Life is good

Why life is great right now, in list form:
1. I got into grad school. Well, the OSU Mass Communications graduate program recommended me for admission, which is practically the same thing. Now I just have to wait for the Graduate College to formalize my admission. Back to school!

2. I reached my goal weight. As of this morning, I've lost 25 pounds using Weight Watchers. On Jan. 10, I was a size 12, weighed 163 pounds and had a BMI of 28.8. Today, I'm a size 6, weigh 138 pounds and have a healthy BMI of 24.6. But, I've decided to continue my weight loss by setting a new goal of 130 pounds. It's smaller than I've ever been as an adult, so I can't wait to see what I'll look like. It's an odd thing to see a body in the mirror that you don't recognize. But I like it!

3. I finally found a "Welcome" sign for our house. I've been looking forever for a sign to put near our front door to welcome visitors, one that didn't look like it belonged in a first-grade classroom. I'm in love with it, and I can't wait to get it in the mail.
It's adorable, no? It's cast iron that has been repainted and then reworn down. Apparently it takes a lot of work for something to look cute old. Gross old is much easier.

4. I'm getting a bike! I can't wait to ride around our neighborhood and the park behind the house on a sweet cruiser. I'm thinking something like this: Take that list, add in some beautiful spring weather and you've got one happy Valerie.

What a week!

I know it's only Wednesday, but phew! What a week this has been already, am I right?

Monday, I watched The Bachelor and had a philosophical discussion about choosing love or work with some friends. I mean, how often do you get to discuss real life issues and drama while watching the scripted cheesiness of The Bachelor unfold? For the record, I think Ali made the correct decision to choose to keep her dream job in the struggling economy rather than risk it all on a man she's known for 4 weeks. Who's with me?

Yesterday, I went to the gym to play basketball. In my first game, I made exactly ZERO of my 6 shots. My 4 teammates were looking at me like I was carrying some kind of contagious disease. In my last game, I made 5 of my 6 shots from behind the 3-point line. How's that for redemption? Well, since none of the original teammates were still there...I guess it's just for my benefit, but whatever. Take that, mean boys who didn't want to pass me the ball because I was "completely unsuccessful at scoring."

And today's excitement...I'm wearing new pants. Not just any new pants, but the new size-8 pants I bought myself as "goal pants." See a month ago, Ann Taylor was having a ginormous sale and dress pants that normally sell for $110 were on sale for ridiculous amounts like $19. So I bought 2 pair. And in an extraordinarily, uncharacteristically bold and ambitious plan, I bought them in a size-8. 8, the size I wore before gaining 20 pounds of happy married weight. I told Mitch that they were my goal pants, and I wouldn't rest until they fit! (I also told him this to distract him from the fact that I spent $60 on pants that I couldn't fit into. It definitely worked.)

And today, today I am wearing the pants. Bring it on, Wednesday, because you can't take me down today.

Quick note about the ridiculousness that is me: I can't ever remember to zip my zipper at work. Am I the only one this happens to? All my dress pants have a double clasp at the waist, and for some reason, my brain can only remember to accomplish two things. This is not a problem when I'm wearing jeans (button, zipper, check!) but with dress pants...no chance. (Inside button, Outside clasp, check!....insert 3 hours of walking around the office with my zipper down....zipper, public shame, check!)

By Special Request

Back to blogging, by special request of my mother, my loyal reader. Luckily, I have some great info to share: namely, I signed up for Weight Watchers today.

Most people have that moment, the one they point to when they tell their story of weight loss. I had my moment in Dallas over New Year's. Well, I suppose it was really a combination of smaller moments. My friend who I was visiting had lost 20 pounds on Weight Watchers, I went pants shopping (kill me now) and I realized that my only pair of jeans that fit had a hole in the left thigh area where my legs had been rubbing together.

Sigh.

Luckily, Weight Watchers is having a free registration period right now, so the cost is only the monthly fee. And from only half a day of using the new online software, it looks really easy to use and exciting. The online food calculator is fantastic.

Now all that's left to do is lose 25 pounds. GULP!