If my week had consisted of more than coughing uncontrollably, watching 24, sleeping, and taking as many drugs* as it required to make it through the work day, I might have something interesting to write about. And now that I have you all spellbound and hanging on my every word…

Cameron came over last Monday evening and what was supposed to be an overnight stay turned into a week long visit. He and Cassidy were both off school for the week so he was babysitting for us while I worked and suffered the Great Cold of 2006â„¢. Which, by the way, sucked the big one. Since I was sick and not going to the gym I decided that it would help if I ate like crap.

This lead to a Friday night trip to the Burger Pit for dinner. We ate there mostly because we are all lazy and it’s close enough to walk to and because they serve half pound burgers and that’s what it takes to make a 17 year old boy feel like he’s gotten ALMOST enough to eat. To completely fill them you also need fries, and a shake, and cake, and left over turkey fajitas, and a large bowl of cereal. I think we spent my entire two week paycheck feeding him for six days.

We watched 24. A lot. We are on Season 3: Disk 2 (of 6). Jack Bauer is my hero. I know I’ve said this at least 10 times in the last 10 posts, but you should totally Netflix ALL FOUR SEASONS and watch them back to back to back to back and be completely obsesses with me. Because Jack Bauer is my hero.

I finally started to feel better on Sunday and just in time for the 30 minute jaunt to Santa Cruz to lunch with Chris and Vanessa, and Guillermo and Sandra for Sandra’s birthday at Crows Nest. Smoked Salmon, Calamari, Eggs Benedict and some sinful strawberry daqueri. *hears angels sing* See, TOTALLY NOT HEALTHY. That same day I had a Mochalatta and half a Cinnamon Bun from Cinnabon (Sandara and I were shopping and we NEEDED the energy), pizza, and a beer. TOTALLY. NOT. HEALTHY.

That day ended a four day stint where I not only fell off the wagon, but I burned that fucker to the GROUND!!! At the gym on Monday when I went to weigh myself I closed my eyes and pushed the slider slowly across the scale. I expected at LEAST 3-4 pounds gained. And it stopped EXACTLY where it was when I weighed myself the Wednesday before!! The weight training saved my ass. Literally. The muscle if finally doing it’s job of attacking the fat. GO MUSCLE GO!

14 pounds now. One. Four. I’m a pound away from my best big 10 pound increment. And the before/after pictures.. speak volumes. Someday I’ll post them. When I’m not being such a coward. So it won’t be any time soon. heh

Anyway, Ben is starting the next edition of 24 SOIHAVETOGOOMGBYE!!!

*By drugs, I mean Nyquil and Tylenol Cold so really, it’s not nearly as fun as it sounds like it could have been had it been, like, Crack and Ruffies.

Cough… Check
Phlegm… check
Sniffles… Check
Sinus pressure… Check
Zero energy… Check
Sore muscles from going to the gym when sick which was really really really stupid and just made me feel worse… Check

I should have stayed home. I have the PTO but I’m trying to bank as many hours as possible to build up a “comfort zone” so if I come down with the bird flu or anthrax or want to take a day to watch Ben throw the M3 gracefully around the track I can take as much time as needed.

And I had a big project thrown at me yesterday which required my follow up today. Maybe when the other person finally gets around to emailing me the final info I need I’ll head home… but probably not.

The sky today looks like something out of a picture book. It’s hard to believe that yesterday it was cloudy and dull.

Last night Ben and I went to Bella Vista. We’d been there once before and just about died a blissful death while eating the Godiva Chocolate Souffle. Usually for V-Day one of us takes on the planning and keeps everything secret till the big night. But this year we decided together and Bella Vista was one thing we both agreed on right away.

All the food was wonderful. Ben’s Steak Diane was cooked to a perfect rare and my chicken was just. so. good. It was a leg and thigh cooked on the bone with a light white wine sauce with mushrooms and artichoke hearts. *drools* Just thinking about it makes my mouth water. We had some veal and prosciutto tortellini for an appetizer and normally I don’t like the sweet taste of veal but this was balanced out really well with the salty prosciutto and alfredo sauce. And the souffle… Oh, the souffle. Light, airy, warm, covered with Godiva chocolate sauce. SO GOOD!!

