taco salad (lettuce, refried beans, shredded cheese, taco bell hot sauce (in a bottle-it's great!))

Diet: Day 2

Day 2

Breakfast: Atkins shake

Lunch- I ate lunch with Glenn and his co-workers at Gringo's Mexican food restaurant. I ordered a fajita salad and avoided the chips...so hard, but I was proud of myself afterward.

Dinner- I am planning to make Pasta using Spaghetti Squash!It is a large yellow squash that is about the size of a football! It is baking in the oven as we speak. We'll see how it goes! The recipe I'm using uses lean ground beef, part-skim ricotta cheese, and sugar-free pasta sauce.The squash, of course, replaces the noodles.

I also worked out today. I did an interval workout on the treadmill as the South Beach Diet book recommends. Hopefully I can keep it up without getting sick. In the past, when I am starting to get in a workout routine (about a month) I get sick and it throws off my routine.

Diet: Day 1

I decided to blog each day for at least the first 2 weeks that I am on the South Beach Diet because I think it will help keep me motivated. The first 2 weeks are the hardest b/c NO CARBS are allowed, including fruit!

Today I had to grab lunch out unfortunately, but I opted for a grilled chicken cobb salad at Panera. It was kind of expensive for fast food, but I was determined to start my diet today!

I went to the grocery store and stocked up on approved foods for phase I, so now I should be good to go for a while. Tonight I am making a chicken and black bean wrap for Glenn and chicken and black bean salad for me. I am using rotisserie chicken, tomatoes, avocados, lettuce, and black beans of course.

Yay for day 1!