With this ring...

Today has been wonderful for one reason - I got my rings back!

I have been missing them so much! I've felt naked, and really self conscious! For example, when I was hosting the Bite Club event, it felt weird being in a social situation with people I didn't know without my rings. Then at church on Sunday, when we were installed as members, they obviously knew we were married, but I had no rings! I don't know if anyone noticed in either place, but I felt weird.

They're so shiny now, and they fit perfectly! I still can't believe I dropped 2 whole ring sizes! Well, getting thiner has it's price tag, $120 for the 2 rings.... but that was technically my Valentine's present from JJ.

Today has been pretty interesting. I was bombarded with "you should do the half!!!" comments and emails and messages, but as you read (and if you haven't, read the post before this one), it's just not feasable for me. However, as I said, I so appreciate your confidence in me!

This afternoon, one of my old friends from high school that I lost touch with, but recently through blogs and facebook have reconnected with, sent me the most heartfelt email. It's so amazing to me how blogging creates this amazing community of strangers who become friends, but also brings together old friends or finds a common thread between simple acquaintences to develop a friendship. She's probably reading this now (hi!), and I am seriously so glad we're back in touch.

So after that, I decided to sort of pay it forward, and shoot an email to a friend of mine that I had lost touch with. Things got a little rocky and we drifted apart... but somehow time really does just make you forget about what it was that put the distance there. Do you have any friends you lost touch with, and might want to reconnect with? Consider taking the first step, I know it really has made me day :)

As most of you know, today is Ash Wednesday. So after work, I headed home and made a quick dinner before church. I had a salad with lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, cucumber, avocado and asian dressing, and then spaghetti squash with cilantro pesto (and idea I got from Sophie at Yumventures) and a block of baked tofu. It was delicious, but a little light. I was pretty hungry after dinner, so I stopped and got an iced grande soy latte from Starbucks. And then I had a little weak moment, and also grabbed a pack of Madeleines. They're my most favorite cookie in the world, and I can't remember the last time I had them. I don't regret it because I thoroughly enjoyed them. And still kept my calories for the day around 1800.

No exercise today. I thought about doing strength training, but my hamstrings are killing me, and tomorrow Lou and I are going to run the bridges, so I don't want to overdo it.

Last night when JJ and I got in bed, I made a big mistake. I asked him what the science behind electrolytes is. OH MY GOD. He talked my ear off for like, an hour. See, not only goes he have his Masters of Kinesiology, which really gets into exercise science, but he was the Gatorade camp manager at IU during his summers off from grad school. He had to go to Gatorade school for a weekend in Chicago to learn about the science of Gatorade. He had to know their mission statement and he had to give a "hydration message" at the start of camp each week. We still have pounds of powdered Gatorade mix, towels, water bottles, even 2 coolers. Seriously. So, he knew it all. And he started to explain it all to me... but honestly, I was tired, and not really interested at the time. So if you care, I'll give you his email and you can grill him on electrolytes :) But really, he did tell me the basics and I get it now. So I'm going to be swapping out my apples post run with bananas, and I'm going to drink some gatorade or smart water, and I'm going to make sure I stay hydrated.

Speaking of JJ... he just got home, so I'm going to go watch the Olympics with him and browse through my new issues of Eating Well and Cooking Light.
Good night!