Back AWAY From the McFlurry aka One Small #Fail for Man; One Giant #Fail for Mankind

So, I posted last Tuesday about this ridiculous diet that I was going to attempt.  

I lasted five whole days (which I happen to be very proud of, thank you very much) before I gorged on popcorn while watching a movie about this boy named Harry Potter.  You've probably never heard of it so I'll move on....

That #dietfail aside, I did manage to redeem myself and have done well.  I've even lost 6 pounds.  Holla!!  

However, today.... I did something really bad.  

But it's not totally my fault.  In fact, I write this post as a warning.  This is no joke people.  You have every right to be alarmed.  In fact, if you're not alarmed yet you better check your batteries because your no-freaking-way detector is obviously not working.

Now hold on to your love handles because you are in for a surprise.  

You see, several months ago McDonald's did something amazing horrible.  It combined two of my greatest weaknesses into one delicious disastrous temptation.  

It took this...

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and then it added a little of this....

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to create THIS masterpiece

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Isn't she beautiful?  Yea, I thought so too.  

I should have known from the start there was a catch, that it was too good to be true.  But alas, love is blind.  So I ignored the signs that were right in front of my face all along.  

I loved her like I've never loved before, even if only from a distance as I chugged my low-fat fresh fruit smoothies.  But they could never be her.  No, this had to stop!  I had to have her... to make her my own!

So tonight I told my diet, "Diet, I need some space... some time to reflect on us.  Don't worry, I'm not going to do anything crazy.  I'm just gonna go hang out with my friends, I promise.  You can trust me."

And being the amazing Diet that he is, he let me go.  Deep down, I think he knew I wouldn't be faithful, but what could he say?  He had to let me try things my own stubborn way.

So I left, and I grabbed the McFlurry.  It was everything I'd been craving this past week.  I was so happy.   

That is, until I learned her deep, dark secret.  One so shocking and heinous that I can never look at her the same again.  

She contains almost 700 calories for a regular size!! SEVEN hundred!! 

This is an actual photograph taken of ME at the exact moment I found out.  

[Caution:  Image may be disturbing to younger viewers.]

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Okay, so maybe that's not the actual photo of me, but it's a pretty dang accurate depiction of how it all went down.  Such a tragedy....

After the shock wore off I returned home to Diet.  Needless to say he's upset that I cheated, but he forgives me and we're going to try to work things out.  I'm going to try to be more faithful from now on and hopefully, over time, things will get easier.  

Until then, well.... I'll always have the memory of her, at least for the next 3 months while I try to sweat her off at the gym.  And, if I can save just one person from herself and the tasty, diet-destroying wrath of the Rolo McFlurry, then my job here is done.

**While you're here enter my current giveaway

for a chance to win $30 to spend on Frigidaire accessories!**

The Colors of a Car Wash

**While you're here enter my current giveaway

for a chance to win $30 to spend on Frigidaire accessories!**

Foldable Flats for $8!! YAY!!

I love a good deal and I try to share the ones that really make me happy when I get a chance.  In fact, in May I shared my favorite sites to snag a deal.  Eversave isn't listed in that post because I rarely use them, but today they are having a great online deal that I couldn't pass up.

FYI:  This deal is good through Friday, July 22nd.

For $10 (or $8 if you use the code I'm about to give you) you'll get $20 to put toward a purchase of Clouds.

So, what are Clouds?  Taken from their website, "Clouds are portable ballet flats that fold and fit in a small pouch.  You can carry this pouch in your purse and have easy access to a comfortable and stylish solution when your feat hurt from wearing high heals."

I've heard of these but never owned a pair.  But, I start a new clerkship next month and the walk from the parking lot downtown to the office will be about one block.  It will be so nice to wear my Clouds during that walk everyday!  (And of course, they'll be great to wear during the 30 minute commute as well.)

Here's the pair I've got my eye on, but they have several styles/colors...

Prices range from about $19 to $25.  Shipping is only $3!  So this deal will cover all (or almost all) of your purchase.

If you decide to purchase this deal, enter the code SHARE at checkout and you'll save an extra $2, meaning you'll get $20 toward Clouds for only $8.  Holla!

Take Me To The Deal!!

**While you're here enter my current giveaway

for a chance to win $30 to spend on Frigidaire accessories!**

If I Seem Cranky Over the Next 30 Days, This is Why....

Have you ever Googled weightloss or heard of programs that promise you'll lose like 800 pounds in a week if you do these simple little tricks?

Well, a few weeks ago my husband brought home a packet that he got from someone he works with who has apparently lost about 50 pounds in two months of following this thing.  I'm always super skeptical of any of these diets and have thus, never even attempted one.

But my husband and I want to lose some weight and for the sake of curiosity, have decided that we're going to give it a try to see what happens.