This another favorite of ours because of the drive to the restaurant. I’ll let you figure out what I mean by looking at the google map. Notice the road after you turn off 280. Fun driving.

The most amazing part of the night was the snow. As we sat down to dinner it actually started SNOWING outside. So we ate this amazime meal overlooking The Bay with a flurry of snowflakes just outside the window. It was a fantastic meal, nice conversation, good wine and beautiful scenery. Once again, in a word, it was “perfect”. : )

**I wrote this yesterday and never got around to posting it.

For Valentines Day I had the choice of a present or putting money away for something I have planned but am not going to talk about here yet. HA!

I picked up some M.A.C eyeshadow a few weeks ago and have since raided the counter every time I get within a mile of Macy’s. They leave those cotton swabs out and all the samples there and I just can’t help it!! I walk away with 40 different colors painted on my hands. Since I got the one eyeshadow I’ve wanted to go back and pick up a little of everything in all my colors but the thrifty side of me has won out every time. So tonight I told Ben that rather than a present or the money, I wanted to splurge on a bit of makeup.

I’m down 12 pounds. My arms are FIRM. There’s still fat, but there is firm, solid muscle mass under there. When I flex I feel kinda powerful. TeeHee. I’m not close to my goal weight yet but I am noticeably more toned, and the fat is melting off. I’ve also been taking REALLY good care of my skin. I’ve been washing and exfoliating and rubbing Mary Kay (found on Ebay for SUPERCHEAP!!) goodness into my face every day and my skin is softer and younger and clearer than it’s been since… well, I honestly don’t think it’s EVER felt this good.

Today I was at Macy’s picking up some smaller jeans(!!) because all the ones I have are literally falling off me, I asked him if it would be okay if I got myself some makeup for V-Day. I chatted up at three of the girls and they helped me pick out some good colors. Love, love, love it. I’m gonna go tomorrow at 4:00pm and get my makeup done. I planned it at that time so I’ll look hot for our date tomorrow.

So there ya have it. Four shadows, blush, translucent powder, an eye lash curler, mascara and some finishng spray. <3

Earlier Ben and I decided that since it was Valentines Day I should not have to cook. Well, I decided it really but he totally agreed and we all went to The Burger Pit (actual name, people) for dinner. I got a 14 oz prime rib. I’m not sure exactly what part of me thought I’d be capable of “handling” a 14 oz. piece of red meat after not having eaten ANY red meat in over a month. And the worst part? The meat was so fatty that I had to dissect it into 200 little mini piles of flesh and MAYBE found 7 oz of edible meat. So not only did I eat meat, but I ate FATTY meat. And Ben just SAT there and LET me do it!

Saturday on the way to Benihana’s we were chatting:

Ben: Well, now I know where Burlingame is.
Me: What? You didn’t know where Burlingame is?
Ben: No.

I was in shock. I was always under the impression that Ben not only knew of every city in American but could, at a moments notice, give you exact directions on how to get there in the least amount of time and by the most windy roads.

Me: Oh, wow. You have to drive by it to get to The City (San Francisco).
Ben: Apparently.
…
Me: They have a big diamond outlet here.
Ben: Interesting.
Me: Yeah, they sell them wholesale. *nods in agreement with myself*
…
Ben: Do they have a coat factory too?
Me: What?
Ben: A coat factory. Burlingame Coat Factory.
Me: BWAHAHAHAAH BURLINGTON coat factory, fool!! BURLINGTON, not Burlingame.
Ben: Well!!
Me: I’m totally blogging that.
Ben: *chuckles*
Me: I have to just remember. I always SAY that then I never remember to do it!!
Cassidy: *get me out of this car and away from these crazy adults*

I chanted to myself ‘must remember must remember must remember’ for a few miles.

Tonight as I sat on the Porcelain Throne trying to will my body to just rid itself of the toxic 7oz of meat without completely ripping my colon out of my body in the process, I suddenly remembered that I didn’t post that one conversation where Ben made me laugh out loud. And I laughed through the pain thinking about it.

Ben makes me laugh. Everyday. It’s one of the many, many, many things that make me love him as much as I do.

Happy Valentines Day, Lover. Can’t wait for Saturday night… : )