The diet is four weeks long and is extremely strict.  (From what I can tell, if it tastes good or if you've ever craved it in your LIFE, you cannot have it.)  I'm going to follow this diet exactly (and trust me, this will be painful considering my love of chocolate) AND will be blogging about my progress to keep you amused informed.

So, here goes nothing!  (HELP!)

The Diet:  Week 1

Day 1

• Breakfast:  1/2 orange or grapefruit AND one of the following:  1 or 2 boiled eggs OR 1/4 cup low-fat cheese OR 1/2 cup low-fat yogurt
• Lunch:  As much as you'd like of ONE of the following fruits:  oranges, strawberries, pears, apples, plums, cantaloupe, watermelon
• Dinner:  Grilled meat (cut or ground) fat-free (no mutton or lamb due to high fat content)

Day 2

• Breakfast:  1/2 orange or grapefruit AND one of the following:  1 or 2 boiled eggs OR 1/4 cup low-fat cheese OR 1/2 cup low-fat yogurt
• Lunch:  Grilled or boiled chicken (no skin)
• Dinner:  2 boiled eggs OR 1/2 cup low-fat cheese OR 1/2 cup low-fat yogurt; green salad (which may include lettuce, tomato, green peppers carrots, cucumbers, but no dressing); 1 slice of dry toast or 1/4 pita; 1 orange OR grapefruit

Day 3

• Breakfast:  1/2 orange or grapefruit AND one of the following:  1 or 2 boiled eggs OR 1/4 cup low-fat cheese OR 1/2 cup low-fat yogurt
• Lunch:  1 tablespoon fat-free cheese; 1 piece of toast; tomato
• Dinner:  Grilled meat; green salad (which may include lettuce, tomato, green pepper, carrots, cucumber, but no dressing)

Day 4

• Breakfast:  1/2 orange or grapefruit AND one of the following:  1 or 2 boiled eggs OR 1/4 cup low-fat cheese OR 1/2 cup low-fat yogurt
• Lunch:  As much as you'd like of ONE of the following fruits:  oranges, strawberries, pears, apples, plums, cantaloupe, watermelon
• Dinner:  Grilled meat; green salad (which may include lettuce, tomato, green pepper, carrots, cucumber, but no dressing)

Day 5

• Breakfast:  1/2 orange or grapefruit AND one of the following:  1 or 2 boiled eggs OR 1/4 cup low-fat cheese OR 1/2 cup low-fat yogurt
• Lunch:  2 boiled eggs OR 1/2 cup low-fat cheese OR 1/2 cup low-fat yogurt; boiled vegetables (zucchini, squash, spinach, carrots, green beans, peas)
• Dinner:  Grilled shrimp OR fish, OR 1 can of tuna in water

Day 6

• Breakfast:  1/2 orange or grapefruit AND one of the following:  1 or 2 boiled eggs OR 1/4 cup low-fat cheese OR 1/2 cup low-fat yogurt
• Lunch:  As much as you'd like of ONE of the following fruits:  oranges, strawberries, pears, apples, plums, cantaloupe, watermelon
• Dinner:  Grilled meat; green salad (which may include lettuce, tomato, green pepper, carrots, cucumber, but no dressing)

Day 7

• Breakfast:  1/2 orange or grapefruit AND one of the following:  1 or 2 boiled eggs OR 1/4 cup low-fat cheese OR 1/2 cup low-fat yogurt
• Lunch:  Grilled or boiled chicken (no skin); boiled vegetables (zucchini, squash, spinach, carrots, green beans, peas); 1 orange or grapefruit
• Dinner:  Boiled vegetables (zucchini, squash, spinach, carrots, green beans, peas)

I'll be updating soon.... probably from the bottom of a gallon of ice cream, crying with defeat.  Wish me luck.  ;)

**While you're here enter my current giveaway

for a chance to win $30 to spend on Frigidaire accessories!**

I Miss Her So Much

On June 29, 2010 I lost my great grandmother.

I knew I'd miss her long before she left us, but I could never have guessed how much.  Looking back I was crazy not to have realized how much of a hole she'd leave in me.  After all, she was a part of every special memory in my life.

Every Easter I that I can ever remember was spent in her backyard.

Granny would sit on the porch and watch the children go wild.

Everyone would hunt eggs....

....and spend time with their cousins, aunts, uncles, and siblings.

Our last Easter together, she wasn't feeling well so I'm thankful to have snagged one photo with her.  

Every Halloween we'd stop by to make sure she saw our costumes.

Every Thanksgiving, it was her house the whole family flocked to in order to fill up on turkey and dressing.

And every Christmas Eve, it was her tree that everyone always gathered around to pass out gifts.

She hadn't been herself months before she passed, but two days before she left us she gave us all one last special gift--the gift of her company.  

She was very alert and ready to talk to everyone.  

She even smiled.  Oh, she smiled.  

And she even gave us a hard time and all of us laughed.

I'm so thankful that she gave us one last day to soak her in.  When I get too sad about her not being with me anymore it's these memories, and many more, that I try to focus on.  I'm so blessed to have had a relationship with this strong-willed, opinionated woman that I often see in myself.  

The day she passed was a very bad day, even though we knew it was coming.  And this past year has been difficult for my family as we seek out a new way of coming together to celebrate without her.  In many ways, she was our family's center of gravity and we've all been off balance since her passing.  

But thankfully, she left a little bit of herself in each of us and that gives me the hope I need to know that no matter what, we'll get stronger everyday.  

I miss you granny.  

This post idea came from Mama Kat's Writing Workshop.  Be sure to stop by there for creative inspiration!

**While you're here enter my current giveaway

for a chance to win $30 to spend on Frigidaire accessories!**

No One Tells You About THE MOMMY GUILT....

Everyone loves to open their pie hole anytime they find out someone is expecting to share their opinions on how the mommy-to-be's life is about to change.  

Ah.... how I love unwanted advice.

But ya know, out of all that unwanted advice I've ever received, not once did anyone mention the mommy guilt.

Oh.... the mommy guilt.

Every night I lay in bed and my mind turns on me:


You didn't play with Maddox enough today.  Oh, and remember when he asked you to watch that movie with him yesterday and you said you would tomorrow?  Well, you didn't do it.  How much TV did he watch today?  That was way too much.  You should have been bonding with him during that time.  And let me guess, you won't have time tomorrow because you need to study?  Typical.

And it goes on... and on..... and on.....

I literally beat myself up mentally.  Why did no one tell me this would happen?

And what's sad is that my baby is almost 6 years old.  I keep thinking the mommy guilt will magically go away once he hits a certain age.  It doesn't.  In fact, I think the more time that passes, the easier it is for me to guilt myself.

For example, today I found myself planning the child's birthday party.  Today.  I repeat:  I was doing this TODAY.

His birthday?  The week of Halloween!  When I stopped to think about how ridiculous I am for planning his birthday party so early this year, I realized that I do this every year.

And then I realized why I do it.  It's because his third birthday happened a few months after I started law school.  I was completely overwhelmed and busy and the time got away from me, so his third birthday party was extremely thrown together.

I felt horrible about it.  Like.... OMG, I've just ruined my child's life horrible.

I still guilt myself for that.  STILL.  The child was three.... like he even remembers!

But MOMMY GUILT never forgets!!

At first I thought I was the only mom who constantly felt guilty, but every time I bring it up to other mothers they completely relate.

We have got to quit doing this to ourselves dang it.

I'm going to make a conscious effort to cut myself some slack in an attempt to calm the mommy guilt.

So tonight when I lay down (and any other time that I start beating myself up mentally with this mommy guilt nonsense) I'm going to repeat this to myself over and over again until I believe it:

I am only human.  I am doing the best I can, and that is all I can do.  

Do you have mommy guilt?  If so, what helps you?

**While you're here, enter my current giveaway

for a chance to win $30 in Frigidaire accessories!!**

Walgreens Deal This Week on Old Spice

{Week of 7/10 - 7/16}

The Deal:

Get $10 in Register Rewards when you buy $30 or more

of participating Gillette or Old Spice Products

{Sorry for the HORRIBLE pic quality...}

Items Purchased

• (3) Old Spice Fresh Collection Deodorant @ $4.99
• (3) Old Spice Fresh Collection Body Spray @ $4.99
• (1) Old Spice Original Deodorant @ $2.99
• Total Before Coupons:  $32.93 + tax

Coupons Used

• 3 Manufacturer Coupons (MC) x Buy 1 Old Spice Fresh Collection Deodorant Get 1 Old Spice Body Spray Free [these coupons are located in the 7/3 Smart Source Newspaper Insert]
• 1 MC x $1.00 off two Old Spice Products [from 7/3 Smart Source]
• $5.00 RR [from previous purchase]

Totals

• Total Before Coupons:  $35.89
• Total Out of Pocket [after coupons]:  $14.92
• [Received $10 Register Reward (good toward next purchase)]
• Overall Total:  $4.92
• Savings of:  $30.97 (or 86.29%)

My hubby likes Old Spice products so he's happy to be stocked up!

**While you're here, enter my current giveaway
for a chance to win $30 in Frigidaire accessories!!**

So I'm a chick that doesn't cook.... sue me!!

That's right.  I don't cook.  In fact, let's be real....

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My husband does the cooking in this relationship.  

And the way I see it, why mess with a good thing?  

He likes to cook.  He's a good cook.  I like to eat.  I'm a good eater.  

It's a win/win!!

Me as a cook?  Well.... let's just say I've managed to make even instant mashed potatoes inedible.  (Sadly, that is NOT a joke.)

In fact, when others see me in the kitchen, it's a scary thing....  like they expect me to kill someone.

"Jackie, step away from the knife!!"

"But I'm just cooking.... ?"

"No one needs to get hurt..."

"It's lettuce.  I'm chopping lettuce, see?"

"There's no need to get hostile!"

"But...."

"Set the knife down slowly..."

"I give up!"

But lately, I've been trying to become a more well-rounded person.  Why?  I don't know.  I always feel the need to be able to do it all.  And I have some free time.  

So.... when no one was looking, I did something WILD.  

I baked!!

And, then.... something even wilder happened.

People ATE it!!

I give you:  banana-nut bread!  

{Cue angelic music as the sky opens up

and sheds light down upon this MIRACLE!}

It's so beautiful, I almost cried.  

Kinda like the day my son was born, I had this moment of, "I created this!?"

I was so afraid to taste it, to cut it.  I thought once I did that THIS was going to happen...

But, I slowly cut it and then I ate it...  

And am happy to report it was as good as it looks!

So, even though I'm not the cook in this house.... maybe I do have a few skills I didn't know about.  And you might just see more of them in the future.  

And even though I'd like to think this baking adventure was a success because I'm AMAZING, the recipe probably had a lot little something to do with it too.  (You can find the recipe here.)  

Just do me a favor if you end up making this and don't tell anyone I know that it really wasn't my awesomeness and that it really was the recipe, okay?  Thanks.

**While you're here enter my current giveaway

for a chance to win $30 to spend on Frigidaire accessories!**

Congrats to THIS Winner of the Antique-Style Frame Giveaway

Congratulations to Chacoy for winning this giveaway!

So which frame in Nikki's Nifty's Etsy Shop did she choose?

This beautiful liquid gunmetal frame!

Don't you love it?

Picture Source

Thank you to Nikki for donating this awesome frame to our winner

and to everyone who entered, making my first giveaway a success!  

Speaking of giveaways, my current giveaway for $30 to spend toward Frigidaire accessories has zero entries!  (So sad!)  Anyone want to change that?  

And, did you know that Chacoy loves to host giveaways as well?!  Check them out and then take a look around her wonderful blog by clicking here!

Thanks again to everyone for the support!

It means the world to me!  

:)

Giveaway: $30 to Spend on Frigidaire Accessories!!

We all know and love Frigidaire, so I know you're going to love this!

Enter below to win $30 to be used toward any item

at the Frigidaire Accessory Website!

Frigidaire Accessory Division has tons of great items for your home

(including several under $30!)

So, what would you spend your $30 on if you won this giveaway?

Here are some of their items under $30 that I love!!!!

You can't have enough baking stones!!

Click here to be taken to this item!

Tell me you don't LOVE these and I'll call you a liar!

Click here to be taken to this item!

Cutting boards that aren't a bore to look at?

Yes please!

Click here to be taken to this item!

A drying rack that attaches to the dryer door 

allowing you to dry shoes without all that clanking and noise!!  

Why didn't I think of that?!

Click here to be taken to this item!

Just like everything else, grill covers need to be replaced too!

(And Frigidaire's are seriously on sale right now.)

Click here to be taken to this item!

I love my stainless steel appliances

as much as they love my son's fingerprints.

I could definitely use this cleaning kit!

Click here to be taken to this item!

Now that you know about my favorite items, here are the giveaway details!

THE GIVEAWAY

This giveaway will run from July 2nd, 2011 until August 2nd, 2011 at midnight (central time).  The winner will receive one $30 coupon code (via email) to be used on any product available for purchase at the Frigidaire Accessory Website.  Please note:  the coupon code is not good toward tax/shipping.

HOW TO ENTER

1. [Mandatory Entry]  Follow Mad Jackie using Google Connect.  Leave one comment below stating that you do and telling me something you love about Frigidaire, whether it's a product in your home or an accessory on their website.
2. [Optional Entry] Follow @Mad_Jackie on Twitter.  Leave a separate comment below stating that you do.
3. [Optional Entry] "Like" Mad Jackie's NEW Facebook Page.  Leave a separate comment below stating that you do.
4. [Optional Entry -- Limit One Per Day]  Tweet about this giveaway! [Be sure to mention @Mad_Jackie in your tweet.]  Leave a separate comment below (one max per day) letting me know that about it.

Good Luck!!

The following is true of all my giveaways unless stated otherwise in the giveaway rules itself:

One winner will be randomly selected and contacted via email.  

Winner will have 48 hours to respond or else risk forfeiting the prize.

If forfeiture occurs, another random winner will be contacted in the same manner subject to the same stipulations.

Note:  I was not compensated in any way for hosting this giveaway.